Distinguishing genetic relations and associations with Diurnal birds of prey and owls opposed to morphological evidence, is it important?

Birds of prey (Raptors) are characteristically carnivorous birds that hunt their prey and stated by an adaption of Baird are in the Order: Raptores, consisting of Vultures, Diurnal raptors (osprey, kites, falcons, eagles) and nocturnal raptors being owls (Sibley, C.G. & Ahlquist, J.E 1990).

The raptors classifications are generally distinguished by physical (morphological) characteristics for instance, some eagles and their feathered "booted" legs, also behavioural features that can be used in the field (Morris, F.T 1976, Weick, F. & L.H, Brown 1980). Because of this early scientists may have associated the two orders closely, as mentioned by Sibley& Ahlquist (1990 p.178) in their adaption of Bairds classification. But with the development of DNA analysis, scientists were able to classify organisms based on not just characteristics but genetics as well. This classification is determined specifically by the closeness and relationship between sequences of genes found along the DNA of organisms (Sibley, G. C. & Ahlquist, J. E. 1990, King, R.C. & Stansfield, W.D. 2006).

Thus leading to the classification of diurnal raptors and owls, looking at Order classification. Diurnal raptors are classified under the Order: Falconiformes, with five families within that order, sharing a common ancestor, whereas owls are classified by the Order: Strigiformes, with two families (Wink, M. and Sauer-Gürth, H., 2004, Brown, L. & Amadon, D. 1968, Christidis, L. & Boles W.E. 2008). Although with DNA analysis, the issue of properly distinguishing the relationships of owls and diurnal raptors was apparent. As mentioned by Christidis & Boles (2008 p.54), scientists formed associations with nightjars and owls,  others suggested that Strigiformes might have a weak relation with Falconiformes based on genetics. Further more with similarities in bone structures of the owl and diurnal raptors, Mayr (2005 p.639) suggested Strigiformes are a sister group to Falconiformes, although without sufficient data as proof for this, it was not conclusive.

Therefore determining an organisms’ relationship with DNA analysis, such as the owls and Diurnal raptors, is definitely something that should be of importance as it could indicate the evolutionary history of that particular organism. Overall determining how they might have evolved specific features and the relationships that they have with other organisms.

Reference:

Books:

• Brown, L. & Amadon, D. 1968, 'cLASSIFICATION AND dISTRIBUTION', in Balding and Mansell (eds), Eagles, Hawks and Falcons of the World, Hamlyn Publishing, Great Britian. pp.17-21
• Christidis, L. & Boles W.E. 2008, 'Higher-level avian systematics', in J  Kelly (eds), Systematics and Taxonomy of Australian Birds, CSIRO, Victoria. pp. 52-54.

• King, R.C. & Stansfield, W.D. 2006, A dictionary of genetics, 7th edn, Oxford University Press, New York. 

• Morris, F.T 1976, Birds of Prey of Australia, Lansdowne Editions, Melbourne. pp.14-23.

• Sibley, G. C. & Ahlquist, J. E. 1990, 'Structure and Properties of DNA', in J J Johnson (eds), Phylogeny and Classification of Birds: A study in Molecular Evolution, Yale University Press, United States of America. pp. 27-29.
• Sibley, G. C. & Ahlquist, J. E. 1990, 'A Chronological Survey of the Classification of Birds',  in J J Johnson (eds), Phylogeny and Classification of Birds: A study in Molecular Evolution, Yale University Press, United States of America. pp.187
• Sibley, G. C. & Ahlquist, J. E. 1990, 'Structure and Properties of DNA', in J J Johnson (eds), Phylogeny and Classification of Birds: A study in Molecular Evolution, Yale University Press, United States of America. pp. 245
• Weick, F. & L.H, Brown 1980, 'Topography of diurnal bird of prey (Heterospizias)', in P Parley (eds), Birds of Prey of the World, Collins, London. pp.12
• Weick, F. & L.H, Brown 1980, 'Key for identifying', in P Parley (eds), Birds of Prey of the World, Collins, London. pp.124

Scientific papers:

• Mayr, G. 2005, "The postcranial osteology and phylogenetic position of the Middle Eocene Messelastur gratulator Peters, 1994—a morphological link between owls (Strigiformes) and falconiform birds?", Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, vol. 25, no. 3, pp. 639-640.

• Wink, M. and Sauer-Gürth, H., 2004. “Phylogenetic relationships in diurnal raptors based on nucleotide sequences of mitochondrial and nuclear marker genes”, Raptors worldwide. WWGBP, Berlin, pp.483-487.