Loriini

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Loriini
Ornithological miscellany (Plate) (5981479349).jpg
Collared lory (Vini solitaria), 1876
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Psittaciformes
Family: Psittaculidae
Subfamily: Loriinae
Tribe: Loriini
Selby, 1836
Genera

Oreopsittacus
Charminetta
Hypocharmosyna
Charmosynopsis
Synorhacma
Charmosyna
Charmosynoides
Vini
Neopsittacus
Lorius
Psitteuteles
Parvipsitta
Pseudeos
Chalcopsitta
Glossoptilus
Glossopsitta
Saudareos
Eos
Trichoglossus

Contents

Loriini is a tribe of small to medium-sized arboreal parrots characterized by their specialized brush-tipped tongues for feeding on nectar of various blossoms and soft fruits, preferably berries. [1] The species form a monophyletic group within the parrot family Psittaculidae. The group consists of the lories and lorikeets. Traditionally, they were considered a separate subfamily (Loriinae) from the other subfamily (Psittacinae) based on the specialized characteristics, but recent molecular and morphological studies show that the group is positioned in the middle of various other groups. They are widely distributed throughout the Australasian region, including south-eastern Asia, Polynesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste and Australia, and the majority have very brightly coloured plumage.

Etymology

The word "lory" comes from the Malay lūri, a name used for a number of species of colourful parrots. [2] The name was used by the Dutch writer Johan Nieuhof in 1682 in a book describing his travels in the East Indies. [3] The spelling "laurey" was used by English naturalist Eleazar Albin in 1731 for a species of parrot from Brazil, [4] and then in 1751 the English naturalist George Edwards used the spelling "lory" when introducing names for five species of parrot from the East Indies in the fourth volume of his A Natural History of Uncommon Birds. Edwards credited Nieuhof for the name. [5]

The choice of the terms "lory" and "lorikeet" is subjective, like the use of "parrot" and "parakeet". Species with longer tapering tails are generally referred to as "lorikeets", while species with short blunt tails are generally referred to as "lories". [6]

Taxonomy

Traditionally, lories and lorikeets have either been classified as the subfamily, Loriinae, or as a family on their own, Loriidae, [7] but they are currently classified as a tribe. Neither traditional view is confirmed by molecular studies. Those studies show that the lories and lorikeets form a single group, closely related to the budgerigar and the fig parrots ( Cyclopsitta and Psittaculirostris ). [8] [9] [10] [11] [12]

A comprehensive molecular phylogenetic study of the Loriini published in 2020 led to major changes in the generic boundaries. The reorganisation involved the resurrection of four genera: Charminetta , Hypocharmosyna , Charmosynopsis and Glossoptilus , as well as the erection of three entirely new genera: Synorhacma , Charmosynoides and Saudareos . One genus disappeared, as the collared lory, which had previously been placed in the monotypic genus Phigys, was found to be embedded in the genus Vini . The extinct New Caledonian lorikeet, although not sampled, was assumed to be a member of the genus Vini on plumage and biogeographic grounds. The tribe Loriini now contains 61 species divided into 19 genera. [13] [14] [15]

Loriini

Oreopsittacus – Plum-faced lorikeet

Charminetta – Pygmy lorikeet

Hypocharmosyna – 2 species

Charmosynopsis – 2 species

Synorhacma – Striated lorikeet

Charmosyna – 3 species

Charmosynoides – Duchess lorikeet

Vini – 11 species

Neopsittacus – 2 species

Lorius – 6 species

Psitteuteles – Varied lorikeet

Parvipsitta – 2 species

Pseudeos – 2 species

Chalcopsitta – 3 species

Glossoptilus – Goldie's lorikeet

Glossopsitta – Musk lorikeet

Saudareos – 5 species

Eos – 6 species

Trichoglossus – 10 species

Phylogeny of the Loriini based on a genetic study published in 2020. [13] [14] [15]

Genera

ImageGenusLiving Species
Oreopsittacus arfaki (pair) -captive-8a-4c.jpg Oreopsittacus Salvadori, 1877
N309 w1150 (8006803741) (cropped 2).jpg Charminetta Iredale, 1956
Charmosyna placentis -Jurong Bird Park -pair-6a.jpg Hypocharmosyna Salvadori, 1891
TrichoglossusPulchellusKeulemans.jpg Charmosynopsis Salvadori, 1877
Synorhacma Joseph et al, 2020
Charmosyna josefinae.jpg Charmosyna Wagler, 1832
Charmosyna margarethae.jpg Charmosynoides Joseph et al, 2020
Vini australis -London Zoo, England-8a.jpg Vini Lesson, R, 1833
Neopsittacus musschenbroekii.JPG Neopsittacus Salvadori, 1875
Lorius domicella -Jurong Bird Park, Singapore-8a-2c.jpg Lorius Vigors, 1825
Psitteuteles iris -San Diego Zoo -6.jpg Psitteuteles Bonaparte, 1854
Purple crowned lorikeet (4989713000).jpg Parvipsitta Mathews, 1916
PseudeosFuscataCZ.jpg Pseudeos Peters, JL, 1935
Brown Lory (Chalcopsitta duivenbodei)-7.jpg Chalcopsitta Bonaparte, 1850
Goldies Lorikeet.jpg Glossoptilus Rothschild and Hartert, 1896
Musk Lorikeet jul08.jpg Glossopsitta Bonaparte, 1854
Trichoglossus johnstoniae -London Zoo, England-8a.jpg Saudareos Joseph et al, 2020
Eos squamata -captive-8a-2c.jpg Eos Wagler, 1832
Rainbow lorikeet.jpg Trichoglossus Stephens, 1826

