Common Stonechat

Common Stonechat is the name used for the Saxicola species Saxicola torquatus when this is treated in its broad sense.

It is however now more widely considered to be a superspecies consisting of several related but distinct species,^[1] which are outwardly fairly similar but genetically distinct and replacing each other geographically without significant hybridisation:^[2][3][4]

• African Stonechat Saxicola torquatus in the strict sense
• European Stonechat Saxicola rubicola
• Siberian Stonechat Saxicola maurus
• Stejneger's Stonechat Saxicola stejnegeri
• Madagascar Stonechat Saxicola sibilla

Three other species, not previously included within the broad view of Common Stonechat, have also been shown to be members of the superspecies:^[2][5]

• Fuerteventura Chat Saxicola dacotiae
• Reunion Stonechat Saxicola tectes
• White-tailed Stonechat Saxicola leucurus

Species status possible,^[2] but not yet verified:

• Ethiopian Stonechat Saxicola (torquatus) albofasciatus

The broad interpretation of Saxicola torquatus is still accepted by a few authorities, notably the British Ornithologists' Union,^[6] though this is currently under review.^[7]

References

1. ^ IOC World Bird List and references cited therein
2. ^ ^{a b c} Urquhart, E., & Bowley, A. (2002): Stonechats. A Guide to the Genus Saxicola. Christopher Helm, London. ISBN 0-7136-6024-4
3. ^ Woog, F., Wink, M., Rastegar-Pouyani, E., Gonzalez, J., & Helm, B. (2008). Distinct taxonomic position of the Madagascar stonechat (Saxicola torquatus sibilla) revealed by nucleotide sequences of mitochondrial DNA. J. Ornithol. 149: 423–430. Full text
4. ^ Zink, R.M., Pavlova, A., Drovetski, S. V., Wink, M., & Rohwer, S. (2009). Taxonomic status and evolutionary history of the Saxicola torquata complex. Molecular Phylogeny and Evolution 52: 769-773. Abstract.
5. ^ Illera, J. C., Richardson, D. S., Helm, B., Atienza, J. C., & Emerson, B. C. (2008). Phylogenetic relationships, biogeography and speciation in the avian genus Saxicola. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 48: 1145-1154. Full text.
6. ^ The British List
7. ^ BOU Records Committee 37th report, January 2009.

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