Maghreb lark
| Maghreb lark | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Alaudidae |
| Genus: | Galerida |
| Species: | G. macrorhyncha |
| Binomial name | |
| Galerida macrorhyncha Tristram, 1859 | |
The Maghreb lark (Galerida macrorhyncha) is a species of bird in the lark family Alaudidae native to North Africa. Previously considered to comprise subspecies of the crested lark, it was found to have diverged genetically from the latter species 1.9 million years ago and has been given species rank. Subspecies macrorhyncha and randonii are recognised.[1]
Alban Guillaumet and colleagues noted the distinctiveness of populations from the Maghreb - birds in the dryer parts of Morocco and Tunisia had longer bills while those in more coastal northern parts had shorter bills typical of the European subspecies. The authors sampled the mitochondrial DNA and found they were distinct genetically.[2] The species name is derived from the Ancient Greek words makros "long" and rhynchos "bill".
References
- ↑ Gill, F & D Donsker (Eds.) (30 June 2013). "Waxwings to swallows". IOC World Bird List: Version 3.4. International Ornithologists’ Union. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
- ↑ Guillaumet, Alban; Pons, Jean-Marc; Godelle, Bernard; Crochet, Pierre-Andre (2006). "History of the Crested Lark in the Mediterranean region as revealed by mtDNA sequences and morphology". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 39 (3): 645–56. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2006.01.002.