OpenUCT :: Browsing by Author "Crowe, Timothy M"

Browsing by Author "Crowe, Timothy M"

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Open Access
Age- and sex-based variation in helminth infection of helmeted guineafowl (Numida meleagris) with comments on Swainson's spurfowl (Pternistis swainsonii) and Orange River francolin (Scleroptila levaillantoides)
(Southern African Wildlife Management Association, 2008) Davies, Owen R; Junker, Kerstin; Jansen, Raymond; Crowe, Timothy M; Boomker, Joop
Gastrointestinal tracts from 48 helmeted guineafowl (Numida meleagris), five Swainson's spurfowl (Pternistis swainsonii) and a single Orange River francolin (Scleroptila levaillantoides) were examined for helminth parasites. Twelve species of helminths were found in helmeted guineafowl, comprising six nematodes, five cestodes and a single acanthocephalan. Six species of nematodes were recovered from Swainson's spurfowl and a single nematode was recovered from the Orange River francolin. First-year guineafowl had more than twice the intensity of infection than did adult guineafowl, particularly regarding the acanthocephalan Mediorhynchus gallinarum, the caecal nematodes Subulura dentigera and S. suctoria, and the cestodes Octopetalum numida, Hymenolepis cantaniana and Numidella numida. Female guineafowl had significantly higher intensities of infection than males, especially concerning M. gallinarum, S. dentigera and N. numida and the nematode Gongylonema congolense. The recovery of the cestode Retinometra sp. from helmeted guineafowl constitutes a new host-parasite record.
Open Access
Animal-habitat relationships in the Knysna forest : discrimination between forest types by birds and invertebrates
(1985) Koen, Julius Heinrich; Crowe, Timothy M
Some silvicultural practices in the Knysna Forest are aimed at the sustained-yield production of valuable timber tree species, albeit on limited areas only. This study investigates effects of forest plant species composition and physiognomy on bird and invertebrate communities in three discrete, relatively undisturbed forest types along a dry-wet soil moisture gradient. Using discriminant functions analysis, a 100% floristic and a 78% vegetation structural discrimination was obtained between the three forest types. However, the bird communities of these floristically and structurally different forest types were very similar in species composition and had much lower densities than normally encountered in other superficially similar forests. It was only possible to discriminate between the wet and the moist/dry forest types by using the two best bird discriminators. the blackheaded oriole (Oriolus larvatus) and the sombre bulbul (Andropadus importunus). A separation of the moist and dry forest types was not possible. Although an 81% discrimination between forest types was attained through analysis of ground surface invertebrates. measures of litter and aerial invertebrate abundance were of limited use as discriminators. Historical and biogeographic factors and the low nutritional levels in the soil and vegetation may be the cause of low bird and invertebrate density and diversity. It is concluded therefore, that floristics and vegetation structure have, at best, a minor influence on bird community structure, and possibly also on the invertebrate community in the Knysna Forest and that management practices need not cater for variation in forest vegetation composition and physiognomy. Bibliography: pages 49-59.
Open Access
Biogeography and conservation of terrestrial afrotropical birds
(1999) De Klerk, Helen Margaret; Crowe, Timothy M
This study aimed to describe patterns of distribution in terrestrial Afrotropical birds, to investigate the causes of these patterns, and examine how aspects of distributional patterns may be used to prioritize local regions for conservation attention. Presence-only data were gathered and digitized at one-degree square scale for 1686 terrestrial bird species that breed on or regularly visit sub-Saharan Africa as non-breeding migrants. Biogeographical analysis of the 1437 species that are globally restricted to sub-Saharan Africa (Afrotropical endemics) revealed a suite of geographical areas that have a homogenous and characteristic avifaunal composition, termed avifaunal zones. The approach used in this study ensured representativeness in the resultant biogeographical classification scheme, which was not biased towards avifaunas that are species rich or that contain many narrow endemics, and further included avifaunas that consisted of few, but taxonomically and ecologically distinct species (e.g. the Namib Province). Analysis of zonal boundaries exhibiting high levels of turnover, defined specifically as species replacement, were distinguished from zonal boundaries that are characterised by species richness gradients. For instance, the northern forest-savanna boundary between the Guineo-Congolian and Northern Savanna Subregions was shown to consist of a sharp ecotone between forest and savanna, whereas the boundary between the Northern Savanna and Northern Arid Subregions was shown to be dominated by species drop-outs. This shows that whereas the Northern Savanna Subregion represents a unique avifauna that is distinct from that of the Guineo-Congolian Subregion, the Northern Arid Subregion is merely a depauparate subset of the Northern Savanna avifauna. Patterns of species richness and narrow endemism where shown to differ between species groups that exhibit different life history characteristics (e.g. residents vs. migrants) and distributional characteristics Atrotropical endemics vs. nonendemics). Differences can probably be attributed to island biogeography and aerography theory.
