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Concept
Hierofalcon
Summary
The hierofalcons are four closely related species of falcon which make up the subgenus Hierofalco:
Lanner falcon, Falco biarmicus
Laggar falcon, Falco jugger
Saker falcon, Falco cherrug
Gyrfalcon, Falco rusticolus
The black falcon of Australia is occasionally considered allied to the hierofalcons: indeed it seems fairly close to them (Wink et al. 2004).
They represent members of their genus which are similar to species like the peregrine falcon in outward appearance, but usually with more phaeomelanins which impart reddish or brown colors, and generally more strongly patterned plumage reminiscent of hawks. Their undersides usually have a lengthwise pattern of dark blotches, lines or arrowhead marks. They hunt usually in level flight, more like Accipiters than peregrines with their dive attack or hobbies with their acrobatic pursuits.
Recent DNA sequence data studies have confirmed that the hierofalcons are a monophyletic group—and, incidentally, that hybridization runs rampant in the present species complex. Initial results of mtDNA cytochrome b sequence analyses that suggested they are basal among all living falcons were in error, due to a numt (Wink & Sauer-Gürth 2000). The biogeographically entirely distinct prairie falcon was sometimes placed with the hierofalcons due to its similar coloration; it is now considered not to belong in this subgenus, the similarities being the result of convergent evolution in adaptation to similar habitat.
The hierofalcon lineage as such seems of Late Pliocene origin, maybe as old as the "typical" kestrels (Gelasian, some 2.5–2 million years ago), maybe somewhat older, though little is known about their fossil history. It seems to have originated in Africa or adjacent regions but apparently became nearly extinct in the past: the present hierofalcon diversity is of rather recent origin, presumably not older than the Eemian interglacial (about 130,000–115,000 years ago) at the start of the Late Pleistocene; only one of the hierofalcon species that presumably diverged between the Pliocene and the Middle Pleistocene has left any living descendants.
Official source
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