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New Zealand's unique black swans (1 Viewer)

RSN

Rafael S. Nascimento
Brazil
Nicolas J. Rawlence, Afroditi Kardamaki, Luke J. Easton, Alan J. D. Tennyson, R. Paul Scofield, Jonathan M. Waters

Ancient DNA and morphometric analysis reveal extinction and replacement of New Zealand's unique black swans

Proc. R. Soc. B 284: 20170876.

Abstract:

Prehistoric human impacts on megafaunal populations have dramatically reshaped ecosystems worldwide. However, the effects of human exploitation on smaller species, such as anatids (ducks, geese, and swans) are less clear. In this study we apply ancient DNA and osteological approaches to reassess the history of Australasia's iconic black swans (Cygnus atratus) including the palaeo-behaviour of prehistoric populations. Our study shows that at the time of human colonization, New Zealand housed a genetically, morphologically, and potentially ecologically distinct swan lineage (C. sumnerensis, Poūwa), divergent from modern (Australian) C. atratus. Morphological analyses indicate C. sumnerensis exhibited classic signs of the ‘island rule’ effect, being larger, and likely flight-reduced compared to C. atratus. Our research reveals sudden extinction and replacement events within this anatid species complex, coinciding with recent human colonization of New Zealand. This research highlights the role of anthropogenic processes in rapidly reshaping island ecosystems and raises new questions for avian conservation, ecosystem re-wilding, and de-extinction.

Full text:
http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/284/1859/20170876
 
Hume & Walters described the Chatham Islands black swan as Cygnus sp. But in the new study it is called Cygnus sumnerensis chathamicus.
 
I have a question to the type locality. Is Sumner Cave the same as Monck's Cave or are these two different caves at Sumner Rock, Christchurch, New Zealand?
 
Response to Rawlence et al. (†): Native or not? Extinct and extant DNA of New Zealand Black Swans



http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/eva.12587/full

This paper is by Valeria Montano, Wouter F.D. van Dongen, Michael A. Weston, Raoul A. Mulder, Randall W. Robinson, Mary Cowling, Patrick‐Jean Guay.

Nicolas J. Rawlence, Afroditi Kardamaki, Luke J. Easton, Alan J. D. Tennyson, Richard P. Scofield & Jonathan M. Waters repleid:

Native or not? Ancient DNA rejects persistence of New Zealand’s endemic black swan: A reply to Montano et al.

Free pdf: https://www.researchgate.net/public...o_Montano_et_al.pdf?origin=publication_detail

Fred
 
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