Ultraconserved elements support the elevation of a new avian family, Eurocephalidae, the white-crowned shrikes

Abstract In this study, we infer genus-level relationships within shrikes (Laniidae), crows (Corvidae), and their allies using ultraconserved elements (UCEs). We confirm previous results of the Crested Shrikejay (Platylophus galericulatus) as comprising its own taxonomic family find strong support for sister relationship to laniid shrikes. also that African-endemic genus Eurocephalus, which comprises two allopatric species (E. ruppelli E. anguitimens), are not “true-shrikes”. propose elevating white-crowned family, Eurocephalidae.