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Family Meliphagidae (Honeyeaters)
Abstract
Each chapter in the 17 volumes of the Handbook of the Birds of the World (HBW) is a monograph of an avian family, split into two main sections: a family account, which provides a detailed description of the general aspects of the group, followed by the individual species accounts. The family text is organised in sections: Systematics, Morphological Aspects, Habitat, General Habits, Voice, Food and Feeding, Breeding, Movements, Relationship with Man, and Status and Conservation, and closes with a general bibliography. The chapter is generously illustrated with colour photographs. The individual species accounts, provide a detailed description in a condensed form of the topics covered in the family text: nomenclature of the species, Taxonomy, Subspecies and Distribution, Descriptive notes, Habitat, Food and Feeding, Breeding, Movements and Status and Conservation. A bibliography is included at the end of each species account. Distribution maps and colour plates are provided for all species, including all significant sexual and subspecific differences.
... Honeyeaters of the genus Myzomela constitute an important Australasian bird radiation that has colonized many islands throughout the Indonesian and Melanesian archipelagos (Higgins et al. 2018;Eaton et al. 2016). These colorful nectarivores are an important component of insular ecosystems and often make up some of the most abundant canopy birds of local avifaunas across eastern Indonesia. ...
... Their taxonomy has gone through upheaval as classifications have differed in the number of species that have been recognized. There has been a considerable increase in the number of recognized species in more recent taxonomic classifications that affords importance to vocal characters and critical color traits (e.g., Eaton et al. 2016;Higgins et al. 2018;Prawiradilaga et al. 2017). ...
... pammelaena) and Sooty Myzomela (M. tristrami) (Higgins et al. 2018). The geographically most appropriate comparison is probably with another Lesser Sundaic species pair: Sumba Myzomela (M. ...
We here describe a new species of Myzomela honeyeater from the Lesser Sunda island of Alor (southeast Indonesia). The new species is phylogenetically most closely related to Myzomela kuehni from the adjacent island of Wetar and most closely resembles that species in plumage. However, it differs in important morphological, bioacoustic and ecological characteristics. The discovery of a new bird species on Alor is of great biogeographic importance and elevates this island to the status of an Endemic Bird Area. The new Alor Myzomela is restricted to montane eucalypt woodland mostly above 900 m elevation and is currently known from few sites across the island. Based on its occurrence records and human population trends in the highlands of Alor Island, we recommend classification under the IUCN threat status endangered.
... The Meliphagidae (honeyeaters) is the largest radiation of birds endemic to Australasia. The family includes >100 species in Australia and New Guinea (Schodde and Mason 1999;Higgins et al. 2001Higgins et al. , 2008Schodde 2006), and~60 species on islands ranging from Wallacea to Polynesia. The family exhibits dramatic morphological and ecological diversity: its species inhabit every terrestrial habitat in Australia, from desert to rainforest (Schodde and Mason 1999;Simpson et al. 1999;Schodde 2006), and as many as 12 honeyeater species co-occur at some sites (Keast 1985). ...
... Indeed, by means of their extreme aggression, some species even serve as modifiers of continental-scale avifaunal community structure (Maron et al. 2013;MacNally et al. 2014;O'Loughlin et al. 2015). Honeyeaters are markedly diverse in morphology (length 9-50 cm; body mass 7-150 g), feeding ecology (nectarivory, insectivory, frugivory; diet specialists and generalists), habitat (montane tropics to arid deserts), movement (sedentary to migratory), and social organisation (solitary to group-living) (Higgins et al. 2001(Higgins et al. , 2008. This extreme diversity is manifested over a broad geographic range, with significant species diversity on mainland Australia and New Guinea, and on islands across Wallacea and Oceania. ...
... Together with the Acanthizidae (Australasian warblers) and Maluridae (Australasian wrens), they form the superfamily Meliphagoidea (= infraorder Meliphagides, sensu Cracraft 2014), a clade that began diversifying within Australasia at the Oligocene-Miocene boundary (Moyle et al. 2016). In contrast to other oscine families that originated in Australia and subsequently colonised much of the world, meliphagids are restricted almost entirely to Australo-Papua and Oceania (Mayr 1942;Sibley and Ahlquist 1990;Longmore 1991;Ericson et al. 2002;Fleischer et al. 2008;Gardner et al. 2010); only one meliphagid species (Lichmera limbata) occurs marginally west of Wallace's Line, on Bali (Ford 2001;Higgins et al. 2001Higgins et al. , 2008. A seminal early molecular phylogenetic study of the family (Driskell and Christidis 2004) pointed out inconsistencies between existing taxonomy and phylogenetic patterns, but the study included only sparse sampling of characters and taxa. ...
The honeyeaters are the most species-rich clade of birds east of Wallace's Line. They occupy a wide range of habitats, from desert to rainforest, and occur throughout Australia, New Guinea, and oceanic islands across Wallacea and the Pacific. Honeyeater natural history is well charac-terised, but comparative studies of this group are hampered by the lack of a well-supported phylogeny. Here, we infer the first genome-scale, genus-level phylogeny of the honeyeaters using 4397 ultraconserved elements from 57 species. We analysed the data using concatenated and species-tree approaches, and we found support for novel clades previously undetected in analyses of single-or multi-locus datasets. Despite sequencing thousands of loci, phylogenetic relationships of the New Caledonian Crow Honeyeater (Gymnomyza aubryana) remain equivocal. This study provides a new phylogenetic framework from which to study the ecology and evolution of one of Australasia's most iconic avian clades. ARTICLE HISTORY
... The bird family Meliphagidae (Honeyeaters) is a widespread taxon that has diversity centred within Australia and New Guinea (Ford 2001). Member species extend in an arc east of the island of Java (Indonesia) to the Northern Mariana Islands in the north, American Samoa to the west and south to below Australia and New Zealand to the subantarctic Auckland Islands (Ford 2001, Higgins et al. 2017b. This largely insular distribution supports high numbers of single-island endemics at different taxonomic levels that pose a challenge for both phylogenetic systematics and conservation (Hazevoet 2010, Andersen et al. 2014, Joseph et al. 2014. ...
... Consistent with ecological theory relating to bird densities on islands (Crowell 1962, Blondel 2000, this diverse habitat and resource use has allowed high population densities, conferring a level of resilience to the species. Overall, the broad diet of the species is similar to other widespread Meliphagidae spp. with invertebrates forming a large portion of a diet that is supplemented with nectar and fruit resources (Ford 2001, Higgins et al. 2017b. ...
... This is the typical clutch size for most Meliphagids, which can range from only one in old island endemic species (e.g. Gymnomyza species; Stirnemann et al. 2016) to occasionally up to three or four in relatively closely related species such as the Lewin's Honeyeater M. lewinii (Higgins et al. 2001, Higgins et al. 2017b. Though a small clutch size might be expected for an old island endemic species (Blondel 2000, Covas 2012, supporting a slow life history and the threat of protracted extinction lags (Saether et al. 2004, 2005, Covas 2012; the clutch size of this species does not indicate a deep history of insular evolution. ...
We conducted research into the ‘Data Deficient’ and endemic Tagula Honeyeater Microptilotis vicina of the Louisiade Archipelago, Papua New Guinea. This species was only observed on Sudest and Junet Islands. Islands were visited between October and January in the years from 2012–2014 and in 2016. We conducted the first assessment of spatial and habitat use by this species using radio-tracking in 2016. These findings were also used to inform estimates using traditional population density methods. CTMM package in R was used for home-range estimation for the tracked honeyeaters. Our results supported that members of this species display territoriality during the breeding season, occupying a mean of 2.0 ± 0.6 (SE) ha on Junet Island (n = 5). Whether individuals defended defined territories at other times of the year was not known but re-sightings of marked birds confirmed them to be locally resident. Population estimates ranged between 53,000 and 85,000 individuals. However, more conservative estimates nearing 50,000 individuals were considered prudent given lower population densities observed on parts of the larger Sudest Island (0.64/ha). This species utilised the canopy and understorey layers in a range of habitats from mangroves at sea-level, gardens and regrowth of various ages to cloud forest on the highest point of Sudest Island (∼800 m asl). Dietary observations support that like many closely related species, Tagula Honeyeaters have a broad diet of mostly insects supplemented with nectar and fruit. Observations indicated that this species had life history attributes toward the slower end of the spectrum but similar to other congeners. Vocalisations were more diverse in both structure and complexity than those of suspected close relatives the Mimic Microptilotis analogus and Graceful Microptilotis gracilis Honeyeaters. Morphological measures were similarly different, supporting species level recognition.
