Potential Sand Plover-complex Split (1 Viewer)

SzimiStyle

The Shorebird Addict

• Oct 8, 2020

• #1

There was another presentation about the potential split of the Sand Plover complex during the recent #ISTC20 – the first International Shorebird Twitter Conference.

The suggested taxonomy is very exciting.
Please read the thread here: https://twitter.com/comicterns/status/1314161131360079872

Best, Szimi

 

S

Steve Lister

Senior Birder, ex County Recorder, Garden Moths.

• Oct 8, 2020

• #2

Not really a surprise though - the split of Lesser has been on the cards for ages.

 

SzimiStyle

The Shorebird Addict

• Oct 8, 2020

• #3

Steve Lister said:

Not really a surprise though - the split of Lesser has been on the cards for ages.

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This time at least it was supported by genetic studies.

 

S

Steve Lister

Senior Birder, ex County Recorder, Garden Moths.

• Oct 8, 2020

• #4

Looking at the 'tree' in the study there is no mention of White-faced Plover as opposed to Kentish Plover. So maybe gain one, lose one??

 

Andy Adcock

Worst person on Birdforum

• Oct 8, 2020

• #5

Steve Lister said:

Looking at the 'tree' in the study there is no mention of White-faced Plover as opposed to Kentish Plover. So maybe gain one, lose one??

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White-faced is split by the IOC, not sure which taxonomy that list is based on?

 

RafaelMatias

Unknown member

• Oct 8, 2020

• #6

Steve Lister said:

Looking at the 'tree' in the study there is no mention of White-faced Plover as opposed to Kentish Plover. So maybe gain one, lose one??

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I don't think you can make that conclusion: they just didn't sample all Charadrius species, as their focus was on the "sand plovers"; note that there are lots of Charadrius not included, such as Ch. hiaticula and Ch. dubius B

 

Bismarck Honeyeater

Barely known member

• Oct 9, 2020

• #7

Steve Lister said:

Looking at the 'tree' in the study there is no mention of White-faced Plover as opposed to Kentish Plover. So maybe gain one, lose one??

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Is that not the bird they call White-fronted in their tree?

 

JWN Andrewes

Poor Judge of Pasta.

• Oct 9, 2020

• #8

Bismarck Honeyeater said:

Is that not the bird they call White-fronted in their tree?

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I think that's the African species.

 

Andy Adcock

Worst person on Birdforum

• Oct 9, 2020

• #9

JWN Andrewes said:

I think that's the African species.

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Correct.

 

S

Steve Lister

Senior Birder, ex County Recorder, Garden Moths.

• Oct 9, 2020

• #10

I have had a comment from one of the team stating that the absence of White-faced Plover from this phylogeny is not significant.

Steve

 

J

johnallcock

Well-known member

• Oct 15, 2020

• #11

Getting this split right is potentially important for conservation.
Data from Australia and Eastern Asia shows rapid declines in Lesser Sand Plover. It is probably one of the most threatened species on the East Asian-Australasian Flyway.

After the split, it seems likely that 'Mongolian' Sand Plover (or whatever name is agreed) would qualify as globally threatened, probably at least Vulnerable, maybe Endangered.

See: https://www.researchgate.net/public..._Action_on_the_East_Asian-Australasian_Flyway

 

Andy Adcock

Worst person on Birdforum

• Oct 15, 2020

• #12

Funny this John, I was pondering to myself the other day (yet to decide the answer), which was, globally, the rarest bird on my British list, it could be this then?