Systematic and conservation implications of geographic variation in pipits (Anthus: Motacillidae) in New Zealand and some offshore islands

• Published in: Ibis
• Main Authors: FOGGO, M. N., HITCHMOUGH, R. A., DAUGHERTY, C. H.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 1997
• Subjects: Campbell Islands; New Zealand; Antipodes Islands
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1474-919x.1997.tb04635.x; https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1111%2Fj.1474-919X.1997.tb04635.x; https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1474-919X.1997.tb04635.x

The New Zealand Pipit Anthus novaeseelandiae occurs as a single species in Europe (as Richard's Pipit), Asia, Africa, New Guinea, Australia and New Zealand. In the New Zealand region, subspecific status has been accorded to allopatric populations on the mainland (A. n. novaeseelandiae) , on the Auckland and Campbell Islands (A. n. aucklandicus) , on the Antipodes Islands (A. n. steindachneri) and on the Chatham Islands (A. n. chathamensis) . Analyses of 23 allozyme loci and morphometric variation of populations on mainland New Zealand and on the Auckland, Campbell, Antipodes and Chatham Islands showed an appreciable and significant divergence between mainland and island populations. The magnitude of the allozyme difference is sufficient to suggest full species designation for the island birds, a conclusion supported by morphometric analyses and in sharp contrast to current taxonomy. However, formal taxonomic change will not be undertaken until the two New Zealand groups have been compared with more distant populations of this wideranging genus. The cryptic variation found in this species has conservation management implications for the small offshore populations.