Vocalizations among francolins (Francolinus, Scleroptila, Peliperdix, Dendroperdix spp.) and spurfowls (Pternistis spp.): anatomy and quantitative characters

TSHIFHIWA MANDIWANA; TIMOTHY CROWE; CECILIA KOPUCHIAN; GRAHAM LOUW; MARTINE HAUSBERGER; RAURI BOWIE

Natalia, Illovo Beach, KwaZulu-Natal, Sudáfrica

Congreso; Southern African Society for Systematic Biology Conference; 2009

Southern African Society for Systematic Biology

Francolins (Francolinus spp. sensu lato) are small to medium-sized gamebirds (Order Galliformes) which have, until recently, been lumped into one large genus with 41 species. Some of my earlier molecular and anatomical research has demonstrated decisively that francolins are at least di-phyletic and divisible into two groups that conform closely to what South Africans call ‘patryse’ = ‘true’ francolins (generally smaller taxa with generally quail-like streaked and barred back feathers and short leg spurs = Francolinus spp. sensu stricto and Dendroperdix, Peliperdix and Scleroptila spp.) and ‘fisante’ = spurfowls (larger taxa, with scaly or vermiculated back feathers, and long, sometimes multiple spurs = Pternistis spp.). The research to be presented investigates the extent to which vocalizations and syringeal (avian vocal organ) anatomy can be used to delineate these two assemblages and phylogenetic groupings among them, and discriminate among species within these assemblages/groupings. The presence and absence of certain components of the musculature of the syringes and the characteristics of tracheal rings which compose the syrinx, are found to contribute significantly to voice production, and play significant roles in the taxonomy, phylogeny and classification of these birds.