Myology and Serology of the Avian Family Fringillidae: A Taxonomic Study — John Shaqi
Myology and Serology of the Avian Family Fringillidae: A Taxonomic StudyStallcup, William B.
Science
Myology and Serology of the Avian Family Fringillidae: A Taxonomic Study
Stallcup, William B.
Birds; Finches
In analyzing the serological relationships of the species used in this
study, it becomes obvious that two or more series of tests must be
considered before the birds can be placed in relation to each other.
For example, the data presented in Fig. 14 indicate that _Spiza_ and
_Molothrus_ show approximately the same degree of serological
correspondence to _Richmondena_. This does not imply necessarily that
_Spiza_ and _Molothrus_ are closely related. If Fig. 15 is examined,
it can be determined that _Richmondena_ shows much greater serological
correspondence to _Spiza_ than does _Molothrus_. Thus, an analysis of
both figures serves to clarify the true serological relationships of
the three genera. By reference to other series of tests involving
these three birds a more exact determination of their relationships
may be obtained.
To illustrate this point by a hypothetical example, two species might
seem equidistant, serologically, from a third species. Additional
testing should indicate if the first two species are equidistant in
the same direction (therefore, by implication, close relatives) or in
opposite directions (therefore, distant relatives). A single test
supplies only two dimensions of a three dimensional arrangement.
It is impossible to interpret and to picture the serological data
satisfactorily in two dimensions; therefore, a three-dimensional model
(Figs. 22, 23) was constructed to summarize the serological
relationships of the birds involved. Each of the eleven kinds used
consistently throughout the investigation is represented in the model.
By use of the percentage values (Table 2), each bird was located in
relation to the other birds. Where possible, averages of reciprocal
tests (Table 3) were used in determining distances between the
elements of the model. In this way seven of the birds were accurately
located in relation to each other. Lacking reciprocal tests, the
positions of the other birds were determined by the values of single
tests (Table 4). Although these birds were placed with less certainty,
at least four points of reference were used in locating each species.
At least one serological test is represented by each connecting bar in
the model. The lengths of the bars connecting any two elements were
determined as follows: a percentage value (Table 3 and Table 4)
representing the degree of serological correspondence between two
birds was subtracted from 100 per cent; the remainder was multiplied
by a factor of five to increase the size of the model and the product
was expressed in millimeters; a bar of proper length connects the two
elements involved.
From the model it is observed that, _Molothrus_ and _Passer_ excluded,
the birds fall into two distinct groups: one includes _Piranga_,
_Richmondena_, _Spiza_, _Junco_, and _Zonotrichia_; the other includes
_Estrilda_, _Poephila_, _Carpodacus_, and _Spinus_.
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