An alternative species taxonomy of the birds of Mexico

Abstract

Extensive debate has surrounded the application of alternative species concepts in Ornithology. The biological species concept (BSC) and phylogenetic species concept (PSC) have typically been set in opposition, with extensive debate on the relative merits of each. An alternative is the evolutionary species concept (ESC), which offers a perspective similar to that of the PSC, yet with several significant differences. To date, no major avifauna has been examined and compared among taxonomic viewpoints. Herein, we develop an alternative phylogenetic/evolutionary species taxonomy to the current BSC treatment for the more than 1000 bird species of Mexico. A total of 135 biological species was divided to produce a total of 323 phylogenetic/evolutionary species, 122 of which represent “new” endemic forms in Mexico.