South Island Snipe (1 Viewer)

[SzimiStyle]

I am a bit confused by the recent splits of Subantarctic Snipe subspecies. The South Island Snipe has no known breeding population and thought to be extinct. How I should understand this split then?

Chatham Snipe Coenocorypha pusilla
South Island Snipe Coenocorypha iredalei
Snares Snipe Coenocorypha huegli
Subantarctic Snipe Coenocorypha aucklandica

Szimi

 

[njlarsen]

Well, I believe that taxonomists are not only interested in current species but also in extinct ones. One other example is that the Bogota Sunangel, a hummingbird only known from a single specimen, has been declared a good species based on DNA results after it for many years were suspected to be the result of a hybridization event. And by the way, it is not that long ago that New Zealand Storm-Petrel was considered extinct.

Niels

Niels

 

[SzimiStyle]

So the Chatham, Snares and Subantarctic Snipes are the living ones?

 

[Daniel Philippe]

So the Chatham, Snares and Subantarctic Snipes are the living ones?

Yes, check here.

 

[SzimiStyle]

Thanks Daniel. Great!