DOCSLIB.ORG

The Following Reviews Express the Opinions of the Individual Reviewers Regarding the Strengths, Weaknesses, and Value of The

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Following Reviews Express the Opinions of the Individual Reviewers Regarding the Strengths, Weaknesses, and Value of The REVIEWS EDITED BY M. ROSS LEIN Thefollowing reviews express the opinions of theindividual reviewers regarding the strengths, weaknesses, and value of thebooks they review. As such,they are subjective evaluations and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of theeditors or any officialpolicy of theA.O.U.--Eds. The Florida Scrub Jay: demographyof a cooper- geneticparents in the care of young that are not off- ative-breeding bird.--Glen E. Woolfenden and John spring of the helpers.To establishthat an individual W. Fitzpatrick. 1984. Princeton, New Jersey,Prince- is a helper, one must observeit caring for young that ton University Press. xiv + 406 pp., 1 color plate, are known not to be its own. There is no evidence many figures.ISBN 0-691-08366-5(cloth), 0-691-08367-3 in the chapter on procedures that Woolfenden and (paper).Cloth, $45.00;paper, $14.50.--For nearly two Fitzpatrick employed this criterion, although they decades three long-term studies of communally were aware of it (p. 4). Instead, throughout the book breeding birds, well known to readersof this review, jays are divided into breedersand helpers, implying have been in progress.The behavioral ecology of that if a bird is not a breeder it must be a helper these speciesis so complex that conclusionsreached ("Helpers are nonbreeders," p. 80). It is well known after only a few years of study can be quite mislead- for other speciesthat not all nonbreeders help, and ing. Eachnew year of studynot only enlargessample that individual nonbreedersvary significantlyin the sizesbut also provides insights that require impor- amount or intensity of their helping efforts. These tant reinterpretationsof earlier findings. Commend- are also possibilitiesfor the Scrub Jay. To remain ably, Woolfenden and Fitzpatrickbrought together strictly objectiveI recommendthat readerssubstitute in one convenient place some of the findings of the in their minds the term "nonbreeder"every time they first 10 yearsof their study of ScrubJays, demonstrat- seethe word "helper" in this monographbecause the ing many benefitsof a long-termstudy. Although it operationalcriterion used in identifying presumed presentsa wealth of information, however, this book helpersseems to have been that they were not breed- fails short of accuratelyrepresenting the prevalent ers. views of 1984 (and especially 1987) with respectto The failure to distinguish clearly and consistently the main issues.To understandwhy, I proposeto between the question of helping and that of non- examine the main issuescritically. breeding can have far-reachingconsequences. It may One of the major contributionsof evolutionarybi- be one reason the authors and others have confused ology in the secondhalf of this century is, in the the main issues.The question, "Why help?" is dis- opinion of many, the theory of inclusive fitness tinctly different from the question, "Why delay (Hamilton 1964). By generating testable predictions, breedingand dispersal?"Yet in this monographthese this theory hasstimulated many empiricalstudies of two questionshave been confounded.Of course,the natural populations. The focus of interest is the rel- two questionsare not independent. For example, the ative importanceof indirect fitness (Brown 1980) in hypothesisthat the authorsreject may be stated as the evolution of socialsystems. follows: Helpers give up chancesto breed to gain One approachto this issueis to ask whether indi- indirect benefitsfrom helping their parents.No oth- rect fitnessis really necessaryas a componentof an er benefit to the helper is considered except the in- explanation of social behavior, such as helping be- direct benefit. A secondhypothesis involving indi- havior. This view is commonlyassociated with Wool- rect selection is that some jays are prevented from fenden and Fitzpatrick (p. 6). Another approach, breeding by territoriality and the resultant habitat which I prefer, is to use the methodof alternativework- saturationand that only then, having no opportunity inghypotheses, traditionally viewed as the heart of the to breed, do the birds becomehelpers for the indirect scientific method. Using this procedure we set up benefit. A rule of thumb for suchbirds might be stat- alternativehypotheses, some employing indirect