Daniel Philippe
Well-known member
Malykh, I. M. & Y. A. Red'kin, 2012. Geographical variability of the black-browed reed warbler Acrocephalus bistrigiceps Swinhoe, 1860 on the Russian Far East. Russ. J. Orn. Express 21: 3321-3335.
Text in Russian, Abstract in English:
Presence of geographic variability in Acrocephalus bistrigiceps was mentioned only once by Y.Yamashina (Yamashina 1939). He pointed out some minor differences in plumage coloration among specimens from Manchuria, Sakhalin, Hokkaido and Honshu. But lacking representative data he didn’t make any taxonomic estimation of this phenomenon. Berndt Leisler with colleagues found out 3.5% differences in mtDNA marker cytochome b between samples from the mainland part of range and birds wintering in Thailand (Leisler et al. 1997). However the authors lacked samples of breeding birds from island populations. We examined skins from ornithological collections of Zoological Museum of Moscow State University (ZMMU), Zoological museum of National Museum of Natural History, Ukrainian Academy of Sciences (ZMAU), Kirov City Zoological Museum (KCZM), Institute of Biology and Soil Sciences, Far East Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences (IBSS FEB RAS), Far East State University (FESU), Moscow State Darwin Museum (SDM), Moscow Pedagogical State University (MPSU) and Institute of Marine Geology and Geophysics, Far East Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences (IMGG FEB RAS). In total 205 specimens from different parts of breeding range were examined, with all types of plumage included (Tab. 1).
The comparison of plumage coloration for specimens in breeding (worn) and fresh (from late August to October) plumage was carried out separately. Having poor series of juvenile specimens we don’t discuss their geographical variation here. For naming colors and tinges of plumage we referred to Naturalist’s Color Guide (Smithe 1975). Code number of each tinge is cited in brackets after corresponding tinge names.
The wing length was measured with ruler having wing straightened along the ruler as much as possible. Other measurements were taken with calipers. Tail length was measured from the basis of centre pair of rectrices to the rectrices tips. Tarsus measurements were taken from intertarsal joint to the base of middle finger. Bill measurements included length from anterior edge of nostril to the tip of bill (bill length from nostril), length of culmen from rear edge of rhamphotheca to the bill tip (bill length), width of bill at its basis and height of bill at posterior edge of nostril. Toe length was measured from toe basis to the claw basis. Claw was measured from its basis to the tip. The primary projection was estimated as a distance from the tip of 11th (first secondary) flight feather to the longest primary (3rd or 4th). Total body length, head length (from the nape to the tip of the bill), wingspan and weight were measured on freshly collected specimens just before preparation. When samples with normal distribution were analyzed, Student t-criterion was used. For the sample from Kunashir, which is small and doesn’t distribute normally, we apply Mann-Whitney U-test. According to the data analysis we consider Acrocephalus bistrigiceps to be a polytypic species and describe two new subspecies from island part of its breeding range (Fig. 4).
Acrocephalus bistrigiceps bistrigiceps Swinhoe, 1860
Differs from both island races by brighter plumage coloration. Upperparts of adults in worn plumage are Dark Drab (C.119B) or Hair Brown (C.119A) and being lighter than those in Sakhalin race, but darker than in birds from Southern Kuril isles and Japan. In fresh plumage upperparts have the same tone with prominent umber tinge (Raw Umber, C.123). Sometimes this umber tinge remains to some extent till the breeding season. Underparts coloration is more intensive than in other subspecies, especially in fresh plumage specimens. Breast, sides of neck and body, undertail covers have intensive Buff (C.124) tinge. Sides of body with intense Tawny Olive (C.223D) tone that spreads wider than in other races. During plumage abrasion the coloration of these parts becomes paler and can be almost lost to the end of July. It has on average the smallest measurements (Tab. 2, 3).
This race is widespread throughout the mainland part of the breeding range.
Acrocephalus bistrigiceps sachalinensis Malykh et Redkin, subsp. n.
