| Scopus Temporal range:
| |
|---|---|
| |
| S. u. umbretta, Kenya | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Pelecaniformes |
| Suborder: | Pelecani |
| Family: | Scopidae Bonaparte, 1849 |
| Genus: | Scopus Gmelin, 1789 |
| Species | |
Scopus is a genus of wading birds containing the hamerkop (Scopus umbretta) and its extinct Pliocene relative, Scopus xenopus. This genus is the sole representative of the family Scopidae.
Taxonomy
Hamerkops were traditionally included in the Ciconiiformes, but are now thought to be closer to the Pelecaniformes.1 Recent studies have found that its closest relatives are the pelicans and shoebill.2
References
References
- Van Tuinen, Marcel; Butvill, Dave Brian; Kirsch, John A. W.; Hedges, S. Blair (2001). "Convergence and divergence in the evolution of aquatic birds" (PDF). Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. 26 (8): 1345–1350. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-05-29.
- Ericson, P. G. P.; Anderson, C. L.; Britton, T.; Elzanowski, A.; Johansson, U. S.; Källersjö, M.; Ohlson, J. I.; Parsons, T. J.; Zuccon, D.; Mayr, G. (2006). "Diversification of Neoaves: integration of molecular sequence data and fossils". Biology Letters. 2 (4): 543–547. doi:10.1098/rsbl.2006.0523. PMC 1834003. PMID 17148284.