A revised nomenclature and classification for family-group taxa of parrots (Psittaciformes)

Abstract

The last 20 years have seen a resurgence in systematic studies of parrots (Aves: Psittaciformes). Principally but not solelymolecular in nature, this body of work has addressed the circumscription of higher level groupings within the Psittaciformesand relationships among them. Stability has now emerged on many formerly contentious matters at these levels. Accordingly,we consider it appropriate to underpin further work on parrot biology with a freshly revised classification at the taxonomicranks spanned by family-group nomenclature, i.e., between superfamily and tribe. In light of the body of recent work, we advo-cate a framework of three superfamilies among parrots (Strigopoidea, Cacatuoidea and Psittacoidea) within which Linnaeantaxonomy can accommodate present phylogenetic understanding by employing groupings at the ranks of family, subfamily andtribe. Just as importantly, we have addressed numerous issues of nomenclature towards stabilising the family-group names ofparrots. We erect two new subfamily names, Coracopseinae Joseph, Toon, Schirtzinger, Wright & Schodde, subfam. nov. andPsittacellinae Joseph, Toon, Schirtzinger, Wright & Schodde, subfam. nov. We stress that rankings we have applied reflect thestate of understanding of parrot phylogeny and how it can be summarized in a Linnaean system; comparisons with rankings in other groups are likely not appropriate nor relevant.

Multiple independent origins of mitochondrial control region duplications in the order Psittaciformes

“…The Bayesian phylogeny is broadly consistent with other published studies of parrot genus level relationships, in which a clade composed of the New Zealand endemics, Strigops and Nestor , was the sister group to all other parrots, and the Cacatuoidea (cockatoos) was the second oldest extant clade (Tavares et al, 2006; Wright et al, 2008; Schweizer et al, 2010; Joseph et al, 2012). Other well-supported parrot clades consistently recovered across various studies include the Neotropical parrots (Arinae), the African Psittacinae, the Australasian Psittaculidae and the Platycercinae from Australia, New Zealand, Oceania and Africa (de Kloet and de Kloet, 2005; Juniper and Parr, 1998; Tavares et al, 2006; Wright et al, 2008; Schweizer et al, 2010; Joseph et al, 2012). In agreement with previous studies by Tavares et al (2006) and Wright et al (2008), three Neotropical clades were recovered here: the parrotlets, including Bolborhynchus, Nannopsittaca, Touit , and Psilopsiagon ; amazons and allies, including Amazona, Pionus, Pyrilia, Triclaria and Graydidascalus ; and macaws and allies, including Ara, Cyanopsitta, Aratinga, Orthopsittaca, Pyrrhura, Pionites and Anodorhynchus .…”

“…These genes have proven to be informative in other phylogenetic studies of parrots (Wright et al, 2008; Joseph et al, 2012). …”

Uneven missing data skews phylogenomic relationships within the lories and lorikeets

“…When possible, we sampled more than one individual per species to verify the phylogenetic position of a taxon. For outgroups, we used Melopsittacus undulatus , Psittaculirostris edwardsii , and Cyclopsitta diophthalma , which together with the Loriini form the clade Loriinae (Joseph et al 2012;Provost et al 2018). Sampling map and specimen details and locality information are available in supplementary fig.…”

Inference by exclusion in the red‐tailed black cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus banksii)

“…Within this context, Australian red-tailed black cockatoos (Calyptorhynchus banksii Latham, 1970) make for a useful taxonomic comparison. Indeed, the taxonomy of parrots (Psittaciform order) was recently revised (Joseph et al 2012) with Strigopoidea (Nestoridae, keas) splitting from the lineage leading to the Psittacoidea (containing Grey parrots) and the Cacatuoidea (containing Goffins cockatoos). Within the Cacatuoidea, the Calyptorhynchus genus containing the red-tailed black cockatoo split from the Cacatua genus containing Goffin cockatoos 21.6 million years ago (White et al 2011) (Fig.…”