AVIS-IBIS

Birds of Indian Subcontinent

PROMEROPS AS A THRUSH, AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR THE EVOLUTION OF NECTARIVORY IN BIRDS

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:1984
Authors:Olson, SL, Ames, PL
Journal:Ostrich
Volume:55
Issue:4
Date Published:1984
ISBN Number:0030-6525
Keywords:Meliphagidae, Promerops, Struthio, Struthio camelus, Struthionidae, Sturnidae, World
Abstract:Summary Olson, S. L. & Ammes, P. L. 1984. Promerops as a thrush and its implications for the evolution of nectarivory in birds. Ostrich 56:213-218 The familial relationships of the South African sugarbirds (Promerops). have never been firmly established, although an alliance with the Meliphagidae or the Sturnidae has been suggested on rather equivocal grounds. The syrinx in Promerops is now shown to have the derived turdine thumb configuration that is characteristic of the true Old World flycatchers and the thrushes (Muscicapini auct. and Turdinae), to which group Promerops should now be moved. Promerops shows that the highly specialized morphology and behaviour associated with nectarivory can evolve in a saltational manner, leaving no intermediate forms and few clues to the identity of the ancestral taxon. Nectarivorous feeding adaptations are a very poor indication of relationships. The closest relatives of other nectarivorous groups of birds are probably best sought among taxa that lack morphological specializations for nectar feeding.Summary Olson, S. L. & Ammes, P. L. 1984. Promerops as a thrush and its implications for the evolution of nectarivory in birds. Ostrich 56:213-218 The familial relationships of the South African sugarbirds (Promerops). have never been firmly established, although an alliance with the Meliphagidae or the Sturnidae has been suggested on rather equivocal grounds. The syrinx in Promerops is now shown to have the derived turdine thumb configuration that is characteristic of the true Old World flycatchers and the thrushes (Muscicapini auct. and Turdinae), to which group Promerops should now be moved. Promerops shows that the highly specialized morphology and behaviour associated with nectarivory can evolve in a saltational manner, leaving no intermediate forms and few clues to the identity of the ancestral taxon. Nectarivorous feeding adaptations are a very poor indication of relationships. The closest relatives of other nectarivorous groups of birds are probably best sought among taxa that lack morphological specializations for nectar feeding.
URL:http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00306525.1984.9634490
Short Title:Ostrich
Taxonomic name: 
Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith