Scientists discover new bird species near Antarctica

Ornithologists have made a zoological description of a new bird species living on the sub-arctic islands of South America. About informs N+1 version.

The study was carried out by Ricardo Rozzi of the University of Magalana and colleagues. They studied the spiny-tailed rayadito, which lives in the southernmost reaches of Argentina and Chile. These are small insectivorous birds of the genus Passerines. A separate, isolated population of these birds inhabit the Diego Ramirez archipelago in the Drake Pass, as it is separated from the mainland by a wide strip of ocean. Also on the island the birds had to adapt to life in the tall grass instead of the usual trees.

To do this, they captured thirteen representatives of this population, weighed them and measured the length and width of their beaks, as well as the length of the wings, claws and tail, and compared them with relatives on the mainland. It turned out that individuals on the Diego Ramirez Islands were a quarter heavier than relatives on Tierra del Fuego, but their tails were shorter. In addition, island birds have longer and wider beaks and longer claws. At the same time, the length of the wings in individuals from the Diego Ramirez archipelago and Tierra del Fuego does not differ. The authors note that raiaditos from the Beagle Channel shores and from Navarino Island are morphologically similar, while their relatives on the Diego Ramirez Islands form a separate cluster.

However, in modern biology, the main factor in classifying animals and plants is DNA. The population appeared to be genetically isolated and had a high level of inbreeding. Finally, the lifestyle of these birds stood out. In the archipelago, they feed on grass on the ground, rarely rising to high altitudes, and often lay their eggs in earthen nests dug by other birds. According to scientists, larger body weight and shorter tails, characteristic of representatives of the local population, are associated with these behaviors. At the same time, relatives on the mainland look for insects in the trees and settle in the hollows on them.

Based on all of this, the study’s authors suggested considering the rayadito island population as a separate species. It has been suggested to call it Subantarctic rayadito.

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