Eastern Great Egret - C & B state that Ardea alba as it stands is likely to
consist of several species. Genetic and behavioural data indicates that
Asian and Australian birds are distinct from birds in the rest of the world
so were split as Ardea modesta Eastern Great Egret. The remaining birds are
retained as one species Ardea alba at present but are likely to be split in
the future when further work is done.
Eastern Osprey - Genetic data has indicated that three of the four
subspecies of the Osprey Pandion haliaetus are distinct enough to have
specific status. Australasian birds which extend to the Pacific Islands and
Indonesia, become Pandion cristatus Eastern Osprey. North American and
Caribbean birds have not been split.
I collected 10 blood samples from nestling Ospreys some years back and sent
them to Germany where DNA testing was being carried out. When the papers
were published on the genetic differences in the Osprey subspecies I was
very happy that my small contribution had been a some value - until I
realised that "the opposition" had beaten the researcher that I had
supported to the post and my samples may have been of little use. Looks
like I backed the wrong horse!!
Greg Clancy
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