The appendicular myology and phylogenetic relationships of the Ploceidae and Estrildidae (Aves: Passeriformes)

The phylogenetic relationships of the Old World passerine families Ploceidae and Estrildidae are analyzed mainly on the basis of the structure of the forelimb and hindlimb muscles.Monophyly of the assemblage is hypothesized on the basis of common possession of a conical bill adapted to granivory, on biochemical affinites, and in pterylographic similarities previously reported.The present study provided no myological synapomorphies to cluster the entire group in support of this hypothesis.Myological characters provide synapomorphies for all but the first branching point of a cladogram, and autapomorphies for most taxa.Analysis is at the subfamily level.The Passerinae are the most primitive group myologically , and presumably the sister group of the remainder of the assemblage.The Estrildidae are more highly derived than are the Ploceidae.The Viduinae are included among the Estrildidae rather than the Ploceidae.Problems of classification are reviewed and a classification reflecting current understanding is presented.The family Ploceidae includes the subfamilies Passerinae, Ploceinae and Bubalornithinae.The Estrildidae includes the Poephilinae, Viduinae.Lonchurinae, and Estrildinae.