Polyplectron

Cladus: Eukaryota
Supergroup: Opisthokonta
Regnum: Animalia
Subregnum: Eumetazoa
Cladus: Bilateria
Cladus: Nephrozoa
Cladus: Deuterostomia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Infraphylum: Gnathostomata
Superclassis: Tetrapoda
Classis: Aves
Subclassis: Carinatae
Infraclassis: Neornithes
Parvclassis: Neognathae
Ordo: Galliformes
Familia: Phasianidae
Subfamilia: Phasianinae
Genus: Polyplectron
Species: P. bicalcaratum - P. chalcurum - P. emphanum - P. germaini - P. inopinatum - P. katsumatae - P. malacense - P. schleiermacheri

Name

Polyplectron Temminck, 1813

Reference

Histoire naturelle générale des pigeons et des gallinaces. 2 p.363

The genus Polyplectron of the family Phasianidae consist of eight peacock-pheasant species. The males have varying display plumage, while the females are colored far more inconspicuously.

The systematics of the genus are somewhat unclear. The species of Polyplectron evolved at some time between, roughly, the Early Pliocene and the Middle Pleistocene, or 5-1 mya.[1] The morphologically somewhat aberrant Polyplectron malacense and its little-known sister species P. schleiermacheri form a basal radiation around the southern South China Sea together with the striking P. napoleonis, as is confirmed by comparison of biogeography and mtDNA cytochrome b and D-loop as well as the nuclear ovomucoid intron G (Kimball et al. 2001).

The relationships of the other forms are more poorly understood. P. germaini and P. bicalcaratum are similar in morphology and are nearly parapatric; the molecular data suggests that the latter is a symplesiomorphy, but with not too high confidence. In any case, the brownish insular or peninsular species chalcurum and inopinatum do not seem to be derived from a single isolation event, and seem to have acquired the more subdued coloration independently. The trend in this genus to lose, not to gain, pronounced sexual dimorphism is better supported by biogeographical and molecular data than the alternate scenario.(Kimball et al. 2001)

In 2010 the IOC gave the Hainan Peacock-pheasant approved species (AS) status.[2] This species has historically been listed as a subspecies of P. bicalcaratum with no valid reason. It is considered a good species by many prominent organizations including the IOC and species status is currently under review by the OBC.[3] It is considered of utmost importance to have the Hainan Peacock-pheasant properly recognized as a full species due to its endangered status. The population density of the Hainan Peacock Pheasant is very low in its tropical forest on the island and the wild population is declining, it is now severely endangered and should be ranked as the rarest species in the order Galliformes in China.

Species

* Palawan Peacock-pheasant, Polyplectron napoleonis - formerly P. emphanum
* Malayan Peacock-pheasant, Polyplectron malacense
* Bornean Peacock-pheasant, Polyplectron schleiermacheri
* Germain's Peacock-pheasant, Polyplectron germaini
* Grey Peacock-pheasant, Polyplectron bicalcaratum
* Hainan Peacock-pheasant, Polyplectron katsumatae
o Split from P. bicalcaratum[4]
* Bronze-tailed Peacock-pheasant, Polyplectron chalcurum
* Mountain Peacock-pheasant, Polyplectron inopinatum

References

1. ^ The molecular clock used by Kimball et al. (2001) is a very crude estimate based on an outdated model and uncalibrated by fossil evidence. Hence, their supposed divergence dates are as likely to be wrong as the assumption that sea level changes were not a factor in the genus' radiation is unwarranted at this time.
2. ^ http://www.worldbirdnames.org/updates-PS.html
3. ^ http://orientalbirdimages.org/new-obc-checklist-commentary.html
4. ^ http://www.worldbirdnames.org/updates-PS.html

* Kimball, Rebecca T.; Braun, Edward L.; Ligon, J. David; Lucchini, Vittorio & Randi, Ettore (2001): A molecular phylogeny of the peacock-pheasants (Galliformes: Polyplectron spp.) indicates loss and reduction of ornamental traits and display behaviours. Biol. J. Linn. Soc. 73(2): 187–198. HTML abstract