Hi all,
Re subspecies vs race with my limited knowledge here's a bit of a rundown.
Swedish biologist Carl van Linné (usually known by the Latin version of his
name - Linnaeus) proposed that all species of plant and animal should be
identified by a unique Latin name in a standard form. This consists of two
parts: the name of the genus (or group of organisms), followed by a name
identifying the species within the genus.
This system was extended in the nineteenth century to include the possibility
to split a species into subspecies: if this is done a third name is added,
identifying the subspecies (or race - the terms are interchangeable). One of
the subspecies always takes the specific name . For example the scientific name
for Yelow Wagatail is Motacilla flava, so there's bound to be a Motacilla flava
flava (it's called the 'Blue-headed Wagtail'). This is called the nominate
subspecies.
Often there's strong debate amongst taxonomist (and twitchers) about the very
existence of species and subspecies. This seems to be the case with Yellow
Wagtail. Phylogenetic studies suggest that the three eastern subspecies
taivana, macronyx and tschutschensis are separate from the Western subspecies.
Consequently these were combined to form the Eastern Yellow Wagtail. This seems
to be backed up by bird calls - with all the Eastern subspecies sounding sharp,
and the European/Western subspecies giving a smooth "pseeu".
Also although most bird field guides traditionally describe local subspecies
they don't bother mapping them. Recently subspecies have started to appear in
field guide maps, with a good example being Michael Morecombe's 'Field Guide to
Australian Birds'. Personally I really like this approach, and commend Michael
for his colour maps. Maps now distinguishing subspecies such as the
'Black-winged Currawong', race melanoptera of the Grey Currawong, and the
'Black-capped Sitella', race pileata of Varied Sitella (once considered full
species). Despite the map boundaries usually being totally inaccurate, I find
it a very useful visual way of seeing where one race begins and another ends.
Cheers,
Tim Dolby
-----Original Message-----
From:
On Behalf Of
Sent: Tuesday, 24 February 2009 8:30 AM
To:
Subject: Subspecies vs Race
Hi birders.
What is the difference between subspecies and race? And how would they be
expressed when written when referring to a race or subspecies? Would they
be written in three parts as in Genus species subsp. or Genus species race?
Thanks in advance from the ultimate birding virgin. :)
Akos L
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