INTEGRATIVE TAXONOMY REVEALS CRYPTIC ROBIN LINEAGE IN THE GREATER SUNDA ISLANDS

Elize Y. X. Ng (National University of Singapore, Department of Biological Sciences, 14 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543, phone: [phone])
Arya Y. Yue (Department of Biological Sciences, Bryn Mawr College, 101 N Merion Ave, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010, United States of America)
James A. Eaton (Casa Indah 1, Persiaran Surian, Petaling Jaya, 47810, Malaysia)
Chyi Yin Gwee (Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 16 Science Drive 4, 117558 Singapore)
Bas van Balen (Basilornis Consults, Muntendampad 15, 6835 BE Arnhem, Netherlands)
Frank E. Rheindt (Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 16 Science Drive 4, 117558 Singapore)

TREUBIA
Vol 47, No 1 (2020): Vol. 47, No. 1, June 2020

Southeast Asian avifauna is under threat from both habitat loss and illegal poaching, yet the region’s rich biodiversity remains understudied. Here, we uncover cryptic species-level diversity in the Sunda Blue Robin (Myiomela diana), a songbird complex endemic to Javan (subspecies diana) and Sumatran (subspecies sumatrana) mountains. Taxonomic inquiry into these populations has previously been hampered by a lack of DNA material and the birds’ general scarcity, especially sumatrana which is only known from few localities. We demonstrate fundamental bioacoustic differences in courtship song paired with important distinctions in plumage saturation and tail length that combine to suggest species-level treatment for the two taxa. Treated separately, both taxa are independently threatened by illegal poaching and habitat loss, and demand conservation action. Our study highlights a case of underestimated avifaunal diversity that is in urgent need of revision in the face of imminent threats to species survival.