http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/eit.2015.153

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2015 • Sangster G. et al.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.

Research article

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:CF2E388C-9BC5-4A16-A598-3074142C3EAB

A new genus for the Lesser Moorhen

Gallinula angulata Sundevall, 1850 (Aves, Rallidae)

George SANGSTER 1 , Juan Carlos GARCIA-R 2 & Steve A. TREWICK 3

1 Department of Bioinformatics and Genetics, Swedish Museum of Natural History,

P.O. Box 50007, SE-104 05 Stockholm, Sweden,

corresponding author. Email: [email protected]

2 Hopkirk Institute, Massey University, Private Bag 11-222, Palmerston North, New Zealand.

Email: i [email protected]

3 Phoenix Lab, Ecology Group, Institute of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University,

Private Bag 11-222, Palmerston North, New Zealand.

Email: [email protected]

1 urn:lsid:zoobank.org:author:18BB564B-CA65-40AF-93AA-932A61843535

2 urn:lsid:zoobank.org:author:DF883332-5661-4D3D-AABA-lE738E95885D

3 um:lsid:zoobank.org:author:EF574EF2-0AA8-4554-8F6E-D75657912974

Abstract. Molecular phylogenetic analysis has demonstrated that the genus Gallinula is not mono-

phyletic and comprises four major lineages. A review of the nomenclature of Gallinula shows that

generic names are available for three lineages but that a fourth is as yet unnamed. A new monotypic

genus, Paragallinula gen. nov., is described for Lesser Moorhen ( Gallinula angulata Sundevall, 1850).

Key words. Gallinules, morphology, nomenclature, Paragallinula gen. nov., phylogenetics.

Sangster G., Garcia-R J.C. & Trewick S.A. 2015. A new genus for the Lesser Moorhen Gallinula angulata Sunde¬

vall, 1850 (Aves, Rallidae). European Journal of Taxonomy 153: 1-8. http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/eit.2015.153

Introduction

Recent molecular phylogenetic analysis has clarified the relationships among rails and has shown that

several currently recognized genera are not monophyletic (Garcia-R et al. 2014a). The study included

nuclear and mitochondrial sequence data representing 70 species of rails in 22 of the 33 extant genera,

including seven species traditionally placed in Gallinula Brisson, 1760. Gallinula as traditionally

circumscribed (e.g., Sibley & Monroe 1990; Taylor & van Perlo 1998) was found to be paraphyletic

with respect to Fulica Linnaeus, 1758 and Porzana Vieillot, 1816. Spot-flanked Gallinule Gallinula

melanops (Vieillot, 1819 ) was sister to three (of eleven) species of Porzana , and two further species of

Gallinula (G. mortierii (Du Bus, 1840) and G. ventralis Gould, 1837 were found to be their sister group.

Surprisingly, the Lesser Moorhen Gallinula angulata Sundevall, 1850, which until now has always been

placed in the genus Gallinula , was resolved as sister to a clade comprising Fulica Linnaeus, 1758 and all

other species of Gallinula. These relationships are well-supported and suggest that taxonomic revision

is warranted.

European Journal of Taxonomy 153 : 1-8 ( 2015 )

Current knowledge of the phylogenetic relationships among coots and gallinules leaves two major options

for the generic assignment of G. angulata. Fulica and several species of Gallinula including G. angulata

could be combined in a single genus for which Fulica has nomenclatural priority. Alternatively,

G. angulata could be removed from Gallinula and placed in a separate genus. Merging Gallinula with

Fulica would result in the change of at least six species names (G. chloropus (Linnaeus, 1758), G. galeata

(M.H.C. Lichtenstein, 1818), G. comeri Allen, 1892, G. nesiotis P.L. Sclater, 1861, G. tenebrosa Gould,

1846 and G. angulata ), and it would fail to recognise the widely accepted ecological, morphological

and phylogenetic distinction between gallinules ( Gallinula as defined below) and coots. Placement of

G. angulata in a separate genus minimises taxonomic instability and maximises the information content

of genus limits because it allows Gallinula and Fulica to be retained as separate genera. However, this

strategy requires additional adjustments (some of which have already been adopted) to reconcile the

systematic status of the gallinules, which are not a natural group. In this paper, we provide an updated

molecular phylogeny of the “ Fulica ” clade ( sensu Garcia-R et al. 2014a), including a member of the

putative genus “ Porphyriornis ” (Gallinula nesiotis) which was not previously sampled (Garcia-R et al.

