Alaudala
| Alaudala | |
|---|---|
| |
| Lesser short-toed lark (Alaudala rufescens) | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Alaudidae |
| Genus: | Alaudala Horsfield & Moore, 1858 |
| Species | |
|
see text | |
Alaudala is a genus of lark in the family Alaudidae. The genus name is a diminutive of Alauda.[1]
Taxonomy and systematics
A molecular phylogenetic study published in 2020 compared the nuclear and mitochondrial DNA from the sand, Asian short-toed, and lesser short-toed larks. The study analysed samples from 130 individuals that represented 16 of the 18 recognised subspecies. The resulting phylogenetic tree indicated that neither the Asian short-toed lark, nor the lesser short-toed lark as currently defined are monophyletic. Most of the subspecies were also found to be non-monophyletic. The authors refrained from proposing a revised taxonomy until additional studies had been completed comparing the vocalizations, sexual behaviour and ecology.[2]
Species
The genus Alaudala contains the following species:[3]
| Image | Scientific name | Common Name | Distribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaudala athensis | Athi short-toed lark | southern Kenya and northern Tanzania | |
 |
Alaudala cheleensis | Asian short-toed lark | south-central to eastern Asia. |
 |
Alaudala somalica | Somali short-toed lark | eastern and northeastern Africa. |
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Alaudala rufescens | Lesser short-toed lark | central Asia to Mongolia and China |
 |
Alaudala raytal | Sand lark | Gangetic plains |
References
- ^ Jobling, James A. (2010). The Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names. London, United Kingdom: Christopher Helm. p. 37. ISBN 978-1-4081-2501-4.
- ^ Ghorbani, F.; Aliabadian, M.; Zhang, R.; Irestedt, M.; Hao, Y.; Sundev, G.; Lei, F.; Ma, M.; Olsson, U.; Alström, P. (2020). "Densely sampled phylogenetic analyses of the Lesser Short-toed Lark (Alaudala rufescens) — Sand Lark (A. raytal) species complex (Aves, Passeriformes) reveal cryptic diversity". Zoologica Scripta. 00: 1–13. doi:10.1111/zsc.12422.
- ^ Gill, Frank; Donsker, David; Rasmussen, Pamela, eds. (2020). "Nicators, reedling, larks". IOC World Bird List Version 10.1. International Ornithologists' Union. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
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