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Six genera of the Arini tribe form morphologically diverse group termed as Macaws. The presence of bare facial area distinguishes them from other members of the tribe. Genera and species of Macaw group differ in pattern of this bare skin as well as in body size. The genus Ara contains eight extant species. Two of them are classified as medium-sized Macaws and other six species are classified as large Macaws. Based on morphological similarities and differences, large Macaw species can be segregated into three pairs according to their plumage coloration. So far, representative mitochondrial genomes were sequenced only for Ara glaucogularis (blue and yellow coloration), Ara macao (predominantly red/scarlet) and Ara militaris (predominantly green) species. Ara ararauna is the second of two Ara species with predominant blue and yellow plumage. Hitherto, close phylogenetic relation of these two species was shown using only ND2 genes or incomplete combined COI/Cytb/ND2 sequences. Therefore, Ara ararauna mitogenome, which was sequenced in this study, will be indispensable to refine the phylogenetic relationships within Macaws group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of bare facial area distinguishes Macaws from other members of theArinitribe. Genera and species of the Macaw group differ in pattern of this bare skin as well as in body size. Individuals of the genera:Diopsittaca,Orthopsittaca,andPrimoliusare significantly smaller than the members of the genera:Anodorhynchus,Cyanopsitta,and the most species of the genusAra. The genusPrimoliuscontains three species:P. auricollis,P. couloni,andP. maracana, which are classified as medium-sized Macaws. So far, mitochondrial genome representative for the genus was sequenced only forPrimolius coulonispecies.Primolius maracanamitogenome, which was sequenced in this study, will be indispensable to refine the phylogenetic relationships betweenPrimoliusspecies, as results of molecular researches seems to be inconsistent withPrimoliusspecies morphology. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The Mitred Conure (Psittacara mitratus) is a species native to the forests and woodlands in the Andes in central Peru, south through west-central Bolivia, to northwestern Argentina. The genusPsittacarahave recently been distinguished on the basis of molecular revision of theAratingaspecies. In consequence, it became one of the nine genera, which form morphologically diverse group termed as Conures. Although, the number of species/subspecies belonging toPsittacararemains controversial, it is now believed that the genus is represented by 11 species. Taxonomic position of Mitred Conure was determined by molecular research and makes the species crucial for examination of evolutionary diversification of the genus. Therefore, we sequenced complete mitochondrial genome ofP. mitratusmitogenome to gain a source of comprehensive molecular data. It will be indispensable to refine the phylogenetic relationships within “Psittacaragroup” as well as within the tribe Arini. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to some taxonomists the Red-throated Conure (Psittacara rubritorquis) is considered a subspecies of Green Conure (Psittacara holochlora). Some other classifications treatrubritorquisas a separate species based on relatively minor morphological differences between both species/subspecies. So far, taxonomic position ofP. rubritorquiswas determined by molecular researches using only ND2 gene sequence or incomplete combined mitochondrial ND2, COI and CYTB gene sequences. Obtained outcomes found thatP. rubritorquisshould be treated as a subspecies ofP. holochlora. However, the lack ofP. h. brewsteriiandP. h. strenuasamples as well as incompleteness of combined mitochondrial sequence do not exclude opposite scenario. Therefore, we sequencedP. rubritorquismitogenome to gain a source of molecular data appropriate for future examination of evolutionary diversification of theP. holochloragroup. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]