The Fossil Bunting Emberiza shaamarica (Aves, Emberizidae)from the Upper Pliocene of Central Asia
New fossil bones of Rhodospiza shaamarica Zelenkov et Kurochkin, 2012 from the Upper Pliocene localities of Shaamar (Northern Mongolia) and Beregovaya (South Transbaikalia; Russia) are described. It is revealed that R. shaamarica indeed belongs to Emberiza of the family Emberizidae—it is the first fossil species of buntings known for Asia. Morphological similarity of E. shaamarica with modern Common Reed bunting E. schoeniclus is noted. The fossil record and evolutionary history of Emberiza is reviewed and analyzed. A taxonomical revision of the previously described fossil species of Emberiza is conducted.