Vanellus
Encyclopedia
Vanellus is the genus of wader
s which provisionally contains all lapwing
s except Red-kneed Dotterel
, Erythrogonys cinctus. The name "vanellus" is Latin for "little fan", vanellus being the diminutive
of vannus ("fan
"). The name is in reference to the sound lapwings' wings make in flight.
s mostly have strongly patterned plumage. Although the most familiar Eurasian lapwing, Vanellus vanellus (Northern Lapwing
), has a wispy crest, only two other species do so. Red or yellow facial wattle
s are a more typical decoration.
Only Northern, Sociable, White-tailed Lapwing, Grey-headed and Brown-chested Lapwings are truly migratory
species. The Andean Lapwing moves downhill in winter.
Spur-winged, Blacksmith, River, Southern, Andean and Pied Lapwings are boldly patterned, red-eyed species with a spurred carpal (wrist) joint.
Many species have wattles which can be small (Black-headed, Spot-breasted, Red-wattled and Banded Lapwings) or large (White-headed Plover, African Wattled, Yellow-wattled, Southern, Andean, Javanese Wattled, or Masked Lapwings). The latter species are the largest of the plover family, since several exceed 30 cm (12 in).
were at one time recognized for the 24 lapwings species
. While it would certainly desirable to split up this large and diverse genus a bit, the morphological
characters are a confusing mix of apomorphic and plesiomorphic traits in any one species, with few relationships readily apparent. Molecular data has been found to provide even less sufficient resolution, though the lapwings have not yet been as thoroughly studied under this aspect as other Charadriiformes
.
The only thing that can be said with a fair degree of certainty is that according to the DNA sequence
data one group of 5 species seems to stand out. These are wattle-less lapwings which were separated as Anitibyx, Belonopterus, Hoplopterus (in the narrow sense) and Ptiloscelys. They are visually very dissimilar, but it is notable that their distribution forms a clean band through the tropical regions of the world except Australia
; they might conceivably form a clade
. The only species among them that is migratory is the Andean Lapwing
(V. resplendens), which as noted above cannot be allied with the truly migratory lapwings on these grounds. However, if these were to be split off, for one thing it is almost certain that other lineages would also require separation; the new genus' name would probably be Hoplopterus, which is the longest- and most widely used alternative lapwing genus.
Alternatively placed in Hemiparra:
Alternatively placed in Anitibyx:
Alternatively placed in Hoplopterus:
Alternatively placed in Sarciophorus, Lobivanellus or Hoplopterus:
Alternatively placed in Lobipluvia or Hoplopterus:
Alternatively placed in Xiphidiopterus or Hoplopterus:
Alternatively placed in Stephanibyx or Hoplopterus:
Alternatively placed in Afribyx:
Alternatively placed in Tylibyx, Lobivanellus or Hoplopterus:
Alternatively placed in Anomalophrys:
Alternatively placed in Microsarcops or Hoplopterus:
Alternatively placed in Lobivanellus or Hoplopterus:
Alternatively placed in Rogibyx:
Alternatively placed in Lobivanellus or Hoplopterus:
Alternatively placed in Lobibyx, Lobivanellus or Hoplopterus:
Alternatively placed in Chettusia:
Alternatively placed in Vanellochettusia or Chettusia:
Alternatively placed in Hoploxypterus:
Alternatively placed in Belonopterus:
Alternatively placed in Ptiloscelys or Belonopterus:
Prehistoric species known only from fossil
s are:
The Brea Lapwing, Belonopterus downsi, was described from the upper Pleistocene asphalt deposits of Rancho La Brea, Los Angeles, California, by Campbell (2002). Belonopterus downsi is similar in size to the South American species Belonopterus chilensis, but it is sufficiently distinct to be recognized as an extinct species. Although some authors lump Belonopterus with Vanellus, osteologically they are sufficiently distinct to maintain as separate genera. The Brea Lapwing was named after Dr. Theodore Downs, a prominent vertebrate paleontologist and long-time Chief Curator of Earth Sciences at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.
