Gross morphology betrays phylogeny: the Scrub Warbler Scotocerca inquieta is not a cisticolid

Abstract

The Scrub Warbler, which inhabits arid areas from North Africa to western Asia, has long been thought to be closely related to cisticolid warblers. However, analyses based on two mitochondrial and four nuclear loci place this species sister to the mainly Asian Cettiidae (bush warblers, tesias, etc.). Superficial morphological similarity to cisticolid warblers has previously clouded the species true relationship. Detailed morphology, such as facial bristles and claw and footpad structure, also supports a closer relationship to Cettiidae and some other non-cisticolid warblers.

Keywords

Cettiidae; Cisticolidae; mitochondrial DNA; morphology; nuclear DNA; Passeriformes; phylogeny; Sylvioidea

Published in

Ibis
2011, volume: 153, number: 1, pages: 87-97
Publisher: WILEY-BLACKWELL

SLU Authors

• Alström, Per

  • SLU Swedish Species Information Centre, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

Associated SLU-program

Biodiversity

UKÄ Subject classification

Zoology

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1474-919X.2010.01093.x

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/47644