The painted-snipes are short-legged, long-billed birds similar in shape to the true snipes, but their plumage is much more striking. There is sexual dimorphism in both size and plumage, with the males being duller overall and smaller. All three species have large forward pointing eyes.[1]
Phylogeneticsedit
Rostratula benghalensis with chicks
The family Rostratulidae encompasses two genera and four species, one of which is extinct. Painted-snipes superficially resemble true snipes, but the two taxa are not closely related. Instead the similarity can be attributed to convergent evolution where both groups have been subjected to similar selective pressures, thus promoting the evolution of analogous features such as a long slender bill and legs, mottled cryptic plumage and characteristic body proportions. While less similar in general morphology, the species that are most closely related to painted-snipes are other members of the suborder Thinocori: jacanas, seedsnipes, and the plains wanderer.[1]
The species †Rostratula minator was described in 1988 from deposits of the early Pliocene found in Langebaanweg, South Africa. This is the first fossil attributed to the family Rostratulidae. Comparisons of bone measurements with R. minator and the extant species show that it was intermediate in size, although considerable differences indicate that it may only be an endemic African species that has become extinct, rather than a direct ancestor of R. benghalensis.[2]
The Australian painted-snipe was described as Rostratula australis by John Gould in 1838, although later lumped with the similar greater painted-snipe, R. benghalensis as subspecies R. b. australis. However, morphological and genetic differences have resulted in the species being restored in recent years.[3][4] Such a similarity between the two species can be explained by a recent evolutionary divergence, and is an example of allopatric speciation where the prevention of gene flow by geographical isolation has resulted in an accumulation of differences by genetic drift and differing selective pressures.
All three species of painted-snipe generally inhabit reedy swamps and marshes, usually in lowlands. Outside of the breeding season painted-snipes are generally solitary in habits. Painted snipes are crepuscular or even slightly nocturnal in their habits.[1]
Feedingedit
Painted-snipes are omnivorous, feeding on invertebrates and seeds. Animal prey taken includes annelid worms, snails, aquatic and marsh insects, and crustaceans. The seeds of grasses such as millet and rice are also consumed, and may form a major part of the diet of some populations.[1]
Breedingedit
The breeding biology of the painted-snipes varies according to genus; the Rostratula painted-snipes are generally polyandrous whereas the South American painted-snipe is monogamous. The females of the genus Rostratula will bond with several males during a breeding season, but once the eggs are laid the males provide all the incubation and parental care. The nest of both species is a shallow cup, often built on a platform of vegetation. Clutch sizes range from 2–4 eggs, which are incubated for 15–21 days.[1]
Conservationedit
At present, two species, the South American and greater painted-snipes, are not considered threatened by human activities; however, the Australian painted-snipe has declined and is considered endangered in Australia.[5]
^ abR. minator description, department of vertebrate zoology at Smithsonian Institution
^Christidis, Les; Boles, Walter (2008). Systematics and taxonomy of Australian Birds. Collingwood, Vic: CSIRO Publishing. pp. 136. ISBN978-0-643-06511-6.
^Baker AJ, Perreira SL, Rogers DI, Elbourne R and Hassell CJ (2007) Mitochondrial-DNA shows that the Australian Painted Snipe is a full species, Rostratula australis. Emu 107: 185-189
^ abLane, B.A.; & Rogers, D.I. (2000). "The Australian Painted-snipe, Rostratula (benghalensis) australis: an Endangered species?". Stilt36: 26–34
External linksedit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Rostratulidae.
Wikispecies has information related to Rostratulidae.
