Vanellus

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Vanellus
Vanellus miles novaehollandiae.jpg
Vanellus miles novaehollandiae
Keichwa 01.jpg
Vanellus vanellus
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Charadriidae
Subfamily: Vanellinae
Genus: Vanellus
Brisson, 1760
Type species
Tringa vanellus [1]
Linnaeus, 1758
Species

24, see text

Synonyms

AfribyxMathews, 1913
AnomalophrysSharpe, 1896
AnitibyxWolters, 1974
BelonopterusReichenbach, [1852]
ChaetusiaAgassiz, 1846 (unjustified emendation)
CheltusiaVerreaux, 1855 (unjustified emendation)
ChettusiaBonaparte, 1838
ChetusiaGray, 1841 (unjustified emendation)
ChoetusiaBlyth, 1854 (unjustified emendation)
DorypaltusBrodkorb, 1959
HemiparraSalvadori, 1865
HoplopterusBonaparte, 1831
HoploxypterusBonaparte, 1856
LobibyxHeine [1890]
LobipluriaBonaparte, 1856 ( lapsus )
LobipluviaBonaparte, 1856
LobivanellusStrickland 1841
MicrosarcopsSharpe 1896
PtiloscelysBonaparte, 1856
SarciophorusStrickland 1841
StephanibyxReichenbach, [1852]
RogibyxMathews 1913
TylibyxReichenbach, [1852]
VanellochettusiaBrandt 1852
XiphidiopterusReichenbach, [1852]
and see text

Contents

Vanellus is the genus of waders which provisionally contains all lapwings except red-kneed dotterel, Erythrogonys cinctus. The name "vanellus" is Latin for "little fan", vanellus being the diminutive of vannus ("winnowing fan"). The name is in reference to the sound lapwings' wings make in flight. [2] [3]

Description

These long-legged waders mostly have strongly patterned plumage. Although the most familiar Eurasian lapwing, Vanellus vanellus (northern lapwing), has a wispy crest, only two other species do so. Red or yellow facial wattles are a more typical decoration.

Only northern, sociable, white-tailed, grey-headed and brown-chested lapwings are truly migratory species. The Andean lapwing moves downhill in winter.

Spur-winged, blacksmith, river, southern, Andean and pied lapwings are boldly patterned, red-eyed species with a spurred carpal (wrist) joint.

Many species have wattles which can be small (black-headed, spot-breasted, red-wattled and banded lapwings) or large (white-crowned, African wattled, yellow-wattled, Javan, and masked lapwings). The latter species are the largest of the plover family, since several exceed 30 cm (12 in).

Systematics

The genus Vanellus was erected by the French zoologist Mathurin Jacques Brisson in 1760. [4] [5] The name was derived by tautonymy from the original binomial name of the northern lapwing Tringa vanellus introduced by Linnaeus in 1758. [5] [6] Vanellus is the Medieval Latin for a "lapwing". It is a diminutive of the Latin vanus meaning "winnowing" or "fan". [7]

The systematics of Vanellus have hitherto resisted clear resolution. Essentially, no major revision can be brought to agree with another, and up to 19 genera were at one time recognized for the 24 lapwing species. While it might be desirable to split up this large and diverse genus a bit, the morphological characters are a confusing mix of apomorphic and plesiomorphic traits in any one species, with few relationships readily apparent. Molecular data has been found to provide even less sufficient resolution, though the lapwings have not yet been as thoroughly studied under this aspect as other Charadriiformes. [8]

The only thing that can be said with a fair degree of certainty is that according to the DNA sequence data one group of 5 species seems to stand out. These are wattle-less lapwings which were separated as Anitibyx, Belonopterus, Hoplopterus (in the narrow sense) and Ptiloscelys. They are visually very dissimilar, but it is notable that their distribution forms a clean band through the tropical regions of the world except Australia; they might conceivably form a clade. The only species among them that is migratory is the Andean lapwing (V. resplendens), which as noted above cannot be allied with the truly migratory lapwings on these grounds. However, if these were to be split off, for one thing it is almost certain that other lineages would also require separation; the new genus' name would probably be Hoplopterus, which is the longest- and most widely used alternative lapwing genus. [8]

List of species in taxonomic order

Alternatively placed in Hemiparra:

Alternatively placed in Anitibyx:

Alternatively placed in Hoplopterus:

Alternatively placed in Sarciophorus, Lobivanellus or Hoplopterus:

Alternatively placed in Lobipluvia or Hoplopterus:

Alternatively placed in Xiphidiopterus or Hoplopterus:

Alternatively placed in Stephanibyx or Hoplopterus:

Crowned lapwing in Tanzania Crowned Lapwing (Vanellus coronatus) Mikumi shadow lift.jpg
Crowned lapwing in Tanzania

Alternatively placed in Afribyx:

Alternatively placed in Tylibyx, Lobivanellus or Hoplopterus:

Alternatively placed in Anomalophrys:

Alternatively placed in Microsarcops or Hoplopterus:

Alternatively placed in Lobivanellus or Hoplopterus:

Alternatively placed in Rogibyx:

