Wednesday, July 18, 2012

>>Genus Aceros

Aceros


Aceros
Aceros corrugatus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Aves
Order:Coraciiformes
Family:Bucerotidae
Genus:Aceros
Hodgson, 1844
Species
Aceros cassidix
Aceros corrugatus
Aceros leucocephalus
Aceros nipalensis
Aceros waldeni
Aceros is a genus of large south-east Asian hornbills
(Bucerotidae family). This genus sometimes includes all species generally placed in the genus Rhyticeros. Alternatively, Aceroshas been considered monotypic, only including the Rufous-necked Hornbill, in which case all of the remaining are moved to the Rhyticeros. Additionally, the White-crowned Hornbill is sometimes placed in this genus, but most now place it in Berenicornis instead.
Among the species generally included in Aceros, the Rufous-necked Hornbill is unique in that it lacks a conspicuous casque, and its bill is mainly dull yellowish. All other species generally placed in Aceros have a relatively high casque and brightly coloured bills.

Species

As generally recognized, the following species belong in Aceros:
  • Rufous-necked Hornbill, Aceros nipalensis
  • Knobbed (or Sulawesi Wrinkled) Hornbill, Aceros cassidix
  • Wrinkled Hornbill, Aceros corrugatus
  • Writhed Hornbill, Aceros leucocephalus
  • Rufous-headed (or Walden's) Hornbill, Aceros waldeni
An undescribed extinct hornbill species from Lifou in the Loyalty Islands, living until at least some 30.000 years ago, was initially placed in this genus. But its biogeography places it with the species now in Rhyticeros (Steadman, 2006).

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