DREPANIDINI (James, 2004)

James, Helen F. & Olson, Storrs L., 2005, The diversity and biogeography of koa-finches (Drepanidini: Rhodacanthis), with descriptions of two new species, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 144 (4), pp. 527-541 : 531

TRIBE DREPANIDINI

A cladistic analysis of osteological characters placed the historical and fossil taxa of Rhodacanthis in the tribe Drepanidini ( James, 2004) . The fossil cranium of the larger new species may also be assigned to the Drepanidini by the following combination of characters:

1. The olfactory nerve travels through the interorbital septum, a trait that is universally present in the Drepanidini and in a few species of Carduelini but not known to occur in any other Passeriformes ( James, 2004: character 63).

2. The interorbital septum is fully ossified, thick and entirely double-walled, as expected for a cardueline or drepanidine finch with a deep, finch-like bill ( Fig. 2 ; Zusi, 1978; James, 2004;: character 52).

3. In agreement with most species of the Drepanidini but different from other nine-primaried oscines, it has a very distinct scar for the attachment of musculus (M) protractor pterygoidei sensu stricto on the interorbital septum, with a raised border anteriorly and dorsally ( James, 2004: character 50).

Figures

Figure 2. Crania and maxillae of Rhodacanthis in lateral view. A, R. forfex sp. nov., USNM 524870 holotype. B, R. forfex sp. nov., USNM 445792 paratype. C, R. palmeri, AMNH 453623. D, R. palmeri, UMZC 27/Dre/5/e/18. E, R. flaviceps, AMNH 453644. F, R. litotes sp. nov., USNM 445795 paratype. G, R. litotes sp. nov., BPBM 158861 holotype. H, R. litotes sp. nov., USNM 445794 paratype. Scale bar = 2 cm.