Polytelis

Taxobox
name = "Polytelis"

---

image_width = 204px
image_caption = Regent Parrots, "Polytelis anthopeplus"
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo = Psittaciformes
familia = Psittacidae
subfamilia = Psittacinae
tribus = Psittaculini
genus = "Polytelis"
genus_authority = Wagler, 1832
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision ="Polytelis swainsonii" "Polytelis anthopeplus" "Polytelis alexandrae"

The genus "Polytelis" (literally translates into 'magnificent') of the family Psittacidae consists of three species long-tailed parrot endemic to Australia. It is not clear whether they belong to the Asian parakeets and relatives, or the Australian Broad-tailed parrots. They are usually classified with the former due to their size, general shape, and color pattern (e.g. Forshaw & Cooper 1981), but mtDNA cytochrome "b" sequence data gives a rather more confusing picture (Miyaki "et al." 1998). On the other hand, sex chromosome spindlin sequence analysesFact|date=February 2007 are in favor of the traditional placement.

pecies

* Superb Parrot, "Polytelis swainsonii"
* Regent Parrot, "Polytelis anthopeplus"
* Princess Parrot, "Polytelis alexandrae"

References

* Forshaw, Joseph M. & Cooper, William T. (1981): "Parrots of the World" (3rd ed.). Press, Willoughby, Australia.

* Miyaki, C. Y.; Matioli, S. R.; Burke, T. & Wajntal, A. (1998): Parrot evolution and paleogeographical events: Mitochondrial DNA evidence. "Molecular Biology and Evolution" 15: 544-551. [http://mbe.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/reprint/15/5/544.pdf PDF fulltext]