Alternatively placed in Zonifer, Lobivanellus or Hoplopterus:

Alternatively placed in Lobibyx, Lobivanellus or Hoplopterus:

Alternatively placed in Chettusia:

Alternatively placed in Vanellochettusia or Chettusia:

Alternatively placed in Hoploxypterus:

Alternatively placed in Belonopterus:

Alternatively placed in Ptiloscelys or Belonopterus:

Prehistoric species

Species known only from fossil or subfossil remains include:

  • Vanellus madagascariensis (14th century Madagascar) [9]
  • Vanellus liffyae (Late Pliocene of central Australia) [10]
  • Vanellus lilloi (Middle/Late Pleistocene of Centinela del Mar, Argentina)
  • Vanellus downsi (Late Pleistocene of Rancho La Brea, USA)
  • Vanellus edmundi (Late Pleistocene of Talalra, Peru)

The last three of these seem to be very closely related to the southern lapwing and all were placed in Belonopterus by the describing authors. If Viator picis , also from the Late Pleistocene of Talara, does not belong to an entirely extinct lineage, it might belong to that group too; it seems too large to be closely related to the smallish pied lapwing. [11]

Neither the Early Oligocene Dolicopterus [12] from Ronzon, France nor the supposed mid-Oligocene lapwing "Vanellus" selysii of Rupelmonde (Belgium) unquestionably belong here. While their age suggests that they may indeed represent some ancient lapwings, the fossil remains have not been studied for many decades and a review is seriously overdue. [13]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northern lapwing</span> Species of bird

The northern lapwing, also known as the peewit or pewit, tuit or tewit, green plover, or pyewipe or just lapwing, is a bird in the lapwing subfamily. It is common through temperate Eurosiberia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charadriidae</span> Family of birds

The bird family Charadriidae includes the plovers, dotterels, and lapwings. The family contains 69 species that are divided into 10 genera.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lapwing</span> Subfamily of birds

Lapwings are any of various ground-nesting birds akin to plovers and dotterels. They range from 10 to 16 inches in length, and are noted for their slow, irregular wingbeats in flight and a shrill, wailing cry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sociable lapwing</span> Species of bird

The sociable lapwing, referred to as the sociable plover in the UK, is a wader in the plover family. It is a fully migratory bird, breeding in Kazakhstan and wintering in the Middle East, Indian Subcontinent, and Sudan. Historical literature referred to this bird as the Black-bellied lapwing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">White-crowned lapwing</span> Species of bird

The white-crowned lapwing, white-headed lapwing, white-headed plover or white-crowned plover is a medium-sized wader. It is resident throughout tropical Africa, usually near large rivers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spur-winged lapwing</span> Species of bird

The spur-winged lapwing or spur-winged plover is a lapwing species, one of a group of largish waders in the family Charadriidae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red-wattled lapwing</span> Species of bird

The red-wattled lapwing is an Asian lapwing or large plover, a wader in the family Charadriidae. Like other lapwings they are ground birds that are incapable of perching. Their characteristic loud alarm calls are indicators of human or animal movements and the sounds have been variously rendered as did he do it or pity to do it leading to the colloquial name of did-he-do-it bird. Usually seen in pairs or small groups not far from water, they sometimes form large aggregations in the non-breeding season (winter). They nest in a ground scrape laying three to four camouflaged eggs. Adults near the nest fly around, diving at potential predators while calling noisily. The cryptically patterned chicks hatch and immediately follow their parents to feed, hiding by lying low on the ground or in the grass when threatened.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Masked lapwing</span> Species of bird in the family Charadriidae

The masked lapwing is a large, common and conspicuous bird native to Australia, New Zealand and New Guinea. It spends most of its time on the ground searching for food such as insects and worms, and has several distinctive calls. It is common in Australian fields and open land, and is known for its defensive swooping behaviour during the nesting season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yellow-wattled lapwing</span> Species of bird

The yellow-wattled lapwing is a lapwing that is endemic to the Indian Subcontinent. It is found mainly on the dry plains of peninsular India and has a sharp call and is capable of fast flight. Although they do not migrate, they are known to make seasonal movements in response to rains. They are dull grey brown with a black cap, yellow legs and a triangular wattle at the base of the beak. Like other lapwings and plovers, they are ground birds and their nest is a mere collection of tiny pebbles within which their well camouflaged eggs are laid. The chicks are nidifugous, leaving the nest shortly after hatching and following their parents to forage for food.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">African wattled lapwing</span> Species of bird

The African wattled lapwing, also known as the Senegal wattled plover or simply wattled lapwing, is a large lapwing, a group of largish waders in the family Charadriidae. It is a resident breeder in most of sub-Saharan Africa outside the rainforests, although it has seasonal movements.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black-headed lapwing</span> Species of bird

The black-headed lapwing or black-headed plover is a large lapwing, a group of largish waders in the family Charadriidae. It is a resident breeder across sub-Saharan Africa from Senegal to Ethiopia, although it has seasonal movements. It lays two or three eggs on a ground scrape.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Southern lapwing</span> Species of bird from South America

