Oedistoma iliolophus

Taxonomy: Melilestes iliolophus Salvadori, 1876, Meos Num and Yapen Island, Geelvink Bay, New Guinea.Genus was in the past usually placed in the honeyeater family (Meliphagidae), but DNA studies indicate that it belongs with current family. Has sometimes been subsumed in genus Toxorhamphus, despite the fact that it predates latter by almost 40 years. Present species sometimes placed in genus Melanocharis, and phylogenetic analysis based on protein allozymes suggested closer affiliation to that genus than to Toxorhamphus. Relationship with O. pygmaeum, however, uncertain, and further genetic work required in order to reveal true taxonomic positions of the two. Species name often listed as iliolophum, but should be treated as a noun, and thus invariable; race fergussonis often listed as fergussone, but this name is not demonstrably adjectival and should be treated as a noun in genitive case, therefore invariable. Five subspecies recognized. (source: Handbook of the Birds of World)