Asio

The genus Asio was introduced by the French zoologist Mathurin Jacques Brisson in 1760 with the long-eared owl (Asio otus) as the type species. The genus name is from asiō, the Latin name used by Pliny the Younger for a type of horned owl, the feather tufts on the head of these owls give the appearance of "ears" which is a defining characteristic. ==Species==

The genus contains the following nine species: }} }} }} Three fossil species are recognized: • Asio brevipes (Glenns Ferry Late Pliocene of Hagerman, USA) • Asio priscus (Late Pleistocene of San Miguel Island and Santa Rosa Island, USA) • Asio ecuadoriensis (Late Pleistocene of Ecuador) The supposed Late Eocene/Early Oligocene eared owl "Asio" henrici has been recognized as a member of the fossil barn-owl genus Selenornis. "Asio" pygmaeus (often misspelt pigmaeus) cannot be assigned to a genus without restudy of the material. "Asio" collongensis (Middle Miocene of Vieux-Collonges, France) is now placed in the genus Alasio. ==References==