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
Within the richmondenine-emberizine-thraupid assemblage, _Junco_
and _Zonotrichia_ constitute a sub-group apart from the others.
_Piranga_ and _Richmondena_ show close serological correspondence.
The present taxonomic position of _Spiza_ in the Richmondeninae,
which has been questioned by Beecher (1951a:431; 1953:309), is
corroborated at least insofar as the serological evidence is
concerned. Certainly, serological correspondence of _Spiza_ with the
richmondenine-emberizine-thraupid assemblage is greater than with any
other group of birds tested.
It is obvious that the serological affinities of the carduelines do
not lie with the richmondenines, emberizines, or thraupids. The
carduelines show greater serological correspondence with the
estrildines than they do with any of the other groups tested. Further
serological investigation involving other species, however, is
necessary before the nearest relatives of the carduelines can be
determined with certainty.
The two estrildines tested (_Estrilda_ and _Poephila_) show close
serological relationship. Their nearest relatives, serologically, seem
to be the carduelines. The classification (Wetmore, 1951) that places
_Passer_ in the same family with the estrildines is not upheld by the
serological data available. _Passer_ is not, serologically, closely
related to any of the birds tested. It is of interest that Beecher
(1953:303-305), on the basis of jaw musculature, places _Passer_ and
the estrildines in separate families (Ploceidae and Estrildidae,
respectively).
_Molothrus_ shows greater serological correspondence to the
richmondenine-emberizine-thraupid assemblage than to any of the other
birds tested. It is definitely set apart from this group, however, and
its position, serologically, is compatible with that based on evidence
from other sources.
There seems to be but little argument among ornithologists that
icterids, fringillids, and ploceids constitute families which are
distinct from one another. If, then, the serological differences
between _Molothrus_ (Icteridae) and _Richmondena_ (Fringillidae),
between _Molothrus_ and _Zonotrichia_ (Fringillidae), and between
_Richmondena_ and _Poephila_ (Ploceidae) are indicative of family
differences, there are four families represented by the birds
involved. _Molothrus_ represents one family; _Piranga_, _Richmondena_,
_Spiza_, _Junco_, and _Zonotrichia_, a second; _Estrilda_, _Poephila_,
_Carpodacus_, and _Spinus_, a third; and _Passer_, a fourth.
CONCLUSIONS
The heterogeneity of the Family Fringillidae has been emphasized by
many authors. The relationships of the species now included in this
Family have been the subject of much discussion and constitute an
important problem in avian systematics.
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