Open Access
Biogeography and ecology of African waterbirds
(1986) Guillet, Alfredo; Crowe, Timothy M
Patterns of distribution and diversity for African waterbirds are investigated at the continental, sub-continental, ecosystem and species levels. The focal species is the Great White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus, one of South Africa's 'Red Data' bird species. The 'focal' ecosystem is Rondevlei Bird Sanctuary (34°'04'S, 18°30'E), one of the few conserved areas in Africa set aside especially for waterbirds. Biogeographically, waterbirds partition Africa much more coarsely (into 8 vs 18 avifaunal zones) than do non-aquatic birds. Waterbird species diversity (number of species) and endemism are higher outside the tropics, and exhibit longitudinal gradients, with higher diversity in the east. Non-aquatic bird diversity is higher in the tropics and varies latitudinally. Spatia-temporal variation in habitat availability and quality are the primary factors which control waterbird distribution, and the dynamic nature of waterbird dispersion is an adaptation to dramatically fluctuating habitats. About 69% o£ the variance in African waterbird species diversity can be explained in terms of present-day environmental variation. Part of the unexplained variance is attributed to the effects of historical factors, with areas of unexpectedly high species possibly acting as refugia during dry climatic phases.
Open Access
Birds, molecules, and evolutionary patterns among Africa's islands in the sky
(2003) Bowie, Rauri Charles Kerr; Crowe, Timothy M
Combing results from phylogenetic and population level studies suggests that climatic cycling has had a profound influence on montane bird speciation in Africa. The results from this thesis suggest that there is deep genetic divergence between many clades (8-12%) of montane passerine birds in Africa, with some shallow divergence towards the tips (4-6%). For widespread species reciprocal monophyly has not been reached in some instances, but generally there is some support for the refuge idea that isolation (fragmentation) of montane forests has facilitated speciation. However, most speciation events happened well before the Pleistocene and therefore the Pleistocene Refugia Hypothesis is not appropriate as a model with which to explain patterns of montane bird diversification in Africa. Rather, both dispersal and vicariance have played important roles in shaping montane bird communities. Thus, a refugia type model does work, but only within the context of pulsed or cyclic expansion and contraction of montane forests, supported in thus study by the consistent recovery of spatially structured areas of endemism, despite varying temporal dynamics.