Holotype. Male, ad., 03.05.2009, Sakhalin I., Tymovsk district, Tym’ river 50° 52’N; 142°37’E. coll. Red’kin Ya.A. (skin with associated wing), ZMMU R–127815.
Paratypes: Male, ad., 21.06.2009, Sakhalin I., Aniva rdistrict, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk city 46°57’N; 142°43’E, coll. A.I. Gizenko (skin), ZISP N63038/155-950; Female, ad., 27.06.2009. Sakhalin I., Tymovsk district, Pilenga river, Pastush’ye field 51°01’N; 142°50’E, coll. Ya.A. Red’kin (skin with associated wing), ZMMU R–127820; Female, ad., 24.06.2009, from the same place, coll. Ya.A. Red’kin (skin with associated wing), ZMMU R–127819.
The darkest race. Plumage coloration is close to bistrigiceps but upperparts are darker Dark Brownish Olive (C.129) with less intensive umber tone. Dark tinge on the sides of body is of the same intensiveness as in bistrigiceps but covers smaller area. In fresh plumage the differences are less remarkable but they still differ in colder Hair Brown (C.119) with slight touch of umber (Raw Umber, C.123) tone. Slightly bigger than nominate race in size (Tab. 2, 3).
Length of wing, primaries projection and tarsus are bigger on average (P < 0.001) than in bistrigiceps. Birds from Sakhalin populations are smaller than birds from Kuril isles in terms of primaries projection (P < 0.02) and the bill length (P < 0.03). Breeds mainly in South and Central regions of Sakhalin island and in southern parts of North-Sakhalin plain (Nechaev 1991). On the East coast of island the northern border extends to Val river valley (our data), on the West coast to near Mgachy village (Nechaev 1991). Probably this race also inhabits Moneron I. Adult bird ringed in Thailand on 21.04.2009 was captured in the August next year on the South Sakhalin (P.S. Ktitorov, personal information).
Acrocephalus bistrigiceps voronovi Malykh et Redkin, subsp. n.
Holotype. Male, ad. 15.07.1986, Kunashir I., Veselovskogo peninsula 43°43’N; 145°33’E. coll. M.V. Kalyakin (skin), ZMMU R–107732.
Paratypes: Male, ad., 24.06.1987, Kunashir I., near Golovnino village 43°44’N; 145°31’E, coll. E.P. Sokolov and A.M. Sokolov (skin), ZISP N168620/219-987; Male, ad., 15.07.1986, from the same place, coll. V.Yu. Ilyashenko (skin), ZMMU R–108903; Male, ad., 20.07.1986, from the same place, coll. M.V. Kalyakin (skin), ZMMU R–107731.
Light colored race. In worn plumage upperparts have remarkable grayish tint (Graysh Horn Color, C.91), much paler than in bistrigiceps and sachalinensis. In fresh plumage with touch of umber tinge (Raw Umber, C.123), lighter than in other subspecies. Dark tinge on the breast and sides of body is also paler (Pale Pinkish Buff, C.121D) and covers smaller area than in other races. In worn plumage this tinge can be almost absent. By the most measurements on average bigger than bistrigiceps and sachalinensis (Tab. 2, 3).
Common on Kunashir, Yuryi and Zelenyi isles (Nechaev, Fujimaki 1994). Probably inhabits Shikotan I., rare on Iturup I. (Nechaev 1997). Apparently inhabits Japanese Is. Specimen we have examined from Honshu I. captured on the 25th of May 1994 according to all features belongs to this subspecies.
Etymology. New subspecies is named in honor of Gennady Alexandrovich Voronov who has made significant contribution to the investigation of Sakhalin and Kuril isles avifauna.
Thus, Acrocephalus bistrigiceps should be treated as a polytypic species with three subspecies: A. b. bistrigiceps, A. b. sachalinensis and A. b. voronovi. We want to pay attention to the fact that precise recognition among the subspecies is possible only on big series of well prepared skins. Nevertheless, the geographic variability of this species is not well studied. Populations of Japanese Islands, Southern China and Korean peninsula should be carefully studied. Genetic variability of all subspecies deserves special attention. Allocation of geographic races on wintering grounds and routes of their seasonal migrations should be studied as well.