... The Meliphagidae (honeyeaters) is no exception. Honeyeaters comprise the largest avian radiation east of Wallace's line-the family exhibits vast morphological and ecological diversity and can be found across Wallacea and eastwards to remote Polynesian islands (Higgins, Christidis, & Ford, 2008;Winkler, Billerman, & Lovette, 2015). Molecular systematics has led to an upheaval of genus-level honeyeater taxonomy (Driskell & Christidis, 2004;Joseph et al., 2014). ...
... One of the largest traditionally recognized genera of honeyeaters, Meliphaga Lewin, 1808, has long been considered to comprise 15 species (Gill & Donsker, 2018). Though they have profoundly different vocalizations and occupy diverse habitats (tropical sandstone escarpments to subalpine forest), most of the species have strikingly similar drab, olive-green plumage and often with a yellow auricular spot (Higgins et al., 2008). All of the species occur in either Australia or New Guinea, except the Streak-breasted honeyeater (Meliphaga reticulata) on Timor Island in the Lesser Sundas. ...
... As Joseph et al. (2014) remarked, the question then becomes one of understanding what has maintained their plumage similarity over F I G U R E 4 General map of proposed genus ranges. Species ranges are from Handbook of the Birds of the World (Higgins et al., 2008) and Birds of New Guinea (Beehler and Pratt 2016). For colour, the reader is referred to the online version of the paper so many millions of years. ...
Molecular systematics is bringing taxonomy into the 21st Century by updating our nomenclature to reflect phylogenetic relationships of taxa. This transformation is evidenced by massive changes in avian taxonomy, ranging from ordinal to subspecies changes. In this study, we employ target capture of ultraconserved elements to resolve genus‐level systematics of a problematic group of honeyeaters (Aves: Meliphagidae). With near complete species‐level taxon sampling of the Australo‐Papuan species within the traditionally recognized Meliphaga and Oreornis, we investigate generic limits using a genomic dataset. Likelihood and species tree methods confirm two clades within this group and found the New Guinea endemic Oreornis chrysogenys embedded within one of these clades. Our study supports earlier recommendations that Meliphaga Lewin, 1808 should be restricted to three species, M. aruensis, M. lewinii and M. notata. We make a case for recognizing three genera in the remaining species, Oreornis van Oort, 1910, Microptilotis Mathews, 1912 and Territornis Mathews, 1924.
... Significant variation in ecology, morphology and life-history traits is evident in the Meliphagides, particularly within the species-rich Meliphagidae (honeyeaters) (Keast, 1976;Schodde and Mason, 1999;Higgins et al., 2008). Honeyeaters exhibit extreme variation in body size, ranging from the diminutive Mountain Myzomela (Myzomela adolphinae, 6-7 g) to the large MacGregor's Honeyeater (Macgregoria pulchra, >350 g) of New Guinea (Higgins et al., 2008). ...
... Significant variation in ecology, morphology and life-history traits is evident in the Meliphagides, particularly within the species-rich Meliphagidae (honeyeaters) (Keast, 1976;Schodde and Mason, 1999;Higgins et al., 2008). Honeyeaters exhibit extreme variation in body size, ranging from the diminutive Mountain Myzomela (Myzomela adolphinae, 6-7 g) to the large MacGregor's Honeyeater (Macgregoria pulchra, >350 g) of New Guinea (Higgins et al., 2008). Meliphagids are widely distributed throughout all major habitat types in Australia and the Indo-Pacific. ...
... Meliphagids are widely distributed throughout all major habitat types in Australia and the Indo-Pacific. Most honeyeater species share adaptations towards a diet rich in nectar, including a long decurved bill and a brush-tipped tongue, but a few species appear to be exclusively insectivorous or frugivorous (Keast, 1985;Higgins et al., 2008). The four remaining families of Meliphagides all comprise very small-to medium-sized species that are largely or exclusively insectivorous, as well as the substantially granivorous Australian grasswrens (Amytornis) (Rowley and Russell, 1997;Schodde and Mason, 1999). ...
... Giluwe, Mt. Hagen and the Kubor Range, mainly at 3,000-3,800 m (Higgins et al. 2008) but recently recorded to 4,200 m and extends to 2,750 m (Coates & Peckover 2001). On Mt. ...
... On Mt. Wilhelm, previously reported mainly above 3,050 m (Coates & Peckover 2001, Higgins et al. 2008. Very abundant at 3,200-3,700 m, but none found in denser forest at lower elevations, and the species seems to prefer scattered trees at the tree line. ...
... Resident of Saruwaged Mountains (Huon Peninsula), Herzog Mountains, the upper Mambare Range and Mt. Tafa-Efogi (Higgins et al. 2008). We provide the first record for Mt. ...
The north slopes of Mt. Wilhelm, the highest peak in Papua New Guinea,
support a complete elevational gradient of relatively undisturbed rainforest, from
200 m to the tree line at 3,700 m. Based on field work in 2010 and 2012 over the
Mt. Wilhelm elevational gradient, we report novel distribution data for 43 species,
including geographic and elevational range extensions, demographic data, and
new records of species poorly known in New Guinea.
... This superfamily comprises a cohort of basal insectivorous species, including fairy wrens (family Maluridae), thornbills (family Acanthizidae), and pardalotes (family Pardalotidae), and the more derived nectarivorous honeyeaters (family Meliphagidae; Barker et al., 2002;Ericson et al., 2002;Driskell and Christidis, 2004;Barker, 2011). Thornbills and honeyeaters are sympatric species in various ecosystems in Australia and show a high degree of niche differentiation (Gregory, 2007;Higgins et al., 2008). Thornbills are mainly insectivorous, and different species exhibit vertical stratification when foraging (Gregory, 2007). ...
... In contrast, honeyeaters feed predominantly on nectar collected from a variety of flowers while perching in the vegetation and rarely descend to collect food items on the ground (Bell et al., 2010;Recher and Davis, 2011). Among the honeyeaters, some species are generalists (i.e., red wattlebird) and can feed on a variety of food items, whereas others (i.e., brown honeyeater) are mainly nectarivorous and feed occasionally on insects (Ford and Patton, 1977;Higgins et al., 2008;Bell et al., 2010;Recher and Davis, 2011). Thornbills and honeyeaters are also commonly sympatric with other frugivorous birds such as the silvereye (Gregory, 2007;Higgins et al., 2008). ...
... Among the honeyeaters, some species are generalists (i.e., red wattlebird) and can feed on a variety of food items, whereas others (i.e., brown honeyeater) are mainly nectarivorous and feed occasionally on insects (Ford and Patton, 1977;Higgins et al., 2008;Bell et al., 2010;Recher and Davis, 2011). Thornbills and honeyeaters are also commonly sympatric with other frugivorous birds such as the silvereye (Gregory, 2007;Higgins et al., 2008). ...
Thornbills, honeyeaters and silvereyes represent an abundant group of Australian passerines, whose diversity in niche differentiation suggests a pivotal role for vision. Using stereological methods and retinal wholemounts, we studied the topographic distribution of neurons in the ganglion cell layer of insectivorous, nectarivorous and frugivorous species occupying terrestrial and arboreal microhabitats. All species studied have a central convexiclivate fovea (peak densities from 130,000 to 160,000 cells/mm2), which is shallow in the terrestrial/insectivorous yellow-rumped thornbill and deep in the arboreal/nectarivorous honeyeaters and frugivorous silvereye. Surrounding the fovea, neuronal densities in the ganglion cell layer form a broadly ovoid and asymmetric plateau in the yellow-rumped thornbill and a more restricted, circular and symmetric plateau in the other species. These differences in the plateau organization may reflect specific needs to locate food on the ground or from dense vegetation. We also found a temporal area (peak densities from 43,000 to 54,000 cells/mm2) across species, which increases spatial resolution in the frontal visual field and assists with foraging. Using microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) immunohistochemistry, we detected a higher concentration of giant ganglion cells forming an area gigantocellularis in the temporal retina of all species. Giant ganglion cell densities also form a horizontal streak in all species, except in the yellow-rumped thornbill, which has an unusual increase towards the retinal periphery. In the yellow-rumped thornbill and silvereye, giant ganglion cells also peak in the nasal retina. We suggest that these topographic variations afford differential sampling of motion signals for the detection of predators. J. Comp. Neurol., 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
... The resurgence of interest in higher-level systematics of birds in the last 20 years has seen a focus on relationships of the largest avian order, the Passeriformespasserine birds (Barker et al. 2002(Barker et al. , 2004Ericson et al. 2002;Hackett et al. 2008). Among the numerically larger families of passerines is the Meliphagidae (honeyeaters), an iconic and largely Australo-Papuan group comprising some 175-180 species in 40-50 genera (see Salomonsen 1967;Longmore 1991;Higgins et al. 2001Higgins et al. , 2008. Higgins et al. (2008) thoroughly reviewed the ecology of honeyeaters, most notable here being their diverse feeding ecology (nectarivory, insectivory, frugivory; diet specialists and generalists), habitats (montane tropics to extremely arid habitats), movements (sedentary to migratory), morphology (9-50 cm in size, 7-150 g) and social organization (solitary to group living). ...
... Among the numerically larger families of passerines is the Meliphagidae (honeyeaters), an iconic and largely Australo-Papuan group comprising some 175-180 species in 40-50 genera (see Salomonsen 1967;Longmore 1991;Higgins et al. 2001Higgins et al. , 2008. Higgins et al. (2008) thoroughly reviewed the ecology of honeyeaters, most notable here being their diverse feeding ecology (nectarivory, insectivory, frugivory; diet specialists and generalists), habitats (montane tropics to extremely arid habitats), movements (sedentary to migratory), morphology (9-50 cm in size, 7-150 g) and social organization (solitary to group living). Many species are aggressive and this has been hypothesized as driving the evolution of plumage mimicry by other passerines and even a meliphagid (Diamond 1982). ...
... Uptake of genus-level changes that have now been well argued (Schodde & Mason 1999;Christidis & Boles 2008;Higgins et al. 2008) has been remarkably slow, inconsistent (e.g., within a collection of papers published online over a ª 2014 Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences few yearscf Burbidge et al. 2010and Johnstone et al. 2013in George et al. 2009, or simply confused in popular field-guide literature (e.g., Simpson & Day 2010). We therefore see a need to reiterate these changes here. ...
The passerine family Meliphagidae (the honeyeaters) comprises 175–180 species in 40–50 genera. It is an iconic element of the Australo-Papuan avifauna and also occurs in Indonesia and on remote Pacific Ocean islands. Building on previous molecular studies that have pioneered a renewed understanding of the family's circumscription and systematics, we present an updated phylogenetic and systematics synthesis of honeyeaters derived from 112 mostly Australian, New Guinean and Wallacean species- and subspecies-rank taxa aligned across 9246 positions spanning four mitochondrial and four nuclear genes. We affirm many of the recent changes advocated to the group's genus-level systematics and offer some further refinements. The group's radiation appears to coincide broadly with the aridification of Australia in the Miocene, consistent with the time of origin of diversification of extant lineages in several other groups of Australian organisms. Most importantly, the complexity of the biogeography underlying the group's spectacular radiation, especially within Australia, is now apparent. Foremost among such examples is the robust evidence indicating that multiple, independent lineages of honeyeaters, including several monotypic genera, are endemic to the Australian arid zone, presumably having diverged and evolved within it. Also apparent and warranting further study are the phenotypic diversity among close relatives and the remarkably disjunct distributions within some clades, perhaps implying extinction of geographically intermediate lineages. Given such complexity, understanding the evolution of this radiation, which has thus far been intractable, relies on integration of molecular data with morphology, ecology and behaviour.
... The honeyeater family Meliphagidae is a prominent and diverse assemblage centred in the Australo-Papuan region (Higgins et al. 2017). Members comprise the largest passerine family in Australia and are readily observable in most habitats in the region, from temperate Australian mangroves to the New Guinea highlands (Ford 2001;Pratt & Beehler 2014). ...
... The clutch-size of two is as expected given the observed brood-sizes (n = 5; Goulding et al. 2020) and clutch-sizes of related species (Higgins et al. 2017). Furthermore, the eggs that we observed match descriptions for many other meliphagids, often with similar coloured markings concentrated in a ring about the broad end (Beruldsen 1980). ...
We revisited a location to study previously individually marked Tagula Honeyeaters Microptilotis vicina in 2019, 3 years after the original 2016 study on Junet Island, Louisiade Archipelago, Papua New Guinea. Re-encountered Tagula Honeyeaters indicated sedentary behaviour across years and an average annual adult survival rate of ≥0.75. We made the first observations of building and laying at two nests, and recorded nesting habits in the species. Tagula Honeyeaters showed the general trend in the honeyeater family of only the female building the nest and incubating. Nests were similar to those previously observed and to those of related species. Clutch-size in both nests was two and laying was on consecutive days. Eggs were white to off-white, with a ring of liver-brown spots and markings around the larger end. Incubation began on the day that the second egg was laid and lasted 14 days in both nests. Males visited the nest area only after the eggs hatched. At one nest, the nestling period was suspected to be 12 days. These limited observations of the only endemic island representative in Microptilotis indicate that, like plumage characters, breeding parameters remain similar within the genus.
... Variation in the energy expenditure of 20 species of honeyeaters (Passeriformes: Meliphagidae) is explored here (Table 1). This family consists of approximately 44 genera and 180 species (Higgens et al. 2008) limited in distribution to Australasia and Oceania. Two species, the tūī (Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae) and the bellbird (Anthornis melanura), are endemic to New Zealand. ...
... No species with this combination of characteristics was encountered and, given the geographic distribution of meliphagids, none may exist, the only potential location being New Zealand, where the highest altitude is on Mt Cook (Aoraki) at 3724 m. The two New Zealand meliphagids, however, are limited to altitudes <1500 m (Higgens et al. 2008), which is below the maximal altitude that appears to separate meliphagids with high and low basal rates. The potential adaptation of meliphagids to high altitude is unlikely in Australia because its highest altitude is on Mt Kosciuszko at 2228 m. ...
The energy expenditure of the tūī (Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae), a meliphagid endemic to New Zealand, was measured and compared with 20 species of honeyeaters (family Meliphagidae) to determine whether its expenditure is influenced either by life in a moist, temperate climate or an island residence. Body mass in the honeyeaters accounted for 91.5% of the variation in basal rate. The combination of body mass, climate and the maximal limit to an altitudinal distribution explained 98.6% of the variation in basal rate with tropical, low-altitude species having the highest mass-independent rate. The basal rates of meliphagids in tropical highlands are similar to those in temperate lowlands, which may reflect similar food supplies. The tūī mass-independent expenditure appears to reflect an active lifestyle in a temperate climate with no evidence that an island residence influenced its rate, whereas sedentary birds on New Zealand have responded to island life with a depressed basal rate. An effective analysis of the variation in energy expenditure requires the inclusion of the ecological and behavioural characteristics that distinguish species.
... In the most recent comprehensive review of the birds of Melanesia, Dutson (2011, p. 356) described the distribution of the Manus Friarbird as 'Manus and probably Los Negros'. Coates (1990), Coates & Peckover (2001), Higgins et al. (2008) and BirdLife International (2013a) suggested that the Manus Friarbird is endemic to Manus Island. Yet Logan J. Bennett found this species on Los Negros Island in 1944 (Ripley 1947), Mayr & Diamond (2001) noted its presence on Manus and Los Negros, and Galama (2002) found it to be resident and breeding on Los Negros, an island which is only narrowly separated from the main Manus Island. ...
... My observations of the collection of nest-material fall within these recorded time periods. Although Coates (1990, p. 255) suggested the 'nest is suspended moderately high up in an outer fork of a slender branch', which is consistent with nests of other friarbird species, no friarbird species have been recorded nesting in palms (Higgins et al. 2008). Galama (2002, p. 31) found that Manus Friarbird nests are built in a 'wide range of places such as large forest trees, coconut palms, backyard fruit trees, and shrubs'. ...
Despite being a relatively common and well-known species locally, the ecology of the Manus Friarbird Philemon albitorques is not well documented in the literature. Here I present information on breeding and range extensions for this species, and for other bird species on small islands in the Admiralties Group, Papua New Guinea.
