Crossoptilon

Crossoptilon
Blue eared pheasant (Crossoptilon auritum)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Galliformes
Family: Phasianidae
Subfamily: Phasianinae
Genus: Crossoptilon
Hodgson, 1838

Crossoptilon is a genus of pheasants in the Phasianidae family. Established by Brian Houghton Hodgson in 1838, the genus contains four species:[1]

The name Crossoptilon is a combination of the Greek words krossoi, meaning "fringe" and ptilon, meaning "feather"— a name Hodgson felt particularly applied to the white eared pheasant “distinguished amongst all its congeners by its ample fringe-like plumage, the dishevelled quality of which is communicated even to the central tail feathers”.[2] All are large, sexually monomorphic and found in China.[3]

References

  1. "ITIS Report: Crossoptilon". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 17 April 2015.
  2. Jobling, James A. (2010). The Helm Dictionary of Scientific Names. London, UK: Christopher Helm. p. 123. ISBN 978-1-4081-2501-4.
  3. McGowan, Phil; Madge, Steve (2010). Pheasants, Partridges & Grouse: Including buttonquails, sandgrouse and allies. London, UK: Christopher Helm. p. 312. ISBN 0-7136-3966-0.
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