Text in Russian, Abstract in English:
Presence of geographic variability in Acrocephalus bistrigiceps was mentioned only once by Y.Yamashina (Yamashina 1939). He pointed out some minor differences in plumage coloration among specimens from Manchuria, Sakhalin, Hokkaido and Honshu. But lacking representative data he didn’t make any taxonomic estimation of this phenomenon. Berndt Leisler with colleagues found out 3.5% differences in mtDNA marker cytochome b between samples from the mainland part of range and birds wintering in Thailand (Leisler et al. 1997). However the authors lacked samples of breeding birds from island populations. We examined skins from ornithological collections of Zoological Museum of Moscow State University (ZMMU), Zoological museum of National Museum of Natural History, Ukrainian Academy of Sciences (ZMAU), Kirov City Zoological Museum (KCZM), Institute of Biology and Soil Sciences, Far East Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences (IBSS FEB RAS), Far East State University (FESU), Moscow State Darwin Museum (SDM), Moscow Pedagogical State University (MPSU) and Institute of Marine Geology and Geophysics, Far East Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences (IMGG FEB RAS). In total 205 specimens from different parts of breeding range were examined, with all types of plumage included (Tab. 1).
The comparison of plumage coloration for specimens in breeding (worn) and fresh (from late August to October) plumage was carried out separately. Having poor series of juvenile specimens we don’t discuss their geographical variation here. For naming colors and tinges of plumage we referred to Naturalist’s Color Guide (Smithe 1975). Code number of each tinge is cited in brackets after corresponding tinge names.
The wing length was measured with ruler having wing straightened along the ruler as much as possible. Other measurements were taken with calipers. Tail length was measured from the basis of centre pair of rectrices to the rectrices tips. Tarsus measurements were taken from intertarsal joint to the base of middle finger. Bill measurements included length from anterior edge of nostril to the tip of bill (bill length from nostril), length of culmen from rear edge of rhamphotheca to the bill tip (bill length), width of bill at its basis and height of bill at posterior edge of nostril. Toe length was measured from toe basis to the claw basis. Claw was measured from its basis to the tip. The primary projection was estimated as a distance from the tip of 11th (first secondary) flight feather to the longest primary (3rd or 4th). Total body length, head length (from the nape to the tip of the bill), wingspan and weight were measured on freshly collected specimens just before preparation. When samples with normal distribution were analyzed, Student t-criterion was used. For the sample from Kunashir, which is small and doesn’t distribute normally, we apply Mann-Whitney U-test. According to the data analysis we consider Acrocephalus bistrigiceps to be a polytypic species and describe two new subspecies from island part of its breeding range (Fig. 4).
Acrocephalus bistrigiceps bistrigiceps Swinhoe, 1860
Differs from both island races by brighter plumage coloration. Upperparts of adults in worn plumage are Dark Drab (C.119B) or Hair Brown (C.119A) and being lighter than those in Sakhalin race, but darker than in birds from Southern Kuril isles and Japan. In fresh plumage upperparts have the same tone with prominent umber tinge (Raw Umber, C.123). Sometimes this umber tinge remains to some extent till the breeding season. Underparts coloration is more intensive than in other subspecies, especially in fresh plumage specimens. Breast, sides of neck and body, undertail covers have intensive Buff (C.124) tinge. Sides of body with intense Tawny Olive (C.223D) tone that spreads wider than in other races. During plumage abrasion the coloration of these parts becomes paler and can be almost lost to the end of July. It has on average the smallest measurements (Tab. 2, 3).
This race is widespread throughout the mainland part of the breeding range.
Acrocephalus bistrigiceps sachalinensis Malykh et Redkin, subsp. n.
Holotype. Male, ad., 03.05.2009, Sakhalin I., Tymovsk district, Tym’ river 50° 52’N; 142°37’E. coll. Red’kin Ya.A. (skin with associated wing), ZMMU R–127815.