Morphology

Tongue of a lory LoryTongueLyd4.png
Tongue of a lory

Lories and lorikeets have specialized brush-tipped tongues for feeding on nectar and soft fruits. They can feed from the flowers of about 5,000 species of plants and use their specialized tongues to take the nectar. The tip of their tongues have tufts of papillae (extremely fine hairs), which collect nectar and pollen.

The multi-coloured rainbow lorikeet was one of the species of parrots appearing in the first edition of The Parrots of the World and also in John Gould's lithographs of the Birds of Australia.

Diet

In the wild, rainbow lorikeets feed mainly on pollen and nectar, and possess a tongue adapted especially for their particular diet. Many fruit orchard owners consider them a pest, as they often fly in groups and strip trees containing fresh fruit. They are also frequent visitors at bird feeders that supply lorikeet-friendly treats, such as store-bought nectar, sunflower seeds, and fruits such as apples, grapes and pears. [16] Occasionally they have been observed feeding on meat. [17]

Conservation

Rainbow lorikeet drinking Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus haematodus) -drinking.jpg
Rainbow lorikeet drinking

The ultramarine lorikeet is endangered. It is now one of the 50 rarest birds in the world. The blue lorikeet is classified as vulnerable. The introduction of European rats to the small island habitats of these birds is a major cause of their endangerment. [18] Various conservation efforts have been made to relocate some of these birds to locations free of predation and habitat destruction.

In literature

A "Lory" famously appears in Chapter III of Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Alice argues with the Lory about its age.

Related Research Articles

<i>Nestor</i> (genus) Genus of birds

The genus Nestor is one of the two extant genera of the parrot family Strigopidae. Together with the kākāpō, and the extinct parrots in the genus Nelepsittacus, they form the parrot superfamily Strigopoidea. The Nestor's genus contains two extant parrot species from New Zealand and two extinct species from Norfolk Island, Australia and Chatham Island, New Zealand, respectively. All species are large stocky birds with short squarish tails. A defining characteristic of the genus is the tongue, which is tipped with a hair-like fringe. The superficial resemblance of this tongue to that of lorikeets has led some taxonomists to consider the two groups closely related, but DNA evidence shows they are not.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">True parrot</span> Superfamily of birds

The true parrots are about 350 species of hook-billed, mostly herbivorous birds forming the superfamily Psittacoidea, one of the three superfamilies in the biological order Psittaciformes (parrots). True parrots are widespread, with species in Mexico, Central and South America, sub-Saharan Africa, India, Southeast Asia, Australia, and eastwards across the Pacific Ocean as far as Polynesia. The true parrots include many of the familiar parrots including macaws, conures, lorikeets, eclectus, Amazon parrots, grey parrot, and budgerigar. Most true parrots are colourful and flighted, with a few notable exceptions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Broad-tailed parrot</span> Tribe of birds

A broad-tailed parrot is any of about 35–40 species belonging to the tribe Platycercini. The members of the tribe are small to medium in size, and all are native to Australasia, Australia in particular, but also New Zealand, New Caledonia, and nearby islands.

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

Loriinae is a subfamily of psittacine birds, one of the six subfamilies that make up the family Psittaculidae. It consists of three tribes, the lories and lorikeets (Loriini), the budgerigar (Melopsittacini) and the fig parrots (Cyclopsittini), which are small birds, mostly of bright colors and inhabitants of Oceania and the islands of Southeast Asia.

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

The neotropical parrots or New World parrots comprise about 150 species in 32 genera found throughout South and Central America, Mexico, the Caribbean islands and the southern United States. Among them are some of the most familiar and iconic parrots, including the blue and gold macaw, sun conure, and yellow-headed amazon.

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

The red-collared lorikeet is a species of parrot found in wooded habitats in northern Australia. It was previously considered a subspecies of the rainbow lorikeet, but today most major authorities consider them as separate species. No other member of the rainbow lorikeet group has an orange-red collar over the nape.

The blue-fronted lorikeet also known as the Buru lorikeet, is a parrot endemic to the Indonesian island of Buru.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blue lorikeet</span> Species of bird

The blue lorikeet is a small lorikeet from French Polynesia and the Cook Islands. It is also known as the Tahiti lorikeet, violet lorikeet, Tahitian lory, blue lory, nunbird, and the indigo lory. It was formerly found on 23 islands around Tahiti, but now restricted to perhaps eight islands: Aitutaki, Apataki, Arutua, Kaukura, Manuae, Maupihaa, Motu One, Rangiroa, and possibly Manihi and Manuae. Its plumage is mainly dark blue and it has a white area over its upper chest, throat and face. The first captive breeding in the UK was by the Marquess of Tavistock in the 1930s. He was awarded a silver medal by the Foreign Bird League for this achievement.

