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Carpodacus

(Genus)

Overview

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The rosefinches are in the finch family Fringillidae. Most Carpodacus species are so named, but three common North American ones are not. As the names imply, various shades of red are the characteristic plumage colors of this group.

Rose finches are found throughout the northern hemisphere, but the greatest diversity is in Asia. Most species are traditionally placed in the large genus Carpodacus.

Systematics

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Comparison of mtDNA cytochrome b sequences strongly indicates that the genus Carpodacus is in need of a thorough revision (Arnaiz-Villena et al., 2001). For example, the Dark-breasted Rosefinch, a species with very distinctive appearance, is also very distinct genetically and definitely belongs into another genus, which may even be placed in the chaffinch-brambling sub family Fringillinae; all other species belong to the cardueline finch subfamily (Carduelinae).

There have been a number of rosefinch radiations. First to split off were the ancestors of the North American species, the Common Rosefinch, and the Scarlet Finch (the later is traditionally placed in its own genus, but this is almost certainly incorrect). These diverged in the Middle Miocene (about 14-12 mya) from the proto-rosefinches and should constitute the genus Carpodacus proper, which might even be limited to the European species and probably the Scarlet Finch, with the North American forms becoming a distinct genus.

The Long-tailed Rosefinch, traditionally also placed in a monotypic genus, is closely allied to the Streaked Rosefinch and possibly other species; they diverged around 11-10 mya and either might be placed in Carpodacus or united in Uragus. If the latter is adopted, the bulk of the Asian species would also have to be separated as yet another distinct genus.

Przewalski's "Rosefinch" (Urocynchramus pylzowi) has been determined to be not a rosefinch, and indeed not a true finch at all, but to constitute a monotypic family Urocynchramidae (Groth 2000).

Species

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Photos

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Taxonomy

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The Genus Carpodacus is further organized into finer groupings including:

References

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Sources

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Last Revised: September 22, 2009
2009/09/22 16:53:13