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Zosterops

(Genus)

Overview

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Zosterops is a genus of birds containing the typical white-eyes. They are traditionally placed in the white-eye family, Zosteropidae, which may actually be a part of the Timaliidae, however (J?nsson & Fjelds? 2006). The latest comprehensive review of Australian bird taxonomy by Christidis and Boles also places this genus in the Timaliidae.

This genus has the highest number of species among the white-eyes by far. They occur in the Afrotropic ecoregion, the Indomalaya zone, and the Australasia ecozone. Typical white-eyes can reach a length between 8 and 15 cm. Their most characteristic feature is the conspicuous white-feather ring around the eye, though some species lack it. The species in this group vary in the structural adaptations of the tongue.1]

Systematics

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A review of new DNA sequence data (J?nsson & Fjelds? 2006 ) suggests the genus might not be monophyletic. Few species have been researched, however, with the highest density of sampled taxa being from Micronesia. There, it appears, a more distinct eastern lineage and a western one closer to East Asian species occur. The relationships of the former to the Rukia white-eyes need investigation.

eristic feature is the conspicuous white-feather ring around the eye, though some species lack it. The species in this group vary in the structural adaptations of the tongue.1]

Systematics

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A review of new DNA sequence data (J?nsson & Fjelds? 2006) suggests the genus might not be monophyletic. Few species have been researched, however, with the highest density of sampled taxa being from Micronesia . There, it appears, a more distinct eastern lineage and a western one closer to East Asian species occur. The relationships of the former to the Rukia white-eyes need investigation.

References

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  1. ^ Moreau RE, Mary Perrins & J. Trevor Hughes (1969). "Tongues of the Zosteropidae (White-eyes)". Ardea: 29?47. http://ardeajournal.natuurinfo.nl/ardeapdf/a57-029-047.pdf. 
  • J?nsson, Knud A. & Fjelds?, Jon (2006): A phylogenetic supertree of oscine passerine birds (Aves: Passeri). Zool. Scripta 35(2): 149?186. doi:10.1111/j.1463-6409.2006.00221.x (HTML abstract)

External links

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Taxonomy

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The Genus Zosterops is further organized into finer groupings including:

References

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  1. ^ Moreau RE, Mary Perrins & J. Trevor Hughes (1969). "Tongues of the Zosteropidae (White-eyes)". Ardea: 29?47. http://ardeajournal.natuurinfo.nl/ardeapdf/a57-029-047.pdf. 

Sources

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Last Revised: August 24, 2012
2012/08/24 17:03:56