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The phylogenetic affinities of Crossley's babbler ( Mystacornis crossleyi ): adding a new niche to the vanga radiation of Madagascar

2008; Royal Society; Volume: 4; Issue: 6 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1098/rsbl.2008.0444

1744-957X

Ulf S. Johansson, Rauri C. K. Bowie, Shannon J. Hackett, Thomas S. Schulenberg,

Avian ecology and behavior

Crossley's babbler ( Mystacornis crossleyi ) is a passerine endemic to Madagascar. Traditionally, it has been classified as a babbler (Timaliidae), although affinities with warblers and vangas have been suggested. We investigated the phylogenetic affinities of Crossley's babbler using sequence data from two nuclear introns (myoglobin intron 2 and β-fibrinogen intron 5) and one mitochondrial gene (ND2). We present for the first time (to our knowledge) a molecular phylogeny that confidently places this enigmatic species within the vangas (Vangidae). The inclusion of Crossley's babbler within the vangas adds another foraging niche—gleaning small invertebrates from the ground—to this already large adaptive radiation of songbirds.