... Birds that consume nectar (flower-birds or nectarivorous birds, here often abbreviated as nectarivores) and pollinate flowers evolved convergently in no fewer than 50 of 237 avian families (Proctor et al. 1996;Fain and Houde 2004). Highly specialised nectarivores include hummingbirds (Apodiformes : Trochilidae) in North and South America, sunbirds (Passeriformes : Nectariniidae) in Africa, Asia and Australasia, sugarbirds (Passeriformes : Promeropidae) in southern Africa, honeyeaters (Passeriformes : Meliphagidae) in Australasia, and flowerpeckers (Passeriformes : Dicaeidae) and lorikeets (Psittaciformes : Psittacidae) in Asia and Australasia (Collar 1997;Schuchmann 1999;Cheke andMann 2008a, 2008b;Higgins et al. 2008). Opportunistic or generalist nectarivores, which only occasionally drink nectar, are also important pollinators (Johnson and Nicolson 2008). ...
... Mattingley (1918), Wolstenholme (1922), Mathews (1923-24), Porsch (1927), Leach (1929), Salter (1957), Gannon (1962), Pyke (1980Pyke ( , 1981, Higgins et al. (2008), Johnson et al. 1991; Wester andClaßen-Bockhoff 2006a, 2007) and some nectar-feeding bats (Paulus 1978;Dobat and Peikert-Holle 1985). ...
A long-standing paradigm in pollination biology is that New World hummingbirds hover and Old World birds perch when visiting flowers to consume nectar. In contrast, it is now known that hummingbirds perch whenever possible and that nectarivorous Old World birds sometimes hover. However, no overview of hovering behaviour and its frequency in nectarivorous Old World birds exists. This review documents observations of hovering behaviour in 81 species in 11 families of Old World birds, mainly in sunbirds (46 species) and other specialist nectarivores, and less frequently in generalist nectarivores. Hovering behaviour occurs more frequently than thought, not only in terms of the range of avian species but also in its occurrence within species. It was found that neither the geographical distribution of bird species nor their traits (size, body mass) are a limiting factor for hovering behaviour, but that plant traits are important. When perches at the plants are inadequate or lacking, hovering is more appropriate or necessary. It is suggested that, as to foraging behaviour, the distinction between specialist and generalist nectarivorous birds is more adequate than that between hovering hummingbirds and perching passerines. In other words, the foraging behaviour of specialist nectarivorous passerines is more similar to that of hummingbirds than to that of generalist passerines.
... Myza sarasinorum (white-eared myza) is a medium-sized honeyeater that inhabits montane forest and mossy elfin forest (1700–2800 m), especially on ridges, where it feeds on nectar and gleans insects from the understory to the canopy (Coates & Bishop, 1997; Higgins et al., 2008). ...
... There is no information on potential competitive interactions between C. raveni and P. sulfuriventer. None of the study species' nests have been described, and none are threatened with extinction (Alström et al., 2006; Boles, 2007; Higgins et al., 2008; BirdLife International, 2013). ...
Aim
Deforestation and climate change are two of the most serious threats to tropical birds. Here, we combine fine‐scale climatic and dynamic land cover models to forecast species vulnerability in rain forest habitats.
Location
Sulawesi, Indonesia.
Methods
We sampled bird communities on four mountains across three seasons in Lore Lindu National Park, Sulawesi, Indonesia (a globally important hotspot of avian endemism), to characterize relationships between elevation and abundance. Deforestation from 2000 to 2010 was quantified, and predictors of deforestation were identified. Future forest area was projected under two land use change scenarios – one assuming current deforestation rates and another assuming a 50% reduction in deforestation. A digital elevation model and an adiabatic lapse rate were used to create a fine‐scale map of temperature in the national park. Then, the effects of climate change were projected by fitting statistical models of species abundance as a function of current temperature and forecasting future abundance based on warming from low‐ and high‐emissions climate change.
Results
The national park lost 11.8% of its forest from 2000 to 2010. Model‐based projections indicate that high‐elevation species (white‐eared myza Myza sarasinorum and Sulawesi leaf‐warbler Phylloscopus sarasinorum ) might be buffered from deforestation because their ranges are isolated from human settlement, but these species may face steep population declines from climate change (by as much as 61%). The middle‐elevation sulphur‐bellied whistler Pachycephala sulfuriventer is predicted to undergo minor declines from climate change (8–11% reduction), while deforestation is predicted to cause larger declines of 13–19%.
Main conclusions
The biological richness and rapid deforestation now occurring inside the national park emphasize the need for increased enforcement, while our modelling suggests that climate change is most threatening to high‐elevation endemics. These findings are likely applicable to other highland tropical sites where deforestation is encroaching from below and climate change is stressing high‐elevation species from above.
... Two additional single-island endemics that are sister to this clade inhabit interior, highland forests of the Solomon Islands. The three species of Foulehaio span >1200 km across Central Polynesia, including Fiji, Tonga, Wallis & Futuna, Samoa, and American Samoa (Higgins et al., 2008;Mayr, 1945;Pratt, 1987). They occur on all of the main islands and many of the smallest islands in the region, including those separated by shallow-water barriers and those isolated by more than one thousand kilometers of open ocean. ...
Islands are separated by natural barriers that prevent gene flow between terrestrial populations and promote allopatric diversification. Birds in the South Pacific are an excellent model to explore the interplay between isolation and gene flow due to the region’s numerous archipelagos and well-characterized avian communities. The wattled honeyeater complex (Foulehaio spp.) comprises three allopatric species that are widespread and common across Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, and Wallis and Futuna. Here, we explored patterns of diversification within and among these lineages using genomic and morphometric data. We found support for three clades of Foulehaio corresponding to three recognized species. Within F. carunculatus, population genetic analyses identified nine major lineages, most of which were composed of sub-lineages that aligned nearly perfectly to individual island populations. Despite genetic structure and great geographic distance between populations, we found low levels of gene flow between populations in adjacent archipelagos. Additionally, body size of F. carunculatus varied randomly with respect to evolutionary history (as Ernst Mayr predicted), but correlated negatively with island size, consistent with the island rule. Our findings support a hypothesis that widespread taxa can show population structure between immediately adjacent islands, and likely represent many independent lineages loosely connected by gene flow.
... However, they also show some morphological and physiological characters typical of specialized nectarivorous birds, such as brush tongues and the ability to digest sucrose efficiently Fleming & Muchhala, 2008). Thus, in their morphology and feeding ecology they represent an intermediate stage between generalist birds and the highly specialized hummingbirds and sunbirds (Fleming & Muchhala, 2008;Higgins, Christidis & Ford, 2008). This is mirrored in the characteristics of many of their food plants: for example trees and shrubs from the Myrthaceae or Proteaceae with relatively large inflorescences and open, often brush-like, flowers (Keighery, 1982). ...
Thousands of plant species worldwide are dependent on birds for pollination. While the ecology and evolution of interactions between specialist nectarivorous birds and the plants they pollinate is relatively well understood, very little is known on pollination by generalist birds. The flower characters of this pollination syndrome are clearly defined but the geographical distribution patterns, habitat preferences and ecological factors driving the evolution of generalist‐bird‐pollinated plant species have never been analysed. Herein I provide an overview, compare the distribution of character states for plants growing on continents with those occurring on oceanic islands and discuss the environmental factors driving the evolution of both groups. The ecological niches of generalist‐bird‐pollinated plant species differ: on continents these plants mainly occur in habitats with pronounced climatic seasonality whereas on islands generalist‐bird‐pollinated plant species mainly occur in evergreen forests. Further, on continents generalist‐bird‐pollinated plant species are mostly shrubs and other large woody species producing numerous flowers with a self‐incompatible reproductive system, while on islands they are mostly small shrubs producing fewer flowers and are self‐compatible. This difference in character states indicates that diverging ecological factors are likely to have driven the evolution of these groups: on continents, plants that evolved generalist bird pollination escape from pollinator groups that tend to maintain self‐pollination by installing feeding territories in single flowering trees or shrubs, such as social bees or specialist nectarivorous birds. This pattern is more pronounced in the New compared to the Old World. By contrast, on islands, plants evolved generalist bird pollination as an adaptation to birds as a reliable pollinator group, a pattern previously known from plants pollinated by specialist nectarivorous birds in tropical mountain ranges. Additionally, I discuss the evolutionary origins of bird pollination systems in comparison to systems involving specialist nectarivorous birds and reconstruct the bird pollination system of Hawaii, which may represent an intermediate between a specialist and generalist bird pollination system. I also discuss the interesting case of Australia, where it is difficult to distinguish between specialist and generalist bird pollination systems.
