New insights into family relationships within the avian superfamily Sylvioidea (Passeriformes) based on seven molecular markers.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The circumscription of the avian superfamily Sylvioidea is a matter of long ongoing debate. While the overall inclusiveness has now been mostly agreed on and 20 families recognised, the phylogenetic relationships among the families are largely unknown. We here present a phylogenetic hypothesis for Sylvioidea based on one mitochondrial and six nuclear markers, in total ~6.3 kbp, for 79 ingroup species representing all currently recognised families and some species with uncertain affinities, making this the most comprehensive analysis of this taxon.

Results

The resolution, especially of the deeper nodes, is much improved compared to previous studies. However, many relationships among families remain uncertain and are in need of verification. Most families themselves

SUBMITTER: Fregin S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3462691 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature