Thanks Mike,
I don't know enough about genetics, but I find it hard to imagine a process of
speciation that would have Tassie Boobooks in the same taxon as NZ birds, but a
different taxon to the mainland Boobooks!!
It does give me an easy armchair tick!
Thanks again,
John Tongue
Ulverstone, Tas.
On 16/06/2012, at 6:50 PM, Mike Carter wrote:
> Coming from Tasmania as you do, I'm not surprised that you raised this one
> and I apologise for misleading everyone by telling only half the story.
>
> Firstly, whilst the IOC recognises that the Boobook from Lord Howe Island is
> extinct, that is not their position with regard to the bird on Norfolk
> Island. Whilst I believe that the last surviving NI Boobook is now dead and
> prior to her decease due to extreme age had not bred for several years, I
> think that some believe that her genes live on within the current hybrid
> stock. The males were introduced NZ Moreporks so that may justify the use of
> that name. I think someone told me that female genes are more significant in
> these respects. I hope someone with a better understanding of both these
> matters can clarify.
>
> But of more interest to all Australians and you in particular as well of some
> of us here in Victoria and South Australia where from time to time claims of
> Tasmanian Boobooks having crossed Bass Strait derive, is the fact that the
> IOC consider the that your Tasmanian Boobook is a different species to ours
> on the mainland! They lump it with the NZ Morepork!!! Many, many years ago
> Les Christidis told me that the Tasmanian bird was a different species but I
> was not aware of its closer relationship to the NZ form.
>
> Mike Carter
> 30 Canadian Bay Road
> Mount Eliza VIC 3930
> Tel (03) 9787 7136
>
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