The number of species and genera of Recent birds : a contribution to comparative systematics. American Museum novitates ; no. 2703

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dc.contributor.authorBock, Walter Joseph, 1933-en_US
dc.contributor.authorFarrand, John.en_US
dc.date.accessioned2005-10-06T18:18:10Z
dc.date.available2005-10-06T18:18:10Z
dc.date.issued1980en_US
dc.description29 p. ; 26 cm.en_US
dc.descriptionIncludes bibliographical references (p. 28-29).en_US
dc.description.abstract"Counts are presented for the numbers of species and genera of birds by orders and families to provide the data base for a comparative systematic analysis of the structure of the avian genus. These counts are based on the classification presented in the 'Reference list of birds of the world' and subsequent corrections. A total of 9021 species of birds exist in 2045 genera of which 3747 species in 941 genera are nonpasserine and 5274 species in 1104 genera are passerine. The species/genus ratio is calculated for each taxon with the average for all birds being 4.411 s/g. The distribution of genera of different size categories is tabulated for all birds and for selected subgroups. These distributions have the characteristic hollow-curve shape with a preponderance of small genera; 60.5 percent of all avian genera possess one or two species. The 39 largest genera are tabulated and analyzed; these comprise only 1.91 percent of all genera and contain 17.8 percent of all avian species or twice as many as in the one- and two-species genera. The possible reasons for the evolution of species-rich genera are outlined; the major ones are the ability of species in large genera to disperse and colonize new areas and the ability of these species to establish sympatry with congeneric species without divergence"--P. [1].en_US
dc.format.extent7168014 bytes
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdf
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2246/5389
dc.languageengen_US
dc.language.isoen_US
dc.publisherNew York, N.Y. : American Museum of Natural Historyen_US
dc.relation.ispartofseriesAmerican Museum novitates ; no. 2703en_US
dc.subject.lccQL1 .A436 no.2703, 1980en_US
dc.subject.lcshBirds -- Classification.en_US
dc.subject.lcshBirds -- Speciationen_US
dc.titleThe number of species and genera of Recent birds : a contribution to comparative systematics. American Museum novitates ; no. 2703en_US
dc.title.alternativeSpecies and genera of Recent birdsen_US
dc.typetexten_US

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