Green Hylia
| Green hylia | |
|---|---|
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| Specimen at Nairobi National Museum | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Superfamily: | Sylvioidea |
| Family: | see text |
| Genus: |
Hylia Cassin, 1859 |
| Species: | H. prasina |
| Binomial name | |
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Hylia prasina (Cassin, 1855) |
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The green hylia (Hylia prasina) is a monotypic genus widespread in tropical Africa, where it mostly inhabits the understory and mid-stratum of moist forests. It is a canopy insectivore which has been usually but not yet conclusively placed within the family of Cettiidae warblers.
Hylia prasina is a monotypic songbird that has proven difficult to place within the phylogenetic tree. Connections between Hylia and other genera have been attempted by comparing DNA sequences, physical similarities and even behavioural characteristics. None of these links have been sufficiently proven to allow definite classification of the green hylia.
The green hylia belongs to the order Passeriformes and the superfamily Sylvioidae, however the classification at family level is under dispute. The species is often attributed to the family Cettiidae (bush warblers) along with , Erythrocercus, Tesia, Cettia and Abroscopus. Investigation into indels does not support a strong relationship between Hylia and the Cettiidae.
Anatomically, the green hylia has similarities to sunbirds and warblers. Characteristics shared with sunbirds include a long hyloid with flattened epibranchial horns, a brush-tipped tongue and membrane-covered nostrils. Similarities to some warblers include very comparable colouring. The relationship between the genera Hylia and Phylloscopus (leaf warblers) has been examined but seems to have low empirical support. A sister relationship between Hylia and Aegithalidae (long tailed tits) was similarly poorly supported. Close relationships with Nectariniidae (sunbirds), Estrildidae (finches) and Meliphagidae (honeyeaters) have also been rejected.
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