The southern lapwing, commonly called quero-quero in Brazil, or tero in Argentina and Uruguay, tero-tero in Paraguay, and queltehue in Chile is a wader in the order Charadriiformes. It is a common and widespread resident throughout South America, except in densely forested regions, the higher parts of the Andes, and the arid coast of a large part of western South America. This bird is particularly common in the basin of the Río de la Plata. It has also been spreading through Central America in recent years. It reached Trinidad in 1961, Tobago in 1974, and has rapidly increased on both islands, sporadically making its way North to Barbados where one pair mated, nested, and produced chicks in 2007. There have been sightings reported in North America with a verified sighting of a bird in Texas posted on Birda on the 17th April 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Banded lapwing</span> Species of bird

The banded lapwing is a small to medium-sized shorebird, found in small parties or large flocks on bare ground in open grasslands, agricultural land and open savannah. It is native to Australia and in the past considered as a game bird for hunting. Population estimate is 25 000 - 1 000 000. Other names include banded, black-breasted, brown flock and plain plover.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blacksmith lapwing</span> Species of bird

The blacksmith lapwing or blacksmith plover is a lapwing species that occurs commonly from Kenya through central Tanzania to southern and southwestern Africa. The vernacular name derives from the repeated metallic 'tink, tink, tink' alarm call, which suggests a blacksmith's hammer striking an anvil.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crowned lapwing</span> Species of bird

The crowned lapwing, or crowned plover, is a bird of the lapwing subfamily that occurs contiguously from the Red Sea coast of Somalia to southern and southwestern Africa. It is an adaptable and numerous species, with bold and noisy habits. It is related to the more localized black-winged and Senegal lapwings, with which it shares some plumage characteristics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pied plover</span> Species of bird

The pied plover, also known as the pied lapwing, is a species of bird in the family Charadriidae. It is a bird of least concern according to the IUCN and can be found in northern South America. The species name cayanus refers to Cayenne, the capital of French Guiana, where the pied plover can be found.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Long-toed lapwing</span> Species of bird

The long-toed lapwing , also known as the long-toed plover, is a species of wading bird in the lapwing subfamily, within the family Charadriidae. It is mainly sedentary and found across central and eastern Africa, from Chad and South Sudan in the north to Mozambique in the southeast of its range. It is one of 13 species of ground-nesting lapwings found in Africa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Senegal lapwing</span> Species of bird

The Senegal lapwing or lesser black-winged lapwing is a species of bird in the family Charadriidae. It is found in the African countries of Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Eswatini, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. It lives primarily in open grassy habitats.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andean lapwing</span> Species of bird

The Andean lapwing is a species of bird in family Charadriidae, the plovers and their relatives. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.

Viator picis is an extinct genus and species of lapwing known only from the upper Pleistocene asphalt deposits known as the Talara Tar Seeps, which are found near Talara, northwestern Peru. It was described by Campbell (1979). Although it appears to be related to the southern lapwing and the Andean lapwing, it is quite distinct from Vanellus sensu stricto; however, most authorities now include the former two species in an expanded Vanellus which includes all lapwings, in which case Viator picis may belong in Vanellus as well.

References

  1. "Charadriidae". aviansystematics.org. The Trust for Avian Systematics. Retrieved 2023-07-27.
  2. Terres & NAS (1980): p.741
  3. Jobling, James A (2010). The Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names. London: Christopher Helm. p.  397. ISBN   978-1-4081-2501-4.
  4. Brisson, Mathurin Jacques (1760). Ornithologie, ou, Méthode Contenant la Division des Oiseaux en Ordres, Sections, Genres, Especes & leurs Variétés (in French and Latin). Paris: Jean-Baptiste Bauche. Vol. 1, p. 48, Vol. 5, p. 94.
  5. 1 2 Peters, James Lee, ed. (1934). Check-list of Birds of the World. Vol. 2. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press. p. 235.
  6. Linnaeus, C. (1758). Systema Naturæ per regna tria naturae, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis, Volume 1 (in Latin). Vol. v.1 (10th ed.). Holmiae:Laurentii Salvii. p. 148.
  7. Jobling, James A. (2010). The Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names. London: Christopher Helm. p.  398. ISBN   978-1-4081-2501-4.
  8. 1 2 Piersma & Wiersma (1996), Thomas et al. (2004)
  9. Goodman, Steven M (1997). "Description of a new species of subfossil lapwing (Aves: Charadriiformes, Charadriidae, Vanellus) from Madagascar". Bulletin du Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle. 18: 607–614.
  10. Vanesa L. De Pietri; R. Paul Scofield; Gavin J. Prideaux; Trevor H. Worthy (2018). "A new species of lapwing (Charadriidae: Vanellus) from the late Pliocene of central Australia". Emu - Austral Ornithology. 118 (4): 334–343. Bibcode:2018EmuAO.118..334D. doi:10.1080/01584197.2018.1464373. S2CID   90021022.
  11. Campbell (2002)
  12. Not Dolichopterus , contra Mlíkovský (2002)
  13. Mlíkovský (2002)

Sources

Further reading