Phylogeny of the microcormorants, with the description of a new genus

Abstract The aptly named microcormorants (currently placed in the genus Microcarbo) form a morphologically diminutive and distinct clade sister to all other living cormorants shags. However, relationships within Microcarbo are largely speculative. Sequence data resolve these unambiguously, with our phylogeny suggesting that separated from ~16 Mya showing two African species [the reed (or long-tailed) cormorant, africanus, crowned coronatus] closely related taxa, forming diverged ~12 Mya. deep split between others is considerably older than many well-recognized generic splits (e.g. Leucocarbo Phalacrocorax). Thus, we suggest warrant their own genus, erect Afrocarbo, type Pelecanus africanus. Within reduced Microcarbo, estimate little pied cormorant (Microcarbo melanoleucos of Australasia) pair Javanese pygmy (respectively, niger south/southeast Asia pygmaeus Europe) ~9 latter ~2 Given age splits, appear represent another example morphological conservatism Suliformes.