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Cracidae

(Family)

Overview

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The chachalacas, guans and curassows are birds in the family Cracidae.

These are species of tropical and subtropical Central and South America. One species, the Plain Chachalaca, just reaches southernmost Texas in the USA. Two species, the Trinidad Piping Guan and the Rufous-vented Chachalaca occur on the islands of Trinidad and Tobago respectively.

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Cracids are large birds, similar in general appearance to turkeys. The guans and curassows live in trees, but the smaller chachalacas are found in more open scrubby habitats. Many species are fairly long tailed, which may be an aide to navigating their largely arboreal existence. They are generally dull-plumaged, but the curassows and some guans have colorful facial ornaments. The birds are particular vocal, with the chachalacas taking their name from the sound of their call.[1] Cracids range in size from the Little Chachalaca (Ortalis motmot), at as little as 38 cm (15 in) and 350 g (12.5 oz), to the Great Curassow (Crax rubra), at nearly 1 m (40 in) and 4.3 kg (9.5 lbs).

These species feed on fruit, insects and worms. They build nests in trees, and lay two to three large white eggs, which only the female incubates alone. The young are precocial and are born with an instinct to immediately climb and seek refuge in the nesting tree. They are able to fly within days of hatching.[1]

Systematics and evolution

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The Cracidae are an ancient group related to the Australasian Mound-builders. They are sometimes united with these in a distinct order, "Craciformes", but this is not supported by more recent research which suggests that either is a well-marked, basal lineage of Galliformes.

Plain Chachalacas, Ortalis vetula

FAMILY: CRACIDAE

Subfamily N.N.[2]

Alternatively, all subfamilies except the Penelopinae could be lumped into the Cracinae. As the initial radiation of cracids is not well resolved at present (see below), the system used here seems more appropriate. It is also quite probable that entirely extinct subfamilies exist as the fossil record is utterly incomplete.

Evolution

Female Bare-faced Curassow (Crax fasciolata)

Recent research has analyzed mt and nDNA sequences, morphological, and biogeographical data to study the phylogenetic relationships of cracid birds, namely the relationships among the genera (Pereira et al., 2002), the relationships between the species of curassows (Pereira & Baker, 2004) and between the piping- and Wattled Guans (Grau et al., 2005). The traditional groups - chachalacas, guans, and curassows - are verified as distinct clades, but the Horned Guan represents the sole survivor of a very distinct and ancient lineage.

In addition, the molecular data suggest that the Cracidae originated in the Late Cretaceous, but the authors caution that this cannot be more than a hypothesis at present: as the rate of molecular evolution is neither constant over time nor uniform between genera and even species, dating based on molecular information has a very low accuracy over such long timespans and needs to be corroborated by fossil evidence. The fossil record of cracids is limited to a single doubtfully distinct genus of chachalaca, Boreortalis (Hawthorn Early Miocene of Florida, USA; may actually be a junior synonym of Ortalis) and some species in the modern genus Ortalis, however. This does not provide any assistance in evaluating the hypothesis (Pereira et al., 2002) that the split between the 4 main lineages of our time occurred quite rapidly, approximately in the Oligocene or slightly earlier, somewhere between 40 and 20 mya.

The genera Procrax, Palaeonossax and Paleophasianus are often considered cracids, but this is not certain at all; they may belong to a related extinct lineage. It is unfortunate that of these too, few good fossils are known, as they date to about the time when the modern groups presumably diverged. Should they be cracids, they are not unlikely to represent either some of the last members of the family before guans, chachalacas, etc. evolved, or very early representatives of these lineages.

Thus, the assumption that the modern diversity started to evolve in the late Paleogene, continuing throughout the Miocene and onwards, must also be considered hypothetical given the lack of robust evidence. Still, the "molecular" scenario is entirely possible considering what is known about the evolution and radiation of the Galloanserae, and consistent with the paleogeography of the Americas. The ichnotaxon Tristraguloolithus cracioides is based on fossil eggshell fragments from the Late Cretaceous Oldman Formation of southern Alberta, Canada which are similar to chachalaca eggs (Zelenitsky et al., 1996), but in the absence of bone material their relationships cannot be determined except that they are apparently not from a dinosaur.

By comparison, speciation within curassows (Crax, Nothocrax, Pauxi and Mitu) and the piping/wattled guans is supported by better evidence. It was usually caused by changes in topography which divided populations (vicariant speciation), mainly due to the uplift of the Andes which led to the establishment of the modern river basins. The distribution of curassow and piping-guan species for the most part follows the layout of these river systems, and in the latter case, apparently many extinctions of populations in lowland areas (Grau et al., 2005). Another result was that the Wattled Guan belongs to the same genus as the piping-guans, which thus use the older name Aburria (Grau et al., 2005).