2014a), and a description of morphological characters to propose a new genus for the Lesser Moorhen.

Materials and methods

We conducted a phylogenetic analysis of the Fulica- clade using the same sequences and methods as

Garcia-R et al. (2014a), but also including an available cytochrome b sequence of G. nesiotis obtained

from GenBank (EF681998) which is the only marker shared between the datasets of Groenenberg et al.

(2008) and Garcia-R et al. (2014a). Thus, we conducted Bayesian and Maximum Likelihood analyses

of -2900 bp of mitochondrial DNA (partial sequences of the mitochondrial genes cytochrome b,

cytochrome oxidase subunit I and 16S ribosomal RNA) and -1900 bp of nuclear DNA (fragments of

beta-fibrinogen intron 7 and Recombination Activating Gene 1). We rooted the tree using an outgroup

comprising species within the “ Aramides ” clade (Garcia-R et al. 2014a).

We review the nomenclatural status of all generic names applied to Gallinula {sensu Sibley & Monroe

1990; Taylor & van Perlo 1998) to assess if any of these apply to G. angulata. The diagnosis of the new

genus is based on the morphological dataset ofLivezey (1998), which represents the most comprehensive

and detailed comparison of morphological variation in rails. Livezey’s (1998) study included all extant

species of Fulica and Gallinula plus a number of extinct species, including Gallinula nesiotis and

Gallinula ( Pareudiastes ) pacifica (Hartlaub & Finsch, 1871).

Results

Phylogenetics

A phylogeny of the Fulica-dadQ is shown in Fig. 1. The topology is identical to that of Garcia-R et

al. (2014a), but with G. nesiotis added as the sister of G. gallinula and G. galeata. Gallinula {sensu

Sibley & Monroe 1990; Taylor & van Perlo 1998) was resolved as paraphyletic and comprised four

major lineages: (1) G. chloropus, G. galeata , G. nesiotis and G. tenebrosa ; (2) G. ventralis and G.

mortierii; (3) G. melanops; and (4) G. angulata (Fig. 1).

Nomenclature

The genus Gallinula Brisson, 1760 has G. chloropus as its type species (lineage 1 in Fig. 1). The

synonymy of Gallinula {sensu Sibley & Monroe 1990; Taylor & van Perlo 1998) includes at least 10

names, although some of these have been reinstated as valid genera in recent classifications. However,

none of these names can be applied to G. angulata.

SANGSTER G. et al., A new genus for Gallinula angulata

Hydrogallina Lacepede, 1799 (type species Fulica chloropus Linnaeus, 1758, currently Gallinula

chloropus) and Stagnicola Brehm, 1831 (type species Fulica chloropus Linnaeus, 1758, currently

Gallinula chloropus ) are junior synonyms of Gallinula.

Tribonyx Du Bus, 1840 (type species Tribonyx mortierii Du Bus, 1840) has been used for two Australian

species, Tasmanian Native-hen G. mortierii and Black-tailed Native-hen G. ventralis by some authors

(e.g., Christidis & Boles 2008; Dickinson & Remsen 2013). Recognition of Tribonyx as a separate genus

from Gallinula is supported by phylogenetic studies of morphology (Livezey 1998) and DNA sequences

(Garcia-R et al. 2014a), which showed that G. mortierii and G. ventralis are not closely related to other

species of Gallinula (lineage 2 in Lig. 1). Neither study indicated a close relationship between these

species and Lesser Moorhen, and the name Tribonyx is thus not applicable to G. angulata.

Brachyptralius Lafresnaye, 1840 (type species Brachyptrallus ralloides Lafresnaye, 1840, currently

Tribonyx mortierii Du Bus, 1840) is a junior synonym of Tribonyx and not applicable to G. angulata.

Porphyriops Pucheran, 1845 (type species Fulica crassirostris J.E. Gray, 1829; now Gallinula melanops

crassirostris) has been used for the Spot-flanked Gallinule (e.g., Wolters 1975; Blake 1977; Livezey

1998). Its recognition as a separate genus from Gallinula is now supported by phylogenetic studies of

morphology (Livezey 1998) and DNA sequences (Garcia-R et al. 2014a) (lineage 3 in Lig. 1). Again,

neither study indicated a close relationship between Spot-flanked Gallinule and Lesser Moorhen.

Therefore, Porphyriops is not applicable to G. angulata.

