Melaniparus

Melaniparus is a genus of birds in the tit family that is recognized by some authorities, such as Clements (2007). Analysis of its mtDNA cytochrome b sequence (Gill et al., 2005) indicates that these birds may indeed form a clade, but the interrelationships of the species between them and with the Parus sensu strictissimo is not resolved enough at present; it appears however that separating Melaniparus as a genus of Parus, instead of merely a subgenus, is unwarranted. The following species, all from Africa and mostly having dark plumage, have been placed in it:

• Carp's tit, Parus carpi
• White-bellied tit, Parus albiventris
• White-shouldered black tit, Parus guineensis
• White-winged black tit, Parus leucomelas
• Southern black tit, Parus niger
• White-backed black tit, Parus leuconotus
• Dusky tit, Parus funereus
• Rufous-bellied tit, Parus rufiventris
• Cinnamon-breasted tit, Parus pallidiventris
• Red-throated tit, Parus fringillinus
• Stripe-breasted tit, Parus fasciiventer
• Acacia tit or Somali Tit, Parus thruppi
• Miombo tit, Parus griseiventris
• Ashy tit, Parus cinerascens
• Grey tit, Parus afer

References

• Clements, James F. (2007). The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. Cornell University Press. ISBN 978-0-8014-4501-9. 
• Gill, Frank B.; Slikas, Beth; and Sheldon, Frederick H. (2005): Phylogeny of titmice (Paridae): II. Species relationships based on sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome-b gene. Auk 122: 121-143. DOI: 10.1642/0004-8038(2005)122[0121:POTPIS]2.0.CO;2 HTML abstract