The Talara Lapwing, Belonopterus edmundi, was described by Campbell (1979) from the upper Pleistocene deposits named the Talara Tar Seeps found near Talara, Peru. Numerous osteological characters were described that distinguish this extinct species from the living South American lapwings and placed it in the genus Belonopterus, as distinct from Vanellus. The Talara Lapwing was named after Dr. A. Gordon Edmund, the individual most responsible for the paleontological collections from the Talara Tar Seeps.
These seem to be very closely related to the Southern Lapwing
and all were placed in Belonopterus by the describing authors. If Viator picis
, also from the Late Pleistocene
of Talara
, does not belong to an entirely extinct lineage, it might belong to that group too; it seems too large to be closely related to the smallish Pied Lapwing
.
Neither the Early Oligocene Dolicopterus from Ronzon (France
) nor the supposed mid-Oligocene
lapwing "Vanellus" selysii of Rupelmonde
(Belgium
) unquestionably belong here. While their age suggests that they may indeed represent some ancient lapwings, the fossil remains have not been studied for many decades and a review is seriously overdue.
Wader
Waders, called shorebirds in North America , are members of the order Charadriiformes, excluding the more marine web-footed seabird groups. The latter are the skuas , gulls , terns , skimmers , and auks...
s which provisionally contains all lapwing
Lapwing
Vanellinae are any of various crested plovers, family Charadriidae, noted for its slow, irregular wingbeat in flight and a shrill, wailing cry. Its length is 10-16 inches. They are a subfamily of medium-sized wading birds which also includes the plovers and dotterels. The Vanellinae are...
s except Red-kneed Dotterel
Red-kneed Dotterel
The Red-kneed Dotterel is a long-legged, medium-sized plover in a monotypic genus in the subfamily Vanellinae. It is often gregarious and will associate with other waders of its own and different species, even when nesting...
, Erythrogonys cinctus. The name "vanellus" is Latin for "little fan", vanellus being the diminutive
Diminutive
In language structure, a diminutive, or diminutive form , is a formation of a word used to convey a slight degree of the root meaning, smallness of the object or quality named, encapsulation, intimacy, or endearment...
of vannus ("fan
Fan (implement)
A hand-held fan is an implement used to induce an airflow for the purpose of cooling or refreshing oneself. Any broad, flat surface waved back-and-forth will create a small airflow and therefore can be considered a rudimentary fan...
"). The name is in reference to the sound lapwings' wings make in flight.
Description
These long-legged waderWader
Waders, called shorebirds in North America , are members of the order Charadriiformes, excluding the more marine web-footed seabird groups. The latter are the skuas , gulls , terns , skimmers , and auks...
s mostly have strongly patterned plumage. Although the most familiar Eurasian lapwing, Vanellus vanellus (Northern Lapwing
Northern Lapwing
The Northern Lapwing , also known as the Peewit, Green Plover or just Lapwing, is a bird in the plover family. It is common through temperate Eurasia....
), has a wispy crest, only two other species do so. Red or yellow facial wattle
Wattle (anatomy)
A wattle is a fleshy dewlap or caruncle hanging from various parts of the head or neck in several groups of birds, goats and other animals. In some birds the caruncle is erectile tissue.The wattle is frequently an organ of sexual dimorphism...
s are a more typical decoration.
Only Northern, Sociable, White-tailed Lapwing, Grey-headed and Brown-chested Lapwings are truly migratory
Bird migration
Bird migration is the regular seasonal journey undertaken by many species of birds. Bird movements include those made in response to changes in food availability, habitat or weather. Sometimes, journeys are not termed "true migration" because they are irregular or in only one direction...
species. The Andean Lapwing moves downhill in winter.
Spur-winged, Blacksmith, River, Southern, Andean and Pied Lapwings are boldly patterned, red-eyed species with a spurred carpal (wrist) joint.
Many species have wattles which can be small (Black-headed, Spot-breasted, Red-wattled and Banded Lapwings) or large (White-headed Plover, African Wattled, Yellow-wattled, Southern, Andean, Javanese Wattled, or Masked Lapwings). The latter species are the largest of the plover family, since several exceed 30 cm (12 in).