Open Access
Cooperative breeding and delayed dispersal in the Pale chanting goshawk, Melierax canorus
(1995) Malan, Gerard; Crowe, Timothy M
A population of Pale Chanting Goshawks Melierax canorus, some of which live in families, was studied during 1988-1992 for a total of 117 group-years near Calitzdorp, South Africa. The aims of the study were to identify ecological and social factors that might predispose individuals in the population to delay dispersal and become non-breeding or co-breeding members of Pale Chanting Goshawk families, and to determine why cobreeders breed cooperatively in polyandrous trios. In all vegetation types within the study area, non-breeders, as juvenile and adult offspring, delayed dispersal from their natal territories. However, co-breeding males occurred only in one vegetation type, Karroid Broken Veld. Co-breeding males participated in all reproductive activities, including copulation. Karroid Broken Veld also supported the largest known groups of Pale Chanting Goshawks and the highest frequency of groups with non-breeders, which resulted in some of the highest recorded single species raptor densities in the Afrotropics. Pale Chanting Goshawks in Karroid Broken Veld preyed primarily on two otomyinid rodents, Otomys unisulcatus (42-48 % of prey biomass) and Parotomys brantsii (18-32 % ). The habitat quality of Karroid Broken Veld for Pale Chanting Goshawks was high since, compared with other vegetation types, it incorporated: (1) optimal habitat for otomyinid prey, (2) a very high estimated biomass of otomyinids, almost twice that of other vegetation types, and (3) a hunting habitat with an optimum combination of prey visibility and perch availability that facilitated hunting efficiency. Territorial space was limited throughout the study area, constraining the number of nonbreeders per group to two and inhibiting new breeders from establishing territories. Juvenile non-breeders probably delayed dispersal to increase their probability of survival, and dispersed later as sexually mature adults, since they could not increase their fitness further by becoming helpers at the nest. During the nestling period, co-breeding beta males provided prey at an equal rate to dominant males, that enabled polyandrous trios to undertake more frequent and successful breeding attempts in years of high prey abundance. The help provided by co-breeders contributed more to this success than did density of dominant prey and territory size. In Karroid Broken Veld co-breeders delayed dispersal since their fitness as subordinate sibling males was probably higher than fitness achieved due from dispersing to a breeding vacancy in habitat of lower quality. I suggest that those ecological factors which contribute to habitat quality provided the proximate impetus, and the resulting saturation of the habitat the ultimate impetus, in promoting the establishment of Pale Chanting Goshawk family units. Once Pale Chanting Goshawk formed families, a range of secondary benefits evolved as birds adjusted their behaviour to benefit from the presence of other group members. For example, although breeders in high-quality habitat produced the highest number of offspring, the lack of territorial space probably forced more offspring to disperse. To increase offspring survival, breeders may have adjusted their reproductive strategy and allow non-breeders to partake and share in returns of cooperative hunts. Other secondary benefits included the possibility of inheriting a natal territory, budding-off onto territorial borders or helping close relatives as an experienced co-breeder.
Open Access
Evolution and ecology of guineafowl
(1978) Crowe, Timothy M
By almost any definition, guineafowl (Numidinae) are characteristically African birds. This small subfamily (4-5 genera, 5-8 species) is endemic to, and possibly evolved, in Africa (Ghigi 1936). Nearly every major African biome and biotope has an associated guineafowl taxon (Crowe & Snow 1978). Guineafowl are sedentary birds (Chapin 1932; Elgood et al. 1973), and therefore should be more susceptible to local selection pressures than would be more mobile taxa (Ehrlich & Raven 1969). At least some inter- and intra-specific phenetic variation appears to be correlated with variation in the environment (Crowe & Snow 1978). In this dissertation, I investigate aspects of the evolution and ecology of guineafowl, and use the results of my analyses to formulate or test hypotheses concerning broad patterns of evolution and ecology of birds in Africa. Specifically, my seven aims are to: 1. re-evaluate the rather confused taxonomy of the subfamily, 2. produce a parsimonious phylogeny based on the analysis of shared derived Character-states, 3. develop models of speciation which are consistent with the above phylogeny and the likely geological and climatological history of Africa, 4. suggest a scheme of avifaunal zones based on the analysis of the distributions of, and phylogenetic relationships between recognized guineafowl taxa, 5. discover the possible adaptive significance of phenetic variation in polytypic guineafowl species, 6. demonstrate possible anatomical adaptations in the vascular system of the head and neck of Numida meleagris, 7. determine the likely mechanism of population limitation in N. meleagris. This dissertation consists of seven published or submitted papers which relate to one or more of the aims listed above.
Open Access
Factors which may be preventing the recovery of populations of helmeted guineafowl in the midlands of KwaZulu-Natal
(2000) Ratcliffe, Charles Stansfield; Crowe, Timothy M
The Helmeted Guineafowl Numida meleagris is, naturally, a species of open savannas. However, since the mid-18th century, it has undergone the most extensive range expansion of any African gamebird. In southern Africa, this expansion has been mostly due to a combination of deliberate introductions and the natural expansion into areas transformed by agriculture and urban development, which supply key resources such as food, cover, roosting sites and watering points. The Midlands of KwaZulu-Natal province have been no exception in this regard. With the advent of, in particular, crop agriculture, large populations of guineafowl have occupied, and increased numerically in, this variegated landscape since the turn of the 20th century .
