Taxonomic revision and distribution of the genus Pulsatrix Kaup , 1848 (Aves : Strigiformes : Strigidae)

• Grant number: 15/00370-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: July 01, 2015
• End date: February 29, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology - Taxonomy of Recent Groups
• Agreement: Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES)
• Principal Investigator: Luís Fábio Silveira
• Grantee: Aline Henrique Corrêa
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The genus Pulsatrix Kaup 1848 belongs to the Family Strigidae, which is characterised by the "corujas", "mochos" and "caburés". It is distributed throughout the Neotropics and consists of at least 9 taxa, characterized by their large size, a round, dark-colored head without ear-tufts, and with a clear and contrasting eyebrow in the format of an X. Among the three currently accepted species, Pulsatrix koeniswaldiana is monotypic and restricted of rainforest. Pulsatrix melanota is limited to the tropical Andes, with two subspecies, and Pulsatrix perspicillata is widely distributed throughout Central and South America. It possesses a high degree of morphological variation throughout its distribution and is represented by 6 subspecies. However, a taxonomic revision for the genus has never been undertaken and the distribution limits of the taxa differ widely in the literature. Thus, with the support of museum skins and voice recordings, we intend to perform the first complete taxonomic revision of the genus Pulsatrix based on plumage, vocal and morphometric characters, whilst updating the distribution of each valid taxon. (AU)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

CORRÊA, Aline Henrique. Taxonomy and geographic distribution of the representatives of the genus Pulsatrix Kaup, 1848 (Aves: Strigidae). 2016. Master's Dissertation - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Biociências (IBIOC/SB) São Paulo.