Crested Francolin

SCI Name:  Dendroperdix sephaena
Protonym:  Perdix Sephaena Rep.Exped.Centr.Afr. p.55
Taxonomy:  Galliformes / Phasianidae / Dendroperdix
Taxonomy Code:  crefra2
Type Locality:  Marikwa [= Marico] River and Limpopo River, Transvaal.
Author:  Smith, A
Publish Year:  1836
IUCN Status:  Least Concern

DEFINITIONS

DENDROPERDIX
(Phasianidae; Ϯ Crested Francolin D. sephaena) Gr. δενδρον dendron  tree; περδιξ perdix, περδικος perdikos  partridge; "Dendroperdix gen.nov., genotype Perdix sephaena A. Smith, differs from the preceding [Peliperdix] in not having the membrane over the nostrils extended in a broad band across the base of the culmen, and in general appearance and habits is otherwise so different that there should be no hesitation in recognising it; the sexes are alike in colour, but the males are larger and have a large sharp spur.  Members of the genus frequent forests and to one acquainted with its call-notes there is never any difficulty in identifying them. The nasal operculum is more elongate than in other genera, situated high up, and the shape of the primaries differs from that of the two following genera [Ortygornis, Scleroptila], in which the second outermost is more emarginate. There are two distinct species within our limits, namely, D. sephaena in the "bushveld" districts and D. rovuma (formerly known as kirki, as to which see C. Grant, Ibis, 1915, p. 12) on the coast belt of the lower Zambesi valley." (A. Roberts 1922); "Dendroperdix A. Roberts, 1922, Annals Transvaal Mus., VIII (4), p. 194.  Type, by original designation, Perdix sephaena A. Smith, 1836." (JAJ 2020).

sephaena
Undoubtedly a Tswana name (see paena), and so treated by Clinning 1989;  "Perdix Sephaena.  ...  Inhabits the banks of the Marikwa and Limpopo Rivers.  ...  The names given by the Natives to the objects above described, I have adopted as the trivial ones" (A. Smith 1836, Report Exped. Exploring Central Africa, 55) (Dendroperdix).

SUBSPECIES

Crested Francolin (Kirk's)
SCI Name: Dendroperdix sephaena rovuma
rovuma / rovumae / rovumensis
Rovuma River, Tanganyika / Tanzania.

Crested Francolin (Crested)
SCI Name: Dendroperdix sephaena [sephaena Group]
DENDROPERDIX
(Phasianidae; Ϯ Crested Francolin D. sephaena) Gr. δενδρον dendron  tree; περδιξ perdix, περδικος perdikos  partridge; "Dendroperdix gen.nov., genotype Perdix sephaena A. Smith, differs from the preceding [Peliperdix] in not having the membrane over the nostrils extended in a broad band across the base of the culmen, and in general appearance and habits is otherwise so different that there should be no hesitation in recognising it; the sexes are alike in colour, but the males are larger and have a large sharp spur.  Members of the genus frequent forests and to one acquainted with its call-notes there is never any difficulty in identifying them. The nasal operculum is more elongate than in other genera, situated high up, and the shape of the primaries differs from that of the two following genera [Ortygornis, Scleroptila], in which the second outermost is more emarginate. There are two distinct species within our limits, namely, D. sephaena in the "bushveld" districts and D. rovuma (formerly known as kirki, as to which see C. Grant, Ibis, 1915, p. 12) on the coast belt of the lower Zambesi valley." (A. Roberts 1922); "Dendroperdix A. Roberts, 1922, Annals Transvaal Mus., VIII (4), p. 194.  Type, by original designation, Perdix sephaena A. Smith, 1836." (JAJ 2020).