Olive-backed Forest Robin
Encyclopedia
The Olive-backed Forest Robin (Stiphrornis pyrrholaemus) is a small species of bird found in the Gamba Complex in southwest Gabon
. It was described
in 2008. The Olive-backed Forest Robin can be separated from other species in the genus by the combination of its olive upperparts, bright orange throat and chest, and cream
-yellow belly. Its song is also distinct from other species of Stiphrornis. Females are generally duller than males. It has not been evaluated by IUCN, but has been described as locally common.
Though this species was described recently, a juvenile appears to have been collected on 11 November 1953 in Tchibanga
, Gabon. The specimen
is deposited in the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle
in Paris
. Its identity was confirmed by comparison of the DNA sequence
s.
All taxa within the genus Stiphrornis were considered part of a single species
, S. erythrothorax, until 1999, when it was argued, based on the phylogenetic species concept, that all then-recognized taxa should be considered monotypic
species. The split was not followed in Handbook of the Birds of the World
, where it was described as "perhaps premature". Comparably, the BirdLife
Taxonomic Working Group (and consequently IUCN) recommended not following the split, as differences in plumage
s are relatively small, genetic sampling was considered incomplete, and evidence for intergradation
or parapatry is lacking. Based on mtDNA, S. pyrrholaemus is placed within S. erythrothorax sensu lato, and consequently is considered a species (rather than a subspecies of S. erythrothorax) only if at least some of the taxonomy
recommended in 1999 is followed. The genetic divergence
between S. pyrrholaemus and other members of the genus
is comparable to that between some other closely related species.
Gabon
Gabon , officially the Gabonese Republic is a state in west central Africa sharing borders with Equatorial Guinea to the northwest, Cameroon to the north, and with the Republic of the Congo curving around the east and south. The Gulf of Guinea, an arm of the Atlantic Ocean is to the west...
. It was described
Bird species new to science described in the 2000s
This page details the bird species described as new to science in the years 2000 to 2010:-Number of species described per year:-Countries with high numbers of newly described species:* Brazil* Colombia* Peru* Indonesia-2000:...
in 2008. The Olive-backed Forest Robin can be separated from other species in the genus by the combination of its olive upperparts, bright orange throat and chest, and cream
Cream (colour)
Cream is the colour of the cream produced by cattle grazing on natural pasture with plants rich in yellow carotenoid pigments, some of which are incorporated into the cream, to give a yellow tone to white. Cream is the pastel colour of yellow, much like as pink is to red. Cream is used as a skin...
-yellow belly. Its song is also distinct from other species of Stiphrornis. Females are generally duller than males. It has not been evaluated by IUCN, but has been described as locally common.
Though this species was described recently, a juvenile appears to have been collected on 11 November 1953 in Tchibanga
Tchibanga
Tchibanga is a city in the Nyanga Province of southern Gabon, situated on the Nyanga River. It has an estimated population of 24,000 . The town lies on the N6 road and is home to an airport and a market. It lies near the Ivela Falls....
, Gabon. The specimen
Specimen
A specimen is a portion/quantity of material for use in testing, examination, or study.BiologyA laboratory specimen is an individual animal, part of an animal, a plant, part of a plant, or a microorganism, used as a representative to study the properties of the whole population of that species or...
is deposited in the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle
Muséum national d'histoire naturelle
The Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle is the National Museum of Natural History in Paris, France.- History :The museum was formally founded on 10 June 1793, during the French Revolution...
in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
. Its identity was confirmed by comparison of the DNA sequence
DNA sequence
The sequence or primary structure of a nucleic acid is the composition of atoms that make up the nucleic acid and the chemical bonds that bond those atoms. Because nucleic acids, such as DNA and RNA, are unbranched polymers, this specification is equivalent to specifying the sequence of...
s.
Taxonomy
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...
, S. erythrothorax, until 1999, when it was argued, based on the phylogenetic species concept, that all then-recognized taxa should be considered monotypic
Monotypic
In biology, a monotypic taxon is a taxonomic group with only one biological type. The term's usage differs slightly between botany and zoology. The term monotypic has a separate use in conservation biology, monotypic habitat, regarding species habitat conversion eliminating biodiversity and...
species. The split was not followed in Handbook of the Birds of the World
Handbook of the Birds of the World
The Handbook of the Birds of the World is a multi-volume series produced by the Spanish publishing house Lynx Edicions. It is the first handbook to cover every known living species of bird. The series is edited by Josep del Hoyo, Andrew Elliott, Jordi Sargatal and David A Christie.So far, 15...
, where it was described as "perhaps premature". Comparably, the BirdLife
BirdLife International
BirdLife International is a global Partnership of conservation organisations that strives to conserve birds, their habitats and global biodiversity, working with people towards sustainability in the use of natural resources...
Taxonomic Working Group (and consequently IUCN) recommended not following the split, as differences in plumage
Plumage
Plumage refers both to the layer of feathers that cover a bird and the pattern, colour, and arrangement of those feathers. The pattern and colours of plumage vary between species and subspecies and can also vary between different age classes, sexes, and season. Within species there can also be a...
s are relatively small, genetic sampling was considered incomplete, and evidence for intergradation
Intergradation
In zoology, intergradation is the way in which two distinct subspecies are connected via areas where populations are found that have the characteristics of both...
or parapatry is lacking. Based on mtDNA, S. pyrrholaemus is placed within S. erythrothorax sensu lato, and consequently is considered a species (rather than a subspecies of S. erythrothorax) only if at least some of the taxonomy
Taxonomy
Taxonomy is the science of identifying and naming species, and arranging them into a classification. The field of taxonomy, sometimes referred to as "biological taxonomy", revolves around the description and use of taxonomic units, known as taxa...
recommended in 1999 is followed. The genetic divergence
Genetic divergence
Genetic divergence is the process in which two or more populations of an ancestral species accumulate independent genetic changes through time, often after the populations have become reproductively isolated for some period of time...
between S. pyrrholaemus and other members of the genus
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
is comparable to that between some other closely related species.