fit- ed as:"Breed if you can;but if you cannot,then stay nessand some not. Then the data are comparedwith home as a strategy for getting a territory and help the predictionsof eachhypothesis. Some hypotheses your parentsin the meantime."This is the basisfor will be rejected;others will remain. The "is it nec- the theory I proposedin 1969 and 1974. Needlessto essary?"approach, if it is used at all, should be ap- say, I was dismayedthat although I proposedthe plied to all hypotheses,not selectivelyto thosedis- theory specificallyfor jays and had the Scrub Jay in approvedby the authors. mind, the authors did not even consider it. Beforethe processcan even begin, we must know Koenig, Mumme, and Pitelka (1983) extended the exactlywhat we are talking about. What preciselyis tendency to think of helpers as nonbreederseven a helper? A helper is an individual that assiststhe further: they mistakenly defined helpers as non- 35O April 1987] Reviews 351 breeders.Quite possiblythe rather widespreadoc- authors,however, imply that their observationsare currenceof suchmistakes has contributed to the per- not"consistent with strictly kin-selectedhelping be- sistentconfusion of issuesby these five authors. havior" (p. 88). It would have been interestingto see After nine chaptersof competentpresentation and the data on actual helping at the nest by the unre- analysis of data, Woolfenden and Fitzpatrick distill lated 6%,compared with the correspondingdata for the main resultsin a final chapter that evaluatesthe the related 94%. These data were not presented. In data with respectto the question,"Why help?" In my opinion, the data in this monograph are com- their casethis means mainly, "Why stay home and pletely consistentwith the theory I proposedin 1974. delay breeding?" They conclude that the factor of Further discussionof this point may be found in greatestimportance for a young bird is the difficulty Brown (1987). of obtaininga breedingterritory. In other words,the Are the data also consistent with othertheories, not jaysdelay breeding("help") simply becauseit is dif- involving indirect selection?There is some discus- ficult to find a breedingopening. This is exactlythe sion of the possibilitythat somemales that help can conclusionI reached(1978a) after a review of quan- improve their chancesof gaining breeding status titative data on various species,including the Scrub through territorial budding. Personally, I find the Jay. Indeed, the authors postulatea variable, reflect- data unconvincing (see Brown 1987); but I am will- ing this difficulty,D, which correspondsto my vari- ing to allow, lacking the critical data, that interpre- able F, which correspondsto Emlen's(1982) variable tationscould go either way. The experimentsneces- psi. It appearsthat on this point Woolfenden, Fitz- sary to resolve the issuehave not been done. patrick, Emlen, and I are in perfect agreement.This For females,on the other hand, no plausibletheory monograph,however, gives the impressionof dis- is presented by the authors. Furthermore, the data agreement.The authorsrefer to their "decouplingof are not consistentwith any publishedtheory for the kinship benefitsand dispersal"as "our major depar- evolution of helping that does not invoke indirect ture from typical kin-selectionmodels," and cite me selection. For further discussion,see Brown (1987: incorrectly(p. 324). This uncouplingwas, of course, chapter 14). the majorpoint of the K-selectionphase of my 3-phase In my opinion the confusionin this monographis theory, which "uncoupled"the explanationfor de- the inevitableresult of failure to distinguishcareful- layed breedingand dispersal(habitat saturation) from ly and consistentlybetween two questions.First (Q1), kinship benefits. Why do young remain with their parentsin a non- Despite their hidden agreement,I am displeased breeding role? Second(Q2), Given this role, why do with their conclusion, not for what it is but for how they help? they arrived at it. Ideally, the method of multiple The loudest claims that indirect kin selection is working hypothesesshould have been used formally unimportant (i.e. this monograph,Koenig and Pi- and explicitly. All hypothesesfor delayed breeding telka 1981) are based on Q1. But for Q1, where is the shouldhave been laid on the table.An effort to reject theoretical and empirical literature that invokes in- each of them should have been made. One of the direct kin selectionformally and explicitly?If this is oldest known hypotheses for delayed breeding, an important scientific issue,such literature should namely age-dependentlack of skill in foraging,was not be hard to find. I have searched in vain for such not even considered.Perhaps in a future publication papers before 1984. My own papers have never in- they can present data with which the remaining hy- voked indirect kin selection for Q1, and I have ex- pothesescan be evaluated. plicitly rejectedthis hypothesison the basisof a re- Now what aboutthe main question,the evolution view of empirical data (Brown 1978a). Woolfenden of helping in the true sense?The authorshave little and Fitzpatrick failed to find such references;and to say on this subjectexcept for a few commentson their earlier (1978) reference to Brown (1974) was an the possibilitythat helpingbehavior is a neutraltrait.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Vocalization Behavior of the Endangered Bahama Oriole (Icterus Northropi): Ontogenetic, Sexual, Temporal, Duetting Pair, and Geographic Variation Valerie A
    Loma Linda University TheScholarsRepository@LLU: Digital Archive of Research, Scholarship & Creative Works Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects 3-1-2011 Vocalization Behavior of the Endangered Bahama Oriole (Icterus northropi): Ontogenetic, Sexual, Temporal, Duetting Pair, and Geographic Variation Valerie A. Lee Loma Linda University Follow this and additional works at: http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd Part of the Biology Commons Recommended Citation Lee, Valerie A., "Vocalization Behavior of the Endangered Bahama Oriole (Icterus northropi): Ontogenetic, Sexual, Temporal, Duetting Pair, and Geographic Variation" (2011). Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects. 37. http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/37 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by TheScholarsRepository@LLU: Digital Archive of Research, Scholarship & Creative Works. It has been accepted for inclusion in Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects by an authorized administrator of TheScholarsRepository@LLU: Digital Archive of Research, Scholarship & Creative Works. For more information, please contact [email protected]. LOMA LINDA UNIVERSITY School of Science and Technology in conjunction with the Faculty of Graduate Studies ____________________ Vocalization Behavior of the Endangered Bahama Oriole (Icterus northropi): Ontogenetic, Sexual, Temporal, Duetting Pair, and Geographic Variation by Valerie A. Lee ____________________ A Thesis submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Biology ____________________ March 2011 © 2011 Valerie A. Lee All Rights Reserved Each person whose signature appears below certifies that this thesis in his/her opinion is adequate, in scope and quality, as a thesis for the degree Master of Science. , Chairperson William K. Hayes, Professor of Biology Stephen G.
    [Show full text]
  • Of Penguins and Polar Bears Shapero Rare Books 93
    OF PENGUINS AND POLAR BEARS Shapero Rare Books 93 OF PENGUINS AND POLAR BEARS EXPLORATION AT THE ENDS OF THE EARTH 32 Saint George Street London W1S 2EA +44 20 7493 0876 [email protected] shapero.com CONTENTS Antarctica 03 The Arctic 43 2 Shapero Rare Books ANTARCTIca Shapero Rare Books 3 1. AMUNDSEN, ROALD. The South Pole. An account of “Amundsen’s legendary dash to the Pole, which he reached the Norwegian Antarctic Expedition in the “Fram”, 1910-1912. before Scott’s ill-fated expedition by over a month. His John Murray, London, 1912. success over Scott was due to his highly disciplined dogsled teams, more accomplished skiers, a shorter distance to the A CORNERSTONE OF ANTARCTIC EXPLORATION; THE ACCOUNT OF THE Pole, better clothing and equipment, well planned supply FIRST EXPEDITION TO REACH THE SOUTH POLE. depots on the way, fortunate weather, and a modicum of luck”(Books on Ice). A handsomely produced book containing ten full-page photographic images not found in the Norwegian original, First English edition. 2 volumes, 8vo., xxxv, [i], 392; x, 449pp., 3 folding maps, folding plan, 138 photographic illustrations on 103 plates, original maroon and all full-page images being reproduced to a higher cloth gilt, vignettes to upper covers, top edges gilt, others uncut, usual fading standard. to spine flags, an excellent fresh example. Taurus 71; Rosove 9.A1; Books on Ice 7.1. £3,750 [ref: 96754] 4 Shapero Rare Books 2. [BELGIAN ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION]. Grande 3. BELLINGSHAUSEN, FABIAN G. VON. The Voyage of Fete Venitienne au Parc de 6 a 11 heurs du soir en faveur de Captain Bellingshausen to the Antarctic Seas 1819-1821.