... There has been confusion regarding the assignment of species or Taxon Greenway et al. 1967Coates and Bishop 1997Higgins et al. 2008Eaton et al. 2016 (Table 1), but differs in its extent of pigmentation and size (Higgins et al. 2008). Although M. dammermani is widely considered endemic to the island of Sumba, some sources (Johnstone & Jepson 1996, Higgins et al. 2017, BirdLife 2017 consider the undescribed Myzomela population from Rote Island as part of it. ...
The avifauna of Rote Island in the Lesser Sundas is not well studied and generally considered to be similar to that of adjacent Timor Island. However, some cases of bird endemism have recently been documented on this island. A population of Myzomela honeyeater is one such example. First observed in October 1990, it has been subsumed with Myzomela dammermani from Sumba Island given its superficially similar appearance. Based on extensive morphological inspection and bioacoustic analysis, we here describe this population as a new taxon to science. Apart from previously overlooked plumage distinctions, the new taxon bioacoustically differs from M. dammermani in the presence or absence of several unique call types and considerable differences across two parameters in shared call types. Considering the importance of bioacoustics in avian species delimitation, we propose that the new Rote Myzomela be considered a distinct species. Given continued habitat conversion across its small range, we propose the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) threat status Vulnerable for the species.
Key words: bird, Lesser Sundas, Myzomela, new species, Rote Island
... Hence, more uniform bill lengths and more generalized corolla shapes among honeyeater-flower communities may result in lower interaction specialization, when compared to hummingbird-flower networks. Honeyeaters also tend to have broader dietary preferences in general, feeding on other resources, such as fruits, insects and honeydew more frequently than hummingbirds do (Higgins et al., 2016;Pyke, 1980), although hummingbirds also forage for insects as a source of protein (Stiles, 1995). These diverse feeding habits of honeyeaters may decrease competition for nectar resources, ...
Aim: Among the world’s three major nectar-feeding bird taxa, hummingbirds are the most phenotypically specialized for nectarivory, followed by sunbirds, while the honeyeaters are the least phenotypically specialized taxa. We tested whether this phenotypic specialization gradient is also found in the interaction patterns with their floral resources.
Location: Americas, Africa, Asia and Oceania/Australia.
Methods: We compiled interaction networks between birds and floral resources for 79 hummingbird, nine sunbird and 33 honeyeater communities. Interaction specialization was quantified through connectance (C), complementary specialization (H2’), binary (QB) and weighted modularity (Q), with both observed and null-model corrected values. We compared interaction specialization among the three types of bird–flower communities, both independently and while controlling for potential confounding variables, such as plant species richness, asymmetry, latitude, insularity, topography, sampling methods and intensity.
Results: Hummingbird–flower networks were more specialized than honeyeater–flower networks. Specifically, hummingbird–flower networks had a lower proportion of realized interactions (lower C), decreased niche overlap (greater H2’) and greater modularity (greater QB). However, we found no significant differences between hummingbird– and sunbird–flower networks, nor between sunbird– and honeyeater–flower networks.
Main conclusions: As expected, hummingbirds and their floral resources have greater interaction specialization than honeyeaters, possibly because of greater phenotypic specialization and greater floral resource richness in the New World. Interaction specialization in sunbird–flower communities was similar to both hummingbird–flower and honeyeater–flower communities. This may either be due to the relatively small number of sunbird–flower networks available, or because sunbird–flower communities share features of both hummingbird–flower communities (specialized floral shapes) and honeyeater–flower communities (fewer floral resources). These results suggest a link between interaction specialization and both phenotypic specialization and floral resource richness within bird–flower communities at a global scale.
... Local villagers reported that they are familiar with the species, but that it is rarely encountered and only in some years. Often associated with second growth and disturbed habitats, and can be expected to increase in response to potentially greater human activities along the gradient (Higgins et al. 2008). ...
The elevational gradient of Mt. Wilhelm, the highest peak in Papua New Guinea, represents one of the best-surveyed elevational gradients in the Indo-Pacific region. Based on field work undertaken in 2013 and 2015, we report range extensions, new elevational records and add 24 species to the list of bird species recorded along this gradient. This includes information on poorly known species such as Long-billed Cuckoo Chrysococcyx megarhynchus, Leaden Honeyeater Ptiloprora plumbea. Yellow-breasted Satinbird Loboparadisaea sericea and Sooty Shrikethrush Colluricincla tenebrosa.
... Local villagers reported that they are familiar with the species, but that it is rarely encountered and only in some years. Often associated with second growth and disturbed habitats, and can be expected to increase in response to potentially greater human activities along the gradient (Higgins et al. 2008). ...
... The two species of Myzomela honeyeaters on Makira in the Solomon Islands are well suited for studying the evolutionary consequences of hybridization following secondary contact. These small, primarily nectivorous birds are members of one of the most species-rich genera of songbirds (Higgins et al. 2008). The allblack, sexually monochromatic Sooty Myzomela (M. ...
Hybridization and introgression can have important evolutionary consequences for speciation, especially during early stages of secondary contact when reproductive barriers may be weak. Few studies, however, have quantified dynamics of hybridization and introgression in systems in which recent natural dispersal across a geographic barrier resulted in secondary contact. We investigated patterns of hybridization and introgression between two Myzomela honeyeaters (M. tristrami and M. cardinalis) that recently achieved secondary contact on Makira in the Solomon Islands. Hybridization in this system was hypothesized to be a byproduct of conspecific mate scarcity during early stages of colonization. Our research, however, provides evidence of ongoing hybridization more than a century after secondary contact. Mitochondrial sequencing revealed strongly asymmetric reproductive isolation that is most likely driven by post-zygotic incompatibilities rather than pre-zygotic behavioral barriers. Nuclear introgression was observed from the native species (M. tristrami) to the colonizing species (M. cardinalis). Nuclear introgression in the reverse direction is almost exclusively limited to birds that are phenotypically M.tristrami but possess M. cardinalis mitochondrial haplotypes, consistent with introgression of plumage-related alleles into the genomic background of M. cardinalis. These results provide unique insight into the dynamics and consequences of hybridization and introgression during early stages of secondary contact. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
... We also found rubrotincta to differ markedly from simplex that we saw on Halmahera immediately following our visit to Obi, which is a dark greyish bird, with reddish restricted to the outer edge of the remiges and rectrices, underparts pale greyish brown, with some pinkish-brown fringes on the breast feathers scarcely visible in the field (see http://orientalbirdimages.org/ search.php?Bird_ID=1342). M. chloroptera currently comprises four widely recognised subspecies: the nominate from north and central Sulawesi, juga from south Sulawesi, eva from Salayar and Tanahjampea, and batjanensis from Bacan (Coates & Bishop 1997, Higgins et al. 2008. Populations recently discovered on Taliabu, Sula Islands (Davidson et al. 1991, Rheindt 2010 and Peleng, Banggai Islands ) closely resemble the nominate, although future research may reveal that they comprise one or two new subspecies. ...
The avifauna of the Obi archipelago is rather poorly studied and current understanding is essentially based on several historic collecting efforts and few recent visits by modern ornithologists, none of which reached the mountains above 750 m. Furthermore, the taxonomic position of many bird populations restricted to the archipelago or shared with nearby Bacan Island remains confused. We describe the results of a two-week avifaunal survey of Obi in March 2010. We provide first records since 1982 of the poorly known Moluccan Woodcock Scolopax rochussenii as well as the first description of its vocalisation and first information on its habitat, which, contrary to what was previously speculated, includes lowland forest. We also provide confirmed records of five taxa previously unknown on the island, including one that possibly represents a new subspecies (Sulawesi Myzomela Myzomela chloroptera). New elevational information is presented for 34 species. Comments on the taxonomy of several endemic taxa are made on the basis of new vocalisation or photographic material, suggesting that at least two deserve biological species status (Northern Golden Bulbul Thapsinillas longirostris lucasi, Dusky Myzomela Myzomela obscura rubrotincta) and offering further support to treat Cinnamon-breasted Whistler Pachycephala johni as a species. Finally, we emphasise the need for taxonomic reappraisal of several other endemic insular forms (Cinnamon-bellied Imperial Pigeon Ducula basilica obiensis, Violetnecked Lory Eos squamata obiensis, Red-cheeked Parrot Geoffroyus geoffroyi obiensis, Hair-crested Drongo Dicrums hottentotus guillemardi, Northern Fantail Rhipidura rufiventris obiensis, Paradise Crow Lycocorax pyrrhopterus obiensis and Island Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus poliocephalus zvaterstradti). Although most of our observations await confirmation, they suggest that endemism on Obi at the species level is perhaps significantly under-estimated.
