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Pelecaniformes

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Pelecaniformes

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The Pelecaniformes are an order of medium-sized and large waterbirds found worldwide. As traditionally (but erroneously) defined, they encompass all birds that have feet with all four toes webbed. Hence, they were formerly also known by such names as totipalmates or steganopods. Under this obsolete definition, the Fregatidae (frigatebirds), Sulidae (gannets and boobies), Phalacrocoracidae (cormorants and shags), Anhingidae (darters), and Phaethontidae (tropicbirds) were included in the Pelecaniformes. Subsequent molecular and morphological studies indicate they are in fact not close relatives

AI overview

Pelecaniformes is an order of medium-sized to large waterbirds found around the world, traditionally defined by having all four toes webbed together. Modern genetic and physical studies have shown that this traditional grouping doesn't actually reflect how these birds are truly related to each other, making the traditional definition outdated.

AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.

Species

pelikanfåglar

Pelecaniformes

ORDER

  1. KingdomAnimalia
  2. PhylumChordata
  3. ClassAves
  4. OrderPelecaniformes
Habitatmarine, brackish, freshwater
Observations recorded87,217,130

via GBIF

Wikidata facts

Image
Pink-backed.pelican.750pix.jpg
Show 5 more facts
taxon name
Pelecaniformes
Commons category
Pelecaniformes
Commons gallery
Pelecaniformes
start time
66000000-0
taxon common name
Pelikanfåglar
Sources (2)

via Wikidata · CC0

~7 min read

Article

4 sections
Contents
  • Systematics and evolution
  • Fossils
  • References
  • External links

The Pelecaniformes are an order of medium-sized and large waterbirds found worldwide. As traditionally (but erroneously) defined, they encompass all birds that have feet with all four toes webbed. Hence, they were formerly also known by such names as totipalmates or steganopods. Under this obsolete definition, the Fregatidae (frigatebirds), Sulidae (gannets and boobies), Phalacrocoracidae (cormorants and shags), Anhingidae (darters), and Phaethontidae (tropicbirds) were included in the Pelecaniformes. Subsequent molecular and morphological studies indicate they are in fact not close relatives to "true" Pelecaniformes, and they are now placed in their own orders, Suliformes and Phaethontiformes, respectively.

Pelecaniformes as currently defined comprise the pelicans, shoebill and hamerkop, which form a clade within the order (suborder Pelecani), along with herons (Ardeidae) and ibises and spoonbills (Threskiornithidae); the relationships between Pelecani and the other two families are still being debated by taxonomists.

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