Open Access
Faunal turnover between east and southern African terrestrial vertebrates: is Malawi the geographical break?
(2014) Kaliba, Potiphar Menaheim; Bowie, Rauri Charles Kerr; Crowe, Timothy M
The study centred on the investigation of phylogeographic structure within three forest associated bird species and two small mammal species, as well as two woodland associated bird species distributed across the Malawi Rift of Africa. The key objective was to investigate the extent to which geographically structured lineages exist within several bird (Stripe-cheeked Greenbul Andropadus milanjensis, Malawi Batis Batis dimorpha, Bar-throated Apalis Apalis thoracica, Southern Puffback Dryoscopus cubla and White-browed Robin- chat Cossypha heuglini) and small mammal species (Delectable Soft-furred Mouse Praomys delectorum and Dark-coloured Brush-furred Rat Lophuromys aquilus) distributed across the Malawi Rift. Analyses of a combination of mtDNA (1041 bp ND2 in birds, and 1130-1143 bp Cytochrome-b and 461-466 bp control region in mammals) and nDNA (463-481 bp CHDZ, 569-572 MUSK and 594 bp TGFb2 in birds, and Beta-Fibrinogen intron- 7 in small mammals) revealed significant population structure in each of the five forest associated species studied. In contrast, woodland associated birds exhibited reduced spatial genetic structure across the Malawi Rift. Collectively the result suggest that phylogeographic breaks for forest associated species occur in the southern highlands separating Mount Namuli in Mozambique and Mount Mulanje as well as between Mount Mulanje and Mount Zomba in Malawi; in the central highlands that split Malawi into two halves, and within the northern highlands separating the Misuku Hills and Nyika Plateau. The Misuku Hills are also separated from the Udzungwa Mountains of the Eastern Arc and volcanic Mount Rungwe in Tanzania. Genetic differences exhibited by the taxa investigated across the phylogeographic breaks and degree of lineage turnover revealed in the small mammals support observations by Vrba (1985) based on fossil mammal assemblages that Malawi may be geographically key to understanding faunal turnover between southern and east African animal taxa. The detected phylogeographic breaks primarily occur in forest reserves that are not adequately protected with the exception of Nyika National Park. Illegal logging and uncontrolled fires are threatening the montane ‘sky islands’ population, thus compromising the conservation of the fauna and important evolutionary distinct units.
Open Access
Genetic introgression and female mate choice within the Calendulauda albescens/C. barlowi hybrid zone
(2004) Oatley, Graeme; Crowe, Timothy M
The hybrid zone between Calendulauda albescens and C. barlowi, located near the Orange River, contains a wide range of phenotypically intermediate individuals. This study examines the mitochondrial DNA of some of these individuals to determine if possible introgression is occuring from C. albescens to C. barlowi. Mitochondrial DNA from 13 lark individuals found in the C. albescens/C. barlowi hybrid zone was analysed. A 358 base pair cytochrome-b sequence was obtained. The neighbour-joining phylogenetic tree obtained revealed two distinct clades, a C. albescens and C. barlowi clade. The C. barlowi clade was supported with a bootstrap value of 100. The C. albescens clade contained individuals of intermediate morphology, as represented by their hybrid index scores, indicating that intermediates between the two species contain the mitochondrial DNA of only one species, C. albescens. These results point at introgression from C. albescens to C. barlowi, with female C. albescens choosing to mate with male C. barlowi.
Open Access
The historical biogeography of terrestrial gamebirds (Aves: Galliformes)
(2011) Van der Merwe, Vincent Charl; Crowe, Timothy M
Whilst the phylogenetic relations of gamebirds are now well understood, there is a great lack of consensus on their biogeographical relationships. It has been suggested that the basal galliform clades, namely the megapodes from Australasia and the cracids from South and Central America, have their origins in the northern hemisphere and have colonised the southern hemisphere more recently. Those in favour of a Northern Hemisphere origin suggest that stem galliforms originated only after the Cretaceous-Tertiary mass extinction event.