Pareudiastes Hartlaub & Linsch, 1871 (type species Pareudiastes pacificus Hartlaub & Linsch, 1871)

and Edithornis Mayr, 1933 (type species Edithornis silvestris Mayr, 1933) have been proposed as the

generic names of Samoan Moorhen and San Cristobal Moorhen, respectively. These two species have

G. angulata

( 2 )

(3)

( 4 )

Tribonyx

Porphyriops

Porzana

Paragallinula

Gallinula

Fulica

Fig. 1 . Bayesian analysis of the Fulica-cladc {sensu Garcia-R et al. 2014a). Numbers above nodes

indicate posterior probabilities from Bayesian analysis. Numbers below nodes are percent bootstrap

values from Maximum Likelihood analysis. Colours indicate relevant clades with current nomenclature

at branch tips. Coloured genus names are those adopted here to reconcile phylogeny and known

morphological diversity.

European Journal of Taxonomy 153: 1-8 (2015)

both been placed in Gallinula in the past (e.g., Sibley & Monroe 1990; Taylor & van Perlo 1998)

but they share a number of unique character states and are now typically combined in the genus

Pareudiastes (Olson 1973, 1975a; Livezey 1998; Dickinson & Remsen 2013). A phylogenetic analysis

of morphological characters indicates that G. angulata is not closely related to Pareudiastes (Livezey

1998). In addition, G. angulata does not share any unique apomorphies with Pareudiastes and differs

from the latter by at least 14 integumentary characters (listed below). Thus, the name Pareudiastes is

not applicable to G. angulata.

Porphyriornis Allen, 1892 (type species Porphyriornis comeri Allen, 1892) is sometimes used as the

generic name of Gough Moorhen G. comeri and Tristan Moorhen G. nesiotis (e.g., Peters 1934; Livezey

1998). However, because both species are closely related to G. chloropus , these are typically placed in

Gallinula (Wolters 1975; Sibley & Monroe 1990; Taylor & van Perlo 1998; Dickinson & Remsen 2013),

an arrangement supported by a molecular phylogenetic study (Groenenberg et al. 2008; see also Fig. 1).

Porphyriornis represents a synonym of Gallinula.

Microtribonyx Sharpe, 1893 (type species Gallinula ventralis Gould, 1837) is sometimes used for a

monotypic genus comprising T. ventralis (Wolters 1975), but this name is now generally regarded as a

synonym of Tribonyx or Gallinula , depending on whether the former is recognised as a separate genus

(with two species), as we advocate here.

Pyramida Oliver, 1955 (type species Rallus hodgeni Scarlett, 1955, currently Tribonyx hodgenorum)

was proposed for an extinct flightless species, now known from both North and South Island, New

Zealand. Subsequently, Scarlett (1970) placed this species in the genus Capellirallus Falla, 1954,

whereas Olson (1975b) transferred it to Tribonyx , which he considered a subgenus of Gallinula. In

Livezey’s (1998) phylogenetic analysis of morphological characters, this species was included within a

polytomy comprising Tribonyx , Pareudiastes , Edithornis, Porphyriornis , Gallinula and Fulica. In any

case, Pyramida is not applicable to G. angulata.

As no generic name appears to be available for G. angulata , we propose a new genus taxon.

Class Aves Linnaeus, 1758

Order Gruiformes (Bonaparte, 1854)

Family Rallidae (Rafinesque, 1815)

Paragallinula gen. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:909AC100-559E-4CA3-BC7E-E6FD87002E30

Type species

Gallinula angulata Sundevall, 1850. Monotypic.

Differential diagnosis

Paragallinula gen. nov. differs from Gallinula , Pareudiastes , Tribonyx and Porphyriops in that (i) the

orange suffusion on the frontal shield does not encompass the entire shield (in Gallinula encompassing

entire frontal shield (Fig. 2); in Pareudiastes , Tribonyx and Porphyriops no suffusion of orange). In

addition, Paragallinula gen. nov. differs from most species in the Fulica-dade (except T. ventralis) in

(ii) showing marked sexual plumage dimorphism (Taylor 1996; Taylor & van Perlo 1998). Paragallinula

gen. nov. further differs from Gallinula in (iii) the lack of a contrasting reddish band (“garter”) on the

legs immediately proximal to the anlde joint (present in Gallinula ) (Fig. 2).

SANGSTER G. et al., A new genus for Gallinula angulata

Paragallinula gen. nov. differs from Fulica in (ii) gradual change in colouration on hindneck from dark

grey head to paler lower neck and back (abrupt change in Fulica)', (iii) absence of broad cutaneous lobes

on digits II-IV of feet (present in Fulica ); and (iv) presence of narrow cutaneous folds on lateral and

medial sides of digits I-IV of feet (absent in Fulica). Paragallinula also differs from Fulica in at least

12 diagnostic osteological characters (characters 120, 124, 125, 127, 139, 216, 274, 298, 311, 312, 316,

343 in Livezey 1998, to which is referred for descriptions of characters and their states).