    [Show full text]
  • Intelligence in Corvids and Apes: a Case of Convergent Evolution? Amanda Seed*, Nathan Emery & Nicola Claytonà
    Ethology CURRENT ISSUES – PERSPECTIVES AND REVIEWS Intelligence in Corvids and Apes: A Case of Convergent Evolution? Amanda Seed*, Nathan Emery & Nicola Claytonà * Department of Psychology, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany School of Biological & Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK à Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK (Invited Review) Correspondence Abstract Nicola Clayton, Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Cambridge, Downing Intelligence is suggested to have evolved in primates in response to com- Street, Cambridge CB23EB, UK. plexities in the environment faced by their ancestors. Corvids, a large- E-mail: [email protected] brained group of birds, have been suggested to have undergone a con- vergent evolution of intelligence [Emery & Clayton (2004) Science, Vol. Received: November 13, 2008 306, pp. 1903–1907]. Here we review evidence for the proposal from Initial acceptance: December 26, 2008 both ultimate and proximate perspectives. While we show that many of Final acceptance: February 15, 2009 (M. Taborsky) the proposed hypotheses for the evolutionary origin of great ape intelli- gence also apply to corvids, further study is needed to reveal the selec- doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0310.2009.01644.x tive pressures that resulted in the evolution of intelligent behaviour in both corvids and apes. For comparative proximate analyses we empha- size the need to be explicit about the level of analysis to reveal the type of convergence that has taken place. Although there is evidence that corvids and apes solve social and physical problems with similar speed and flexibility, there is a great deal more to be learned about the repre- sentations and algorithms underpinning these computations in both groups.
    [Show full text]
  • The Taxonomy of the Procellariiformes Has Been Proposed from Various Approaches
    山 階 鳥 研 報(J. Yamashina Inst. Ornithol.),22:114-23,1990 Genetic Divergence and Relationships in Fifteen Species of Procellariiformes Nagahisa Kuroda*, Ryozo Kakizawa* and Masayoshi Watada** Abstract The genetic analysis of 23 protein loci in 15 species of Procellariiformes was made The genetic distancesbetween the specieswas calculatedand a dendrogram was formulated of the group. The separation of Hydrobatidae from all other taxa including Diomedeidae agrees with other precedent works. The resultsof the present study support the basic Procellariidclassification system. However, two points stillneed further study. The firstpoint is that Fulmarus diverged earlier from the Procellariidsthan did the Diomedeidae. The second point is the position of Puffinuspacificus which appears more closely related to the Pterodroma petrels than to other Puffinus species. These points are discussed. Introduction The taxonomy of the Procellariiformes has been proposed from various approaches. The earliest study by Forbes (1882) was made by appendicular myology. Godman (1906) and Loomis (1918) studied this group from a morphological point of view. The taxonomy of the Procellariiformes by functional osteology and appendicular myology was studied by Kuroda (1954, 1983) and Klemm (1969), The results of the various studies agreed in proposing four families of Procellariiformes: Diomedeidae, Procellariidae, Hydrobatidae, and Pelecanoididae. They also pointed out that the Procellariidae was a heterogenous group among them. Timmermann (1958) found the parallel evolution of mallophaga and their hosts in Procellariiformes. Recently, electrophoretical studies have been made on the Procellariiformes. Harper (1978) found different patterns of the electromorph among the families. Bar- rowclough et al. (1981) studied genetic differentiation among 12 species of Procellari- iformes at 16 loci, and discussed the genetic distances among the taxa but with no consideration of their phylogenetic relationships.
