Mary LeCroy

Rapid Evolution of Character Displacement in Myzomelid Honeyeaters

We consider a possible example of rapid evolution of character displacement, involving two honeyeater species on Long and neighboring islands off New Guinea. Longs caldera collapsed about three centuries ago in one of the largest volcanic explosions of recent millennia. The present trees, mammals, and people of Long suggest recent overwater origins. The avifaunas of Long and the two nearest islands, Tolokiwa and Crown, also betray recent origin: Long has a deficit of the expected large-island species, and all three islands have an excess of supertramps (small-island specialists) and other species noted for overwater dispersal. Among the nine pairs of congeners on Long and its neighbors, two supertramp honeyeaters, the larger Myzomela pammelaena from the northern Bismarcks and the smaller M. sclateri from the southern Bismarcks, constitute the sole pair of species that are sympatric nowhere else and that presumably first met on the Long group. These are also the sole two bird populations of the Long group that differ significantly in morphology from their relatives (putative ancestors) elsewhere. We measured all available specimens of both species, from the allopatric ancestral populations as well as from the sympatric populations of the Long group. The larger M. pammelaena is even larger on Long than in ancestral populations, whereas the smaller M. sclateri is even smaller. The weight ratio for the two species shifted to a value of 1.52 in sympatry from a value between 1.24 and 1.43 in allopatry. The two species occur abundantly together in all habitats and at all altitudes of the Long group, often in the same flowering tree. We interpret the ecological significance of their size divergence by analogy with studies on other sympatric honeyeaters, among which size affects coexistence through effects on dominance, productivity requirements, prey size, perch position, and the economics of hovering. In particular, on all 13 known island groups where two or more myzomelid species occur sympatrically on the same island, the species differ either by habitat (including altitude) or by size; they occur syntopically in the same habitat only if their weight ratio is 1.5 or larger. Thus, evolution of character displacement was prerequisite to the observed syntopy (co-occurrence in the same habitat) on the Long group. After evaluating alternative interpretations (continuation of clines existing in allopatry, Bergmann effect, response to an environmental factor, nongenetic response), we conclude that the size shifts in myzomelids on the Long group probably represent character displacement in response to each others presence and that the shifts evolved in the approximately three centuries since Longs eruption.

A New Species of Bush-Warbler from Bougainville Island and a Monophyletic Origin for Southwest Pacific Cettia

Abstract We describe a new species of Cettia from the Crown Prince Range, Bougainville Island, North Solomons Province, Papua New Guinea. By combining morphometric and molecular phylogenetic techniques, we attempt to broaden our understanding of evolutionary processes within the genus Cettia in the southwest Pacific. The new species proves to be distinct with respect to several morphological characteristics that are most probably related to a more terrestrial lifestyle than that of its congeners. Molecular data agree with morphological data in establishing that these birds are at least as distinct from the other island forms of Cettia as those forms are from each other, far exceeding intraspecific variation. These data and the restricted distribution of the population on Bougainville strongly support recognition of a new species. The application of molecular phylogenetic techniques also supports the idea that the new species and other island forms of Cettia confined to mountains on southwest Pacific islands are derived from a single common ancestor rather than being independently derived from one or more mainland forms. In addition, the relatively recent discovery of two new species of Cettia suggests that additional forms await discovery in other poorly known areas of the southwest Pacific. Our results point to the need for further molecular studies and for additional field research into the distribution and ecology of forest songbirds on islands.

Type Specimens of Birds in The American Museum of Natural History. Part 7. Passeriformes: Sylviidae, Muscicapidae, Platysteiridae, Maluridae, Acanthizidae, Monarchidae, Rhipiduridae, and Petroicidae

Abstract This seventh part of “Type Specimens of Birds in the American Museum of Natural History” includes taxa covered in Vol. 11 of the Check-list of birds of the world, by James L. Peters and subsequent authors. The original description of each has been consulted unless otherwise noted, coordinates given for type localities when possible, currently accepted names for the taxa included, and comments on taxonomic history provided. Eight hundred fifty-eight names are treated, 332 of them introduced by G.M. Mathews. Types of 35 of these are not in AMNH, and 15 were not found. This part of the type list, as well as all previous parts, are searchable and available for download from the AMNH Library web site: http://digitallibrary.amnh.org/dspace/.

Type Specimens of Birds in the American Museum of Natural History Part 8. Passeriformes: Pachycephalidae, Aegithalidae, Remizidae, Paridae, Sittidae, Neosittidae, Certhiidae, Rhabdornithidae, Climacteridae, Dicaeidae, Pardalotidae, and Nectariniidae

Abstract This eighth part of “Type Specimens of Birds in the American Museum of Natural History” includes taxa covered in volume 12 of the Check-list of Birds of the World (Paynter, 1967) except for the families Zosteropidae and Meliphagidae, which will comprise a separate part. The original description of each form has been consulted unless otherwise noted, coordinates for type localities are given when possible, currently accepted names for the taxa included, and comments on taxonomic history provided. In all, 419 names are treated, five of these being replacement names; 102 of them were introduced by G.M. Mathews. Types of 12 of these names are not in AMNH or were not found. Four paratypes are discussed, the holotypes of which were almost certainly destroyed in World War II. This part of the type list, as well as all previous parts, are searchable and available for download from the AMNH Library web site: http://digitallibrary.amnh.org/dspace/.

