Alaudala

Alaudala is a genus of lark in the family Alaudidae. The genus name is a diminutive of Alauda.[1]

Alaudala
Lesser short-toed lark (Alaudala rufescens)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Alaudidae
Genus: Alaudala
Horsfield & Moore, 1858
Species

see text

Taxonomy and systematics

A molecular phylogenetic study published in 2020 compared the nuclear and mitochondrial DNA from the sand, Asian short-toed, and lesser short-toed larks. The study analysed samples from 130 individuals that represented 16 of the 18 recognised subspecies. The resulting phylogenetic tree indicated that neither the Asian short-toed lark, nor the lesser short-toed lark as currently defined are monophyletic. Most of the subspecies were also found to be non-monophyletic. The authors refrained from proposing a revised taxonomy until additional studies had been completed comparing the vocalizations, sexual behaviour and ecology.[2]

Species

The genus Alaudala contains the following species:[3][4]

ImageScientific nameCommon NameDistribution
Alaudala athensisAthi short-toed larksouthern Kenya and northern Tanzania
Alaudala cheleensisAsian short-toed larksouth-central to eastern Asia.
Alaudala somalicaSomali short-toed larkeastern and northeastern Africa.
Alaudala rufescensMediterranean short-toed larkMediterranean Basin and parts of the Middle East
Alaudala heinei Turkestan short-toed lark Siberia west to Turkey and north to Ukraine
Alaudala raytalSand larkGangetic plains

References
  1. Jobling, James A. (2010). The Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names. London, United Kingdom: Christopher Helm. p. 37. ISBN 978-1-4081-2501-4.
  2. Ghorbani, F.; Aliabadian, M.; Zhang, R.; Irestedt, M.; Hao, Y.; Sundev, G.; Lei, F.; Ma, M.; Olsson, U.; Alström, P. (2020). "Densely sampled phylogenetic analyses of the Lesser Short-toed Lark (Alaudala rufescens) — Sand Lark (A. raytal) species complex (Aves, Passeriformes) reveal cryptic diversity". Zoologica Scripta. 00: 1–13. doi:10.1111/zsc.12422.
  3. Gill, Frank; Donsker, David; Rasmussen, Pamela, eds. (2020). "Nicators, reedling, larks". IOC World Bird List Version 10.1. International Ornithologists' Union. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
  4. "Species Updates – IOC World Bird List". Retrieved 2021-01-12.


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