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Isabelline Shrike (1 Viewer)

Richard Klim

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Panov 2009. On the nomenclature of the so-called Isabelline Shrike. Sandgrouse 31(2): 163-170.

En Panov argues for the retention of the old nomenclature, contra Pearson (2000) who suggested that isabellinus be used for the taxon previously known as speculigerus, and arenarius for the taxon previously known as isabellinus.

But Pearson's arrangement has been very widely adopted - Dickinson 2003 (H&M3), Cornell/Clements, HBW, BOU, CSNA, most recent field guides etc etc - so a reversal now would be a major headache. :eek!:

Incidently, Panov supports a single split resulting in Lanius isabellinus Isabelline Shrike (with ssps tsaidamensis & speculigerus) and L phoenicuroides Turkestan Shrike (monotypic).

Richard
 
The name Durian Shrike is banded about to which should it actually apply if at all
  • Turkestan (Isabelline) Shrike [or Red-tailed Shrike] = Lanius (isabellinus) phoenicuroides
  • Daurian (Isabelline) Shrike = L (i) isabellinus, formerly L (i) speculigerus
  • Chinese (Isabelline) Shrike = L (i) arenarius, formerly L (i) isabellinus
IOC splits L phoenicuroides; CSNA (Netherlands) splits L phoenicuroides & L arenarius.

Richard
 
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Pearson et al 2012

Pearson, Svensson & Frahnert 2012. Further on the type series and nomenclature of the Isabelline Shrike Lanius isabellinus. Bull BOC 132(4): 270–276.
SUMMARY.—The lectotype of Lanius isabellinus at the Museum für Naturkunde, Berlin, has been considered to represent the race breeding in Mongolia rather than that of the Tarim Basin region of western China, meaning that the name speculigerus Taczanowski would become a junior synonym. However, questions have been raised concerning this specimen, in particular regarding the small size of the white primary patch and the 'atypical' narrow frontal extension to the black face mask. Here we describe three further specimens from the type series (two males, one female) recently relocated in the Berlin collection. The three type series males (including the lectotype) vary in face markings and wing patch, but all have the dark primaries associated with speculigerus and all can be closely matched by birds from the Mongolian breeding grounds. The mask details and wing patch size of the lectotype fall within the normal range of variability of the Mongolian race. One of the other males is a very close match for a syntype of speculigerus held in Berlin. In wing length and wing / tail ratio the type specimens accord with the Mongolian rather than the Tarim Basin race. Plumage and structure therefore confirm that isabellinus is the correct name for the former, and that arenarius Blyth should be used for the latter.
 
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