Paragallinula gen. nov. further differs from the two species of Pareudiastes in (iii) frontal shield with

acuminate posterior margin (squared margin in Pareudiastes)', (iv) ventroanterior position of nasal

depression (ventromedial in Pareudiastes)', (v) fully feathered lores (in Pareudiastes, lores with sparsely

feathered, yellow-orange area from base of maxilla to orbit); (vi) gradual change in colouration on

hindneck from dark grey head to paler lower neck and back (very dark without noticeable change in

colour from head to back in Pareudiastes)', (vii) flank feathers with large white streaks (no streaks

in Pareudiastes)', (viii) undertail-coverts white dorsolaterally, black ventromedially (entirely black

or brownish-black in Pareudiastes)', (ix) six pairs of rectrices (four in Pareudiastes)', (x) rectrices

forming normally-shaped tail (in Pareudiastes, rectrices very short barely protruding beyond uppertail-

and undertail-coverts); (xi) leading edge of distalmost primary with narrow white margin (absent in

Pareudiastes)', (xii) underwing-coverts with white bars (not barred in Pareudiastes)', (xiii) bend of wing

whitish (no white colouration in Pareudiastes)', and (xiv) presence of narrow cutaneous folds on lateral

and medial sides of digits I-IV of feet (absent in Pareudiastes).

Paragallinula gen. nov. further differs from Tribonyx in (ii) broad naked area on crown in downy plumage

(absent in Tribonyx)', (iii) long, filamentous white filoplumes in downy plumage (absent in Tribonyx)',

(iv) frontal shield with acuminate posterior margin (rounded in Tribonyx)', (v) undertail-coverts white

dorsolaterally, black ventromedially (entirely blackish in Tribonyx)', (vi) six pairs of rectrices (eight in

Tribonyx)', (vii) underwing-coverts dark grey, blackish or black (medium brown in Tribonyx ); and (viii)

Fig. 2. Lesser Moorhen Paragallinula angulata Sundevall, 1850, Kgomo Kgomo, South Africa, Feb.

2011 (photo by Mark Tittley). This photograph illustrates two diagnostic character states differentiating

Paragallinula from the genus Gallinula'. the orange colouration on the frontal shield does not cover the

entire shield, and the lack of a contrasting reddish band on the legs proximal to the ankle joint.

European Journal of Taxonomy 153: 1-8 (2015)

bend of wing whitish (no white colouration in Tribonyx). Paragallinula also differs from Tribonyx in a

single osteological character: (ix) ossa digitorum pedis, digiti tertius, phalanx intermedialis (secundi)

is equal to or longer than phalanx quartus (in Tribonyx modally shorter than phalanx distalis (tertius).

Paragallinula gen. nov. further differs from Porphyriops (P. melanops ) in (iii) broad naked area on crown

in downy plumage (absent in Porphyriops ); (iv) long, filamentous white filoplumes in downy plumage

(absent in Porphyriops ); (v) ventroanterior position of nasal depression (ventromedial in Porphyriops );

(vi) feathers at base of bill, lores and crown not contrasting with rest of head (in Porphyriops contrastingly

black); (vii) flank feathers mostly plain but with large white streaks at tips (flank feathers brown-grey,

spotted white in Porphyriops)', (viii) central belly dark slate-grey (whitish in Porphyriops)', (xi) undertail-

coverts white dorsolaterally, black ventromedially (white in Porphyriops ); and (x) rectrices dark grey

or black (brown in Porphyriops). In addition, there are two diagnostic osteological differences between

Paragallinula and Porphyriops : (xi) os lfontale, facies dorsalis moderately convex (flat or slightly

concave in Porphyriops ), and (xii) os squamosum, fossa temporalis distinct, separated medially from

each other by significantly broad, elevated expanse of os frontale (in Porphyriops , indistinct, shallow,

limited to region immediately ventral to processus postorbitalis).

Etymology

The generic name is derived from the Greek para (beside) and the Latin gallinula (a little hen or chicken).

It denotes the resemblance of P. angulata to species of Gallinula but highlights that they are independent

evolutionary lineages. The gender of the name is feminine.

