Monophyletic groups within 'higher land birds'– comparison of morphological and molecular data

The relationships within the ‘higher land birds’ and putatively related taxa are analysed in a study using 89 morphological characters and DNA sequences of three nuclear, protein‐coding genes, c‐myc, RAG‐1, and myoglobin intron II. Separate analyses of the different data sets and a ‘total evidence’ analysis in which the data sets of the morphological and molecular analyses were combined are compared. All three analyses support the hitherto disputed sister group relationship between Pici (Ramphastidae, Indicatoridae and Picidae) and Galbulae (Galbulidae and Bucconidae). Previously unrecognized osteological synapomorphies of this clade are presented. All analyses further resulted in monophyly of the taxon [Aegothelidae + (Apodidae/Hemiprocnidae + Trochilidae)]. Analysis of the morphological data and of the combined data set also supported monophyly of the taxon [Strigiformes + (Falconidae + Accipitridae)]. The morphological data further support monophyly of the taxon (Upupidae + Bucerotidae). Other placements in the three analyses received either no or only weak bootstrap support.