Oscine Research Articles

A Reconsideration of Songbird Phylogeny, with Emphasis on the Evolution of Titmice and their Sylvioid Relatives

The phylogeny of oscine passerines was estimated by comparing 27 species using DNA-DNA hybridization. In the process, the finer structure of the “sylvioids” was examined (1) to assess the phylogenetic proposals of Sibley and Ahlquist (1990, Phylpgeny and classification of birds, Yale Univ. Press, New Haven, Connecticut) and (2) to develop a framework for studies of sylvioid historical ecology. Many of Sibley and Ahlquist's phylogenetic proposals were supported, including their division of the oscines into two clades: corvids and passerids. However, their division of the passerids into three clades, Muscicapoidea, Sylvioidea, and Passeroidea, was not supported; neither their Sylvioidea nor their Passeroidea is monophyletic. The improved picture of oscine phylogeny presented here permits a more rigorous historical analysis of convergence, adaptation, phylogenetic constraint, and other evolutionary phenomena. For example, the sister group of the seed-caching Paridae is the Remizidae (including the verdin, Auriparus), not the nuthatches (Sittidae), which also cache seeds. Thus, seed caching arose separately in the Paridae and Sittidae and is likely to be a key innovation for these groups, i.e., an adaptation responsible for their diversification. Similar cases of convergence and thus potential opportunities for ecophylogenetic study are common throughout the passerines. Unfortunately, such study is hampered by the difficulty of resolving passerine phylogeny, which is characterized by many short internodes.

Primers for amplification and determination of mitochondrial control‐region sequences in oscine passerines

Molecular EcologyVolume 4, Issue 4 p. 527-530 Primers for amplification and determination of mitochondrial control-region sequences in oscine passerines C. L. TARR, Corresponding Author C. L. TARR Molecular Genetics Laboratory, National Zoological Park, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC 20008-2598 Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USATel.: 202 6734781. Fax 202 6734648.Search for more papers by this author C. L. TARR, Corresponding Author C. L. TARR Molecular Genetics Laboratory, National Zoological Park, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC 20008-2598 Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USATel.: 202 6734781. Fax 202 6734648.Search for more papers by this author First published: August 1995 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-294X.1995.tb00251.xCitations: 106AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Citing Literature Volume4, Issue4August 1995Pages 527-530 RelatedInformation

Special Paper: What Determines the Probability of Discovering a Species?: A Study of South American Oscine Passerine Birds

The spread of dates of description for species within taxa is normally broad, clearly indicating that there is considerable variation in the probability of species being discovered. The precise reason for this variation is unknown, although newly described species have been characterised as small, cryptic and locally distributed. Here, we explore the hypotheses that the range (both geographic and altitudinal), abundance and body size of species determine their probability of discovery, using South American oscine passerine birds. A species geographic range is the best predictor of its date of description: the two are strongly negatively correlated both across all species and within taxa, and when controlling for other variables. Altitudinal range and body mass are negatively correlated with date of description across species, and abundance and altitudinal range are negatively correlated with description date within taxa. However, the amounts of variation explained by these variables are low, and none of the variables remain significantly correlated with date of description if geographic range is controlled for using multiple regression. Of those variables tested, species body mass is the poorest predictor of species date of description, at least in South American oscine passerine birds. Whether the visual conspicuousness (e.g. plumage and behaviour) of a species affects its probability of description remains untested.

Distributed Representation in the Song System of Oscines: Evolutionary Implications and Functional Consequences (Part 2 of 2)

This paper reviews the organizational principles and implications that have emerged from the analysis of HVc, a forebrain nucleus that is a major site of sensory, motor, and sensorimotor integration in the song control system of oscine passerine birds (songbirds). Anatomical, physiological, and behavioral data support the conclusion that HVc exists within a hierarchically organized system with parallel pathways that converge onto HVc. The organization of HVc is distributed and redundant, and its outputs exhibit broad divergence. A similar pattern of connectivity exists for neostriatum adjacent to HVc. This and other data support the hypothesis that the song system arose from an elaboration or duplication of pathways generally present in all birds. Spontaneous and auditory response activity is strongly correlated throughout HVc, with auditory responses exhibiting strong temporal modulation in a synchronized fashion throughout the nucleus. This suggests that the auditory representation of song is encoded in the synchronized temporal patterns of activation, and that the predominant selectivity for the individual's own song that is observed for HVc neurons results from interactions of auditory input with central pattern generators for song. Most, or all HVc neurons are recruited during singing. The auditory response and motor recruitment properties of individual HVc neurons have no simple relationship, and the spontaneous activity in HVc may build up in the seconds preceding a song. To the extent HVc participates in perceptual phenomena associated with song, production and perception are not tightly linked in adults but may be linked by shared developmental processes during periods of sensorimotor learning.

