In describing atlantis as a new taxon (then of Lesser Black-backed Gull) in 1925, Jonathan Dwight examined 17 specimens from the Azores, but included two from the Canary Islands in his study. Thus, the Yellow-legged Gulls of Madeira, the Canary Islands, Morocco and SW Spain have traditionally resided under the taxonomic 'umbrella' of atlantis, even though they more closely resemble michahellis. Several authorities have recently intimated that this is far from satisfactory, with Yésou (2002) stating 'it is wise to restrict the use of the name atlantis to the birds breeding in the Azores ... pending the results of further research on the phenotypic and genetic variations of the western populations of michahellis'. Olsen & Larsson (2003) echo this sentiment with the fact that they 'fully accept that only Azores birds should be regarded as true atlantis'. ... The adoption of the name Atlantic Gull L. (m.) atlantis for birds of the Azorean population (Lowe 2006) was an attempt at clarification, but still allowed for misinterpretation, so to avoid any further confusion amongst birders, referring to this taxon as Azorean Atlantic Gull L. atlantis (ie a monotypic species, endemic to the Azores) eliminates any ambiguity. ...
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