Ptilopachus

Ptilopachus
Stone Partridge
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Galliformes
Family: Phasianidae
Subfamily: Perdicinae
Genus: Ptilopachus
Swainson, 1837
Species

Stone Partridge (P. petrosus)
Nahan's Partridge (P. nahani)

Ptilopachus is an African genus of birds in the pheasant family. As traditionally defined, only the Stone Partridge was included in this genus, but based on genetic evidence it now also includes the Nahan's Partridge (formerly considered a francolin). The study also concludes that this genus is more closely related to the New World Quail,[1][2][3] but many taxonomists still include this with the Phasianidae. At about 25 centimetres (9.8 in) in length, both are relatively small, terrestrial birds with a red eye-ring, base of the bill and legs, and brownish upperparts.[4]

References

  1. ^ Crowe, T. M., Bowie, R.C.K., Bloomer, P., Mandiwana, T.G., Hedderson, T.A.J., Randi, E., Pereira, S., & Wakeling, J. (2006). Phylogenetics, biogeography and classification of, and character evolution in, gamebirds (Aves: Galliformes): Effects of character exclusion, data partitioning and missing data. Cladistics 22: 495-532.
  2. ^ Crowe, T. (2010). Phylogenetic affinities of enigmatic African galliforms: the Stone Partridge Ptilopachus petrosus and Latham's and Nahan's 'Francolins' Francolinus lathami and F. nahani. Cladistics 26: 206-206. (Abstract).
  3. ^ Gill, F, & Donsker, D. eds. (2010). IOC World Bird Names. Version 2.7. Accessed 15 January 2011.
  4. ^ McGowan, P. J. K. (1994). Francolins (genus Francolinus). Pp. 489-504 in: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., & Sargatal, J. eds. (1994). Handbook of the Birds of the World. Vol. 2. New World Vultures to Guineafowl. Lynx Edicions, Barcelon. ISBN 84-87334-15-6