    [Show full text]
  • Florida Scrub-Jays
    SCIENCE in the SCRUB At Home in the Florida Scrub Archbold Biological Station LENGTH Module 1: Florida Scrub-Jays: 1 hour prep 20 minute video At Home in the Florida Scrub 30 minute activity By the Archbold Biological Station Education Department, 2014 with support from the Southwest Florida Water Management District MATERIALS At a Glance In this lesson, students learn how Florida Scrub-Jays have adapted to survive in the Video Florida scrub ecosystem, and how scientists use banding and long-term research to Jay Family jpeg understand and protect this endangered species. Students watch a video, then Printouts work in pairs to identify parts of the Florida Scrub-Jay’s family life. Tape or Glue Pens or pencils Directions 1. Watch “At Home in the Florida Scrub” video. 2. Review concepts from video with questions about Scrub-Jay habits, cooperative breeding, and the graph shown in the video. Questions supplied on next page. KEY VOCABULARY 3. Divide students into pairs for The Bird Search Story narrative game. Dense Oak Scrub Learning Goals Ecosystems • Florida Scrub-Jays have very specific needs and require scrub habitat. Empirical • Some animals, such as Florida Scrub-Jays, live in family groups, headed by a Food Chains breeding pair, with members that help each other. This adaptation of behavior Habitat is called cooperative breeding and has specific advantages. Interdependence • Cooperative breeding evolved in scrub-jays because: 1) scrub habitat and Scrub Habitat resources were limited, forcing scrub-jays to cooperate 2) individual scrub-jays Thicket benefited from helping their siblings so were more successful when raising their own young (experience matters) and 3) scrub-jay families were stronger when siblings helped and more young birds survived.
    [Show full text]
  • Birds of the World Four
    Birds of the World IV: Parrots through Woodpeckers Order Psittaciformes, Parrots and Allies Order Cuculiformes, Cuckoos and Allies Some authors recognize three families in this order, others recog- Nearly cosmopolitan land birds with zygodactyl feet (fourth toe nized only one. We will follow the latter approach. permanently reversed), large, often decurved bills, and long tails. Three families, two presented here. Family Psittacidae, Parrots (80/360) Family Cuculidae, Cuckoos, Anis, Roadrunner (21/97) Distribution.— Pantropical and south temperate. (the North temperate Carolina Parakeet was driven to extinction in the Distribution.— Cosmopolitan in temperate and tropical regions 1920’s). except Oceania. Characteristics.— Small to large birds (10–100 cm). Powerful Characteristics.— Small to medium-sized birds (15–80 cm). hooked beak, upper mandible articulated and movable. The Bill stout, decurved. Body slim, legs typically short, feet zygodactyl. bulging cere is feathered in some species. Large head and short Tail long, graduate. Plumage loose, usually dull colored. Sexes alike. neck. Feet zygodactyl. Well developed crop. Oil gland often absent. Habitat.— Wide range of habitats, forests or open brushland typ- Plumage sparse, hard, and glossy. Most are brightly colored, often ical. green. Powder downs are scattered throughout the plumage. Sexes Habits.— Northern species are migratory. Most are solitary alike. Calls usually noisy, harsh, and screeching; not imitative in except the anis. Most species are arboreal and insectivorous (many nature. Very long lived (up to 80 years in captivity). Considered to eat hairy caterpillars). Voice is loud and non-musical. be highly intelligent. Breeding.— About fifty species are brood parasites, some obli- Habitat.— Mostly found in forests, especially tropical lowland gate.