Open Access
Molecular systematics and phylogeography of the Helmeted Guineafowl (Numida meleagris)
(2005) Van Alphen-Stahl, Jonathan; Crowe, Timothy M; Bloomer, P
Open Access
Phylogenetic relationships among beetles within the genus Onymacris (Coleoptera : Tenebrionidae) : a phenetic versus cladistic approach
(1986) Atmore, John David; Crowe, Timothy M; Picker, Mike
Phylogenetic relationships among species within the beetle genus Onymacris (Coleoptera Tenebrionidae) are identified using phenetic and cladistic approaches. Phylogenetic results from cladistic analyses proved to be more robust than those derived with phenetic approaches. However, phenetic analyses proved to be useful in identifying possible interspecific hybridization. Two monophyletic subgenera are recognized. The subgenus Melanonymacris comprises O. lobicollis, O. rugatipennis, O. paiva, O. boschimana, O. multistriata, O. hottentota and O. plana, all of Which have black elytra. The subgenus Onymacris comprises O. langi, O. marginipennis, O. brainei, O. candidipennis and O. bicolor, all of which have pale-coloured elytra, and two species with black, 'bullet-shaped' elytra, O. laeviceps and O. unguicularis. The resulting cladogram and the characters and synapomorphies underpinning it are compared with those from an independently conducted study (Penrith 1984). The implications of the cladogram are discussed in the lignt of the tenets of vicariance biogeography and the constraints of adaptation to the extreme desert environment.
Open Access
The phylogenetics, taxonomy and biogeography of African arid zone terrestrial birds : the bustards (Otididae), sandgrouse (Pteroclidae), coursers (Glareolidae) and Stone Partridge (Ptilopachus)
(2011) Cohen, Callan; Crowe, Timothy M
The phylogenetics and biogeography of the following four groups of unrelated terrestrial non-passerine birds, that have endemics in both the south-west and north-east arid-zone lowlands (and Sahel), and which also encompass taxa with differing habitat tolerances, mobility and life-history traits, were examined: the bustards (Otididae), sandgrouse (Pteroclidae), coursers (Glareolidae) and Stone Partridge (Ptilopachus). Another aim of this research is to use insights from the evolutionary relationships of these families to assess the current state of their taxonomy, as well as to assess character evolution and other life history attributes (including evolution of their mating systems).
Open Access
Population genetics, behavioural ecology and management of the Greywing Francolin Francolinus africanus
(1992) Little, Rob M; Crowe, Timothy M
This study investigates the population genetics and behavioural ecology of the Greywing Francolin, Francolinus africanus, and identifies factors which influence the distribution and abundance of this important gamebird. It also develops scientifically sound management strategies which should allow the maintenance of populations at levels which will produce sustained and economically viable hunting yields as a co-product of agriculture. Examination of genetic variability based on allozymes disclosed estimates of average within-population heterozygosity higher than that for most birds, and for all other galliformes for which data are available. Thus, Greywing apparently have a high degree of population stability and large effective population sizes. Indirect estimates of migration and several significant allelefrequency differences between nearby coveys suggest that there is a greater degree of genetic subdivision among Greywing populations than among populations of other birds. However, although the data suggest that populations are genetically differentiated on a large geographical scale, they also indicate that there is considerable dispersal, which produces outbred subpopulations on a fine geographical scale. Greywing therefore have a wealth of genetic variability that may 'buffer' populations against environmental changes, responsible hunting and/or short-term demographic bottlenecks. They also appear to undergo sufficient migration so that recruitment from adjacent populations will ensure population stability in hunted areas.