Paratypes: Male, ad., 21.06.2009, Sakhalin I., Aniva rdistrict, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk city 46°57’N; 142°43’E, coll. A.I. Gizenko (skin), ZISP N63038/155-950; Female, ad., 27.06.2009. Sakhalin I., Tymovsk district, Pilenga river, Pastush’ye field 51°01’N; 142°50’E, coll. Ya.A. Red’kin (skin with associated wing), ZMMU R–127820; Female, ad., 24.06.2009, from the same place, coll. Ya.A. Red’kin (skin with associated wing), ZMMU R–127819.
The darkest race. Plumage coloration is close to bistrigiceps but upperparts are darker Dark Brownish Olive (C.129) with less intensive umber tone. Dark tinge on the sides of body is of the same intensiveness as in bistrigiceps but covers smaller area. In fresh plumage the differences are less remarkable but they still differ in colder Hair Brown (C.119) with slight touch of umber (Raw Umber, C.123) tone. Slightly bigger than nominate race in size (Tab. 2, 3).
Length of wing, primaries projection and tarsus are bigger on average (P < 0.001) than in bistrigiceps. Birds from Sakhalin populations are smaller than birds from Kuril isles in terms of primaries projection (P < 0.02) and the bill length (P < 0.03). Breeds mainly in South and Central regions of Sakhalin island and in southern parts of North-Sakhalin plain (Nechaev 1991). On the East coast of island the northern border extends to Val river valley (our data), on the West coast to near Mgachy village (Nechaev 1991). Probably this race also inhabits Moneron I. Adult bird ringed in Thailand on 21.04.2009 was captured in the August next year on the South Sakhalin (P.S. Ktitorov, personal information).
Acrocephalus bistrigiceps voronovi Malykh et Redkin, subsp. n.
Holotype. Male, ad. 15.07.1986, Kunashir I., Veselovskogo peninsula 43°43’N; 145°33’E. coll. M.V. Kalyakin (skin), ZMMU R–107732.
Paratypes: Male, ad., 24.06.1987, Kunashir I., near Golovnino village 43°44’N; 145°31’E, coll. E.P. Sokolov and A.M. Sokolov (skin), ZISP N168620/219-987; Male, ad., 15.07.1986, from the same place, coll. V.Yu. Ilyashenko (skin), ZMMU R–108903; Male, ad., 20.07.1986, from the same place, coll. M.V. Kalyakin (skin), ZMMU R–107731.
Light colored race. In worn plumage upperparts have remarkable grayish tint (Graysh Horn Color, C.91), much paler than in bistrigiceps and sachalinensis. In fresh plumage with touch of umber tinge (Raw Umber, C.123), lighter than in other subspecies. Dark tinge on the breast and sides of body is also paler (Pale Pinkish Buff, C.121D) and covers smaller area than in other races. In worn plumage this tinge can be almost absent. By the most measurements on average bigger than bistrigiceps and sachalinensis (Tab. 2, 3).
Common on Kunashir, Yuryi and Zelenyi isles (Nechaev, Fujimaki 1994). Probably inhabits Shikotan I., rare on Iturup I. (Nechaev 1997). Apparently inhabits Japanese Is. Specimen we have examined from Honshu I. captured on the 25th of May 1994 according to all features belongs to this subspecies.
Etymology. New subspecies is named in honor of Gennady Alexandrovich Voronov who has made significant contribution to the investigation of Sakhalin and Kuril isles avifauna.
Thus, Acrocephalus bistrigiceps should be treated as a polytypic species with three subspecies: A. b. bistrigiceps, A. b. sachalinensis and A. b. voronovi. We want to pay attention to the fact that precise recognition among the subspecies is possible only on big series of well prepared skins. Nevertheless, the geographic variability of this species is not well studied. Populations of Japanese Islands, Southern China and Korean peninsula should be carefully studied. Genetic variability of all subspecies deserves special attention. Allocation of geographic races on wintering grounds and routes of their seasonal migrations should be studied as well.
Last edited:
