Polytelis

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Polytelis
Regent Parrots,Polytelis anthopeplus
Regent Parrots,
Polytelis anthopeplus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Psittaciformes
Family: Psittacidae
Subfamily: Psittacinae
Tribe: Psittaculini
Genus: Polytelis
Wagler, 1832
Species

Polytelis swainsonii
Polytelis anthopeplus
Polytelis alexandrae

The genus Polytelis (litterally translates into Magnifiscent) of the family Psittacidae consists of three species long-tailed parrot endemic to Australia. It is not clear whether they belong to the Asian parakeets and relatives, or the Australian Broad-tailed parrots. They are usually classified with the former due to their size, general shape, and color pattern (e.g. Forshaw & Cooper 1981), but mtDNA cytochrome b sequence data gives a rather more confusing picture (Miyaki et al. 1998). On the other hand, sex chromosome spindlin sequence analyses[citation needed] are in favor of the traditional placement.

[edit] Species

[edit] References

  • Forshaw, Joseph M. & Cooper, William T. (1981): Parrots of the World (3rd ed.). Press, Willoughby, Australia.
  • Miyaki, C. Y.; Matioli, S. R.; Burke, T. & Wajntal, A. (1998): Parrot evolution and paleogeographical events: Mitochondrial DNA evidence. Molecular Biology and Evolution 15: 544-551. PDF fulltext
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