Directory of Australian Birds: Passerines

Schodde, Richard; Mason, Ian J.

doi:10.1071/9780643100862

Cited by 274 publications

(447 citation statements)

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“…1) and the position of L. versicolor from Ford (1978). Resolution of relationships within the genera Manorina and Melithreptus was taken from discussion in Schodde and Mason (1999). The topology used is presented in Fig.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Latitudinal gradients in abundance, and the causes of rarity in the tropics: a test using Australian honeyeaters (Aves: Meliphagidae)

2006

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Several studies have uncovered interspecific latitudinal gradients in abundance (population density) such that tropical species tend to be, on average, less abundant than species at higher latitudes. The causes of this relationship remain poorly studied, in contrast to the relative wealth of literature examining the relationship to latitude of other variables such as range size and body mass. We used a cross-species phylogenetic comparative approach and a spatial approach to examine three potential determining factors (distribution, reproductive output and climate) that might explain why abundance correlates with latitude, using data from 54 species of honeyeaters (Meliphagidae) in woodland environments in eastern Australia. There is a strong positive correlation between mean abundance and latitude in these birds. Reproductive output (clutch size) was positively linked to both abundance and latitude, but partial correlation analysis revealed that clutch size is not related to abundance once the effects of latitude are removed. A subsequent multiple regression model that also considered range size, clutch size and body mass showed that latitude is the only strong predictor of abundance in honeyeaters. In the separate spatial analysis, the climatic variables that we considered (temperature, rainfall and seasonality) were all strongly linked to latitude, but none served as a better predictor of abundance than latitude per se, either individually or collectively. The most intriguing result of our analyses was that the cross-species latitudinal pattern in abundance was not evident within species. This suggests an intrinsic cause of the pattern of 'rarity in the tropics' in Australian honeyeaters. We suggest that evolutionary age may provide a key to understanding patterns of abundance in these birds.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Latitudinal gradients in abundance, and the causes of rarity in the tropics: a test using Australian honeyeaters (Aves: Meliphagidae)

2006

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“…It has a wide distribution throughout coastal regions of southeast Australia, Tasmania, and southwest Australia (see Higgins et al 2001) with five subspecies currently recognized across Western Australia, mainland southeastern Australia, Kangaroo Island, Bass Strait islands, and Tasmania (Schodde and Mason 1999). Within its South Australian range, the New Holland Honeyeater is among the most abundant Passeriformes (Oorebeek and Kleindorfer 2009).…”

Section: Study Speciesmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…Several notable avian families are missing from Kangaroo Island, including the trunk and bark-feeding treecreepers (Climacteridae), sittellas (Neosittidae), and shrike-tits (Pachycephalidae) (Abbott 1974b;Paton et al 2002). Kangaroo Island also has ten resident honeyeater species (Paton et al 2002), of which six are considered subspecies of the mainland forms (Schodde and Mason 1999;Paton et al 2002), compared to 12 species in the Mount Lofty Ranges on the mainland .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Divergence in New Holland Honeyeaters (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae): evidence from morphology and feeding behavior

2009

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Studies of island versus mainland populations have provided insights into processes that shape adaptive divergence (e.g., through selection in allopatric populations) as well as patterns of morphological change. In this study, we compare the morphology and foraging behavior in New Holland Honeyeaters (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae) between Kangaroo Island and the South Australian mainland. We (1) provide descriptive information on morphology traits across populations to test previously described differences; (2) test the prediction that island birds will have a wider foraging niche, different use of foraging substrate, and different foraging techniques, and (3) test for evidence of reduced prey diversity on islands as evidenced by longer foraging time. The results provide support for the predictions. Island birds were larger than the mainland birds in tarsus (2.5%) and bill length (3.7%), had a wider foraging niche (mostly due to greater insect consumption), and foraged more from the bark and air (sallying). Consistent with other studies of island biogeography, at least one common mainland predator and several bird species are absent from Kangaroo Island, which may facilitate niche expansion in the island birds. A wider niche could also be favored by lower prey diversity on islands (a depauperate community): in this study, island birds had longer foraging times than mainland birds, which may be evidence for lower total prey density.

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“…In this study we employed the established and common classification scheme for southeastern silvereyes developed by Mees (1969), which was also used by Chan (1994Chan ( , 1995, instead of the more recent classification scheme of ultrataxa proposed by Schodde and Mason (1999). This scheme allows for the easy distinction between both subspecies on the basis of plumage (e.g., flank and throat color).…”

Section: Study Birdsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Daily and seasonal activity patterns of partially migratory and nonmigratory subspecies of the Australian silvereye, Zosterops lateralis, in captivity

Funnell

Munro

2010

J Ethol

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We recorded the locomotor activity of the partially migratory Tasmanian silvereye, Zosterops l. lateralis, and the nonmigratory mainland silvereye, Z. l. familiaris, continuously over 17 and 15 months, respectively, to identify daily and seasonal patterns. While graphing the data showed several trends, statistical analysis did not reveal a significant difference between subspecies, making this study mainly descriptive in nature. The lack of statistical differentiation was possibly due to the low number of study animals and similarities between them. During the first year in captivity, the Tasmanian birds displayed heightened activity during the migratory periods, which was most likely migratory restlessness. The Tasmanian birds did not show any nocturnal activity as in previous laboratory and field studies, rather their activity patterns were similar to those of diurnal migrants, possibly reflecting the temporally variable nature of their migration. Although the Tasmanian birds displayed higher overall activity levels than the mainland birds during the first year in captivity, the activity patterns were similar between the subspecies. Captivity appeared to influence the activity of both subspecies in the second year of the study; following the onset of molt, neither subspecies regained the activity levels of the previous year, nor did activity follow the same pattern. Possible reasons (e.g., prevention of breeding) for this are discussed. This is the most detailed study to date on the daily and seasonal activity patterns of an Australian bird in captivity.

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Directory of Australian Birds: Passerines

Cited by 274 publications

References 0 publications

Latitudinal gradients in abundance, and the causes of rarity in the tropics: a test using Australian honeyeaters (Aves: Meliphagidae)

Latitudinal gradients in abundance, and the causes of rarity in the tropics: a test using Australian honeyeaters (Aves: Meliphagidae)

Divergence in New Holland Honeyeaters (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae): evidence from morphology and feeding behavior

Daily and seasonal activity patterns of partially migratory and nonmigratory subspecies of the Australian silvereye, Zosterops lateralis, in captivity

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