| Salpornis | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Indian spotted creeper (Salpornis spilonota) | |
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Salpornithidae |
| Genus: | Salpornis G.R. Gray, 1847 |
| Type species | |
| Certhia spilonota[1] Franklin, 1831 | |
| Species | |
S. spilonota | |
Salpornis is agenus ofbirds which was usually included in the familyCerthiidae, but recently elevated to its own familySalpornithidae.[2] The genus has in the past also been included with thenuthatches in the familySittidae.Molecular phylogenetic analyses show them to be definitely within the Certhioidea but still leaves some uncertainty about their placement in relation to the generaSitta,Tichodroma andCerthia. While they appear similar to the treecreepers (Certhia), they do not use their tails to support them while climbing and some molecular evidence shows them to be closer to the nuthatches (Sitta)[3] while another study suggests a closer relation to the wallcreeperTichodroma muraria.[4] The generic name is derived from the Greeksalpinktes for wren andornis for bird.[5]
The tail has twelve feathers and is rounded at the tips. The nostril is exposed and there are no rictal bristles. The tongue ends in five bristles.[6]
The genus has two species with the African species earlier considered as a subspecies. Differences in size, calls andmitochondrial DNA sequences have supported the splitting of the African and Indian populations.[4]