New species of song bird found
The fragmented forests of
the highest ranges of the Western Ghats have revealed a secret that is music to
the ears of naturalists. Researchers exploring these “sky islands” have
designated two new endemic genera and a new species of songbird.
Details:
The research published in
the latest issue of BMC
Evolutionary Biology was undertaken
by V. V. Robin; Sushma Reddy; C .K. Vishnudas; Pooja Gupta; Frank E. Rheindt;
Daniel M. Hooper and Uma Ramakrishnan.
- The team has designated two new genera, the Western
Ghats shortwings as Sholicola (closely related to flycatchers) and the laughing
thrushes as Montecincla (closely related to babblers).
- The newly described Sholicola ashambuensis is
confined to the Agasthyar Malai mountain ranges.
- These birds live in the most vulnerable part of the ecosystem — fragmented forest patches on the highest peaks of the range — that is facing increasing pressure from humans activities and climate change.