... On the ba sis of re gion -wide differ ences in col or a tion and vo cal i za tions,Pratt et al. (1987)sep a rated the M. rubratra group (Micronesia) from the M. cardinalis group (east ern Melanesia and Samoa). See Pratt and Mittermeier (2016) for fur ther de tails of the lat ter andHiggins et al. (2008)for il lus trations by H.D.P. of the en tire M. cardinalis com plex. Kosrae White -eye ( Zosterops cinereus ) Common res i dent. ...
Kosrae, the easternmost high island of Micronesia, is a 110 km2 volcanic island rising up to 630 m above sea level. It is seldom visited by birders and ornithologists because it is small, isolated, and lacks any previously recognized extant endemic bird species. We review the history of research on the island's avifauna and summarize the status of each species, including documentation for six new species: Northern Pintail (Anas acuta), Gray Plover (Pluvialis squatarola), Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago), Bristle-thighed Curlew (Numenius tahitiensis), Red-necked Stint (Calidris ruficollis), and Whiskered Tern (Chlidonias hybrida). We discuss previously undescribed vocalizations of endemic taxa and provide online reference to recordings. We also present supporting evidence for the recognition of two taxa as full biological species: Kosrae Fruit Dove (Ptilinopus hernsheimi; formerly part of the P. porphyraceus complex) and Kosrae White-eye (Zosterops cinereus, as a split from Gray-brown White-eye, Z. ponapensis). The avifauna of Kosrae includes 53 naturally occurring species of birds of which 13 breeding residents are extant (2 endemic species, 4 endemic subspecies) and 2 are extinct (both endemic species), 21 are boreal migrants from breeding populations in the temperate Northern Hemisphere (including 11 exclusively Palearctic migrants and 3 exclusively Nearctic migrants), 5 are austral migrants from breeding populations in the temperate Southern Hemisphere, and 12 are visitors from breeding populations on tropical islands elsewhere in the Pacific. Two additional species have been introduced; one has a self-sustaining feral population and the other is extirpated. Because of the island’s low human population and relatively pristine environment, resident breeding birds are thriving with no serious threats to their survival at present, except for overhunting of the Micronesian Imperial Pigeon (Ducula oceanica oceanico).
... We limited our analysis to forest species, as broad habitat-type differences (e.g., forest vs. open-country) may influence clutch size patterns (Lack and Moreau 1965). The primary sources that we used were Handbook of the Birds of the World (HBW) volumes (e.g., Boles 2007, Higgins et al. 2008, Frith and Frith 2009) and, for Borneo, two texts specifically addressing the status and distribution of birds in Borneo (Smythies 1999, Sheldon et al. 2001). We supplemented reference volume data with field data collected in Borneo and Venezuela. ...
... We limited our analysis to forest species, as broad habitat-type differences (e.g., forest vs. open-country) may influence clutch size patterns (Lack and Moreau 1965). The primary sources that we used were Handbook of the Birds of the World (HBW) volumes (e.g., Boles 2007, Higgins et al. 2008, Frith and Frith 2009) and, for Borneo, two texts specifically addressing the status and distribution of birds in Borneo (Smythies 1999, Sheldon et al. 2001. We supplemented reference volume data with field data collected in Borneo and Venezuela. ...
Clutch size commonly decreases with increasing elevation among temperate-zone and subtropical songbird species. Tropical songbirds typically lay small clutches, thus the ability to evolve even smaller clutch sizes at higher elevations is unclear and untested. We conducted a comparative phylogenetic analysis using data gathered from the literature to test whether clutch size varied with elevation among forest passerines from three tropical biogeographic regions—the Venezuelan Andes and adjacent lowlands, Malaysian Borneo, and New Guinea. We found a significant negative effect of elevation on variation in clutch size among species. We found the same pattern using field data sampled across elevational gradients in Venezuela and Malaysian Borneo. Field data were not available for New Guinea. Both sets of results demonstrate that tropical montane species across disparate biogeographic realms lay smaller clutches than closely related low-elevation species. The environmental sources of selection underlying this pattern remain uncertain and merit further investigation.
During a plankton trip around Sebatik Island, North Kalimantan, a copepod Labidocera rotunda Mori, 1929 (Calanoida, Pontellidae) was collected for the first time in Indonesian waters. Both sexes are redescribed and compared to previous descriptions. The geographical distribution of the species confirms that it is of Indo-Pacific origin. There has been a mix-up between L. rotunda described by Mori (1929) from Pusan, Korea and L. bipinnata from Sagami Bay, described by Tanaka (1936). Fleminger et al. (1982) have argued that the minor difference is based on the presence or absence of cephalic hooks and had synonymized L. bipinnata with L. rotunda.
Advances in tracking technology have helped elucidate the movements of the planet's largest and most mobile species, but these animals do not represent faunal diversity as a whole. Tracking a more diverse array of animal species will enable testing of broad ecological and evolutionary hypotheses and aid conservation efforts. Small and sedentary species of the tropics make up a huge part of earth's animal diversity and are therefore key to this endeavor. Here, we investigated whether modern satellite tracking is a viable means for measuring the fine-scale movement patterns of such animals. We fitted five-gram solar-powered transmitters to resident songbirds in the rainforests of New Guinea, and analyzed transmission data collected over four years to evaluate movement detection and performance over time. Based upon the distribution of location fixes, and an observed home range shift by one individual, there is excellent potential to detect small movements of a few kilometers. The method also has clear limitations: total transmission periods were often short and punctuated by lapses; precision and accuracy of location fixes was limited and variable between study sites. However, impending reductions in transmitter size and price will alleviate many issues, further expanding options for tracking earth's faunal diversity.
Four main challenges that can underpin ongoing, intransigent debates about species limits in birds are reviewed: allopatry (population subdivision vs. speciation), geographically widespread introgression of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), recent speciation, and selection. Examples from birds of the Australian region show how these challenges, their interplay, and the molecular-phenotypic discordance they generate can clarify or mislead species limits. Examples of how phylogenetic frameworks help reject or retain hypotheses of species limits under these challenges are given. Although mtDNA’s strengths and limitations are well known, an underappreciated limitation of mtDNA is geographically widespread introgression that homogenizes mtDNA diversity across species, subspecies, or population boundaries and across hundreds of kilometers. The resulting discordance between mtDNA and phenotype can be profound. If undetected, the setting of species limits and evolutionarily significant units are misled. An example shows how recent genomic analyses can detect and solve the problem. Other examples concern legacy mtDNA-only datasets. These are often essentially unfinished studies leaving residual uncertainty in species limits. Examples illustrate when the possibility of large-scale introgression across species boundaries needs to be considered, and how genomic scale data offer solutions. Researchers must carefully parse 3 questions: has there been introgression of mtDNA and, if so, which population genetics-based driver has caused introgression, and do species limits need altering? Understanding of allopatry, mtDNA introgression, recent speciation, and selection must be properly integrated if species limits are to be robustly understood and applied with maximum benefit in downstream applications such as conservation and management.
The rhinoceros hornbill (Buceros rhinoceros) genetic characteristics consist of nucleotide polymorphisms, haplotypes, genetic distances, and relationships which are important for their conservation effort in Indonesia. We sequenced mitochondrial DNA D-loop hypervariable III fragments from five rhinoceros hornbill individuals at Safari Park Indonesia I and Ragunan Zoo, which were isolated using Dneasy® Blood and Tissue Kit Spin-Column Protocol, Qiagen. D-loop fragment replication was done by PCR technique using DLBuce_F (5'-TGGCCTTTCTCCAAGGTCTA-3') and DLBuce_R (5'-TGAAGG AGT TCATGGGCTTAG-3') primer. Thirty SNP sites were found in 788 bp D-loop sequences of five rhinoceros hornbill individuals and each individual had a different haplotype. The average genetic distance between individuals was 3.09% and all individuals were categorized into two groups (Group I: EC6TS, EC1RG, EC2TS and Group II: EC9TS, EC10TS) with a genetic distance of 3.99%. This result indicated that the two groups were distinct subspecies. The genetic distance between Indonesian and Thai rhinoceros hornbills was 10.76%. Five Indonesian rhinoceros hornbill individuals at Safari Park Indonesia I and Ragunan Zoo probably came from different populations, ancestors, and two different islands. This study can be of use for management consideration in captive breeding effort at both zoos. The D-loop sequence obtained is a useful character to distinguish three rhinoceros hornbill subspecies in Indonesia.