Painted-snipe videos on the Internet Bird Collection
painted, snipe, rostratulidae, commonly, known, painted, snipes, family, wading, birds, that, consists, genera, rostratula, nycticryphes, stemporal, range, early, pliocene, present, female, greater, painted, snipe, scientific, classification, domain, eukaryota. The Rostratulidae commonly known as the painted snipes are a family of wading birds that consists of two genera Rostratula and Nycticryphes Painted snipesTemporal range Early Pliocene to present Female greater painted snipe Scientific classification Domain Eukaryota Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Aves Order Charadriiformes Suborder Thinocori Family RostratulidaeCoues 1888 Genera Rostratula Nycticryphes Contents 1 Description 2 Phylogenetics 3 Taxonomy 4 Behaviour 4 1 Feeding 4 2 Breeding 5 Conservation 6 References 7 External linksDescription editThe painted snipes are short legged long billed birds similar in shape to the true snipes but their plumage is much more striking There is sexual dimorphism in both size and plumage with the males being duller overall and smaller All three species have large forward pointing eyes 1 Phylogenetics edit nbsp Rostratula benghalensis with chicks The family Rostratulidae encompasses two genera and four species one of which is extinct Painted snipes superficially resemble true snipes but the two taxa are not closely related Instead the similarity can be attributed to convergent evolution where both groups have been subjected to similar selective pressures thus promoting the evolution of analogous features such as a long slender bill and legs mottled cryptic plumage and characteristic body proportions While less similar in general morphology the species that are most closely related to painted snipes are other members of the suborder Thinocori jacanas seedsnipes and the plains wanderer 1 The species Rostratula minator was described in 1988 from deposits of the early Pliocene found in Langebaanweg South Africa This is the first fossil attributed to the family Rostratulidae Comparisons of bone measurements with R minator and the extant species show that it was intermediate in size although considerable differences indicate that it may only be an endemic African species that has become extinct rather than a direct ancestor of R benghalensis 2 The Australian painted snipe was described as Rostratula australis by John Gould in 1838 although later lumped with the similar greater painted snipe R benghalensis as subspecies R b australis However morphological and genetic differences have resulted in the species being restored in recent years 3 4 Such a similarity between the two species can be explained by a recent evolutionary divergence and is an example of allopatric speciation where the prevention of gene flow by geographical isolation has resulted in an accumulation of differences by genetic drift and differing selective pressures Taxonomy editFamily Rostratulidae painted snipes Image Genus Species nbsp Rostratula Vieillot 1816 Rostratula benghalensis greater painted snipe Found in marshes in Africa India and South east Asia Rostratula australis Australian painted snipe Rare nomadic and declining species found only in Australia 5 Rostratula minator Extinct species described from Pliocene deposits in South Africa 2 nbsp Nycticryphes Wetmore amp Peters 1923 Nycticryphes semicollaris South American painted snipe Inhabits grassy marshland in southern South America Behaviour edit nbsp Rostratula benghalensis egg All three species of painted snipe generally inhabit reedy swamps and marshes usually in lowlands Outside of the breeding season painted snipes are generally solitary in habits Painted snipes are crepuscular or even slightly nocturnal in their habits 1 Feeding edit Painted snipes are omnivorous feeding on invertebrates and seeds Animal prey taken includes annelid worms snails aquatic and marsh insects and crustaceans The seeds of grasses such as millet and rice are also consumed and may form a major part of the diet of some populations 1 Breeding edit The breeding biology of the painted snipes varies according to genus the Rostratula painted snipes are generally polyandrous whereas the South American painted snipe is monogamous The females of the genus Rostratula will bond with several males during a breeding season but once the eggs are laid the males provide all the incubation and parental care The nest of both species is a shallow cup often built on a platform of vegetation Clutch sizes range from 2 4 eggs which are incubated for 15 21 days 1 Conservation editAt present two species the South American and greater painted snipes are not considered threatened by human activities however the Australian painted snipe has declined and is considered endangered in Australia 5 References edit a b c d e del Hoyo J Elliot A amp Sargatal J editors 1996 Handbook of the Birds of the World Volume 3 Hoatzin to Auks Lynx Edicions ISBN 84 87334 20 2 a b R minator description department of vertebrate zoology at Smithsonian Institution Christidis Les Boles Walter 2008 Systematics and taxonomy of Australian Birds Collingwood Vic CSIRO Publishing pp 136 ISBN 978 0 643 06511 6 Baker AJ Perreira SL Rogers DI Elbourne R and Hassell CJ 2007 Mitochondrial DNA shows that the Australian Painted Snipe is a full species Rostratula australis Emu 107 185 189 a b Lane B A amp Rogers D I 2000 The Australian Painted snipe Rostratula benghalensis australis an Endangered species Stilt 36 26 34External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Rostratulidae nbsp Wikispecies has information related to Rostratulidae Painted snipe videos on the Internet Bird Collection Painted snipe Vocal calls of painted snipe on Xeno canto Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Painted snipe amp oldid 1194552656, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
