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| Zosterops flavissimus E. J. O. Hartert, 1903
in O’Connell, Kelly, Lawless, et al., 2019.
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Abstract
Research in the Indo-Pacific region has contributed massively to the understanding of speciation. White-eyes (Aves: Zosteropidae: Zosterops), a lineage containing both widespread ‘supertramp’ species and a high proportion of island endemics, have provided invaluable models. Molecular tools have increased speciation research, but delimiting species remains problematic. We investigated the evolutionary history of Zosterops species in south-east Sulawesi using mitochondrial DNA, morphometric, song and plumage analyses, to draw species limits and assess which techniques offer best resolution. Our investigation revealed a novel Zosterops species, >3000 km from its closest relative. Additionally, we demonstrated unanticipated diversity in the alleged ‘supertramp’ Zosterops chloris and propose the Wakatobi Islands subspecies (Zosterops c. flavissimus) to be given full species status. Furthermore, we provide the first molecular and phenotypic assessment of the Sulawesi endemic Zosterops consobrinorum. While local populations of this species vary in either genetics or morphometrics, none show consistency across measures. Therefore, we propose no change to Zosterops consobrinorum taxonomy. This study gives insight into one of the great Indo-Pacific radiations and demonstrates the value of using multiple lines of evidence for taxonomic review.
Keywords: birds, evolution, Indonesia, islands, new species, Wallacea
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| Zosterops sp. nov. ‘Wangi-wangi white-eye’
photo: James Eaton.
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| Zosterops flavissimus E. J. O. Hartert, 1903 Wakatobi white-eye.
photo: Seán Kelly.
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Darren P. O’Connell, David J. Kelly, Naomi Lawless, Katie O’Brien, Fionn Ó Marcaigh, Adi Karya, Kangkuso Analuddin and Nicola M Marples. 2019. A Sympatric Pair of Undescribed White-eye Species (Aves: Zosteropidae: Zosterops) with Different Origins. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. zlz022. DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlz022
Zoologists discover two new bird species in Indonesia phys.org/news/2019-04-zoologists-bird-species-indonesia.html via @physorg_com