    [Show full text]
  • Tinamiformes – Falconiformes
    LIST OF THE 2,008 BIRD SPECIES (WITH SCIENTIFIC AND ENGLISH NAMES) KNOWN FROM THE A.O.U. CHECK-LIST AREA. Notes: "(A)" = accidental/casualin A.O.U. area; "(H)" -- recordedin A.O.U. area only from Hawaii; "(I)" = introducedinto A.O.U. area; "(N)" = has not bred in A.O.U. area but occursregularly as nonbreedingvisitor; "?" precedingname = extinct. TINAMIFORMES TINAMIDAE Tinamus major Great Tinamou. Nothocercusbonapartei Highland Tinamou. Crypturellus soui Little Tinamou. Crypturelluscinnamomeus Thicket Tinamou. Crypturellusboucardi Slaty-breastedTinamou. Crypturellus kerriae Choco Tinamou. GAVIIFORMES GAVIIDAE Gavia stellata Red-throated Loon. Gavia arctica Arctic Loon. Gavia pacifica Pacific Loon. Gavia immer Common Loon. Gavia adamsii Yellow-billed Loon. PODICIPEDIFORMES PODICIPEDIDAE Tachybaptusdominicus Least Grebe. Podilymbuspodiceps Pied-billed Grebe. ?Podilymbusgigas Atitlan Grebe. Podicepsauritus Horned Grebe. Podicepsgrisegena Red-neckedGrebe. Podicepsnigricollis Eared Grebe. Aechmophorusoccidentalis Western Grebe. Aechmophorusclarkii Clark's Grebe. PROCELLARIIFORMES DIOMEDEIDAE Thalassarchechlororhynchos Yellow-nosed Albatross. (A) Thalassarchecauta Shy Albatross.(A) Thalassarchemelanophris Black-browed Albatross. (A) Phoebetriapalpebrata Light-mantled Albatross. (A) Diomedea exulans WanderingAlbatross. (A) Phoebastriaimmutabilis Laysan Albatross. Phoebastrianigripes Black-lootedAlbatross. Phoebastriaalbatrus Short-tailedAlbatross. (N) PROCELLARIIDAE Fulmarus glacialis Northern Fulmar. Pterodroma neglecta KermadecPetrel. (A) Pterodroma
    [Show full text]
  • Geographic Variation and Genetic Structure in the Bahama Oriole (Icterus Northropi), a Critically Endangered Synanthropic Species
    Geographic variation and genetic structure in the Bahama Oriole (Icterus northropi), a critically endangered synanthropic species Melissa R. Price1,2 , Carl Person3 and William K. Hayes3 1 Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, University of Hawai‘i at Manoa,¯ Honolulu, HI, United States 2 Kewalo Marine Laboratory, Pacific Biosciences Research Center, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, United States 3 Department of Earth and Biological Sciences, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, United States ABSTRACT Bird species may exhibit unexpected population structuring over small distances, with gene flow restricted by geographic features such as water or mountains. The Bahama Oriole (Icterus northropi) is a critically endangered, synanthropic island endemic with a declining population of fewer than 300 individuals. It now remains only on Andros Island (The Bahamas), which is riddled with waterways that past studies assumed did not hinder gene flow. We examined 1,858 base pairs of mito- chondrial DNA sequenced from four gene regions in 14 birds (roughly 5% of the remaining population) found on the largest land masses of Andros Island (North Andros and Mangrove Cay/South Andros). We sought to discern genetic structuring between the remaining subpopulations and its relationship to current conservation concerns. Four unique haplotypes were identified, with only one shared between the two subpopulations. Nucleotide and haplotype diversity were higher for the North Andros subpopulation than for the Mangrove Cay/South Andros subpopulation. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) yielded a Wright’s fixation indexF ( / of Submitted 25 August 2015 st Accepted 2 November 2015 0.60 (PFst D 0:016), with 40.2% of the molecular variation explained by within- Published 26 November 2015 population diVerences and 59.8% by among-population diVerences.
