Biology:Spinebill

From HandWiki
(Redirected from Biology:Acanthorhynchus)
Short description: Genus of birds

Spinebill
Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris ANBG.jpg
Eastern spinebill (Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris)
Scientific classification e
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Meliphagidae
Genus: Acanthorhynchus
Gould, 1837[1]
Type species
Certhia tenuirostris[2]
Latham, 1801
Species

Acanthorhynchus superciliosus
Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris

Spinebill is the name given to two members of the honeyeater family, both in the genus Acanthorhynchus, which is Latin for "spine bill". They are around 15 centimetres in length, and are coloured black, white and chestnut, with a long, downcurved bill. They are native to Australia , with one species in the east and one in the west. They feed on nectar as well as insects, and live mainly in forests, gardens, and other shrubbery habitats.

A 2004 molecular study has shown that the two spinebills are a sister grouping to all other honeyeaters, that is, they diverged earlier than all other species.[3]

Species and distribution

The genus contains two species.[4]

Image Scientific name Common Name Distribution
Spinebill9256e.jpg Acanthorhynchus superciliosus Western spinebill south-western Australia
Eastern Spinebill444.jpg Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris Eastern spinebill North Queensland south through New South Wales, eastern South Australia as well as throughout Tasmania

References

  1. Gould, J. (1837). "Characteristics of New Species of Australian Birds". Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 6: 24–25. https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/12860166. 
  2. "Melaphagidae". The Trust for Avian Systematics. https://www.aviansystematics.org/4th-edition-checklist?viewfamilies=119. 
  3. Driskell, Amy C.; Christidis, Les (2004). "Phylogeny and evolution of the Australo-Papuan honeyeaters (Passeriformes, Meliphagidae)". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 31 (3): 943–60. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2003.10.017. PMID 15120392. http://loco.biosci.arizona.edu/driskell/Driskell_Christidis_2004.pdf. 
  4. Gill, Frank; Donsker, David; Rasmussen, Pamela, eds (2020). "Honeyeaters". IOC World Bird List Version 10.1. International Ornithologists' Union. https://www.worldbirdnames.org/bow/honeyeaters/. 

External links

Wikidata ☰ Q481686 entry