Mohoidae
| Mohoidae | ||||||||||||
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Moho ( Moho nobilis ) |
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Mohoidae | ||||||||||||
| Fleischer , James & Olson , 2008 |
The Mohoidae are a family of songbirds (passeres) that was only established in 2008 and includes five nectar-eating bird species that were endemic to Hawaii and have only become extinct in modern times . They were previously placed with the honey-eaters (Meliphagidae).
In a phylogenetic analysis, in which one DNA sequences examined from museum specimens, it was found that mohoidae that not having the Meliphagidae used are, but with the silk tails (Bombycillidae), the Seidenschnäppern (Ptiliogonatidae) and the Palm talkers ( Dulus dominicus ) a form monophyletic taxon . The Mohoidae separated evolutionarily from their relatives when they arrived in Hawaii 14 to 17 million years ago. The relationship with the waxwings and the two other taxa also means that they are of Holarctic or Neotropical origin and do not come from the southern Pacific.
The similarity with the honeyeater has developed convergent in adaptation to the diet . These adaptations include a long, curved beak, a long, brush-tipped tongue to pick up nectar, and strong legs and feet to hold on to when eating.
Mohoidae is the only completely extinct family of birds.
Genera and species
- Genus Chaetoptila P.L. Sclater , 1871
- Genus Krausschwänze Lesson , 1830
- Krausschwanzmoho ( Moho apicalis ) Gould , 1860
- Ear-tufted moho ( Moho bishopi ) Rothschild , 1893
- Magnificent moho ( Moho nobilis ) Merrem , 1786
- Kaua'i'Ō'ō ( Moho braccatus ) Cassin 1855
source
- Fleischer, Robert C .; Helen F. James; Storrs L. Olson : Convergent Evolution of Hawaiian and Australo-Pacific Honeyeaters from Distant Songbird Ancestors . Current Biology (Cell Press) 18 (24), 2008: pp. 1927-1931. PMID 19084408 .
