Molecular evidence suggests that the enigmatic Sulawesi endemic Geomalia heinrichi belongs in the genus Zoothera (Turdidae, Aves)

Abstract

The taxonomic status of the Sulawesi endemic Geomalia heinrichi has long been debated, and it has variously been treated as a babbler (Timaliidae) or a turdid (Turdidae). We estimated the phylogeny of 43 taxa in the family Turdidae based on the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene and the nuclear myoglobin intron 2 and ornithine decarboxylase introns 6–7. Geomalia heinrichi was shown to be part of the Zoothera clade with high support. We propose that Geomalia is transferred to Zoothera under the name Zoothera heinrichi.