Ptilotula

Ptilotula
Yellow-tinted honeyeater (Ptilotula flavescens)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Meliphagidae
Genus: Ptilotula
Mathews, 1912
Type species
Ptilotis flavescens[1]
Gould, 1840

Ptilotula is a genus of honeyeater consisting of species occurring in Australia and Papua New Guinea. The genus consists of six former members of Lichenostomus, and was created after a molecular analysis showed the genus was polyphyletic.[2] The International Ornithologists' Union accepted this change and officially included the genus in reference lists from 2013.[3] The type species is the yellow-tinted honeyeater (Ptilotula flavescens).[2] Birds in this genus typically occupy dry open forest and woodland habitats, and can be found in arid and semi-arid environments.[2][4]

  1. ^ "Melaphagidae". aviansystematics.org. The Trust for Avian Systematics. Retrieved 2023-07-16.
  2. ^ a b c Nyári, Árpád S.; Joseph, Leo (2011). "Systematic dismantlement of Lichenostomus improves the basis for understanding relationships within the honeyeaters (Meliphagidae) and historical development of Australo–Papuan bird communities". Emu. 111 (3): 202–211. doi:10.1071/mu10047. S2CID 85333285.
  3. ^ Gill, Frank; Donsker, David (eds.). "Honeyeaters". World Bird List Version 6.1. International Ornithologists' Union. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
  4. ^ Christidis, Len; Schodde, R. (1993). "Relationships and radiations in the Meliphagine Honeyeaters, Meliphaga, Lichenostomus and Xanthotis (Aves, Meliphagidae) - Protein evidence and its integration with morphology and ecogeography". Australian Journal of Zoology. 41 (3): 293–316. doi:10.1071/ZO9930293.