Systematics
The systematics of Vanellus have hitherto resisted clear resolution. Essentially, no major revision can be brought to agree with another, and up to 19 generaGenera
Genera is a commercial operating system and development environment for Lisp machines developed by Symbolics. It is essentially a fork of an earlier operating system originating on the MIT AI Lab's Lisp machines which Symbolics had used in common with LMI and Texas Instruments...
were at one time recognized for the 24 lapwings species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
. While it would certainly desirable to split up this large and diverse genus a bit, the morphological
Morphology (biology)
In biology, morphology is a branch of bioscience dealing with the study of the form and structure of organisms and their specific structural features....
characters are a confusing mix of apomorphic and plesiomorphic traits in any one species, with few relationships readily apparent. Molecular data has been found to provide even less sufficient resolution, though the lapwings have not yet been as thoroughly studied under this aspect as other Charadriiformes
Charadriiformes
Charadriiformes is a diverse order of small to medium-large birds. It includes about 350 species and has members in all parts of the world. Most Charadriiformes live near water and eat invertebrates or other small animals; however, some are pelagic , some occupy deserts and a few are found in thick...
.
The only thing that can be said with a fair degree of certainty is that according to the DNA sequence
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...
data one group of 5 species seems to stand out. These are wattle-less lapwings which were separated as Anitibyx, Belonopterus, Hoplopterus (in the narrow sense) and Ptiloscelys. They are visually very dissimilar, but it is notable that their distribution forms a clean band through the tropical regions of the world except Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
; they might conceivably form a clade
Clade
A clade is a group consisting of a species and all its descendants. In the terms of biological systematics, a clade is a single "branch" on the "tree of life". The idea that such a "natural group" of organisms should be grouped together and given a taxonomic name is central to biological...
. The only species among them that is migratory is the Andean Lapwing
Andean Lapwing
The Andean Lapwing is a species of bird in the Charadriidae family.It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru....
(V. resplendens), which as noted above cannot be allied with the truly migratory lapwings on these grounds. However, if these were to be split off, for one thing it is almost certain that other lineages would also require separation; the new genus' name would probably be Hoplopterus, which is the longest- and most widely used alternative lapwing genus.
List of species in taxonomic order
- Northern LapwingNorthern LapwingThe Northern Lapwing , also known as the Peewit, Green Plover or just Lapwing, is a bird in the plover family. It is common through temperate Eurasia....
also known as Green Plover and as Peewit, Vanellus vanellus
Alternatively placed in Hemiparra:
- Long-toed LapwingLong-toed LapwingThe Long-toed Lapwing is a species of bird in the Charadriidae family.It is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.-References:*...
, Vanellus crassirostris
Alternatively placed in Anitibyx:
- Blacksmith LapwingBlacksmith LapwingThe Blacksmith Lapwing or Blacksmith Plover occurs commonly from Kenya through central Tanzania to southern and southwestern Africa...
or Blacksmith Plover, Vanellus armatus
Alternatively placed in Hoplopterus:
- Spur-winged Lapwing or "Spur-winged Plover", Vanellus spinosus
- River LapwingRiver LapwingThe River Lapwing, Vanellus duvaucelii, is a lapwing species which breeds in Southeast Asia from northeastern India to Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam. It appears to be entirely sedentary...
or "Spur-winged Lapwing", Vanellus duvaucelii
Alternatively placed in Sarciophorus, Lobivanellus or Hoplopterus:
- Black-headed LapwingBlack-headed LapwingThe Black-headed Plover or Black-headed Lapwing is a large lapwing, a group of largish waders in the family Charadriidae. It is a resident breeder across sub-Saharan Africa from Senegal to Ethiopia, although it has seasonal movements. It lays two or three eggs on a ground scrape.These are...
or Black-headed Plover, Vanellus tectus
Alternatively placed in Lobipluvia or Hoplopterus:
- Yellow-wattled LapwingYellow-wattled LapwingThe Yellow-wattled Lapwing, Vanellus malabaricus, is a lapwing, a group of medium sized waders in the family Charadriidae. It is a non-migratory breeder restricted to the Indian Subcontinent and is found on the dry plains. Although they do not migrate, they are known to make seasonal movements in...
