Skeletons and the genera of sparrows (Emberizinae)

Abstract

Based on comparisons of skeletons from 228 species of sparrows (Emberizinae), we detected 24 characters that were useful for generic separations. Of these, 19 quantitative characters were used in a detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) ordination. Presence or absence of a lacrimal bone, degree of inflation of the squamosal area, length of the lateral process of the laterosphenoid, ratio of ulna length to femur length, length of the skull, and premaxilla length-to-width ratio were the most informative characters. The first two axes of the DCA clearly grouped most genera. Based on our analysis of these skeletal characters, we recommend the following changes to the classification of Paynter (1970): Sporophila obscura belongs in Tiaris; Emberizoides ypiranganus is a valid species; Pselliophorus and Pezopetes should be lumped with Atlapetes; and Torreornis and Oriturus should be lumped with Aimophila. In addition, a different sequence of genera should be adopted. Two groups of genera are distinct: seedeaters and North American sparrows. A third group, South American grassland finches, overlaps with the first two groups.