 the rostratulidae (commonly known as painted-snipes), form a taxonomic family of wader species, composed of two genera: rostratula and nycticryphes. at present two species, the south american and greater painted-snipes, are not considered threatened by human activities; however, the australian painted-snipe has declined and is considered endangered in australia.lane, b.a.; & rogers, d.i. (2000). "the australian painted-snipe, rostratula (benghalensis) australis: an endangered species?". stilt 36: 26â34 ==classification== * family rostratulidae: painted-snipes ** genus rostratula: ***rostratula benghalensis, greater painted-snipe â found in marshes in africa, india and south-east asia. ***rostratula australis, australian painted-snipe â rare, nomadic and declining species found only in australia. ***â rostratula minator â extinct species described from pliocene deposits in south africa.r. minator description, department of vertebrate zoology at smithsonian institution ** genus nycticryptes: ***nycticryphes semicollaris, south american painted-snipe â inhabits grassy marshland in southern south america. ===phylogeny and evolution=== thumb|right|r. benghalensis with chicks the family rostratulidae encompasses two genera and four species (one extinct). painted-snipes superficially resemble true snipes but the two taxa are not closely related. instead the similarity can be attributed to convergent evolution where both groups have been subjected to similar selection pressures, thus promoting the evolution of analogous features such as a long slender bill and legs, mottled crypsis plumage and particular body proportions. while less similar in morphology, the species that are considered most closely related to painted-snipes are other members of the suborder thinocori; jacanas, seedsnipes and the plains wanderer.del hoyo, j.; elliot, a. & sargatal, j. (editors). (1996). handbook of the birds of the world. volume 3: hoatzin to auks. lynx edicions. isbn 84-87334-20-2 the painted-snipe, â rostratula minator was described in 1988 from deposits of the early pliocene found in langebaanweg, south africa. this is the first valid f
Rostratulidae