, Vanellus malabaricus
Alternatively placed in Xiphidiopterus or Hoplopterus:
- White-headed Lapwing, White-headed Plover or White-crowned Plover, Vanellus albiceps
Alternatively placed in Stephanibyx or Hoplopterus:
- Senegal LapwingSenegal LapwingThe Senegal Lapwing or Lesser Black-winged Lapwing is a species of bird in the Charadriidae family.It is found in Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria,...
or Lesser Black-winged Lapwing, Vanellus lugubris - (Greater) Black-winged LapwingBlack-winged LapwingThe Black-winged Lapwing is an east African species that is found from the Ethiopian highlands in the north to central Kenya , and again at middle to coastal elevations in eastern South Africa . It is a habitat specialist of short grass in well-watered temperate grasslands...
, Vanellus melanopterus
- Crowned LapwingCrowned LapwingThe Crowned Lapwing , also known as the Crowned Plover, is a bird of the lapwing subfamily that occurs contiguously from the Red Sea coast of Somalia to southern and southwestern Africa. It is an adaptable and numerous species, with bold and noisy habits...
or Crowned Plover, Vanellus coronatus
Alternatively placed in Afribyx:
- African Wattled Lapwing, Vanellus senegallus
Alternatively placed in Tylibyx, Lobivanellus or Hoplopterus:
- Spot-breasted LapwingSpot-breasted LapwingThe Spot-breasted Lapwing is a species of bird in the Charadriidae family. It is endemic to the Ethiopian highlands.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . Downloaded on 24 July 2007....
, Vanellus melanocephalus
Alternatively placed in Anomalophrys:
- Brown-chested LapwingBrown-chested LapwingThe Brown-chested Lapwing is a species of bird in the Charadriidae family.It is found in Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritania, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, and Zambia.It is a carnivorous bird...
, Vanellus superciliosus
Alternatively placed in Microsarcops or Hoplopterus:
- Grey-headed LapwingGrey-headed LapwingThe Grey-headed Lapwing is a lapwing species which breeds in northeast China and Japan. The mainland population winters in northern Southeast Asia from northeastern India to Cambodia...
, Vanellus cinereus
Alternatively placed in Lobivanellus or Hoplopterus:
- Red-wattled LapwingRed-wattled LapwingThe Red-wattled Lapwing is a lapwing or large plover, a wader in the family Charadriidae. It has characteristic loud alarm calls which are variously rendered as did he do it or pity to do it leading to colloquial names like the did-he-do-it bird...
, Vanellus indicus
Alternatively placed in Rogibyx:
- Javanese Wattled Lapwing or Javanese Lapwing, Vanellus macropterus
Alternatively placed in Lobivanellus or Hoplopterus:
- Banded LapwingBanded LapwingThe Banded Lapwing is a small to medium sized wader which belongs to the plover family. It is found over most of Australia and Tasmania though is absent from the northern third of the continent....
, Vanellus tricolor
Alternatively placed in Lobibyx, Lobivanellus or Hoplopterus:
- Masked LapwingMasked LapwingThe Masked Lapwing , previously known as the Masked Plover and often called the Spur-winged Plover or just Plover in its native range, is a large, common and conspicuous bird native to Australia, particularly the northern and eastern parts of the continent...
or "Spur-winged Plover", Vanellus miles
Alternatively placed in Chettusia:
- Sociable LapwingSociable LapwingThe Sociable Lapwing or Sociable Plover is a wader in the lapwing family of birds.It breeds on open grassland in Russia and Kazakhstan. Three to five eggs are laid in a ground nest...
or Sociable Plover, Vanellus gregarius
Alternatively placed in Vanellochettusia or Chettusia:
- White-tailed LapwingWhite-tailed LapwingThe White-tailed Lapwing or White-tailed Plover is a wader in the lapwing genus.It breeds semi-colonially on inland marshes in Iraq, Iran and southern Russia. Four eggs are laid in a ground nest. The Iraqi and Iranian breeders are mainly residents, but Russian birds migrate south in winter to...
or White-tailed Plover, Vanellus leucurus
Alternatively placed in Hoploxypterus:
- Pied LapwingPied LapwingThe Pied Plover , also known as the Pied Lapwing, is a species of bird in the Charadriidae family.-Distribution and habitat:...
