Rallus Madagascariensis Bird

English Name:  Madagascar Rail
Latin Name:  Rallus madagascariensis
Protonym:  Rallus Madagascariensis S.Afr.Q.J.(2) -2 p.80
Taxonomy:  Gruiformes / Rallidae / Rallus
Taxonomy Code:  madrai1
Type Locality:  Madagascar.
Author:  Verreaux, J
Publish Year:  1833
IUCN Status:  Vulnerable

DEFINITIONS

RALLUS
(Rallidae; Ϯ Water Rail R. aquaticus) Probably from Med. French Rasle or Râle  rail (supported by Sundevall 1873: "Nomen Rallus, primum Rasle, Bélon, dein Râle, est vox gallica medii ævi, nec latina, sed usu diuturno probata",  and BOU 1915: “the latinized form of the French Rale, our Rail, Dutch Ral”), but Gessner 1555 states, "Rallus hæc avis circa Venetias appellatur", and Macleod 1954, has “Latinized form of German ralle, rail (bird)”; "83. RALLUS.  Rostrum basi crassius, compressum, dorso attenuatum apicem versus, æquale, acutum.  Pedes tetradactyli, fissi.  Corpus compressum." (Linnaeus 1758); ex “Rallus aquaticus” of Willughby 1676, and “Water Rail. Rallus Aquaticus” of Albin 1731; "Rallus Linné, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, 1, 1758, p. 153. Type, by subsequent designation, Rallus aquaticus Linné. (Fleming, Mem. Wernerian Nat. Hist. Soc., 3, 1821, p. 176.)" (Peters 1934, II, 157). Linnaeus's Rallus comprised five species (R. Crex, R. aquaticus, R. lariformis, R. benghalensis, R. carolinus).
Var. Railus, Ralus, Rallas, Rullus, Ballus.
Synon. Biensis, Epirallus.

madagarensis / madagascariensis / madagascarina / madagascarinus / madagascarius
Madagascar  < Madageiscar, said to be a 13th century corruption of Mogadishu (Persian Maq'ad is-Shah  seat of the king), the Somali port with which Marco Polo confused the island.
● ex “Palumbus coeruleus Madagascariensis” of Brisson 1760 (Alectroenas).
● ex “Ficedula madagascariensis major” of Brisson 1760, “Vira-ombé de Madagascar” of Sonnerat 1782, and “Madagascar Flycatcher” of Latham 1783 (Bernieria).
● ex “Lanius madagascariensis minor” of Brisson 1760 (Calicalicus); ex “Grimpereau violet de Madagascar” of Brisson 1760 (syn. Cinnyris souimanga).
● ex “Coucou verdâtre de Madagascar” of d’Aubenton 1765-1781, pl. 815, and “Great Madagascar Cuckow” of Latham 1783 (syn. Coua gigas).
● ex “Lanius madagascariensis caeruleus” of Brisson 1760 (Cyanolanius).
● ex “Rolle de Madagascar” of d’Aubenton 1765-1781, pl. 501, “Rollier de Madagascar” of de Buffon 1770-1786, and “Madagascar Roller” of Latham 1781 (syn. Eurystomus glaucurus).
● ex “Cardinal de Madagascar” of Brisson 1760 (Foudia).
● Erroneous TL. Madagascar and Mauritius (= China); ex “Francolin de l’isle de France” of Sonnerat 1776, and “Pintado Partridge” of Latham 1783 (syn. Francolinus pintadeanus).
● Erroneous TL. Madagascar (= Réunion); ex Upupa capensis Gmelin 1788 (‡syn. Fregilupus varius).
● (Boddaert 1783) ex “Merle de Madagascar” of d’Aubenton 1765-1781, pl. 557, fig. 1, and “Tanaombé” of de Buffon 1770-1783 (syn. Hartlaubius auratus).
● (J. Gmelin 1789) ex “Merula madagascariensis” of Brisson 17690, “Merle de Madagascar” of d’Aubenton 1765-1781, pl. 557, fig. 1, “Tanaombé” of de Buffon 1770-1783, and “Madagascar Thrush” of Latham 1783 (syn. Hartlaubius auratus).
● ex “Merle cendré de Madagascar” of Brisson 1760, and “Ourovang” of d’Aubenton 1765-1781, pl. 557, fig. 2 (Hypsipetes).
● ex “Grande Caille de Madagascar” and “Caille brune de Madagascar” of Sonnerat 1782 (Margaroperdix).
● ex “Sarcelle de Madagascar” of de Buffon 1770-1785, and “Madagascar Teal” of Latham 1785 (syn. Nettapus auritus).
● Erroneous TL Madagascar (= Macassar, Celebes); ex “Courlis de Madagascar” of Brisson 1760 (Numenius).
● ex “Luscinia madagascariensis” of Brisson 1760, “Foudi-jala” of de Buffon 1770-1783, and “Madagascar Warbler” of Latham 1783 (Oxylabes).
● Erroneous TL. Madagascar (= Malacca); ex “Merle des Moluques” of d’Aubenton 1765-1781, pl. 257, and “Breve de Madagascar” of de Buffon 1770-1783 (syn. Pitta moluccensis).
● ex “Poule Sultane” of Brisson 1760, and “Talève de Madagascar” of d’Aubenton 1765-1781, pl. 810 (Porphyrio).
● ex “Ficedula madagascariensis minor” of Brisson 1760, “Cheric” of de Buffon 17790-1783, and “White-eyed Warbler” of Latham 1783 (syn. Zosterops maderaspatanus).