Types of caprimulgiform birds in the Museum für Naturkunde, Berlin (ZMB)

Abstract

In course of a survey of caprimulgiform birds (Steatornithidae, Podargidae, Nyctibiidae, Aegothelidae, and Caprimulgidae) held in the Museum fur Naturkunde, Berlin a main focus was on the identification of type material. All specimens were examined for assessment of type status. Data contained on specimen labels were checked against the museum's registers and the existing literature. In order to confirm the status of types, original descriptions were consulted in each case. As a result, 26 specimens of 18 taxa within the families Podargidae, Nyctibidae and Caprimulgidae, were identified as types (of which 6 taxa are currently regarded as valid). Most of these types relate to taxa described by M. H. K. Lichtenstein and A. Reichenow and were collected by F. Sellow, Hemprich & Ehrenberg, Emin Pascha & F. Stuhlmann. The types held in the Berlin Museum also reflect the important period of discovery and collection of birds during the second half of the 19th century. Historical, taxonomic, and nomenclatural problems are also discussed. (© 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)