Phylogeny, Taxonomy, and Geographic Diversity of Diurnal Raptors: Falconiformes, Accipitriformes, and Cathartiformes

An ideal taxonomy for organisms incorporates comprehensive knowledge of existing species diversity and their phylogenetic relationships. This knowledge is used in developing consistent criteria for recognizing and naming species as well as monophyletic groups (clades) above the species level, including genera, families, and orders. This provides well-justified, consensus names for taxa that can be used globally in studying and managing the health of species and their populations. Having the taxonomic hierarchy of names reflects evolutionary history and advances our understanding of the origins and causes of change over time in biological diversity.