Background:Many species of owls(Strigidae) represent cryptic species and their taxonomic study is in flux.In recent years,two new species of owls of the genus Strix have been described from the Middle East by differen...Background:Many species of owls(Strigidae) represent cryptic species and their taxonomic study is in flux.In recent years,two new species of owls of the genus Strix have been described from the Middle East by different research teams.It has been suggested that one of these species,S.omanensis,is not a valid species but taxonomic compari?sons have been hampered by the lack of voucher specimens of S.omanensis,and the poor state of the holotype of S.butleri.Methods:Here we use new DNA sequence data to clarify the taxonomy and nomenclature of the S.butleri complex.We also report the capture of a single S.butleri sensu stricto in Mashhad,Iran.Results:A cytochrome b sequence of S.omanensis was found to be identical to that of the holotype of S.butleri,indicating that the name S.omanensis is best regarded as a junior synonym of S.butleri.The identity of the S.butleri captured in Mashhad,Iran,was confirmed using DNA sequence data.This represents a major(1300 km) range exten?sion of this species.Conclusions:The population discovered in Oman in 2013 and originally named ‘S.omanensis' actually represents the rediscovery of S.butleri,which was known from a single specimen and had not been recorded since 1878.The range of S.butleri extends into northeast Iran.Our study augments the body of evidence for the recognition of S.butleri and S.hadorami as separate species and highlights the importance of using multiple evidence to study cryptic owl species.展开更多
基金financed and supported by The Sound Approach.It forms part of a broader Omani Owl conservation project conducted as a collaboration between The Sound Approach,Bird Life International and the Environment Society of Omanthe Omani Ministry of Social Development for approving this collaborationthe Ministry of Environment and Climatic Affairs for granting us permission for fieldwork and to take genetic samples from a wild Omani Owl(permit nr 5/2015)
文摘Background:Many species of owls(Strigidae) represent cryptic species and their taxonomic study is in flux.In recent years,two new species of owls of the genus Strix have been described from the Middle East by different research teams.It has been suggested that one of these species,S.omanensis,is not a valid species but taxonomic compari?sons have been hampered by the lack of voucher specimens of S.omanensis,and the poor state of the holotype of S.butleri.Methods:Here we use new DNA sequence data to clarify the taxonomy and nomenclature of the S.butleri complex.We also report the capture of a single S.butleri sensu stricto in Mashhad,Iran.Results:A cytochrome b sequence of S.omanensis was found to be identical to that of the holotype of S.butleri,indicating that the name S.omanensis is best regarded as a junior synonym of S.butleri.The identity of the S.butleri captured in Mashhad,Iran,was confirmed using DNA sequence data.This represents a major(1300 km) range exten?sion of this species.Conclusions:The population discovered in Oman in 2013 and originally named ‘S.omanensis' actually represents the rediscovery of S.butleri,which was known from a single specimen and had not been recorded since 1878.The range of S.butleri extends into northeast Iran.Our study augments the body of evidence for the recognition of S.butleri and S.hadorami as separate species and highlights the importance of using multiple evidence to study cryptic owl species.