<i>Alisterus</i> Genus of birds

Alisterus is a genus of medium-sized Australasian parrots, comprising the Australian king parrot, the Papuan king parrot and the Moluccan king parrot. The three species are respectively found in eastern Australia, Papua, the Moluccas and other Indonesian islands. Predominantly of red and green plumage, the long-tailed parrots are related to the genera Aprosmictus and Polytelis.

<i>Charmosyna</i> Genus of birds

Charmosyna is a genus of parrots in the family Psittaculidae. The three currently recognized species inhabit moist forests on the island of New Guinea.

Meek's lorikeet is a species of parrot in the family Psittaculidae. It is found on Bougainville Island in Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest and subtropical or tropical moist montane forest. It is threatened by habitat loss.

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

The red-chinned lorikeet is a species of parrot in the family Psittaculidae. It is native to New Britain, New Ireland, New Hannover and Karkar Island in Papua New Guinea.

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

The red-fronted lorikeet, also known as the red-spotted lorikeet or red-rumped lorikeet is a species of parrot in the family Psittaculidae. It is found in northern New Guinea and the island of Biak. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Collared lory</span> Species of bird

The collared lory is a species of parrot in the family Psittaculidae. It is endemic to the islands of Fiji. It is the only Fijian rainforest bird to adapt to urban landscapes and can be found in urban Suva. Measuring 20 cm (7.9 in), it has bright red underparts and face with a purple crown and greenish upperparts. Males and females are similar in plumage, although the latter have a paler crown.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stephen's lorikeet</span> Species of bird

Stephen's lorikeet, also known as the Henderson lorikeet or the Henderson Island Lorikeet, is a species of parrot in the family Psittaculidae. It is endemic to Henderson Island in the Pitcairn Islands of the South Pacific.

<i>Eos</i> (bird) Genus of birds

Eos is a genus of parrots belonging to the lories and lorikeets tribe of the family Psittaculidae. There are six species which are all endemic to islands of eastern Indonesia, most within very restricted ranges. They have predominantly red plumage with blue, purple or black markings. Males and females are similar in appearance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fig parrot</span> Tribe of birds

Fig parrots (Cyclopsittini) are a small tribe of Australasian parrots in the family Psittaculidae, made up of seven species in two genera. Fig parrots are found on and around the island of New Guinea, within the territories of Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and tropical Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parrot</span> Order of birds

Parrots (Psittaciformes), also known as psittacines, are birds with a strong curved beak, upright stance, and clawed feet. They are classified in four families that contain roughly 410 species in 101 genera, found mostly in tropical and subtropical regions. The four families are the Psittaculidae, Psittacidae, Cacatuoidea (cockatoos), and Strigopidae. One-third of all parrot species are threatened by extinction, with a higher aggregate extinction risk than any other comparable bird group. Parrots have a generally pantropical distribution with several species inhabiting temperate regions as well. The greatest diversity of parrots is in South America and Australasia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coconut lorikeet</span> Species of bird

The coconut lorikeet, also known as the green-naped lorikeet, is a parrot in the family Psittaculidae. Seven species of lorikeets now recognised were once lumped together under Trichoglossus haematodus.

References

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  3. Nieuhof, Johan (1662). Zee en lant-reize, door verscheide gewesten van Oostindien [A Journey by Sea and Land through Various Regions of the East Indies] (in Dutch). Amsterdam, NL: Jacob van Meurs. p. 287. Behelzende veele zeltzaame en wonderlijke voorvallen en geschiedenissen. Beneffens een beschrijving van lantschappen, steden, dieren, gewassen, draghten, zeden en godsdienst der inwoonders en inzonderheit een wijtloopig verhael der stad Batavia. Containing many rare and wonderful incidents and histories. Besides a description of the landscapes, cities, animals, crops, customs, manners, and religion of the inhabitants, and in particular a partial story of the city of Batavia.
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  13. 1 2 Smith, B.T.; Mauck, W.M.I.; Benz, B.W.; Andersen, M.J. (2020). "Uneven missing data skew phylogenomic relationships within the lories and lorikeets". Genome Biology and Evolution. 12 (7): 1131–1147. doi: 10.1093/gbe/evaa113 . PMC   7486955 .
  14. 1 2 Joseph, L.; Merwin, J.; Smith, B.T. (2020). "Improved systematics of lorikeets reflects their evolutionary history and frames conservation priorities". Emu - Austral Ornithology. 120 (3): 201–215. doi:10.1080/01584197.2020.1779596.
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  16. "Rainbow Lorikeet / Rainbow Lory aka Green Naped Lory / Lorikeet". www.beautyofbirds.com. Retrieved 2017-10-17.
  17. "Meat-eating rainbow lorikeets puzzle bird experts". ABC News. 2015-03-23. Retrieved 2017-10-17.
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