Proposal (90) to South American
Classification Committee
Split Phaeochroa from Campylopterus
The monotypic genus Phaeochroa was
merged by Schuchmann (HBW vol. 5, 1999) into Campylopterus mainly
on basis of swollen outer primary shaft and undisclosed "behavioral and
vocal evidence". Although I suspect that Phaeochroa will be found
to go with Campylopterus, published data so far are insufficient to
justify the merger. Convergence in such a sexually selected character is not
entirely unprecedented - none of these genera has the shaft as thickened as do
"true" Campylopterus - the case is analogous to that
of the long tails of Aglaiocercus and Lesbia, or the
racket tips of Ocreatus and Discosura.
Therefore, I recommend a YES vote on this
proposal, and thus a restoration of the monotypic genus Phaeochroa, until
more evidence is presented for lumping them.
Gary Stiles, December
2003
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Comments from Zimmer: "YES. Like Gary,
I could see Phaeochroa eventually proving to belong with Campylopterus.
However, it's different enough, that I would want to see a published analysis
before making the move. Such an analysis should also deal with the problem of Aphantochroa,
which, in many respects (plumage, vocalizations, behavior) seems closer to Phaeochroa
than either does to the "true" Campylopterus. It may
prove that both of these monotypic genera should be subsumed into Campylopterus,
but I'd like to see something more concrete than the structure of the outer
primary shafts used as evidence."
Comments from Robbins: "YES. I'd like to
see more convincing data before lumping these into the same genus. Hence, I
vote 'yes'."
Comments from Jaramillo: "YES. Not a bird
I know at all in life or museum specimens. The argument to wait for better data
before making the change is good."
Comments from Nores: "YES. Estoy de acuerdo con mantener separado Phaeochroa de Campylopterus. Aunque
las razones para sep‡ralos tampoco son muy contundentes, pienso que hay que
esperar datos publicados para tomar la decisi—n de unirlos."