Aceros
Encyclopedia
Aceros is a genus
of large south-east Asian hornbill
s (Bucerotidae family). This genus sometimes includes all species generally placed in the genus Rhyticeros
. Alternatively, Aceros has been considered monotypic
, only including the Rufous-necked Hornbill, in which case all of the remaining are moved to the Rhyticeros. Additionally, the White-crowned Hornbill
is sometimes placed in this genus, but most now place it in Berenicornis instead.
Among the species generally included in Aceros, the Rufous-necked Hornbill is unique in that it lacks a conspicuous casque, and its bill is mainly dull yellowish. All other species generally placed in Aceros have a relatively high casque and brightly coloured bills.
An undescribed extinct hornbill
species from Lifou
in the Loyalty Islands
, living until at least some 30.000 years ago, was initially placed in this genus. But its biogeography
places it with the species now in Rhyticeros (Steadman, 2006).
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of large south-east Asian hornbill
Hornbill
Hornbills are a family of bird found in tropical and subtropical Africa, Asia and Melanesia. They are characterized by a long, down-curved bill which is frequently brightly-colored and sometimes has a casque on the upper mandible. Both the common English and the scientific name of the family...
s (Bucerotidae family). This genus sometimes includes all species generally placed in the genus Rhyticeros
Rhyticeros
Rhyticeros is a genus of medium to large hornbills found in forests from south-east Asia to the Solomons. They are sometimes included in the genus Aceros...
. Alternatively, Aceros has been considered monotypic
Monotypic
In biology, a monotypic taxon is a taxonomic group with only one biological type. The term's usage differs slightly between botany and zoology. The term monotypic has a separate use in conservation biology, monotypic habitat, regarding species habitat conversion eliminating biodiversity and...
, only including the Rufous-necked Hornbill, in which case all of the remaining are moved to the Rhyticeros. Additionally, the White-crowned Hornbill
White-crowned Hornbill
The White-crowned Hornbill , also known as the White-crested Hornbill , is a species of hornbill found in forests in the Thai-Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Borneo...
is sometimes placed in this genus, but most now place it in Berenicornis instead.
Among the species generally included in Aceros, the Rufous-necked Hornbill is unique in that it lacks a conspicuous casque, and its bill is mainly dull yellowish. All other species generally placed in Aceros have a relatively high casque and brightly coloured bills.
Species
As generally recognized, the following species belong in Aceros:- Rufous-necked HornbillRufous-necked HornbillThe Rufous-necked Hornbill is a species of hornbill found in broadleaved forests at altitudes of in Bhutan, north-eastern India, Burma, southern Yunnan, south-eastern Tibet, northern and western Thailand, northern Laos and northern Vietnam. Numbers have declined significantly due to habitat loss...
, Aceros nipalensis - Knobbed (or Sulawesi Wrinkled) HornbillKnobbed HornbillThe Knobbed Hornbill, Aceros cassidix, also known as Sulawesi Wrinkled Hornbill is a large black hornbill with a yellow bill, white tail feathers, pale blue skin around eye, blackish feet and bare dark blue throat. The male has rufous buff face and neck, orange-red eyes and a high reddish casque on...
, Aceros cassidix - Wrinkled HornbillWrinkled HornbillThe Wrinkled Hornbill or Sunda Wrinkled Hornbill is a medium-large hornbill which is found in forest in the Thai-Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Borneo...
, Aceros corrugatus - Writhed HornbillMindanao Wrinkled HornbillThe Writhed Hornbill , also known as the Mindanao Wrinkled Hornbill, is a species of hornbill in the Bucerotidae family.It is endemic to humid forests on the Philippine islands of Mindanao, Dinagat and Camiguin Sur...
, Aceros leucocephalus - Rufous-headed (or Walden's) Hornbill, Aceros waldeni
An undescribed extinct hornbill
Hornbill
Hornbills are a family of bird found in tropical and subtropical Africa, Asia and Melanesia. They are characterized by a long, down-curved bill which is frequently brightly-colored and sometimes has a casque on the upper mandible. Both the common English and the scientific name of the family...
species from Lifou
Lifou
Lifou is a commune in the Loyalty Islands Province of New Caledonia in the Pacific Ocean.-Geography:Lifou is made up of Lifou Island, the largest and most heavily populated of the Loyalty Islands, its smaller neighbour Tiga Island, and several uninhabited islets in between these two...
in the Loyalty Islands
Loyalty Islands
The Loyalty Islands are an archipelago in the Pacific. They are part of the French territory of New Caledonia, whose mainland is away. They form the Loyalty Islands Province , one of the three provinces of New Caledonia...
, living until at least some 30.000 years ago, was initially placed in this genus. But its biogeography
Biogeography
Biogeography is the study of the distribution of species , organisms, and ecosystems in space and through geological time. Organisms and biological communities vary in a highly regular fashion along geographic gradients of latitude, elevation, isolation and habitat area...
places it with the species now in Rhyticeros (Steadman, 2006).