Ultraconserved elements support the elevation of a new avian family, Eurocephalidae, the white-crowned shrikes

<p>In this study, we infer genus-level relationships within shrikes (Laniidae), crows (Corvidae), and their allies using ultraconserved elements (UCEs). We confirm previous results of the Crested Shrikejay (<em>Platylophus</em> <em>galericulatus</em>) as comprising its own taxonomic family and find strong support for its sister relationship to laniid shrikes. We also find strong support that the African-endemic genus <em>Eurocephalus</em>, which comprises two allopatric species (<em>E. ruppelli </em>and<em> E. anguitimens</em>), are not shrikes. We propose elevating the white-crowned shrikes to their own family, Eurocephalidae. </p>