Distribution

Paragallinula angulata is found in most of the African continent from Senegal and Gambia to Ethiopia,

Namibia, Botswana and South Africa.

Discussion

In the past, the validity and systematic position of many monotypic genera of birds were problematic.

This is because the genera were not based on phylogenetic studies but on subjectively inferred

evolutionary distinctiveness which in turn was based on phenotypic distinctiveness and commonly

their insular location. Indeed, some taxonomists have placed large numbers of species in monotypic

genera for such reasons, but the introduction of molecular phylogenetic methods in avian taxonomy

revealed that many of these were nested within other genera (e.g., Johnson et al. 2001; Gibson & Baker

2012; Alstrom et al. 2015). The resulting gradual elimination of monotypic genera in many bird groups

has enhanced understanding of avian diversification. Conversely, several species have been shown to

occupy a phylogenetic position inconsistent with their traditional generic assignment, resulting in the

recognition of new monotypic genera (e.g., Chesser et al. 2009; Slager & Klicka 2014). It is for this

latter reason that, to re-circumscribe Gallinula as a monophyletic group and so eliminate its current

paraphyly, we erect a new monotypic genus Paragallinula gen. nov. for G. angulata. This reflects the

well-supported phylogenetic position of G. angulata outside the Gallinula-Fulica clade and avoids

the inclusion of five species of Gallinula in the distinctive genus Fulica , and accords with pleas for

‘economy of nomenclatural change’ (Vences et al. 2013).

The contents of the genus Gallinula have been gradually revised by the transfer of phylogenetically

divergent species to other genera. Several species of rails which are still referred as “gallinules” have

sometimes been placed in the genus Gallinula , including Allen’s (Porphyrio alleni Thomson, 1842),

Purple (P. martinicus (Linnaeus, 1766)) and Azure (P. flavirostris (J.F. Gmelin, 1789)) gallinules (e.g.,

Ripley 1977; Howard & Moore 1991). Molecular phylogenetic evidence accords with plumage features

showing a closer relationship to Porphyrio swamphens and far removed from Gallinula moorhens

SANGSTER G. et al., A new genus for Gallinula angulata

(e.g., typical G. chloropus) (Trewick 1997; Garcia-R et al. 2014a). Such discoveries demonstrate the

effect of convergence in body-form and coloration of separate rail lineages on taxonomic inference.

Reconciliation using molecular data helps us understand how phenotypic traits evolve in response to

ecological conditions, and in this case shows that the informal composition of gallinules is not a natural

grouping.

Analysis of the timing and pattern of diversification within Rallidae established on fossils and complete

mitochondrial genomes is revealing (Garcia-R et al. 2014a, 2014b). The node that separates Fulica

from the most closely related group of Gallimila (including G. chloropus) dates to 18 Mya (95% highest

posterior density interval of 10-26 Mya), whereas the mean age of the Fulica group is under 10 Mya.

The position of G. angulata as the sister of Fulica and Gallinula indicates that the time of divergence

between Tesser Moorhen, Gallinula and Fulica is similar to or exceeds that of several widely accepted

genera of rails, including Amaurolimnas Sharpe, 1893 / Aramides Pucheran, 1845, Neocrex Sclater &

Salvin, 1869 / Par dir alius Bonaparte, 1856, Amaurornis Reichenbach, 1853 / Gallicrex Blyth, 1852

and Aramidopsis Sharpe, 1893 / Lewinia G.R. Gray, 1855 (Garcia-R et al. 2014a, 2014b). This further

supports that Gallinula and Fidica are best retained as separate genera but that Tesser Moorhen should

be placed in a different genus. Our treatment reconciles paraphyly of Gallinula as follows: Gallinula

comprising G. chloropus, G. galeata, G. comeri, G. nesiotis and G. tenebrosa ; Tribonyx comprising T.

ventralis and T. mordent Porphyriops melanops ; and Paragallinula angulata.

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Mark Tittley for permission to use his excellent photograph of the Tesser Moorhen.

Two anonymous referees made helpful suggestions, which improved the quality of he manuscript.

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Published on: 16 November 2015

Topic editor. Rudy Jocque

Desk editor. Kristiaan Hoe demakers

Printed versions of all papers are also deposited in the libraries of the institutes that are members of the

EJT consortium: Museum national d’Histoire naturelle, Paris, Prance; Botanic Garden Meise, Belgium;

Royal Museum for Central Africa, Tervuren, Belgium; Natural History Museum, London, United

Kingdom; Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels, Belgium; Natural History Museum of

Denmark, Copenhagen, De nm ark.