There are apparently 22 known specimens in various museums around the
world. I would think it quite possible to use DNA analysis on those to
make some estimates of population sizes etc. and their relationship to
the recent samples. I would be surprised if that is not already being
done or at least considered.
Cheers
Andrew
On 10/08/2013 10:30 AM, Peter Shute wrote:
Have there ever been any attempts to estimate what the population size might
have been 200 years ago?
Peter Shute
Sent from my iPad
On 10/08/2013, at 11:34 AM, "John Graff" <> wrote:
From the SPRAT profile for the species
"The small number of confirmed or verifiable records prevents the population size from
being assessed with any accuracy. However, the population size is speculatively estimated to
consist of about 50 breeding birds (Garnett & Crowley 2000)."
Garnett, S.T. & G.M. Crowley (2000). The Action Plan for Australian Birds
2000. [Online]. Canberra, ACT: Environment Australia and Birds Australia.
Available from:
http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/publications/action/birds2000/index.html.
Cheers,
John
From:
To:
Date: Sat, 10 Aug 2013 01:25:43 +0000
CC:
Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] DNA confirms elusive Night Parrot found
Hi Lawrie,
I've also often wondered why that figure gets bandied about. I blame a non-inquiring
media. Like you Lawrie, I can't believe there would be so few, for the reason you stated.
I suspect someone was put on the spot by a journo at some point and said some offhand
comment like "maybe there's as few as 250". One factoid born!
Eric
On 10/08/2013, at 10:42 AM, "Lawrie Conole" <> wrote:
Thanks for posting that David.
The 'factoid' repeated in this story and in various versions elsewhere -
that there are only 50-250 Night Parrots in existence - continues to amaze
me. Having just completed a PVA (population viability analysis) for
Carnaby's Cockatoo, I have contemplated some of the demographic factors
that allow a species to persist. If, as it appears likely, that Night
Parrots still exist in SW Qld and NW WA (and tantalisingly maybe in NW
Vic), there would have to be >250 birds extant across this broad brown
land, surely. Maybe the difficulty associated with finding the things
clouds otherwise clear heads, and generates low estimates in an attempt to
rationalise the tiny number of sightings by biologists/naturalists??
L.
++++++++++++
Lawrie Conole
Kyneton 3444
Australia
lconole[at]gmail.com
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