Comments on taxonomy and relationships in the parrot subfamilies Nestorinae, Loriinae and Platycercinae

Abstract

Relationships and taxonomy in the parrot subfamilies Nestorinae, Loriinae and PIatycercinae are reviewed, using published information and museum material. These subfamilies seem to form a monophyletic group. The Neotropical genera Forpus, Amoropsittaca, Psilopsiagon and Bolborhynchus appear to be more closely related to other Neotropical parrots than to any member of this Old World group.

Within this group, the Loriinae appear to have arisen from a. platycercine-Iike ancestral stock, with the fig-parrots Psittaculirostris showing intermediate characters. Because of the marked gap between the fig-parrots and other groups in these characters it is proposed that they be placed in a separate subfamily (Psittaculirostrinae). The Nestorinae may have- evolved from an early lory-like stock.

Melopsittacus and Pezoporus are probably mere closely related to the Platycercinae than to other parrots, and Lathamus ought probably to be retained in the Loriinae, of which it may be a little-advanced form.

Eunymphicus is merged with Cyanoramphus because of similarities in structure of skull, pattern of plumage, coloration, distribution and calls. Following other recent authors, Barnardius is kept separate from Platycercus.