Togian White-eye

Taxobox
name = Togian white-eye

---

status = NE
status_ref =Mochamad Indrawan, Pamela C. Rasmussen, and Sunarto (2008) "A New White-Eye ("Zosterops") from the Togian Islands, Sulawesi, Indonesia" "The Wilson Journal of Ornithology" 120(1): 1-9 [http://www.bioone.org/perlserv/?request=get-pdf&doi=10.1676%2F06-051.1 (abstract)] ]
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo = Passeriformes
familia = Zosteropidae
genus = "Zosterops"
species = "Z. somadikartai"
binomial = "Zosterops somadikartai"
binomial_authority = Indrawan,

---

range_map_caption = Location of the Togian Islands with islands where the species has been found marked in redThe Togian White-eye ("Zosterops somadikartai") is a species of bird in the Zosteropidae family.

It is found in the Togian Islands of Indonesia, where it is endemic. The species was first spotted by University of Indonesia researcher Mochamad Indrawan and his colleague Sunarto in 1997,"Science Codex": [http://www.sciencecodex.com/ornithologists_announce_discovery_of_new_bird_species "Zosterops somadikartai - new bird species discovered in Indonesia"] ] Citation |last=Fox |first=Maggie |title=New bird discovered in Indonesia |url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23634192/?GT1=43001 |publisher="MSNBC" |date=2008-03-14 |accessdate=2008-03-15] and formally described in 2008. The species is named after Soekarja Somadikarta, a prominent Indonesian ornithologist. Unlike most species in the genus it lacks a white-ring around the eye.

The species is believed to be endangered, although it has not yet been assessed by the IUCN.

Description

The Sulawesi region is believed to have at least 9-10 species that are found in isolated islands. This isolation has led to speciation with differences in morphology and vocalizations. This new species is most similar to the Black-crowned White-eye ("Zosterops atrifrons") but lacks the white eye ring which is narrow but conspicuous even in juvenile Black-crowned White-eyes. The Togian White-eye has a less extensive black cap, clearer yellow throat, distinct pale base to the bill and reddish (brown in the Black-crowned) iris. The species is separated from "Zosterops surdus" of the west-central Sulawesi by the paler and brighter olive above and clearer yellow on the throat. It differs from "Zosterops subatrifrons" of Peleng and Banggai Islands by the lack of the white eye ring, greyer breast and less extensive black crown. "Zosterops anomalus" of southern Sulawesi also lacks a white eye ring but it has tiny white specks around the orbital skin. Differences in the pitch and modulation of the song of "Z. somadikartai" are noted in comparisons with other "Zosterops" species known from the region.

Distribution and status

The holotype was collected from Pulau Malenge close at an elevation of about 50 m above sea level. It has also been observed on Malenge, Binuang, Talatakoh Island and two sites at Batudaka Island all at locations near the coast. The habitats included mangrove to secondary vegetation and gardens consisting of coconut, clove, cacao and durian. The birds were found to be gregarious, moving in flocks of twos and threes.

The birds were not detected on the Togian and the Walea Islands. Surveys suggested that the entire population was found in an area of less than 5000km² and therefore fulfilling the IUCN criteria for "Endangered" status (EN, B, 1, a, b, iii).

References

External links

* [http://www.sciencecodex.com/ornithologists_announce_discovery_of_new_bird_species Science Codex: "Zosterops somadikartai - new bird species discovered in Indonesia" (contains illustration)]
* [http://newsroom.msu.edu/site/indexer/3346/content.htm News release]
* [http://orientalbirdimages.org/search.php?action=searchresult&Bird_ID=2841 Photograph of a dead bird]