THE INCIDENCE AND ORIGIN OF SPOTTED PATTERNS IN THE ESTRILDIDAE

The plumage of the Estrildidae was examined in order to determine the incidence and origin of the spotted patterns.
In the Australian grassfinches a series of feathers showing the derivation of spotted patterns from transverse barring was found in two species. In most species such patterns consisted of single broad spots, but in two species paired spots were present.
The mannikins show three types of spotted pattern. One is derived from transverse barring, another from a rachial streak, and the third from a combination of both bars and streaks. The last one is not a true spotted pattern, the effect being due to overlapping feathers.
The waxbills show spotted patterns derived from transverse barring, the development of which exactly parallels that shown by the grassfinches, but differs in that almost all patterns show paired spots.
The spotted patterns appear to have been derived from a basic barred pattern in most cases, and to represent an increasing complexity of pattern rather than a gradual loss.
It is considered that similar patterns in widely separated species are due to parallel evolution of patterns and not to phylogenetically close relationship.
Where various species show different successive stages in the evolution of a pattern, this does not indicate that one is ancestral to another. Since the species concerned have a common family relationship, the potential for such a pattern may be present throughout the family.
Since the patterns have a function in specific recognition, it is suggested that similar patterns are likely to recur in widely separated localities and that the patterns of sympatric species are likely to differ. If similar patterns are present in one area they will probably indicate close relationship.
The inference of this in relation to plumage pattern problems in some other orders is briefly discussed.