Phasianoidea is a superfamily of birds of the order of the Galliformes.

Phasianoidea
Male common pheasant in Scotland
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Galliformes
Superfamily: Phasianoidea
Vigors, 1825
Families

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Taxonomy

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Description

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The superfamily was described in 1825 by the Irish zoologist Nicholas Aylward Vigors.[1]

Etymology

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The name Phasianoidea is formed by the union of the elements of scientific Latin Phasian- and -oidea. The first is the genitive root of the name of its type genus, Phasianus; and the second is the ending -oidea, neutral plural of -oideus, derived from ancient Greek εἴδος eidos, 'aspect', 'appearance', 'form', with the union vowel -o-, used in the formation of numerous names of orders and superfamilies of animals. Literally: 'those who look like pheasants'.

Families

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Male western capercaillie

The superfamily is subdivided into three families:[2]

Superfamily Phasianoidea Vigors, 1825 – 225 species

References

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  1. ^ Vigors, N. A. (1825): "Observations on the Natural Affinities that connect the Orders and Families of Birds". Transactions of the Linnean Society of London 14 (3): 395–451. Read on line.
  2. ^ Phasianoidea en Stefan Hintsche (2013): System der Lebewesen (System of living beings).

Bibliography

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  • del Hoyo, J.; Elliot, A. & Sargatal, J. (1994): "New World Vultures to Guineafowl". In Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 2. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 84-8733-415-6.
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