The Stone-curlew is a species of conservation concern in Europe but its population structure is poorly investigated. Recent genetic data supported a significant differentiation of the Canarian populations from Mediterranean ones, but the available data were not enough to fully assess the taxonomic status of Canarian birds. In order to collect further evidences in this regard, we compared the vocalizations by adult Stone-curlews belonging to Gran Canaria and Italy. In spite of the relatively small sample size, the vocal repertoire seemed comparable. However, some frequently used calls clearly showed quantitative differences. For example, the harmonic components of the gallop call and of the bitonal whistle were more intense in the Canarian samples. Furthermore the final element of the kurlee call showed a significantly higher peak frequency in Canarian vocalizations. In the end, some call subtypes, which are relatively rare in Italian recordings, seemed more widespread in the Canarian repertoire. The analysis of further recordings combined with playback experiments and other sources of information (e.g. genetic, morphological data) would be helpful to understand whether observed differences have a significant biological meaning and are strong enough to support a revision of the taxonomic status of Canarian subspecies from an integrative taxonomy approach.
Preliminary investigation of the geographic variability of vocalizations by the Stone-curlew Burhinus oedicnemus
GIUNCHI, DIMITRI
2015-01-01
Abstract
The Stone-curlew is a species of conservation concern in Europe but its population structure is poorly investigated. Recent genetic data supported a significant differentiation of the Canarian populations from Mediterranean ones, but the available data were not enough to fully assess the taxonomic status of Canarian birds. In order to collect further evidences in this regard, we compared the vocalizations by adult Stone-curlews belonging to Gran Canaria and Italy. In spite of the relatively small sample size, the vocal repertoire seemed comparable. However, some frequently used calls clearly showed quantitative differences. For example, the harmonic components of the gallop call and of the bitonal whistle were more intense in the Canarian samples. Furthermore the final element of the kurlee call showed a significantly higher peak frequency in Canarian vocalizations. In the end, some call subtypes, which are relatively rare in Italian recordings, seemed more widespread in the Canarian repertoire. The analysis of further recordings combined with playback experiments and other sources of information (e.g. genetic, morphological data) would be helpful to understand whether observed differences have a significant biological meaning and are strong enough to support a revision of the taxonomic status of Canarian subspecies from an integrative taxonomy approach.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
