RE: White-capped albatross Thalassarche steadi

["Conole, Lawrie" <>]

> This is exactly the case.  The New Zealand population of White-capped
> Albatross is distinct from the Australian populations, now known as
> Shy
> Albatross, in a number of ways.  Unfortunately, plumage
> characteristics are
> not one of these!!
> 
Is this albatross shake-up just the phylogenetic species concept (PSC)
gone completely feral, or are the differences genuinely significant?  I
presume as albatrosses generally breed only on their respective natal
islands, this is the basis for them having been reproductively isolated
for long enough to have diverged from each other, and thus the
justification for splitting them into species rather than
races/forms/ssp??

Presumable the Rufous Scrub-birds on various mountain tops are in line
for splitting too if the PSC is followed to its rational end point
............  (just stirring, but respond if you care/dare).

Lawrie Conole
2/45 Virginia Street
Newtown 3220 Victoria
AUSTRALIA