Journal of Ornithology

, Volume 150, Issue 1, pp 155–165

A higher-level taxonomy for hummingbirds

  • Jimmy A. McGuire
  • Christopher C. Witt
  • J. V. RemsenJr
  • R. Dudley
  • Douglas L. Altshuler
Original Paper
First Online:
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:

Abstract

In the context of a recently published phylogenetic estimate for 151 hummingbird species, we provide an expanded informal taxonomy, as well as a formal phylogenetic taxonomy for Trochilidae that follows the precepts of the PhyloCode, but remains consistent with the hierarchical nomenclature of the Linnaean system. We compare the recently published phylogenetic hypothesis with those of prior higher-level and more taxonomically circumscribed phylogenetic studies. We recommend the recognition of nine new clade names under the PhyloCode, eight of which are consistent with tribes and one with a subfamily under the Linnaean system.

Keywords

Phylogenetic taxonomy PhyloCode Phylogeny Trochilidae 

References

  1. Altshuler DL, Dudley R, McGuire JA (2004) Resolution of a paradox: hummingbird flight at high elevation does not come without a cost. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 101:17731–17736. doi:10.1073/pnas.0405260101 PubMedCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  2. American Ornithologists’ Union (1998) Check-list of North American birds, 7th edn. American Ornithologists’ Union, WashingtonGoogle Scholar
  3. Bleiweiss R, Kirsch JAW, Matheus JC (1994) DNA-DNA hybridization evidence for subfamily structure among hummingbirds. Auk 111:8–19Google Scholar
  4. Bleiweiss R, Kirsch JAW, Matheus JC (1997) DNA hybridization evidence for the principal lineages of hummingbirds (Aves: Trochilidae). Mol Biol Evol 14:325–343PubMedGoogle Scholar
  5. Bleiweiss R, Hendrickson S, Berres ME, Willis YO, Willis EO (2003) Affinities of the saw-billed hermit (Ramphodon naevius) as determined by cytochrome-b sequence data. Wilson Bull 115:1–10. doi:10.1676/02-024 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  6. Dickinson EC (2003) The Howard & Moore complete checklist of the birds of the world, 3rd edn. Princeton University Press, PrincetonGoogle Scholar
  7. García-Moreno J, Actander P, Fjeldså J (1999) Strong diversification at the treeline among Metallura hummingbirds. Auk 116:702–711Google Scholar
  8. García-Moreno J, Cortés N, García-Deras GM, Hernández-Baños BE (2006) Local origin and diversification among Lampornis hummingbirds: a Mesoamerican taxon. Mol Phylogenet Evol 38:488–498. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2005.08.015 PubMedCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  9. Gerwin JA, Zink RM (1998) Phylogenetic patterns in the Trochilidae. Auk 115:105–118Google Scholar
  10. Gill FB, Gerwin JA (1989) Protein relationships among hermit hummingbirds. Proc Acad Nat Sci Phila 141:409–421Google Scholar
  11. Gould J (1861) A monograph of the Trochilidae or family of hummingbirds, vol 1–5. Taylor and Francis, LondonGoogle Scholar
  12. Graves GR (1980) A new species of metaltail hummingbird from northern Peru. Wilson Bull 92:1–7Google Scholar
  13. Heindl M, Schuchmann K-L (1998) Biogeography, geographical variation and taxonomy of the Andean hummingbird genus Metallura Gould, 1847. J Ornitologie 139:425–473. doi:10.1007/BF01653470 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  14. Hinkelmann C, Schuchmann K-L (1997) Phylogeny of the hermit hummingbirds (Trochilidae: Phaethornithinae). Stud Neotrop Fauna Environ 32:142–163Google Scholar
  15. Joyce WG, Parham JF, Gauthier JA (2004) Developing a protocol for the conversion of rank-based taxon names to phylogenetically defined clade names, as exemplified by turtles. J Paleontol 78:989–1013. doi:10.1666/0022-3360(2004)078<0989:DAPFTC>2.0.CO;2CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  16. Lesson R-P (1833) Les Trochilidees; ou, Les Colibris et les Oiseaux-Mouches, suivis d’un index general dans lequel sont decrits et classes methodiquement toutes les races et especes du genre Trochilus. Ouvrage Orne de Planches Dessinees et Gravees par les meilleurs artistes. Bertrand, ParisGoogle Scholar
  17. Linnaeus C (1758) Systema naturaeper regna tria naturae, 10th edn, rev. 2 vols. Laurentii Salmii, HolmiaeGoogle Scholar
  18. Linnaeus C (1766) Systema naturæ per regna tria naturæ, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis. Tomus I. Editio duodecima, reformata. Laurentii Salvii, HolmiæGoogle Scholar