    [Show full text]
  • A Fossil Scrub-Jay Supports a Recent Systematic Decision
    THE CONDOR A JOURNAL OF AVIAN BIOLOGY Volume 98 Number 4 November 1996 .L The Condor 98~575-680 * +A. 0 The Cooper Omithological Society 1996 g ’ b.1 ;,. ’ ’ “I\), / *rs‘ A FOSSIL SCRUB-JAY SUPPORTS A”kECENT ’ js.< SYSTEMATIC DECISION’ . :. ” , ., f .. STEVEN D. EMSLIE : +, “, ., ! ’ Department of Sciences,Western State College,Gunnison, CO 81231, ._ e-mail: [email protected] Abstract. Nine fossil premaxillae and mandibles of the Florida Scrub-Jay(Aphelocoma coerulescens)are reported from a late Pliocene sinkhole deposit at Inglis 1A, Citrus County, Florida. Vertebrate biochronologyplaces the site within the latestPliocene (2.0 to 1.6 million yearsago, Ma) and more specificallyat 2.0 l-l .87 Ma. The fossilsare similar in morphology to living Florida Scrub-Jaysin showing a relatively shorter and broader bill compared to western species,a presumed derived characterfor the Florida species.The recent elevation of the Florida Scrub-Jayto speciesrank is supported by these fossils by documenting the antiquity of the speciesand its distinct bill morphology in Florida. Key words: Florida; Scrub-Jay;fossil; late Pliocene. INTRODUCTION represent the earliest fossil occurrenceof the ge- nus Aphelocomaand provide additional support Recently, the Florida Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma for the recognition ofA. coerulescensas a distinct, coerulescens) has been elevated to speciesrank endemic specieswith a long fossil history in Flor- with the Island Scrub-Jay(A. insularis) from Santa ida. This record also supports the hypothesis of Cruz Island, California, and the Western Scrub- Pitelka (195 1) that living speciesof Aphefocoma Jay (A. californica) in the western U. S. and Mex- arose in the Pliocene. ico (AOU 1995).
    [Show full text]
  • Onetouch 4.0 Scanned Documents
    / Chapter 2 THE FOSSIL RECORD OF BIRDS Storrs L. Olson Department of Vertebrate Zoology National Museum of Natural History Smithsonian Institution Washington, DC. I. Introduction 80 II. Archaeopteryx 85 III. Early Cretaceous Birds 87 IV. Hesperornithiformes 89 V. Ichthyornithiformes 91 VI. Other Mesozojc Birds 92 VII. Paleognathous Birds 96 A. The Problem of the Origins of Paleognathous Birds 96 B. The Fossil Record of Paleognathous Birds 104 VIII. The "Basal" Land Bird Assemblage 107 A. Opisthocomidae 109 B. Musophagidae 109 C. Cuculidae HO D. Falconidae HI E. Sagittariidae 112 F. Accipitridae 112 G. Pandionidae 114 H. Galliformes 114 1. Family Incertae Sedis Turnicidae 119 J. Columbiformes 119 K. Psittaciforines 120 L. Family Incertae Sedis Zygodactylidae 121 IX. The "Higher" Land Bird Assemblage 122 A. Coliiformes 124 B. Coraciiformes (Including Trogonidae and Galbulae) 124 C. Strigiformes 129 D. Caprimulgiformes 132 E. Apodiformes 134 F. Family Incertae Sedis Trochilidae 135 G. Order Incertae Sedis Bucerotiformes (Including Upupae) 136 H. Piciformes 138 I. Passeriformes 139 X. The Water Bird Assemblage 141 A. Gruiformes 142 B. Family Incertae Sedis Ardeidae 165 79 Avian Biology, Vol. Vlll ISBN 0-12-249408-3 80 STORES L. OLSON C. Family Incertae Sedis Podicipedidae 168 D. Charadriiformes 169 E. Anseriformes 186 F. Ciconiiformes 188 G. Pelecaniformes 192 H. Procellariiformes 208 I. Gaviiformes 212 J. Sphenisciformes 217 XI. Conclusion 217 References 218 I. Introduction Avian paleontology has long been a poor stepsister to its mammalian counterpart, a fact that may be attributed in some measure to an insufRcien- cy of qualified workers and to the absence in birds of heterodont teeth, on which the greater proportion of the fossil record of mammals is founded.