, Vanellus cayanus
Alternatively placed in Belonopterus:
- Southern LapwingSouthern LapwingThe Southern Lapwing is a wader in the family Charadriiformes. It is a common and widespread resident throughout South America, except in densely forested regions , the higher parts of the Andes and the arid coast of a large part of western South America. This bird is particularly common in the...
, Vanellus chilensis
Alternatively placed in Ptiloscelys or Belonopterus:
- Andean LapwingAndean LapwingThe Andean Lapwing is a species of bird in the Charadriidae family.It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru....
, Vanellus resplendens
Prehistoric species known only from fossil
Fossil
Fossils are the preserved remains or traces of animals , plants, and other organisms from the remote past...
s are:
- Vanellus lilloi (Middle/Late Pleistocene of Centinela del Mar, Argentina)
- Vanellus downsi (Late Pleistocene of Rancho La Brea, USA)
The Brea Lapwing, Belonopterus downsi, was described from the upper Pleistocene asphalt deposits of Rancho La Brea, Los Angeles, California, by Campbell (2002). Belonopterus downsi is similar in size to the South American species Belonopterus chilensis, but it is sufficiently distinct to be recognized as an extinct species. Although some authors lump Belonopterus with Vanellus, osteologically they are sufficiently distinct to maintain as separate genera. The Brea Lapwing was named after Dr. Theodore Downs, a prominent vertebrate paleontologist and long-time Chief Curator of Earth Sciences at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.
- Vanellus edmundi (Late Pleistocene of Talalra, Peru)
The Talara Lapwing, Belonopterus edmundi, was described by Campbell (1979) from the upper Pleistocene deposits named the Talara Tar Seeps found near Talara, Peru. Numerous osteological characters were described that distinguish this extinct species from the living South American lapwings and placed it in the genus Belonopterus, as distinct from Vanellus. The Talara Lapwing was named after Dr. A. Gordon Edmund, the individual most responsible for the paleontological collections from the Talara Tar Seeps.
These seem to be very closely related to the Southern Lapwing
Southern Lapwing
The Southern Lapwing is a wader in the family Charadriiformes. It is a common and widespread resident throughout South America, except in densely forested regions , the higher parts of the Andes and the arid coast of a large part of western South America. This bird is particularly common in the...
and all were placed in Belonopterus by the describing authors. If Viator picis
Viator picis
Viator picis is an extinct genus and species of lapwing known only from the upper Pleistocene asphalt deposits known as the Talara Tar Seeps, which are found near Talara, northwestern Peru. It was described by Campbell...
, also from the Late Pleistocene
Late Pleistocene
The Late Pleistocene is a stage of the Pleistocene Epoch. The beginning of the stage is defined by the base of the Eemian interglacial phase before the final glacial episode of the Pleistocene 126,000 ± 5,000 years ago. The end of the stage is defined exactly at 10,000 Carbon-14 years BP...
of Talara
Talara
Talara is a city in the Talara Province of the Piura Region, in northwestern Peru. It is a port city on the Pacific Ocean with a population of 103,200 as of 2005. Its climate is hot and dry. Due to its oil reserves, and ability to produce aviation fuel, Talara hosted a United States air base during...
, does not belong to an entirely extinct lineage, it might belong to that group too; it seems too large to be closely related to the smallish Pied Lapwing
Pied Lapwing
The Pied Plover , also known as the Pied Lapwing, is a species of bird in the Charadriidae family.-Distribution and habitat:...
.
Neither the Early Oligocene Dolicopterus from Ronzon (France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
) nor the supposed mid-Oligocene
Oligocene
The Oligocene is a geologic epoch of the Paleogene Period and extends from about 34 million to 23 million years before the present . As with other older geologic periods, the rock beds that define the period are well identified but the exact dates of the start and end of the period are slightly...
lapwing "Vanellus" selysii of Rupelmonde
Rupelmonde
Rupelmonde is a town in the municipality of Kruibeke, in the Belgian province of East Flanders. It stands on the bank of the river Schelde opposite the confluence of the eponymous Rupel, and is famed for its sundials as well as having what is probably Belgium's only tidemill...
(Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
) unquestionably belong here. While their age suggests that they may indeed represent some ancient lapwings, the fossil remains have not been studied for many decades and a review is seriously overdue.
External links
- Lapwing videos on the Internet Bird Collection