Striped Woodpecker
Encyclopedia
The Striped Woodpecker (Veniliornis lignarius) is a woodpecker
found in southwestern South America
. It occurs northwest- and southwestwards of the range of its sister taxon, the Checkered Woodpecker
, in the Cordillera Patagonica and its foothills, and in another population in the Andes
of Bolivia
and the adjacent foothills. As the latter is isolated and differs in numerous respects, it is being considered to separate it as V. (lignarius) puncticeps.
This species was long placed in the genus Picoides
where it was, together with its sister species, considered something of an oddball. In 2006, Moore et al. published research on mtDNA COI
and Cyt b sequences
which suggests that the Striped and Checkered Woodpeckers are actually most closely related to the White-spotted Woodpecker
, Veniliornis spilogaster, a peculiar Picoides-like species which also was hitherto unique in its genus.
Woodpecker
Woodpeckers are near passerine birds of the order Piciformes. They are one subfamily in the family Picidae, which also includes the piculets and wrynecks. They are found worldwide and include about 180 species....
found in southwestern South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
. It occurs northwest- and southwestwards of the range of its sister taxon, the Checkered Woodpecker
Checkered Woodpecker
The Checkered Woodpecker, Veniliornis mixtus, is a woodpecker found in eastern South America.This bird is about 5½ inches long...
, in the Cordillera Patagonica and its foothills, and in another population in the Andes
Andes
The Andes is the world's longest continental mountain range. It is a continual range of highlands along the western coast of South America. This range is about long, about to wide , and of an average height of about .Along its length, the Andes is split into several ranges, which are separated...
of Bolivia
Bolivia
Bolivia officially known as Plurinational State of Bolivia , is a landlocked country in central South America. It is the poorest country in South America...
and the adjacent foothills. As the latter is isolated and differs in numerous respects, it is being considered to separate it as V. (lignarius) puncticeps.
This species was long placed in the genus Picoides
Picoides
Picoides is a genus of woodpeckers found primarily in North America. The plumage in most species is predominantly black and white, brown and white in some southern species, with the male often having a red badge. Their bills are straight and chisel-shaped...
where it was, together with its sister species, considered something of an oddball. In 2006, Moore et al. published research on mtDNA COI
Cytochrome c oxidase
The enzyme cytochrome c oxidase or Complex IV is a large transmembrane protein complex found in bacteria and the mitochondrion.It is the last enzyme in the respiratory electron transport chain of mitochondria located in the mitochondrial membrane...
and Cyt b sequences
DNA sequence
The sequence or primary structure of a nucleic acid is the composition of atoms that make up the nucleic acid and the chemical bonds that bond those atoms. Because nucleic acids, such as DNA and RNA, are unbranched polymers, this specification is equivalent to specifying the sequence of...
which suggests that the Striped and Checkered Woodpeckers are actually most closely related to the White-spotted Woodpecker
White-spotted Woodpecker
The White-spotted Woodpecker is a species of bird in the Picidae family.It is found in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay....
, Veniliornis spilogaster, a peculiar Picoides-like species which also was hitherto unique in its genus.
External links
- Aves de Chile: striped Woodpecker - Description and photos