Title

Plumage-based phylogenetic Analyses of the Meropsbee-eaters.

Authors

Brent Burt, Department of Biology, Stephen F Austin State University, Nacogdoches, TX 75961Follow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-2004

Publication Title

Ibis

Abstract

I review previous systematic work on the family Meropidae and present phylogenetic hypotheses derived from my analyses of colour, pattern and shape variation in 30 plumage regions among species and subspecies in this family. Consistent patterns are seen across shallow portions of the trees. Uncertainty remains concerning the placement of several deep branches within this group's phylogeny. In particular, the phylogenetic placement ofMeropogon forsteniandMerops breweri,M. ornatus,M. hirundineusandM. boehmiremains uncertain. The biogeographical patterns in the resultant trees are similar with either a Southeast Asian or African origin for the family, with most of the early diversification occurring in Africa, and with multiple independent subsequent invasions of non-African areas.

DOI:10.1111/j.1474-919x.2004.00289.x

Volume

146

Issue

3

First Page

481

Repository Citation

Burt, D. B. 2004. Plumage-based phylogenetic analyses of the Merops bee-eaters. Ibis 146(3):481-492.

Last Page

492

DOI

10.1111/j.1474-919x.2004.00289.x

ISSN

1474-919X