Camarhynchus

Camarhynchus
Medium tree finch (Camarhynchus pauper)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Thraupidae
Genus: Camarhynchus
Gould, 1837
Type species
Camarhynchus psittacula
Gould, 1837

Camarhynchus is a genus of birds in the tanager family Thraupidae. All species of Camarhynchus are endemic to the Galápagos Islands, and together with related genera, they are collectively known as Darwin's finches.[1] Formerly classified in the bunting and American sparrow family Emberizidae, more recent molecular genetic studies have shown it to belong in the tanager family.

Taxonomy and species list

The genus Camarhynchus was introduced in 1837 by English ornithologist John Gould, with the large tree finch as the type species.[2] The name combines the Ancient Greek kamara meaning "arch" or "vault" with rhunkhos meaning "bill".[3] The members of the genus form part of a group collectively known as Darwin's finches.[4] Although traditionally placed with the buntings and New World sparrows in the family Emberizidae,[5] molecular phylogenetic studies have shown that Darwin's finches are members of the subfamily Coerebinae within the tanager family Thraupidae.[6] The genus contains five species.[7]

Image Scientific name Common name Distribution
Camarhynchus parvulus Small tree finch Galapagos Islands.
Camarhynchus pauper Medium tree finch Galápagos Islands where it is only found on Floreana Island
Camarhynchus psittacula Large tree finch Galapagos Islands
Camarhynchus pallidus Woodpecker finch Galapagos Islands
Camarhynchus heliobates Mangrove finch Galápagos Islands

The vegetarian finch (Platyspiza crassirostris) has sometimes been included in this genus.

References

  1. ^ White, Mel (11 May 2015). "A Darwin Finch, Crucial to Idea of Evolution, Fights for Survival". National Geographic. Archived from the original on May 14, 2015. Retrieved 18 January 2016.
  2. ^ Gould, John (1837). "Remarks on a group of ground finches from Mr. Darwin's collection, with characters of new species". Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London. Part 5 (49): 4–7 [6].
  3. ^ Jobling, James A. (2010). The Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names. London: Christopher Helm. p. 86. ISBN 978-1-4081-2501-4.
  4. ^ Sato, A.; Tichy, H.; O'hUigin, C.; Grant, P.R.; Grant, B.R.; Klein, J. (2001). "On the origin of Darwin's Finches". Molecular Biology and Evolution. 18 (3): 299–311. doi:10.1093/oxfordjournals.molbev.a003806. PMID 11230531.
  5. ^ Paynter, Raymond A. Jr, ed. (1970). Check-List of Birds of the World. Vol. 13. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Museum of Comparative Zoology. p. 164.
  6. ^ Burns, K.J.; Shultz, A.J.; Title, P.O.; Mason, N.A.; Barker, F.K.; Klicka, J.; Lanyon, S.M.; Lovette, I.J. (2014). "Phylogenetics and diversification of tanagers (Passeriformes: Thraupidae), the largest radiation of Neotropical songbirds". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 75: 41–77. Bibcode:2014MolPE..75...41B. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2014.02.006. PMID 24583021.
  7. ^ Gill, Frank; Donsker, David; Rasmussen, Pamela, eds. (July 2020). "Tanagers and allies". IOC World Bird List Version 10.2. International Ornithologists' Union. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
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