Footnotes

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  1. ^ a b Rands, Michael R.W. (19 91). Forshaw, Joseph. ed. Encyclopaedia of Animals: Birds. London: Merehurst Press. pp. 89. ISBN 1-85391-186-0. 
  2. ^ Though this group would also be classified at subfamily level, it has usually been lumped with the Penelopinae due to misinterpreted plesiomorphies (Pereira et al. 2002). In any case, the name Ortalinae is currently occupied.[verification needed]
e chachalacas, guans and curassows are birds in the family Cracidae.

These are species of tropical and subtropical Central and South America. One species, the Plain Chachalaca, just reaches southernmost Texas in the USA. Two species, the Trinidad Piping Guan and the Rufous-vented Chachalaca occur on the islands of Trinidad and Tobago respectively.

[ Back to top ]

Cracids are large birds, similar in general appea rance to turkeys. The guans and curassows live in trees, but the smaller chachalacas are found in more open scrubby habitats. Many species are fairly long tailed, which may be an aide to navigating their largely arboreal existence. They are generally dull-plumaged, but the curassows and some guans have colorful facial ornaments. The birds are particular vocal, with the chachalacas taking their name from the sound of their call.[1] Cracids range in size from the Little Chachalaca (Ortalis motmot), at as little as 38 cm (15 in) and 350 g (12.5 oz), to the Great Curassow (Crax rubra), at nearly 1 m (40 in) and 4.3 kg (9.5 lbs).

These species feed on fruit, insects and worms. They build nests in trees, and lay two to three large white eggs, which only the female incubates alone. The young are precocial and are born with an instinct to immediately climb and seek refuge in the nesting tree. They are able to fly within days of hatching.[1]

Systematics and evolution

[ Back to top ]

The Cracidae are an ancient group related to the Australasian Mound-builders. They are sometimes united with these in a distinct order, "Craciformes", but this is not supported by more recent research which suggests that either is a well-marked, basal lineage of Galliformes.

Plain Chachalacas, Ortalis vetula

FAMILY: CRACIDAE

Subfamily N.N.[2]

Alternatively, all subfamilies except the Penelopinae could be lumped into the Cracinae. As the initial radiation of cracids is not well resolved at present (see below), the system used here seems more appropriate. It is also quite probable that entirely extinct subfamilies exist as the fossil record is utterly incomplete.

Evolution

Female Bare-faced Curassow (Crax fasciolata)

Recent research has analyzed mt and nDNA sequences, morphological, and biogeographical data to study the phylogenetic relationships of cracid birds, namely the relationships among the genera (Pereira et al., 2002), the relationships between the species of curassows (Pereira & Baker, 2004) and between the piping- and Wattled Guans (Grau et al., 2005). The traditional groups - chachalacas, guans, and curassows - are verified as distinct clades, but the Horned Guan represents the sole survivor of a very distinct and ancient lineage.

In addition, the molecular data suggest that the Cracidae originated in the Late Cretaceous, but the authors caution that this cannot be more than a hypothesis at present: as the rate of molecular evolution is neither constant over time nor uniform between genera and even species, dating based on molecular information has a very low accuracy over such long timespans and needs to be corroborated by fossil evidence. The fossil record of cracids is limited to a single doubtfully distinct genus of chachalaca, Boreortalis (Hawthorn Early Miocene of Florida, USA; may actually be a junior synonym of Ortalis) and some species in the modern genus Ortalis, however. This does not provide any assistance in evaluating the hypothesis (Pereira et al., 2002) that the split between the 4 main lineages of our time occurred quite rapidly, approximately in the Oligocene or slightly earlier, somewhere between 40 and 20 mya.

The genera Procrax, Palaeonossax and Paleophasianus are often considered cracids, but this is not certain at all; they may belong to a related extinct lineage. It is unfortunate that of these too, few good fossils are known, as they date to about the time when the modern groups presumably diverged. Should they be cracids, they are not unlikely to represent either some of the last members of the family before guans, chachalacas, etc. evolved, or very early representatives of these lineages.

Thus, the assumption that the modern diversity started to evolve in the late Paleogene, continuing throughout the Miocene and onwards, must also be considered hypothetical given the lack of robust evidence. Still, the "molecular" scenario is entirely possible considering what is known about the evolution and radiation of the Galloanserae, and consistent with the paleogeography of the Americas. The ichnotaxon Tristraguloolithus cracioides is based on fossil eggshell fragments from the Late Cretaceous Oldman Formation of southern Alberta, Canada which are similar to chachalaca eggs (Zelenitsky et al., 1996), but in the absence of bone material their relationships cannot be determined except that they are apparently not from a dinosaur.