Open Access
A study of the ecology of the Namaqua Sandgrouse and other arid-zone birds
(1998) Lloyd, Penn; Crowe, Timothy M
This field study set out to identify the key ecological factors influencing the population dynamics of the Namaqua Sandgrouse Pterocles namaqua, through an investigation of diet and the nutritional demands during different stages of the annual cycle, the timing of breeding seasons and movements in relation to patterns of rainfall-dependent food availability, breeding success and the factors limiting productivity. In addition, the nesting habits and success of 11 coexisting arid-zone bird species were examined to test a variety of hypotheses regarding the relationship between nest-predation rate and nest site, nest density, predator-avoidance behaviour, stage of the nesting cycle and season, and degree of residency. Furthermore, the importance of rainfall as a breeding stimulus and its effects on clutch size were investigated for several species. The Namaqua Sandgrouse is an obligate granivore at all times, feeding on the seeds of annual plants, primarily of the family Fabaceae. Even while breeding, energy is the first-limiting nutrient in the foods of adults. Growing chicks have a proportionally greater protein demand, and are more dependent than adults on protein-rich legume seeds to satisfy first-limiting amino acid requirements. The chick growth phase was identified as the most nutritionally demanding stage in the annual cycle. The breeding season was found to be unexpectedly variable, and not consistently correlated with periods of peak food availability.
Open Access
Taxonomy and phylogeny of red-tailed francolins (Genus Peliperdix)
(2003) Nangammbi, Tshifhiwa Constance; Crowe, Timothy M; Bowie, Rauri Charles Kerr
The Red-tailed Group of francolins falls within the class Aves, order Galliformes, family Phasianidae and genus Peliperdix. These are small francolins consisting of three putative species (Peliperdix coqui, P. albogularis and P. schlegelii) that are largely allopatric. Two species (P. coqui and P. albogularis) are considered to be polytypic species, but is a large discrepancy in the number of subspecies attributed to P. coqui and P. albogularis. The mitochondrial cytochrome b gene, organismal characters and combined data were used to identify diagnosable taxa, test the monophyly and reconstruct the phylogeny of the Red-tailed Group. Sixteen exemplars of the Red-tailed Group (representing all species and nearly all subspecies currently recognised in the genus Peliperdix) from different geographical localities were studied. Maximum likelihood (cyt b), maximum parsimony (cyt b, organismal, combined) , distance analysis (cyt b) were performed to resolve the phylogenetic relationships among them. The trees obtained from DNA sequence, organismal and combined data were incongruent in respect to the position of some taxa. The monophyly of the Red-tailed Group seems to be well supported, but the identity of, and interrelationships between the subspecies and species are less well resolved. The morphological and combined tree probably reflects the taxon phylogeny better than the tree based on mitochondrial DNA. only. The most remarkable result that is strongly supported by both organismal and combined trees was that they bring clear resolution between P. albogularis and P. schlegelii as two separate species from P. coqui. Due to the short number of DNA sequences obtained, one cannot make a decision as to whether the subspecies should be elevated to species. Finally, it is suggested that more systematic studies must be done based on multiple independent data sets in order to obtain a robust taxonomy and phylogeny for this group.
Open Access
Taxonomy, phylogenetic and biogeographical relationships of African grassland Francolins (Genus: Scleroptila)
(2003) Mandiwana, Tshifhiwa G; Crowe, Timothy M; Bowie, Rauri Charles Kerr
The potential for using a combination of molecular and whole-organismal data has opened up new avenues for avian taxonomy, phylogenetics and biogeography. Such a multifaceted approach is used here to identify diagnosable taxa within the Orange River Francolin Scleroptila levaillanloides species complex and resolve evolutionary relationships between these taxa and other mono-and polytypic forms within the Red-winged Group of francolins (= genus Scleroplila sensli lalo). Mitochondrial cytochrome-b DNA sequence data (±250 b.p.) from 50 individuals and 19 morphological characters extracted from reports in published literature were employed to achieve these aims. These characters were analysed separately and also in combination using maximum parsimony (DNA sequences and organismal data), maximum likelihood (DNA sequences) and distance (DNA sequences) analyses. Monophyly of the Red-winged Group plus the Ring-necked Francolin Dendroperdix slreptophorus was supported by all the analyses (bootstrap support ranged from 50%-94%) except distance analysis. The Orange River Francolin complex was found to be non-monophyletic. Two distinct clades were identified, one comprising taxa from southwestern and the other from northeastern Africa. Morphological analysis yielded a distinct clade of the southwestern Orange River Francolin. The other polytypic species and assemblages thereof show poor resolution. The results of this study clearly demonstrate a need for further assessment of the taxonomic status of Scleroptila spp. and their phylogenetic relationships.