Both Migratory Oriental Honey-buzzard (Pernis ptilorhynchus orientalis) and migratory giant honeybee (Apis dorsata dorsata) can be found in South-east Asia. The Oriental Honey-buzzard is the main predator of the giant honeybee, prey upon its honeycomb, larvae, and honey. Its existence always follows the migration of the giant honeybee. They stay on Java island during the migratory season. The giant honeybee lives in a large colony and has a powerful sting that is useful for defence against its predators. The bee is among the most dangerous animals since its threatening defensive behavior causes severe impact on the eagle and is even frequently fatal for human beings. Data collections on hunting behavior of the Oriental Honey-buzzard were based on irregular observations and interviews between the year 2003 to 2019. We categorized five hunting behaviors during data collections: flying orientation around the bee’s nest, attack on living nest, failure to collect the living nest, preying upon the newly empty nest, and transferring attack of the angry bee to people nearby. The safest hunting for the Oriental Honey-buzzard is to prey upon newly empty nest left by the honeybee. When the nest was still occupied by the bee colonies, the eagle should develop a strategy to avoid and reduce the risk of being attacked. It sometimes transfers the attack to people nearby.
This research aims to get information about the species of host plants and fruit flies, composition and structure of community, distribution pattern, and impact of environmental factors to fruit flies in Campus C, Airlangga University. Research was conducted from August to November 2019. A modification of Steiner trap with methyl eugenol 1.5 ml bait was installed in nine sites. Each Steiner trap was placed on a mango tree 1-2 meters above ground level. Trapped fruit fly specimens were collected after one week. Four replications were made, with intervals between two periods of installation. As many as 682 host plants of the fruit flies were found at the study site consisting of 25 species from 15 families. Results showed that 1121 individuals of Bactrocera fruit flies were found, consisting of 6 species, namely B. carambolae, B. dorsalis, B. minuscula, B. papayae, B. occipitalis, and B. musae. The most abundant species was B. carambolae (62.8%), followed by B. dorsalis (22.8%), B. minuscula (8.4%), B. papayae (4.5%), B. occipitalis (1%), and the lowest was B. musae (0.5%). B. occipitalis has an even distribution pattern, while five other species have aggregated distribution patterns. The diversity index at nine locations ranged from 0.855 (low) to 1.328 (moderate). B. carambolae and B. dorsalis were the dominant species. The presence of fruit flies was influenced by environmental (humidity, temperature, sunlight intensity, wind) and host plant factors.
Wasps of the genus Eustenogaster van der Vecht, 1969, with 17 species currently recognized, are distributed from the Indian subcontinent in the west to the Philippines, Sulawesi Island and Java Island in the east. Two new species of hover wasp genus Eustenogaster (E. multifolia sp. nov., E. sumatraensis sp. nov.) are described from specimens collected in Sumatra Island. The female of E. vietnamensis occurring in Vietnam are described for the first time. The lectotypes of Paravespa eva Bell, 1936 and Ischnogaster ornatifrons Cameron, 1902 are designated. The new taxonomic status is proposed for Stenogaster eximioides Dover and Rao, 1922 as a good (=valid) species of Eustenogaster. The synonymy of Ischnogaster ornatifrons Cameron, 1902 with Eustenogaster micans (de Saussure, 1852) has been confirmed. A revised key to species and a taxonomic and distributional checklist of all the species of Eustenogaster are provided.
This research aims to understand the life history and microhabitat ecology of a phytotelmata-breeding species, Pericnemis stictica. Data was collected at 46 breeding sites in the Jatimulyo Forest, Kulonprogo. Several parameters were recorded from each breeding site, i.e. plant species, diameters, depth, water depth, water volume, water pH, and water turbidity. Naiads and imagoes of P. stictica were measured morphometrically.
We collected the little-known ladybird beetle Afissa incauta in the mountainous region of Bandung, West Java. The beetle occurred sympatrically with the very similar species A. gedeensis. Here, we provide an update to the current knowledge for these two species. The A. incauta we collected have a slightly smaller and duller body compared to the previously known specimens of Afissa incauta, with convergent elytral maculation similar to A. gedeensis.
Siberut Island, Mt. Talamau, Rimbo Panti Nature Reserve, and intervening locations in West Sumatra Province were visited during two expeditions in 2018-2019 by ornithologists from the Museum Zoologicum Bogoriense (MZB) - Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), Louisiana State University Museum of Natural Science (LSUMNS), and Andalas University. The main objective of these expeditions was to obtain data and tissue-subsample rich museum specimens for morphological and genetic studies of phylogeny and population genetics of Southeast Asian birds aimed at understanding the causes of avian diversification in the region. We also observed, photographed, and audio-recorded numerous bird species during the expeditions and archived these data. In total, 285 species were identified, and specimen material was collected from 13 species and 26 subspecies not previously represented in tissue resource collections. Here, we provide complete lists of birds found at each location, highlight distributional discoveries, and note cases of potential taxonomic, ecological, and conservation interest.
Southeast Asian avifauna is under threat from both habitat loss and illegal poaching, yet the region’s rich biodiversity remains understudied. Here, we uncover cryptic species-level diversity in the Sunda Blue Robin (Myiomela diana), a songbird complex endemic to Javan (subspecies diana) and Sumatran (subspecies sumatrana) mountains. Taxonomic inquiry into these populations has previously been hampered by a lack of DNA material and the birds’ general scarcity, especially sumatrana which is only known from few localities. We demonstrate fundamental bioacoustic differences in courtship song paired with important distinctions in plumage saturation and tail length that combine to suggest species-level treatment for the two taxa. Treated separately, both taxa are independently threatened by illegal poaching and habitat loss, and demand conservation action. Our study highlights a case of underestimated avifaunal diversity that is in urgent need of revision in the face of imminent threats to species survival.
Wing patterns of female Elymnias agondas (Boisduval, 1832) butterflies are highly variable, presumably to mimic different Taenaris species throughout New Guinea and surrounding islands. Labels on most E. agondas museum specimens lack precise locality information, complicating efforts to match E. agondas female wing patterns with presumed Taenaris model species. This paucity of data also makes it impossible to determine where different forms occur and whether they are strictly allopatric. During fieldwork on the Aru Archipelago, we found two distinct forms of E. agondas females occurring syntopically. The “light form” resembles T. catops, while the “dark form” seems to mimic T. myops and T. artemis. We discuss the significance of this finding and illustrate species in the Taenaris mimicry ring encountered on Aru.
Callidiopini species in the collection of Museum Zoologicum Bogoriense, Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) were examined. Three new species of the genus Ceresium Newman, 1842, are described, i.e. C. clytinioides sp. nov., C. sugiartoi sp. nov., both from Kalimantan, and C. emarginatum sp. nov. from Papua. One new species of the genus Examnes Pascoe, 1869, from Kalimantan, E. subvermiculatus sp. nov. is described.
Papilio peranthus is endemic to Indonesia, where it occurs on several islands and island groups. This beautiful butterfly is extensively traded, thus efforts to breed this species are very desirable. Captive breeding research was conducted on P. peranthus during September 2016 to December 2018. In total, 221 individuals were available for observation. Data on the life cycle of the species, together with observations on females being approached for mating, and female oviposition after mating, are presented. The result demonstrate that P. peranthus is not monogamous. Observations on other biological aspects are also reported.
The nominal taxon Euploea tulliolus goodenoughi Carpenter, 1942, based on a unique crow butterfly collected on Goodenough Island in 1913, is shown to represent a small, aberrant female of the locally common Euploea leucostictos eustachius (Kirby, 1889). This new synonymy invalidates the only previous record of the Purple Crow, Euploea tulliolus (Fabricius, 1793), from the islands of Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea. However, two female Euploea tulliolus collected from islands in the Louisiade Archipelago during 2010 are reported here, constituting the first valid records of the Purple Crow from the Milne Bay islands.
