[OB] Grey-cheeked Fulvetta split
Subject: [OB] Grey-cheeked Fulvetta split
From: Jesper Hornskov
Date: Tue, Aug 14, 2007, 7:03 PM
Dear [OB]ers,
Based on Zuo Fasheng et al (2007) Molecular phylogenetic analysis of the
Grey-cheeked Fulvetta (Alcippe morrisonia) of China and Indochina: a case of
remarkable genetic divergence in a species. Molecular Phylogenetics and
Evolution 44, pp165-174 (a copy of which Bjorn Anderson kindly forwarded to
me) a couple of species are added to China's list:
South-eastern (= Taiwan) Grey-cheeked Fulvetta Alcippe morrisonia
Northern Grey-cheeked Fulvetta Alcippe davidi
Western Grey-cheeked Fulvetta Alcippe fratercula
Zou et al. discovered that sspp schaefferi (of northern Vietnam, SE Yunnan,
Guizhou & Guangxi)& davidi (of Gansu, Shannxi [sic], Sichuan, Guizhou,
Hunan, Fujian [error?: if correct this is an isolated population; Fujian is
listed also for hueti] & NE Yunnan), probably, based on range, with
yunnanensis (which was excluded from the study as no DNA sample was handy;
this taxon was listed for Dali, Yunnan, by Cheng (1987) and is probably the
one occurring at e g Xishan, Kunming from where no taxa was listed by
Cheng (1987)) are better considered one species (morphologically they differ
in having a brown, not grey, head, and they lack the prominent black
superciliary line found in the peripheral taxa), fratercula (E & SE Burma,
N & C Laos, N Thailand & SW Yunnan) another, annamensis (previously
considered to belong with Mountain Fulvetta Alcippe paracensis) a third, and
morrisonia (Taiwan), hueti (of SE China, incl Guangxi, Anhui, Jiangxi,
Zhejiang, Fujian & Guangdong) & rufescentior (of Hainan) a fourth. The
authors concede that a case can be made to consider morrisonia a monotypic,
full species: it is c5% diverged from both hueti & rufescentior.
I guess that even without vocal evidence, based on how strongly they
differ genetically, we'll just have to accept? However, it would be good to
hear from any [OB]ers who are sufficiently familiar with the vocalizations
of the various taxa to form an opinion on whether or not vocal evidence
supports these splits or not.
Good Birding!
Jesper Hornskov
Beidaihe/China
\r
