Turacos: Africa’s Colorful Avian Treasures
When we think of African wildlife, our minds often wander to the majestic elephants, fierce lions, and graceful giraffes roaming the savannas. However, Africa’s ecological wonders extend well beyond its famous mammals. Hidden in the lush canopies of sub-Saharan forests, a unique avian family thrives, known as the plantain-eaters or more commonly, the turacos.
The turacos, often referred to as “louries,” are a family of birds endemic to the diverse landscapes of Africa. To unravel the mysteries of these vibrant creatures, we delved into the world of phylogeography based on multi loci DNA. What we discovered was nothing short of astonishing.
In a grand phylogeographic expedition, we analyzed 410 individual ND2 sequences across green turacos, uncovering unexpected tales of genetic diversity and cryptic taxa. These findings changed our understanding of these birds’ evolutionary history.
Within the turaco family, encompassing both montane and lowland species, such as Tauraco hartlaubi, T. schalowi, Menelikornis leucotis, Musophaga macrorhyncha, and Gallirex johnstoni, researchers stumbled upon fixed private haplotypes in distant parts of their ranges. This intriguing discovery suggested a minimal recent gene flow, highlighting the evolutionary independence of these isolated populations.
Moreover, two taxa once dismissed as subspecies, T. schalowi loitanus and T. s. marungensis, were proven to be distinct species based on mitochondrial sequences, rewriting the history of our understanding. The data even shook the traditional classification of some turaco species, showing that Tauraco livingstonii and T. schuettii were polyphyletic, further unraveling the complex relationships among these avian gems.
In light of these remarkable findings, a new classification for all the turacos emerged. Thirty-three species-level taxa were recognized, each representing an essential unit for phylogenetic and biogeographic analyses, revealing the true depth of their diversity. These 33 species were distributed across seven previously established genera, showcasing the wealth of avian treasures that Africa holds.
“As we venture into the heart of Africa’s woodlands, we unraveling the complex relationships while leaving the door open for further discoveries in this ever-evolving avian narrative.”
The world of turacos is a vivid tapestry of colors, sounds, and evolutionary surprises. As we venture further into the heart of Africa’s forests and woodlands, we may discover even more secrets about these remarkable birds, continuing to celebrate the beauty and complexity of the continent’s rich avian heritage. And, of course, the story doesn’t conclude here; we shall continue to extend this narrative with additional discoveries.
Here is the link for our monograph that prompted the writing of this text — Perktaş et al. 2020. Phylogeography, Species Limits, Phylogeny, and Classification of the Turacos (Aves: Musophagidae) Based on Mitochondrial and Nuclear DNA Sequences. American Museum Novitates.