Irish zoologists from Trinity College Dublin have discovered several new species of sunbirds on the tiny Wakatobi Islands in central Indonesia
The Wakatobi sunbird was discovered by researchers from Trinity’s School of Natural Sciences and from Universitas Halu Oleo in Sulawesi, Indonesia. Pictured here, the male Wakatobi sunbird or Cinnyris infrenatus. This population was earlier viewed as a subspecies of the Olive-backed sunbird, but the scientists found genetic divergence , along with its darker plumage, shorter wings and different calls. Photo: Nicola Marples and David Kelly, Trinity College Dublin
These findings have important implications for our understanding of evolution in this biodiverse region. The study was published in journal Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. Shown here, the female Wakatobi sunbird or Cinnyris infrenatus. The analysis of plumage in the study used male birds, following previous taxonomic work on sunbirds. Photo: Nicola Marples and David Kelly, Trinity College Dublin
Sunbirds live in the tropics from Africa to Australia and look similar to the American hummingbirds. Male sunbirds often have bright plumage, with iridescent or 'metallic' feathers. Pictured here, a male Olive-backed sunbirds from Sulawesi and nearby islands. Our new paper supports splitting this population as the Sahul sunbird (Cinnyris clementiae). Photo: Nicola Marples and David Kelly, Trinity College Dublin
For hundreds of years, zoologists have examined sunbirds’ plumage to name species, over 140 of which are currently recognised. Seen here, female Olive-backed sunbirds (Sahul sunbirds or Cinnyris clementiae) from Sulawesi and nearby islands. Sunbirds are sexually dimorphic, with the females usually showing simpler plumage than the males. Photo: Nicola Marples and David Kelly, Trinity College Dublin
The Wakatobi sunbirds have a marked difference compared with the more widespread Olive-backed sunbirds and Black sunbirds. Pictured here, a male Black sunbird (Leptocoma aspasia). Photo: Nicola Marples and David Kelly, Trinity College Dublin
The scientists used new forms of evidence like deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), song recordings and statistical analyses of body measurements to identify the species. Seen here, a female Black sunbird (Leptocoma aspasia). Photo: Nicola Marples and David Kelly, Trinity College Dublin
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