Phylogenetic definitions for Caprimulgimorphae (Aves) and major constituent clades under the International Code of Phylogenetic Nomenclature

Title: Phylogenetic definitions for Caprimulgimorphae (Aves) and major constituent clades under the International Code of Phylogenetic Nomenclature

Creators: Albert Chen, Daniel J. Field

Submitted July 10, 2020.
Accepted September 21, 2020.
Published online at www.senckenberg.de/vertebrate-zoology on October 21, 2020.
Published in print Q4/2020.

DOI: 10.26049/VZ70-4-2020-03
PDF/A 1.8 MB

Published by Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung

Date (Publication Year): 2020

Resource Type (General): TEXT

Resource Type (optional): Vertebrate Zoology, Scientific Article

Description (en): Phylogenetic nomenclature, a system of taxonomic nomenclature in which taxon names are defined based on phylogenetic relationships, has been widely adopted in recent decades, particularly by vertebrate palaeontologists. However, formal regulation of this taxonomic system had been non-existent until the recent implementation of the International Code of Phylogenetic Nomenclature (PhyloCode). To fulfil the requirements of the PhyloCode, we explicitly establish phylogenetic definitions that we recommended in a recent phylogenetic study on the avian taxon Caprimulgimorphae (which includes nightjars, potoos, frogmouths, swifts, hummingbirds, and others) and many of its major constituent subclades. Two new names are coined: Sedentaves (for the smallest crown clade uniting Steatornis and Nyctibiidae) and Letornithes (for the smallest crown clade uniting Podargidae and Daedalornithes). We also briefly review the fossil record and diagnostic morphological apomorphies of caprimulgimorph clades for which relevant information is available.

Key words: Caprimulgiformes, nomenclature, phylogeny, Strisores, taxonomy.

Citation: Chen, A., Field, D. J. (2020). Phylogenetic definitions for Caprimulgimorphae (Aves) and major constituent clades under the International Code of Phylogenetic Nomenclature. Vertebrate Zoology, 70(4): 571-585. https://doi.org/10.26049/VZ70-4-2020-03