Distributed Representation in the Song System of Oscines: Evolutionary Implications and Functional Consequences (Part 1 of 2)

This paper reviews the organizational principles and implications that have emerged from the analysis of HVc, a forebrain nucleus that is a major site of sensory, motor, and sensorimotor integration in the song control system of oscine passerine birds (songbirds). Anatomical, physiological, and behavioral data support the conclusion that HVc exists within a hierarchically organized system with parallel pathways that converge onto HVc. The organization of HVc is distributed and redundant, and its outputs exhibit broad divergence. A similar pattern of connectivity exists for neostriatum adjacent to HVc. This and other data support the hypothesis that the song system arose from an elaboration or duplication of pathways generally present in all birds. Spontaneous and auditory response activity is strongly correlated throughout HVc, with auditory responses exhibiting strong temporal modulation in a synchronized fashion throughout the nucleus. This suggests that the auditory representation of song is encoded in the synchronized temporal patterns of activation, and that the predominant selectivity for the individual's own song that is observed for HVc neurons results from interactions of auditory input with central pattern generators for song. Most, or all HVc neurons are recruited during singing. The auditory response and motor recruitment properties of individual HVc neurons have no simple relationship, and the spontaneous activity in HVc may build up in the seconds preceding a song. To the extent HVc participates in perceptual phenomena associated with song, production and perception are not tightly linked in adults but may be linked by shared developmental processes during periods of sensorimotor learning.

The Birds of South America. Volume I: The Oscine Passerines: Jays and Swallows; Wrens, Thrushes, and Allies; Vireos and Wood-Warblers; Tanagers, Icterids, and Finches. Robert S. Ridgely , Guy Tudor

<i>The Birds of South America. Volume I: The Oscine Passerines: Jays and Swallows; Wrens, Thrushes, and Allies; Vireos and Wood-Warblers; Tanagers, Icterids, and Finches</i>. Robert S. Ridgely , Guy Tudor

Predictions From the Ranging Hypothesis for the Evolution of Long Distance Signals in Birds

AbstractThe Ranging Hypothesis (RH) (MORTON, 1982) proposed a form of distance assessment (ranging) based upon perception of signal degradation using memorized signals as a yardstick to distance. The predictions of the RH include distance assessment mechanisms, DAMs; it is proposed that these have opened a new evolutionary process illustrated by the complicated songs and singing behaviour in the oscine passerines ("songbirds"). The RH identifies sources of selection favouring learning, multiple or single song types, song structural complexity not accounted for by species isolating mechanism ideas, and emphasizes the ecological basis for the evolution of long distance communication. New importance is given to the acoustic physical structure of songs. The RH encompasses and contrasts song evolution in warm climate regions with those in cold temperate climates. Three interrelated stages of long distance signal evolution are presented: detectability, threat, and disrupt. A singer/listener role dichotomy in selective pressures is described and the results discussed. Listeners developed distance assessment mechanisms (DAMs) resulting in an evolutionary arms race between listeners and singers. Singers developed methods to use DAMs to their best interest (threat and disrupt). Song learning in passerines developed in response to this arms race to enhance disruption, a situation most prevalent in cold temperate zone regions. The acoustic determinants of effective song distance are described and discussed in relation to the evolution of signal structures. Finally, the RH is discussed in relation to some previous hypotheses on song function and evolution.

The Relationships of the Australasian Whistlers Pachycephala as Indicated by DNA-DNA Hybridization

The taxonomic relationships of the Australasian whistlers, or thickheads, were examined by comparing the radioiodine-labelled single-copy DNA sequences of the Golden Whistler Pachycephala pectoralis with the DNAs of fifty-five other species, representing fifty genera of oscine passerine birds (Passeres). Of the taxa examined, Pachycephala was found to be most closely related to other species of Pachycephala, to Pitohui, Colluricincla, Oreoica, Falcunculus, Rhagologus, and Daphoenositta, in that order.

The Relationships of the Australo—Papuan Scrub-Robins Drymodes as Indicated by DNA—DNA Hybridization

SUMMARYSIBLEY, C.G. and J.E. AHLQUIST. 1981. The relationships of the Australo-Papuan scrub-robins Drymodes as indicated by DNA-DNA hybridization. Emu 82: 101–105.The taxonomic relationships of Drymodes were examined by comparing the single-copy DNA sequences of radio-iodine-labelled D. brunneopygia DNA with the DNAs of thirty-seven other genera of oscine passerines (Passeres). Of the taxa examined, the scrub-robins were found to be most closely related to Eopsaltria and Poecilodryas, and to be distant from the true thrushes (e.g. Turdus, Erithacus). Drymodes is a member of a varied assemblage of mostly endemic Australasian taxa that includes the Australian robins, flycatchers, monarchs, fantails, whistlers, shrike-thrushes, pitohuis, shrike-tits, the Crested Bellbird, and the quail-thrushes. The wedgebills, woodswallows, and other groups also may be part of this cluster. The honeyeaters, malurine wrens, and Australian magpies, apparently belong to other groups not yet defined in terms of DNA comparisons. The accentors (Prunella), sylviine warblers (Sylvia), white-eyes (Zosterops), muscicapine flycatchers, wagtails (Motacilla), mimic thrushes (Dumetella), starlings, typical wrens (Troglodytes), emberizine sparrows (Zonotrichia) and dippers (Cinclus) are as distant from Drymodes as are any taxa of oscines the DNAs of which have been compared.

The Outer Primary in Relation to Migration in the Ten-Primaried Oscines

The Outer Primary in Relation to Migration in the Ten-Primaried Oscines

Contributions to the Osteology of Birds.—Part VIII.† The “Tracheophone” Passeres; with Remarks on Families allied thereto

Contributions to the Osteology of Birds.—Part VIII.† The “Tracheophone” Passeres; with Remarks on Families allied thereto

Order Passeres

Order Passeres

The Winter Passeres and Picariæ of Ottawa

The Winter Passeres and Picariæ of Ottawa