A consensus classification for the waterfowl (order Anseriformes) has never been
reached. There have been many revisions of the relationships within the order
including those of the monotypic Australian genera. The Southern Hemisphere
anseriforms comprise a large number of monotypic, endemic genera which have
traditionally been linked to the established genera and tribes of the Northern
Hemisphere. More recently, however, with the recognition of endemic Australian
radiations of marsupial mammals (Main and Bakker 1981) and passerine birds (Cracraft
1976; Sibley and Ahlquist 1985; Christidis et al. 1988; Christidis and Schodde 1991),
the affinities of the six monotypic Australian genera of anseriforms have been
questioned (Delacour 1954; Frith 1955, 1964a, b, 1982; Johnsgard 196la, b, 1966;
Davies and Frith 1964; Fullager 1990). In particular, whether they are more closely
related to one another, or whether some or all of these monotypic genera have closer
affinities with the Northern Hemisphere genera. Classification of the taxonomic
relationships of the aberrant Australian endemic species may also corroborate or refute
the recently advanced hypothesis of a Southern Hemisphere origin for the Anseriformes
(Cracraft 1976, 1980; Livezey 1986; Olson 1988).
A 307bp fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene of the 19 native Australian
anseriforms and four Northern Hemisphere species was enzymatically amplified by
PCR and manually sequenced. The Chicken (Gallus gallus) and Muscovy Duck
(Cairinia moschatd) cytochrome b sequences were obtained from Genbank.
The patterns of evolutionary dynamics within the cytochrome b gene of Anseriformes
appear to conform to those reported in studies of avian and other vertebrate mtDNA. A
new phylogenetic classification for the Anseriformes is proposed. The phylogenetic
trees generated in this study indicate that the monotypic Australian genera, the pygmygeese
and the swans and geese are members of the subfamily Anserinae which appears
to represent a Southern Hemisphere radiation. Within the Anserinae, the Cape Barren
Goose and Freckled Duck link most closely with each other, the Pink-eared Duck
appears to be closely related to the true geese, the Musk Duck is a sister taxon to the
Pink-eared Duck and may be less closely related to the Oxyura than previously thought
and the Magpie Goose is the most divergent member of the Anseriformes included in
this study. The Maned Duck and the remaining native Australian anseriforms are
members of the established European genera and tribes of waterfowl. These species
probably represent a secondary radiation of recent Northern Hemisphere invaders of
Australia. Finally, the data provides some support for the theory of a Southern origin
for the Anseriformes.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ADTP/219523 |
| Date | January 1994 |
| Creators | Sraml, Michaela, n/a |
| Publisher | University of Canberra. Resource, Environmental & Heritage Sciences |
| Source Sets | Australiasian Digital Theses Program |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Rights | ), Copyright Michaela Sraml |
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