But then isn't that an affectation of us humans to split according to visual
differences (e.g. splitting Adelaide before recognising FNQ ''elegans'' as
species...)?
Cas
-----Original Message-----
From:
On Behalf Of Phil & Sue
Gregory
Sent: Thursday, 3 January 2013 4:21 PM
To:
Subject: Splits 2
Ah yes, rosellas, maybe we should split Adelaide and the FNQ birds as well?
I opted for a compromise as it seems to me Yellow looks so different and has
different habitat, but these things are not exactly set in stone, I fear
it's a case of large white-headed gull syndrome in Europe where there are a
multitude of different ways to classify the species formerly known as
Herring Gull. I tend to avoid going solely by DNA results, and like to look
at morphology, habitat, vocalizations etc but it all comes down to a matter
of opinion.
The Ringnecks are a similar category, there was very interesting paper a
while back (which I don't currently have to hand) which split out 3 quite
distinct clades, roughly corresponding to Australian Ringneck, Mallee
Ringneck and also Cloncurry Ringneck, and this made good sense to me though
I have hedged on Cloncurry for the moment. Not sure where the Flinders Ra.
birds fit, don't they look like the western types? Be good to have a look at
Double-eyed Fig-Parrots too.
Shrike-tits seem to me to be a clear cut split, with distinct morphology and
occurring in areas with high endemism. Northern (and maybe also Western?)
has very different calls, so rather than wait forever for DNA analysis
results I went with what looks pretty clear already, indeed as the prescient
Dick Schodde & ian Mason suggested in their landmark Directory of Australian
Birds, where virtually all the proposed splits have come to pass or are
pending.
Cheers
Phil
Website 1: Http://www.sicklebillsafaris.com Website 2:
Http://www.cassowary-house.com.au
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