A poultry try just one of a couple types of high wild birds regarding the genus Meleagris. Turkeys are classified on gamebird acquisition. Earlier, they certainly were considered a definite nearest and dearest, Meleagrididae, however, more recently these were reclassified due to the fact a subfamily (Meleagridinae) of your pheasants in addition to their partners. Like with of numerous galliform varieties, the female was smaller than the male, and far less colourful. And their wingspans of just one.5-step one.8 meters, new turkeys is actually by far the largest wild birds in the wild woods where they real time, and they are hardly mistaken for virtually any varieties.
The current domesticated chicken was created in the Nuts Chicken. The latest Ocellated Turkey are most likely in addition to domesticated by Mayans. It’s been speculated that this kinds is much more tractable than just their northern similar, and you can is the cause of your own expose tamed stock, but there is however zero morphological proof to support so it theory. Specifically, the brand new chest tuft from residential turkeys was an obvious indicator of descent about Wild Poultry, due to the fact Ocellated Poultry does not have this tuft.
Turkeys are extensively hunted, especially the Nuts Chicken for the America. Unlike their domestic counterparts, the brand new turkeys is cautious and nimble leaflets.
Naming
When Europeans basic encountered such varieties regarding the Americas, it incorrectly identified them with the fresh African Helmeted Guineafowl (Numida meleagris), also known as the fresh new turkey-knob from its importation in order to Main Europe as a consequence of Poultry, and also the label of these nation stuck just like the along with the name of one’s Western bird. The new frustration is additionally shown on medical identity: meleagris try Greek getting guinea-fowl.
New names to the tamed Poultry various other languages as well as appear to mirror their exotic origins, viewed out of a vintage Community opinion, and you will frustration regarding in which it actually originates from. The numerous references so you can Asia noticed in popular labels get back so you can a combination of one or two factors: first, the true faith the newly-located Americas was actually an integral part of East China, and you will 2nd, the fresh new tendency to feature unique develop for some sorts of set one during the time symbolized much-away from, unique lands. Aforementioned is reflected when it comes like ” Muscovy Duck” (which is regarding South usa, perhaps not Muscovy) and indeed was a major reasons why the name “turkey-cock” was transferred to Meleagris varieties.
Several other wild birds that are either named “turkeys” are not like directly relevant: new Australian brush-poultry is an effective megapode, in addition to bird identified because “Australian poultry” is really the fresh new Australian Bustard, good gruiform.
Asexual reproduction
Turkeys are notable for their capability, uncommon around higher types, to replicate asexually. On absence of a male, ladies Turkeys are recognized to develop rich eggs. The person brought is oftentimes sickly, and nearly always men. That it behavior can be interfere with the newest incubation out of egg inside the Turkey agriculture.
Fossil turkeys
Of a lot turkeys was indeed demonstrated from fossils. The latest Meleagridinae is understood about Very early Miocene (c.23 mya) ahead, to your extinct genera Rhegminornis (Very early Miocene from Bell, USA) and you may Proagriocharis (Kimball Late Miocene/Very early Pliocene regarding Orange Creek, USA). The former is probable furfling logowanie a basal poultry, the other a modern bird not very exactly like known turkeys; one another were far reduced birds. A turkey fossil maybe not assignable so you can genus but exactly like Meleagris known throughout the Late Miocene away from Westmoreland County, Virginia (Olson, 1985).
In the present genus Meleagris, a number of varieties was basically decribed, because the turkey fossils was robust, most of the time found, and you may turkes let you know much adaptation among anybody. Most of these supposed fossil kinds are now considered junior synonyms. You to definitely, the brand new better-reported Ca Chicken Meleagris californica, turned extinct has just adequate to was hunted of the very early peoples settlers, regardless of if their genuine passing is more probably attributable to environment change after the very last frost ages. The modern species and Ca Poultry appear to have diverged whenever one million years ago (Olson, 1985).
- Meleagris sp. (Early Pliocene from Limbs Valley, USA)
- Meleagris leopoldi (Late Pliocene off Cita Canyon, USA) – earlier Agriocharis
- Meleagris progenes (Rexroad Late Pliocene, Meade State, USA) – previously Agriocharis
- Meleagris sp. (Late Pliocene away from Macasphalt Cover Gap, USA)
- Meleagris anza (Very early Pleistocene regarding San diego Condition, USA)
- Meleagris californica (Late Pleistocene away from SW United states of america) – earlier Parapavo/Pavo
- Meleagris crassipes (Later Pleistocene away from SW North america)
