Taxonomy is important in conservation: a preliminary reassessment of Philippine species-level bird taxonomy

Abstract

Alpha taxonomy involves delineation of the basic unit of biology: the species. The concepts by which we define species, however, have been controversial, with several alternatives competing at present, some creating fewer and some more species units, depending on interpretation of species limits. Although it is tempting to assume that species concepts would have little interaction with the geographic foci of species richness and endemism -and some have so argued -this assumption does not withstand careful analysis. In this paper, I develop a first-pass assessment of Philippine bird taxonomy under an alternative species concept, and compare the results with the traditional biological species concept lists. Differences between the two lists were dramatic, but not just in numbers of species; rather, new, previously unrecognized or previously underappreciated foci of endemism were noted. A thorough understanding of the taxonomic basis of species lists is therefore critical to conservation planning.

Origin and diversification of Philippine bulbuls

“…The subspecies Ixos siquijorensis cinereiceps from Tablas Island will likely be split from the nominate form on Siquijor Island because considerable vocal and plumage differences have been noted (Allen, 2006). This result underscores how Philippine bird diversity is currently underestimated (see Peterson, 2006). Further molecular systematic studies on other bird families and with greater island sampling are recommended to better understand the history of avian diversification in this archipelago.…”

“…Many of these species include multiple described subspecies and some workers have suggested that some of these races merit recognition as full species (Fishpool and Tobias, 2005;Allen, 2006;Peterson, 2006).…”

Notes on the natural history, taxonomy, and conservation of the endemic avifauna of the Samoan Archipelago

“…Taxonomy has significant implications for conservation (Agapow et al 2004, Mace 2004, Peterson 2006, Pratt 2010, and accurately assessing the species status of range-restricted taxa is particularly important in threatened island ecosystems such as those of the tropical Pacific. Following development of the BSC, Mayr (1945) revised the taxonomy of birds in the region and grouped many island populations into large polytypic species based on the presumption that they would interbreed in sympatry.…”

Divergence history of the Rufous-tailed Tailorbird (Orthotomus sericeus) of Sundaland: Implications for the biogeography of Palawan and the taxonomy of island species in general

“…A relatively large proportion of Philippine forest birds are classified as members of widespread Southeast Asian species when they are better treated as endemic Philippine species (Peterson 2006, Lohman et al 2010. This underestimation of Philippine species endemicity is largely a historical artifact, a hangover from taxonomic and biogeographic thinking of the mid-twentieth century.…”