Type Specimens of Birds in the American Museum of Natural History Part 9. Passeriformes: Zosteropidae and Meliphagidae

Abstract This ninth part of “Type Specimens of Birds in the American Museum of Natural History” includes taxa in the families Zosteropidae and Meliphagidae in Volume 12 of the Check-list of birds of the world, by James L. Peters and subsequent authors. The original description of each taxon has been consulted unless otherwise noted, modern names and coordinates are given for type localities when possible, currently accepted names for the taxa are included, and comments on taxonomic history are provided. In Part 9, 445 names are treated; types of 22 of these are not in AMNH or were not found. This part of the type list, as well as all previous parts, are searchable and available for download from the AMNH Library website: http://digitallibrary.amnh.org/dspace/.

Plumage Variation in the Broad-billed Fairy-wren Malurus grayi

By comparing 31 of the 37 known fledged specimens, we analysed variation in the Broad-billed Fairy-wren Malurus grayi, endemic to New Guinea. The species occurs in hilly terrain at low elevations, with apparently large distributional gaps on New Guineas south-eastem peninsula and along much of the southern watershed. We report the second-known southern watershed population, from the Kumawa Mountains. Adult males and females differ mainly in crown color, belly colour and size. As regards geographic variation, the Mt. Bosavi population, campbelli, which we assess as a subspecies rather than a full species, is distinct mainly in its small size, dark-crowned adult males and browner back. The north-east population (pileatus) may be more weakly distinct from the western population (nominate grayi). We also describe age-related variation and individual variation. Thus, like numerous other species of New Guineas lowland and hill forests, Malurus grayi populations are divided at the isthmus known as Zoogeographers Gap into western, northern and southern populations, among which the westem and northern populations are the most similar ones.

Case 3682 The work ‘The White-cheeked Geese: Branta canadensis , B. maxima , B. ‘ lawrensis ’, B. hutchinsii , B. leucopareia , and B. minima . Taxonomy, ecophysiographic relationships, biogeography, and evolutionary considerations, Volume 1, Eastern taxa; Volume 2, Western taxa, biogeography, and evolutionary considerations’ by Harold C. Hanson: proposed suppression for nomenclatural purposes

Abstract. The purpose of this application under Articles 78.1 and 81.1 of the Code is to suppress for nomenclatural purposes the two-volume work ‘The White-cheeked geese: Branta canadensis, B. maxima, B. ‘lawrensis’, B. hutchinsii, B. leucopareia, and B. minima. Taxonomy, ecophysiographic relationships, biogeography, and evolutionary considerations,’ by Harold C. Hanson. Reasons for suppression are the works many confounded new taxon designations, inappropriately chosen types, inadequately diagnosed new taxa, variable and confused authorships, and a flawed neotype designation. Together they serve as evidence of general nomenclatural dysfunction. If not suppressed, Hansons work will become a source of destabilisation the nomenclature of the Branta canadensis complex.

Case 3500 Paradisaea Linnaeus, 1758 and paradisaeidae Swainson, 1825 (Aves): proposed conservation of usage

Abstract. The purpose of this application, under Article 81.1 of the Code, is to conserve the generic name Paradisaea Linnaeus, 1758 and the family name paradisaeidae Swainson, 1825 for the birds of paradise. These names in these spellings have been in prevailing use for over 75 years. Suppression of the competing spellings Paradisea Linnaeus, 1758 and, as a consequence, paradiseidae Swainson, 1825, will maintain stability in nomenclature.

Accipiter imitator on Isabel Island, Solomon Islands

Abstract We report two recently collected specimens of Accipiter imitator from Isabel Island, one of them the first specimen of a melanistic individual of the species. Surprisingly, we found no specimen records from Isabel of Accipiter albogularis, a very similar congener that occurs together with A. imitator on several islands. We call attention to the difficulties of sight identification and, based on a study of specimens, describe and tabulate morphological differences between the two species. We also give skeletal measurements of several species of Accipiter.

Rollo Beck's Collections of Birds in Northeast New Guinea

ABSTRACT In 1928–1929 Rollo Beck discovered in New Guinea a spectacular new species of bowerbird, Sericulus bakeri, which according to his specimen labels he collected near the previously well-studied lowland town and former colonial capital of Madang. That seemed so implausible that suspicions arose that Beck had intentionally falsified the locality—especially when it eventually turned out that the new bowerbird is instead confined to the nearby Adelbert Mountains. Beck made this discovery in the course of amassing large collections in northeast New Guinea that, in fact, have never been published as a whole, although Ernst Mayr (1941) in his List of New Guinea Birds included some of Becks records. Much doubt has remained about Beck’s collecting localities. Hence we have now reconstructed Beck’s itinerary on the basis of his field diary and specimen register; the letter by his wife who accompanied him; a spreadsheet of his cataloged specimens in the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH); and correspondence, records, and photographs archived at the AMNH. We show that Beck collected at 10 sites grouped into three areas: the foothills of the Adelbert Mountains and adjacent lowlands, the westernmost foothills of the Huon Peninsula, and the Cromwell Mountains in the east of the Huon Peninsula. We assemble a table listing all species that Beck collected at each of the 10 sites. For each site, we discuss the upland species, open-country species, and other groups of species collected there. Those results illuminate the upland avifaunas of the Adelbert Mountains and the Huon Peninsula, range borders in Northeast New Guinea, and a possible Massenerhebung effect in the Cromwell Mountains. It is clear that Becks labeling of his Sericulus bakeri specimens as collected at Madang was not done with intent to mislead, but is instead readily understandable from Becks previous collecting experiences and his preparation for his New Guinea trip.