Swamphen

The genus Porphyrio was introduced by the French zoologist Mathurin Jacques Brisson in 1760 with the western swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio) as the type species. The genus name Porphyrio is the Latin name for "swamphen".

Species

The genus contains 10 extant species and two that have become extinct in historical times:

Extant species

• Purple swamphen complex
  • Western swamphen, Porphyrio porphyrio
  • African swamphen, Porphyrio madagascariensis
  • Grey-headed swamphen, Porphyrio poliocephalus
  • Black-backed swamphen, Porphyrio indicus
  • Philippine swamphen, Porphyrio pulverulentus
  • Australasian swamphen or pūkeko, Porphyrio melanotus
• South Island takahē, Porphyrio hochstetteri
• Allen's gallinule or lesser gallinule, Porphyrio alleni (formerly Porphyrula alleni)
• American purple gallinule, Porphyrio martinica (formerly Porphyrula martinica)
• Azure gallinule, Porphyrio flavirostris

Extinct species

• White swamphen or Lord Howe swamphen Porphyrio albus (early 19th century)
• Réunion swamphen or oiseau bleu, Porphyrio coerulescens (18th century, hypothetical species)
• Marquesas swamphen, Porphyrio paepae (prehistoric or c. 1900)
• North Island takahē or moho, Porphyrio mantelli (prehistoric or the 1890s)
• New Caledonian swamphen, Porphyrio kukwiedei (prehistoric or more recent)
• Huahine swamphen, Porphyrio mcnabi (prehistoric)
• Porphyrio claytongreenei (prehistoric)
• Buka swamphen, Porphyrio sp. (prehistoric)
• New Ireland swamphen, Porphyrio sp. (prehistoric)
• Norfolk Island swamphen, Porphyrio sp. (prehistoric)
• Rota swamphen, Porphyrio sp. (prehistoric)
• Mangaia swamphen/woodhen, ?Porphyrio sp. (prehistoric) - would belong into Porphyrula, Gallinula or Pareudiastes (the latter genus if it is considered valid)