  19. Mayr G (2003a) A new Eocene swift-like bird with a peculiar feathering. Ibis 145:382–391. doi:10.1046/j.1474-919X.2003.00168.x CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  20. Mayr G (2003b) Phylogeny of early Tertiary swifts and hummingbirds (Aves: Apodiformes). Auk 120:145–151. doi:10.1642/0004-8038(2003)120[0145:POETSA]2.0.CO;2 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  21. Mayr G (2004) Old World fossil record of modern-type hummingbirds. Science 304:861–864. doi:10.1126/science.1096856 PubMedCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  22. McGuire JA, Witt CC, Altshuler DL, Remsen JV Jr (2007) Phylogenetic Systematics and biogeography of hummingbirds: Bayesian and maximum-likelihood analyses of partitioned data and selection of an appropriate partitioning strategy. Syst Biol 56:837–856. doi:10.1080/10635150701656360 PubMedCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  23. Meyer de Schauensee R (1966) The species of birds of South America and their distribution. Livingston, NarbethGoogle Scholar
  24. Pallas PS (1764) Catalogue raisonne, d’une collection supérieurement belle d’oiseaux, tant exotiques qu’Europe’ens, de quadrepèdes et d’insectes. Adumbratiunculae, pp 1–7Google Scholar
  25. Peters JL (1945) Check-list of the birds of the world, 5th edn. Harvard University Press, CambridgeGoogle Scholar
  26. PhyloCode (2006) International code of phylogenetic nomenclature, Version 3a. http://www.ohiou.edu/phylocode/preface.html
  27. Remsen JV Jr, Jaramillo A, Nores M, Pacheco JF, Robbins MB, Schulenberg TS et al (2007) A classification of the bird species of South America. American Ornithologists’ Union. Available at: http://www.museum.lsu.edu/~Remsen/SACCBaseline.html (Assessed 13 Jun 2007)
  28. Renner SC, Schuchmann K-L (2004) Biogeography, geographical variation, and taxonomy of the hummingbird genera Eugenes Gould, 1856, Sternoclyta Gould, 1858, and Hylonympha Gould, 1873 (Aves: Trochilidae). Ornithol Anz 43:103–114Google Scholar
  29. Schuchmann K-L (1985) Schillerkolibris (Aglaeactis sp.). Trochilus 6:2–8Google Scholar
  30. Schuchmann K-L (1995) Taxonomy and biology of the Tooth-billed Hummingbird Androdon aequatorialis. Mitt Zool Mus Berl 71 Suppl Ann Orn 16:109–113Google Scholar
  31. Schuchmann K-L (1997) The display of the Booted Racket-tailed Hummingbird Ocreatus underwoodii, with notes on the systematic position of the genus. Bull Br Ornithol Club 107:20–22Google Scholar
  32. Schuchmann K-L (1999) Family Trochilidae (hummingbirds). In: del Hoyo J, Elliot A, Sargatal J (eds) Handbook of the birds of the world, vol 5: barn-owls to hummingbirds. Lynx, Barcelona, pp 468–680Google Scholar
  33. Schuchmann K-L, Heindl M (1997) Biogeographie, geographische Variation und Taxonomie der andinen Kolibrigattung Chalcostigma Reichenbach, 1854. Mitt Zool Mus Berl 73. Suppl Ann Orn 21:131–153Google Scholar
  34. Schuchmann K-L, Weller A-A, Heynen I (2001) Biogeography and geographic variation of the Andean hummingbird taxon Boissonneaua Reichenbach, 1854 (Aves, Trochilidae). Ornitol Neotrop 12:93–108Google Scholar
  35. Swainson W (1827) A synopsis of the birds discovered in Mexico by W. Bullock, F. L. S., and H. S., Mr. William Bullock, jun. The Philosophical Magazine, or Annals of Chemistry, Mathematics, Astronomy, Natural History, and General Science, New series 1(5):364–369, 433–442Google Scholar
  36. Vieillot LJP (1824) La Galerie des Oiseaux du cabinet d’histoire naturelle du jardin du roi. Aillard & Constant-Chantpie, Paris, pp 1822–1825Google Scholar
  37. Vigors NA (1825) Descriptions of some rare, interesting, or hitherto uncharacterized subjects of zoology. Zool J Lond 1(409–418):526–542Google Scholar
  38. Weller A-A (2000) Biogeography, geographic variation, and taxonomy of the Neotropical hummingbird genus Polyerata Heine, 1863 (Aves: Trochilidae). Bonn Zool Monogr 46:47–54Google Scholar
  39. Willis EO, Schuchmann K-L (1993) Comparison of cloud-forest avifaunas in southeastern Brazil and western Colombia. Ornitol Neotrop 4:55–63Google Scholar
  40. Wyss AR, Meng J (1996) Application of phylogenetic taxonomy to poorly resolved crown clades: a stem-modified node-based definition of Rodentia. Syst Biol 45:559–568. doi:10.2307/2413531 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  41. Zusi RL, Bentz GD (1982) Variation in a muscle in hummingbirds and swifts and its systematic implications. Proc Biol Soc Wash 95:412–420Google Scholar

Copyright information

© Dt. Ornithologen-Gesellschaft e.V. 2008

Authors and Affiliations

  • Jimmy A. McGuire
    • 1
  • Christopher C. Witt
    • 2
  • J. V. RemsenJr
    • 3
  • R. Dudley
    • 1
  • Douglas L. Altshuler
    • 4
  1. 1.Museum of Vertebrate Zoology and Department of Integrative BiologyUniversity of CaliforniaBerkeleyUSA
  2. 2.Museum of Southwestern Biology and Department of BiologyUniversity of New MexicoAlbuquerqueUSA
  3. 3.LSU Museum of Natural ScienceLouisiana State UniversityBaton RougeUSA
  4. 4.Department of BiologyUniversity of CaliforniaRiversideUSA

Personalised recommendations