By comparison, speciation within curassows (Crax, Nothocrax, Pauxi and Mitu) and the piping/wattled guans is supported by better evidence. It was usually caused by changes in topography which divided populations (vicariant speciation), mainly due to the uplift of the Andes which led to the establishment of the modern river basins. The distribution of curassow and piping-guan species for the most part follows the layout of these river systems, and in the latter case, apparently many extinctions of populations in lowland areas (Grau et al., 2005). Another result was that the Wattled Guan belongs to the same genus as the piping-guans, which thus use the older name Aburria (Grau et al., 2005).

Footnotes

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  1. ^ a b Rands, Michael R.W. (1991). Forshaw, Joseph. ed. Encyclopaedia of Animals: Birds. London: Merehurst Press. pp. 89. ISBN 1-85391-186-0. 
  2. ^ Though this group w ould also be classified at subfamily level, it has usually been lumped with the Penelopinae due to misinterpreted plesiomorphies (Pereira et al. 2002). In any case, the name Ortalinae is currently occupied.[verification needed]

References

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External links

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Taxonomy

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The Family Cracidae is a member of the Superfamily Cracoidea. Here is the complete "parentage" of Cracidae:

The Family Cracidae is further organized into finer groupings including:

Genera

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Aburria

The Wattled Guan (Aburria aburri) is a species of bird in the Cracidae family. It is a fairly large black cracid with blue-based, black-tipped beak and a long, red-and-yellow wattle. It is 1190-1550 grams (2.6-3.4 lbs) and is 72.5-77.5 cm long (29?31 in) long. [more]

Chamaepetes

Chamaepetes is a genus of in the Cracidae family. It contains the following species: [more]

Crax

Crax is a genus of curassows from tropical South America. Only the Great Curassow ranges north through Central America as far as Mexico. [more]

Gallinuloides

Mitu

A Genus in the Kingdom Animalia.[1] [more]

Nothocrax

The Nocturnal Curassow (Nothocrax urumutum) is a species of bird in the Cracidae family. It is found in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical swamps. [more]

Oreophasis

The Horned Guan, Oreophasis derbianus is a large, approximately 85 cm long, turkey-like bird with glossed black upperparts plumage, red legs, white iris, yellow bill and a red horn on top of head. The breast and upper belly are white, and its long tail feathers are black with white band near base. Both sexes are similar. The young is duller with smaller horn, and has brown tail and wings. [more]

Ortalis

Chachalacas are mainly brown birds from the genus Ortalis. These cracids are found in wooded habitats in far southern United States (Texas), Mexico, and Central and South America. They are social, can be very noisy and often remain fairly common even near humans, as their relatively small size makes them less desirable to hunters than their larger relatives. They somewhat resemble the guans, and the two have commonly been placed in a subfamily together, though the chachalacas are probably closer to the curassows. [more]

Palaeophasianus

[more]

Pauxi

The genus Pauxi consist of the two species of helmeted curassows, terrestrial black fowl with ornamental casque on their heads. Both are found in South America. [more]

Penelope

A Genus in the Kingdom Animalia.[2] [more]

Penelopina

The Highland Guan (Penelopina nigra) is a species of bird in the Cracidae family. It is found in the highlands of El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, southern Mexico, and Nicaragua. [more]

Pipile

The piping guans are a bird genus, Pipile, in the Cracidae family. A recent study (Grau et al. 2005), evaluating mtDNA, osteology and biogeography data (Grau et al., 2005) concluding that the Wattled Guan belongs in the same genus as these and is a hypermelanistic piping guan. Thus, Pipile became a junior synonym of Aburria, though this conclusion was not accepted by the South American Checklist Committee (Remsen et al., 2007), or evaluated by the IOC, so the classification remains in Pipile. [more]

At least 10 species and subspecies belong to the Genus Pipile.

More info about the Genus Pipile may be found here.

References

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External links

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Bibliography

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Footnotes

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  1. http://www.ubio.org/browser/details.php?namebankID=2097
  2. http://www.ubio.org/browser/details.php?namebankID=2090
  1. ^ a b Rands, Michael R.W. (1991). Forshaw, Joseph. ed. Encyclopaedia of Animals: Birds. London: Merehurst Press. pp. 89. ISBN 1-85391-186-0. 
  2. ^ Though this group would also be classified at subfa mily level, it has usually been lumped with the Penelopinae due to misinterpreted plesiomorphies (Pereira et al. 2002). In any case, the name Ortalinae is currently occupied.[verification needed]

Sources

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Last Revised: August 24, 2012
2012/08/24 13:29:09