Gough Island Moorhen
Encyclopedia
The Gough Moorhen, Gallinula comeri, is a medium-sized, almost flightless bird
that is similar to the Common Moorhen
(Gallinula chloropus), but is smaller, stockier, and has shorter wings. The bird has a distinctive bill
that is reddish with a yellow tip. Its first account was written by the polar explorer George Comer
in 1888. This bird is found only on two remote islands in the South Atlantic.
The Gough Moorhen was originally endemic to Gough Island
, but was introduced to Tristan da Cunha
in 1956. On the basis of DNA sequencing of both recently collected and historical material from both species, Groenenberg et al (2008) concluded that the genetic distances between G. nesiotis and G. comeri are of at least the same size as those found between subspecies of G. chloropus in the literature. They propose that the extinct moorhen of Tristan (G. nesiotis
) and the moorhens that live on Gough and Tristan today (G. comeri) be regarded as subspecies.
On Gough Island, it appears that the bird's future is secure with the island being a nature reserve and a World Heritage Site
. In the mid 1990s, it was estimated that 2500 breeding pairs existed on Gough Island. Gough Island is considered the least disturbed major cool-temperate island ecosystem in the South Atlantic Ocean and hosts one of the most important sea-bird colonies in the world, containing 54 bird species
, 22 breeding species, and four threatened species. However, on Tristan da Cunha, it is not classified as a native species and therefore is not protected.
Bird
Birds are feathered, winged, bipedal, endothermic , egg-laying, vertebrate animals. Around 10,000 living species and 188 families makes them the most speciose class of tetrapod vertebrates. They inhabit ecosystems across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Extant birds range in size from...
that is similar to the Common Moorhen
Common Moorhen
The Common Moorhen is a bird in the Rallidae family with an almost worldwide distribution. The North and South American Committees of the AOU and the IOC have voted on or before July 2011 to split the American forms into a new species Common Gallinule, however, no other committee has voted to...
(Gallinula chloropus), but is smaller, stockier, and has shorter wings. The bird has a distinctive bill
Beak
The beak, bill or rostrum is an external anatomical structure of birds which is used for eating and for grooming, manipulating objects, killing prey, fighting, probing for food, courtship and feeding young...
that is reddish with a yellow tip. Its first account was written by the polar explorer George Comer
George Comer
Captain George Comer was considered the most famous American whaling captain of Hudson Bay, and the world's foremost authority on Hudson Bay Inuit in the early 20th century....
in 1888. This bird is found only on two remote islands in the South Atlantic.
The Gough Moorhen was originally endemic to Gough Island
Gough Island
Gough Island , also known historically as Gonçalo Álvares or Diego Alvarez, is a volcanic island in the South Atlantic Ocean. It is a dependency of Tristan da Cunha and part of the British overseas territory of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha...
, but was introduced to Tristan da Cunha
Tristan da Cunha
Tristan da Cunha is a remote volcanic group of islands in the south Atlantic Ocean and the main island of that group. It is the most remote inhabited archipelago in the world, lying from the nearest land, South Africa, and from South America...
in 1956. On the basis of DNA sequencing of both recently collected and historical material from both species, Groenenberg et al (2008) concluded that the genetic distances between G. nesiotis and G. comeri are of at least the same size as those found between subspecies of G. chloropus in the literature. They propose that the extinct moorhen of Tristan (G. nesiotis
Tristan Moorhen
The Tristan Moorhen is an extinct flightless rail from the South Atlantic island of Tristan da Cunha. It was physically similar to the Gough Island Moorhen of Gough Island, located 395 miles to the southeast....
) and the moorhens that live on Gough and Tristan today (G. comeri) be regarded as subspecies.
On Gough Island, it appears that the bird's future is secure with the island being a nature reserve and a World Heritage Site
World Heritage Site
A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by the UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance...
. In the mid 1990s, it was estimated that 2500 breeding pairs existed on Gough Island. Gough Island is considered the least disturbed major cool-temperate island ecosystem in the South Atlantic Ocean and hosts one of the most important sea-bird colonies in the world, containing 54 bird species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
, 22 breeding species, and four threatened species. However, on Tristan da Cunha, it is not classified as a native species and therefore is not protected.
External links
- BirdLife Species Factsheet.
- ARKive - images and movies of the Gough Island Moorhen (Gallinula comeri)
- "Description of a new gallinule, from Gough Island" - J.A. AllenJoel Asaph AllenJoel Asaph Allen was an American zoologist and ornithologist, born in Springfield, Massachusetts.He studied at Harvard University under Louis Agassiz...
, Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History, Vol.4, Art.6, 1892. p. 57-58 - Official Gough Island website
- website A.J.Beintema