Open Access
Taxonomy, phylogeny and biogeography of cisticolas (Cisticola spp.)
(2015) Davies, Owen R; Crowe, Timothy M; Bowie, Rauri Charles Kerr
A review of the genus Cisticola was published in 1930 by Rear-admiral Lynes. While subsequent authors have modified Lynes' original groupings, his work remains the basis for modern syntheses of cisticolas. This study tests Lynes' hypotheses by analysing data that he presented in his review and with measurement and plumage data collected from museum specimens. Lynes' groupings were well recovered (98%) when data captured from his review were analysed phenetically, suggesting that he grouped species mostly by similarity. In contrast, when morpho-behavioural data were analysed using cladistic methods, many of his groupings were not monophyletic and the resultant cladogram had very little nodal support due to their highly conservative morphology. To resolve the structure of the genus and the relationships within it, two mitochondrial and four nuclear regions were sequenced from toe-pad samples taken from museum specimens. The molecular analyses included 44 of the 49 currently recognised species and represents the most taxon-dense molecular phylogeny of the genus. The resultant phylogeny separates species into five main clades, but many of Lynes' groupings were not monophyletic and there was also very little support for more recent groupings. Vocalisation analyses indicated that frequency components of songs were correlated with habitat type and body size. These correlations, though, disappeared when phylogeny was controlled for indicating that phylogenetic history rather than habitat preference influenced song character distribution. Some song types are mismatched to their environment, and some sympatric sister species appear to give similar calls. Cisticolas may overcome these attenuation and identification difficulties with behavioural adaptations and aerial displays. The biogeographic distribution of closely related species does not agree with many of the previously proposed hypotheses and a dated phylogeny estimates that most of the diversification in the genus has occurred within the last five million years. Most of the mean divergence date estimates correlated with periods of climate variability and episodes during which there is evidence for high lake levels in Africa, rather than correlating with Plio-Pleistocene glaciation, offering evidence that open habitats may have become fragmented during extremes of both arid and humid climates.
Open Access
Taxonomy, phylogeny and biogeography of francolins ('Francolinus' spp.) Aves: Order Galliformes, Family Phasianidae
(2014) Mandiwana-Neudani, Tshifhiwa Gift; Crowe, Timothy M; Bowie, Rauri Charles Kerr
Francolins (Francolinus spp.) are small to medium-sized, sedentary, Old World, partridge/quail-like, terrestrial gamebirds (Order Galliformes) that occupy diverse habitats ranging from dry/open/scrubby lowland and montane grasslands, bushveld and savanna/woodland to mesic montane/lowland forests and forest edges. Some francolins have complex distribution patterns and also are morphologically, ecologically and behaviourally diverse. At the start of this research, Francolinus Stephens, 1819 was considered a monophyletic galliform genus comprising 41 species (36 African and five Asiatic) divided among eight putatively monophyletic species groups and four taxonomically enigmatic species. However, different taxonomic revisions, especially post Hall's (1963) classic monograph, challenged the monophyletic status of the genus and that of some of its designated species groups differed markedly in the number of recognized subspecies. Furthermore, there was debate concerning the geographical origin of the genus: Asia versus Africa. Some of the early molecular research on a few exemplar francolin species based on partial mitochondrial Cytochrome-b DNA sequences and Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphisms (RFLPs) also challenged the monophyly of the genus and that of some of Hall's (1963) species groups. These findings suggested that francolins may form at least two distantly related lineages called 'patryse' (partridges) and 'fisante' (pheasants) by Afrikaans-speaking people. Patryse, or 'true' francolins, had been divided into as many as five genera (Francolinus, Ortygornis, Dendroperdix, Peliperdix, Scleroptila) and fisante, or spurfowls, all grouped into a single genus, Pternistis. Research in this thesis is based on: mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences (5554 base pairs), organismal and vocal characters of francolins and spurfowls.