Species taxonomy of birds: Which null hypothesis?

Abstract

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“…Video credit: Ralf Schiecke/Doclights Espèces biologiques et espèces taxonomiques: Une nouvelle hypothèse nulle aidera-t-elle? Un commentaire sur Gill (2014) RÉSUMÉ Dans son article ''Taxonomie des espèces d'oiseaux: Quelle hypothèse nulle?'' Gill (2014) recommande que nous appliquions plus efficacement nos connaissances grandissantes sur la spéciation aviaire, particulièrement en ce qui a traità la taxonomie aviaire età la définition d'espèce.…”

“…Un commentaire sur Gill (2014) RÉSUMÉ Dans son article ''Taxonomie des espèces d'oiseaux: Quelle hypothèse nulle?'' Gill (2014) recommande que nous appliquions plus efficacement nos connaissances grandissantes sur la spéciation aviaire, particulièrement en ce qui a traità la taxonomie aviaire età la définition d'espèce. Plus précisément, Gill (2014) suggère que les comités sur la nomenclature aviaire devraient opérer selon une nouvelle hypothèse nulle de désignation des espèces.…”

Divergence history of the Rufous-tailed Tailorbird (Orthotomus sericeus) of Sundaland: Implications for the biogeography of Palawan and the taxonomy of island species in general

“…As a result of these advances, we are now in a position to treat the taxonomy of Philippine populations more objectively. This ability is enhanced by the recent suggestion of Gill (2014) that physically separated, moderately divergent populations be treated as distinct species until compelling evidence of free interbreeding is produced, upon which the populations may be merged. In the Rufous-tailed Tailorbird, we have an almost perfect illustration of such ''compelling evidence,'' not only for interbreeding, but lack of interbreeding.…”

“…This analysis provides a fairly clear picture of the recent biogeographic history of Rufoustailed Tailorbird populations. It also illustrates an effective approach to identifying species limits in an island setting and, as such, illustrates the practicality of testing Gill's (2014) ''null hypothesis'' that morphologically distinguishable populations on different islands be considered different species unless a compelling argument can be made to the contrary.…”

Morphological variation and taxonomy of Lepidocolaptes angustirostris (Vieillot, 1818) (Passeriformes: Furnariidae)

“…However, there is still no consensus about concepts and methods applied to different taxa (Agapow et al, 2004;de Queiroz, 2007;Gill, 2014;Sangster, 2014). In this study, using mainly the diagnosability criteria (based in the species One of the most debated points in taxonomy is the dichotomy "splitting vs lumping" of taxa with intraspecific variation and uncertain taxonomic position; the need to describe all the diversity present in biological groups faces the absence of strong and verifiable evidence about the limits of these divisions.…”