Towards a molecular systematics of the genus Criniger, and a preliminary phylogeny of the bulbuls (Aves, Passeriformes, Pycnonotidae)

The analysis of DNA fragments of two mitochondrial genes (12S and 16S) from 27 species of bulbuls (Pycnonotidae), belonging to eight African and Asiatic genera, demonstrates the polyphyly of the genus Criniger Temminck, 1820, with two clades: one with the African species, the other with the Asiatic species. We propose to maintain Criniger for the African species and use Alophoixus Oates, 1889 for the Asiatic ones. This study also brings the first elements on the monophyly of African bulbuls, with the exception of Pycnonotus species which are of probable recent diversification in Africa.