Sunday, 24 March 2013

Moroccan and Maghreb Endemics ?

African Blue Tit C.t. ultramarinus 
Morrocan Wagtail Motacilla alba subpersonata 
African Chaffinch F.c.africana 
Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter niscus punicus 
Trumpeter Finch Bucanetes githagineus zedlidzi 
European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis parva
White-breasted Cormorant P.c.maroccanus 
Common Linnet C..c.mediterranea
 
Taxonomy is Morocco is pretty confusing. According to the Birds of Morroco (Thevenot et al 2003) of 259 subspecies resident in Morocco, 84 are endemic to Morocco and the Maghreb. Recent taxonomic studies have suggested various elevations of several subspecies to species level e.g. Seebohm's Wheatear, Atlas Flycatcher, Moroccan Wagtail etc. Basically things are in a state of flux (i.e. a free for all) and the timely article by Collar in BB this month was particularly pertinent to the Moroccan taxonomic tower of Babel.

1 comment:

StourbridgeRantBoy said...

Unfortunately i don't take BB any more so i will have to see if there is an online scan of this article it sounds like good reading....

Laurie -