Here, we provide the first record of the chafer beetle genus Epholcis Waterhouse, 1875 from the Moluccan Islands, Indonesia. We describe four new species: E. acutus sp. nov., E. arcuatus sp. nov., E. cakalele sp. nov., and E. obiensis sp. nov. A lectotype is designated for Maechidius moluccanus Moser, 1920, which is redescribed and transferred to the genus Epholcis as E. moluccanus (Moser) comb. nov.
Rotuma, Fiji, is a small and isolated island in the south-west Pacific, rarely visited by ornithologists. We present here our own observations, estimated numbers and distribution, completed by observations from previous scientists since the 19th century. The status of the four endemic landbirds (one species and three subspecies) is good, especially that of the Rotuman Myzomela, a splendid small honeyeater. However, the recent arrival of the Common Myna is a concern. Additionally, future introductions of predators, like the Mongoose or the Black Rat, are still possible and they could modify very rapidly the island’s status. The vigilance of the Biosecurity Authority Fiji in controlling containers and cargo-ships, both at their departure from Suva and on their arrival to Rotuma, is thus very important. Concerning mammals, the Sheath-tailed Bat, abundant 30 years ago, seems now to be extinct.
The breeding biology of the Dusky Honeyeater Myzomela obscura is poorly known, despite the species' wide distribution and use of a broad range of habitats. In the Northern Territory, breeding was recorded in all months, but just over 50% of estimated laying dates were in April and May, corresponding with the transition from the wet to the dry season. In Darwin, nests were placed 1.0 to 9.0 m above the ground in a variety of trees or tall shrubs, including exotics. The size of clutches or broods never exceeded two (n = 9). At two closely observed nests, the incubation period was 12.4 and 12.75 days, similar to another myzomeline honeyeater. Nest-attentiveness was ∼65% over 2 days at one nest, similar to the few temperate-zone Australian honeyeaters for which such data are available. The nestling period at the only successful nest that we observed was 14.3 ± 0.7 days, consistent with slightly smaller species in other honeyeater genera. Unlike most honeyeater species, nestling Dusky Honeyeaters hatched with much down. Diurnal brooding represented 20-28% of the presumed female's time during the first 4 days after hatching, but had ceased by Day 6, earlier than in temperate-zone honeyeater species. The mean rate of food provisioning was very low (8.9 feeds/h) compared with that of most other honeyeater species studied to date. Evidence suggests that Dusky Honeyeaters may feed their young largely on nectar.
Based on field work conducted between 2009 and 2012 in the YUS Conservation Area on the Huon Peninsula, we present novel distributional information for 47 avian species. This includes range extensions, elevational records, demographic data and new records of species poorly known in New Guinea. Meyer's Goshawk Accipiter meyeriamis, Rufous-throated Bronze Cuckoo Chrysococcyx ruficollis, Papuan Scrubwren Sericornis papuensis, Alpine Robin Petroica bivittata, Greater Ground Robin Amalocichla sclateriana, Yellow-breasted Bowerbird Chlamydera lauterbachi and a possible Rufous Monarch Monarcha rubiensis are recorded for the first time from the Huon Peninsula. The northern scarp of the mountains of the Huon Peninsula is shown to be a contact zone for several lowland species-pairs.
The fantail species of Australasia typically build a compact cup-shaped nest of vegetable fibre bound externally with spider web, with a 'tail' extending from the base. The discovery of an active Dimorphic Fantail Rhipidura brachyrhyncha nest in montane Papua New Guinea revealed an atypical nest externally composed of moss, but without a 'tail'. The coloration and size of the egg were similar to those of other Australasian fantails. A clutch-size of one in montane fantail species and usually two in lowland species contributes toward an understanding that clutch-size decreases with altitude in many open-cup-nesting New Guinean fantails, monarchs, robins, honeyeaters and birds-of-paradise but not in bowerbirds, Myzomela and Meliphaga honeyeaters, berrypeckers, jewel-babblers, woodswallows and whistlers.
Many conservationists argue that invasive species form one of the most important threats to ecosystems the world over, often spreading quickly through their new environments and jeopardising the conservation of native species. As such, it is important that reliable predictions can be made regarding the effects of new species on particular habitats. This book provides a critical appraisal of ecosystem theory using case studies of biological invasions in Australasia. Each chapter is built around a set of 11 central hypotheses from community ecology, which were mainly developed in North American or European contexts. The authors examine the hypotheses in the light of evidence from their particular species, testing their power in explaining the success or failure of invasion and accepting or rejecting each hypothesis as appropriate. The conclusions have far-reaching consequences for the utility of community ecology, suggesting a rejection of its predictive powers and a positive reappraisal of natural history.
A comprehensive search of ornithological collections throughout the
world yielded a total of 75 specimens of Dusky Friarbird Philemon fuscicapillus, a
Vulnerable species, held in 25 museums. This represents 48 additional specimens
to those already known. The history of this material is discussed. Five collectors
were identified: C. Allen, H. A. Bernstein, J. M. Dumas, A. Hueting and G. A. L.
Haan. The 18 collected by Charles Allen on behalf of Wallace are syntypes. All
70 documented specimens are from Morotai. There is no historical proof of the
presence of the species on Halmahera or Bacan, despite that these islands are
frequently considered part of the species’ range.
The avian retina possesses one of the most diverse complements of photoreceptor types among vertebrates but little is known about their spatial distribution. Here, we used retinal wholemounts and stereological methods to present the first complete maps of the topographic distribution of rods and cones in four species of Australian passerines with diverse trophic specializations. All species studied have one central and one temporal rod-free zone. In the insectivorous yellow-rumped thornbill, the central rod-free zone is unusually large, occupying ~ 17% (50°) of the retinal area (angular subtense), whereas in nectarivorous and frugivorous species it represents only ~ 0.1% (5–7°) – 0.3% (10°) of the retinal area (angular subtense). In contrast, the temporal rod-free zone varies little between species (~0.02–0.4%; 2–10°). In all species, rods follow a pronounced dorsoventral gradient with highest densities in the ventral retina. The topographic distribution of cones is concentric and reveals a central fovea and a temporal area. In the yellow-rumped thornbill, cone densities form an extended plateau surrounding the fovea beyond which densities fall rapidly towards the retinal periphery. For the other species, cone densities decline gradually along a foveal to peripheral gradient. Estimates of spatial resolving power calculated using cone peak densities are higher in the central fovea (18–41 cycles/degree) than in the temporal area (9–15 cycles/degree). In conclusion, we suggest that the unusual organization of the rod-free zone and the distinct topographic distribution of rods and cones correlate with specific ecological needs for enhanced visual sensitivity and spatial resolution in these birds. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Evaluations of relationships among honeyeaters (Passeriformes : Meliphagidae) have used dense taxon and nucleotide sampling. Here we focus on the systematically contentious meliphagid genus Lichenostomus. We use data from two molecular markers that were common to two major recent studies, the mitochondrial protein-coding gene ND2 and the nuclear intron Fib5. Based on complete species-level sampling of Lichenostomus, we confirm the recent finding that Lichenostomus is not monophyletic. We recover seven distinct lineages dispersed within the meliphagid assemblage. Two uniform and unadorned species, the White-gaped (L. unicolor) and Yellow (L. flavus) Honeyeaters, were sister species close to some other taxa currently placed in Lichenostomus. The only two mangrove specialists, the Varied (L. versicolor) and Mangrove (L. fasciogularis) Honeyeaters from north-eastern and central-eastern Australia respectively, were not sister-species, but the former was sister to the pair comprising Mangrove Honeyeater and the widespread Singing Honeyeater (L. virescens). Two endemic New Guinean species, the Obscure (L. obscurus) and Black-throated (L. subfrenatus) Honeyeaters, are a sister pair to the Yellow-faced Honeyeater (L. chrysops) of eastern Australia. We suggest a revised generic nomenclature for the species recently placed in Lichenostomus and erect one new genus-group name, Bolemoreus, to include two species that have been previously grouped in Caligavis.
We conducted ornithological field work on Mt. Karimui and in the surrounding lowlands in 2011-12, a site first surveyed for birds by J. Diamond in 1965. We report range extensions, elevational records and notes on poorly known species observed during our work. We also present a list with elevational distributions for the 271 species recorded in the Karimui region. Finally, we detail possible changes in species abundance and distribution that have occurred between Diamond's field work and our own. Most prominently, we suggest that Bicolored Mouse-warbler Crateroscelis nigrorufa might recently have colonised Mt. Karimui's north-western ridge, a rare example of distributional change in an avian population inhabiting intact tropical forests.
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