Amytornis textilis ssp. carteri

[Sebbe]

Uncovering cryptic evolutionary diversity in extant and extinct populations of the southern Australian arid zone Western and Thick-billed Grasswrens (Passeriformes: Maluridae: Amytornis)

The Western and Thick-billed Grasswrens (Aves: Passeriformes: Maluridae: Amytornis textilis and Amytornis modestus, respectively) exemplify issues surrounding the evolution, biogeography and conservation of Australia’s arid and semi-arid zone fauna. The two species together have historically occurred across much of southern Australia. They showed high intraspecific taxonomic diversity and short range endemism but suffered high rates of recent anthropogenic extinction. Of 11 named and 1 un-named subspecies, 5 are extinct and 3 are vulnerable or critically endangered. To clarify taxonomic issues, and to understand their pre-extinction phylogeography and identify extant populations and taxa of conservation value, we sequenced ~1,000 bp of the mtDNA ND2 gene from all extant populations and all but one extinct population. We confirmed reciprocal monophyly of A. modestus and A. textilis and identified strong phylogeographic structure associated with morphological divergence within each species. Populations of A. t. myall at the western edge of their range in South Australia may preserve “ghost” lineages of extinct subspecies from Western Australia as a result of ancient gene flow. Our results support recent taxonomic revisions, and highlight the critical importance of including samples of extirpated populations and extinct species to fully understand and interpret extant diversity. Conservation and management plans should recognise and seek to preserve the unique evolutionary diversity present in surviving populations.

digital.library.adelaide.edu.au/dspace/bitstream/2440/78228/2/hdl_78228.pdf

[Sebbe]

This is as a valid subspecies according to del Hoyo & Collar (2016) and it was endemic to Dirk Hartog I, Western Australia. Based on Austin et al., (2013) it was last collected in 1916.

Source

- Austin Jeremy J., Joseph Leo, Pedler Lynn P., Black Andrew B. (2013): Uncovering cryptic evolutionary diversity in extant and extinct populations of the southern Australian arid zone Western and Thick-billed Grasswrens (Passeriformes: Maluridae: Amytornis). Conservation Genetics. 2013 14(6).

- del Hoyo, J. & Collar, N.J. (2016): HBW and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 2: Passerines. Lynx Edicions. Barcelona.

[Sebbe]

Occupied Acacia communities perhaps similar to the Shark Bay population (Nominate race). After its discovery in 1916, it was thought to have been wiped out by feral cats four years later and has not been seen since. It is perhaps likely that changes resulting from grazing by stock contributed to its rapid demise (Black & Gower, 2017).

Source

- Black, A. & Gower, P. 2017. Grasswrens: Australian Outback Identities. Axiom Publishing.

[Sebbe]

Provisional identification of historical grasswren (Amytornis: Maluridae) specimens in European collections draws attention to the incomplete phylogeny of the group.

The phylogeny and systematics of grasswrens Amytornis species are incompletely resolved, in particular for three widely distributed members of the genus. In part this is a consequence of the dispersal to European and North American collections of early specimens of now extinct populations. We describe three historical grasswren specimens from museums in Berlin and Stockholm, all of which represent taxa for which phylogenetic and / or other data are incomplete. We further identify other specimens that might contribute towards greater resolution of grasswren phylogeny.

bioone.org/journals/Bulletin-of-the-British-Ornithologists-Club/volume-139/issue-3/bboc.v139i3.2019.a5/Provisional-identification-of-historical-grasswren-Amytornis--Maluridae-specimens-in/10.25226/bboc.v139i3.2019.a5.full