A Phylogeny of the Woodcreepers (Dendrocolaptinae)

A phylogeny of 42 species representing the 13 genera of woodcreepers (Furnariidae: Dendrocolaptinae) was constructed by means of a numerical-cladistic analysis of morphological characters from the hindlimb muscles, bill, nostrils, feet, and tail. A tree stable at the generic level was produced, but the characters used did not effectively delineate relationships between species in the large genera Lepidocolaptes and Xiphorhynchus. Monophyly of the Dendrocolaptinae was supported. Drymornis bridgesii was hypothesized to be the sister species of the other woodcreepers, followed by Nasica longirostris. Beyond these forms, the genera Dendrocincla, Deconychura, Sittasomus, and Glyphorhynchus lie basal to the remaining genera. This is consistent with their recognition as "intermediate forms," although the basal position of Drymornis and Nasica does not agree with that hypothesis. Among polytypic genera, the monophyly of Dendrocincla, Campylorhamphus, Xiphocolaptes, and Dendrocolaptes was supported, whereas Deconychura appears to be paraphyletic. Monophyly of Hylexetastes, Xiphorhynchus, and Lepidocolaptes remains uncertain.