Shall we chat? Evolutionary relationships in the genus Cercomela (Muscicapidae) and its relation to Oenanthe reveals extensive polyphyly among chats distributed in Africa, India and the Palearctic

The genus Cercomela comprises nine arid-adapted terrestrial bird species distributed primarily across the African continent with one species occurring in India. Using mitochondrial genetic data, we reconstructed molecular evolutionary relationships within Cercomela and its relationship to other closely related genera. Included in our analysis were 24 individuals representing all nine Cercomela species and 23 individuals representing 17 of 21 Oenanthe species. In addition, we included representatives of the genera Myrmecocichla, Thamnolaea and Saxicola, with Phoenicurus, Tarsiger and Monticola as outgroup taxa. Results of our analyses suggest that the genus Cercomela is polyphyletic with species in three distinct clades. Five Cercomela species: C. dubia, C. scotocerca, C. familiaris, C. melanura and C. fusca are more closely affiliated with Oenanthe than with the remaining Cercomela species. Oenanthe is paraphyletic with regard to these five Cercomela species. The three southwest African Cercomela species; C. tractrac, C. schlegelii and C. sinuata, form their own distinct clade. Cercomelasordida (Pinarochroasordida, Sundevall) should remain Pinarochroasordida as this species is genetically highly distinct from all other chat genera/species. Based on our results, we make a number of taxonomic recommendations.