    [Show full text]
  • Notes on the Osteology and Phylogenetic Affinities of the Oligocene Diomedeoididae (Aves, Procellariiformes)
    Fossil Record 12 (2) 2009, 133–140 / DOI 10.1002/mmng.200900003 Notes on the osteology and phylogenetic affinities of the Oligocene Diomedeoididae (Aves, Procellariiformes) Gerald Mayr Forschungsinstitut Senckenberg, Sektion Ornithologie, Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany. E-mail: [email protected] Abstract Received 16 September 2008 New specimens of the procellariiform taxon Diomedeoididae are reported from the Accepted 10 October 2008 early Oligocene (Rupelian) deposits of Wiesloch-Frauenweiler in southern Germany. Published 3 August 2009 Two skeletons belong to Diomedeoides brodkorbi, whereas isolated legs of larger indi- viduals are tentatively assigned to D. lipsiensis, a species which has not yet been re- ported from the locality. The fossils allow the recognition of some previously unknown osteological features of the Diomedeoididae, including the presence of a vestige of the hallux. Diomedeoidids are characterized by extremely wide phalanges of the third and fourth toes, which also occur in some species of the extant procellariiform Oceanitinae Key Words (southern storm-petrels). The poorly developed processus supracondylaris dorsalis of the humerus supports a position of these Oligocene tubenoses outside a clade including Fossil birds the Diomedeidae (albatrosses), Procellariidae (shearwaters and allies), and Pelecanoidi- evolution dae (diving-petrels). It is hypothesized that like modern Oceanitinae, which have an Diomedeoides brodkorbi equally short supracondylar process, diomedeoidids probably employed flap-gliding Diomedeoides lipsiensis and used their immersed feet to remain stationary. Introduction Diomedeoidids are well characterized by their pecu- liar feet, whose phalanges, in particular those of the The Diomedeoididae are an extinct group of the Pro- fourth toe, are greatly widened and flattened.
    [Show full text]
  • In the Lands of the Romanovs: an Annotated Bibliography of First-Hand English-Language Accounts of the Russian Empire
    ANTHONY CROSS In the Lands of the Romanovs An Annotated Bibliography of First-hand English-language Accounts of The Russian Empire (1613-1917) OpenBook Publishers To access digital resources including: blog posts videos online appendices and to purchase copies of this book in: hardback paperback ebook editions Go to: https://www.openbookpublishers.com/product/268 Open Book Publishers is a non-profit independent initiative. We rely on sales and donations to continue publishing high-quality academic works. In the Lands of the Romanovs An Annotated Bibliography of First-hand English-language Accounts of the Russian Empire (1613-1917) Anthony Cross http://www.openbookpublishers.com © 2014 Anthony Cross The text of this book is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license (CC BY 4.0). This license allows you to share, copy, distribute and transmit the text; to adapt it and to make commercial use of it providing that attribution is made to the author (but not in any way that suggests that he endorses you or your use of the work). Attribution should include the following information: Cross, Anthony, In the Land of the Romanovs: An Annotated Bibliography of First-hand English-language Accounts of the Russian Empire (1613-1917), Cambridge, UK: Open Book Publishers, 2014. http://dx.doi.org/10.11647/ OBP.0042 Please see the list of illustrations for attribution relating to individual images. Every effort has been made to identify and contact copyright holders and any omissions or errors will be corrected if notification is made to the publisher. As for the rights of the images from Wikimedia Commons, please refer to the Wikimedia website (for each image, the link to the relevant page can be found in the list of illustrations).
    [Show full text]