Relationships Within the Genus Falco A Comparison of the Electrophoretic Patterns of Feather Proteins

Abstract

Variations in feather protein (SCMK) patterns from 36 members of the genus Falco were studied by electrophoresis to examine intrageneric relationships. Little or no polymorphisms were found within species but differences between species enabled identification of groupings of species with similar protein patterns. Eight to ten more-or-less distinct groupings were recognised. Typical kestrels and desert falcons, traditionally considered distinctive groups, were also grouped on the basis of their feather protein patterns The aberrant or grey-backed kestrels were allied to the hobbies and peregrines, rather than the typical kestrels. Hobbies from the Australasian region were not close to Empean and African hobbies. Eleonora's, Sooty and Bat Falcons shared similar patterns as did Brown and New Zealand Falcons and both groups were similar to each other (Gondwanaland falcons). They also resembled the Black and Grey Falcons which in turn resembled Australasian hobbies. The Aplomado Falcon was like the true hobbies while the Orange-breasted Falcon was most like the peregrines but showed similarities to other groups. Protein patterns of Barbary and Teita Falcons seemed closest to the Peregrine Falcon but not identical. Two main groupings were the typical kestrels, desert falcons and merlins, on the one hand, and the remaining Falco on the other. Two centres of origin of modern Falco are proposed for these main groupings: the kestrels, merlins and desert falcons from Africa; and the remaining falcons, earlier, from Gondwanaland.