São Tomé grosbeak

São Tomé grosbeak
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Fringillidae
Subfamily: Carduelinae
Genus: Crithagra
Species:
C. concolor
Binomial name
Crithagra concolor
range
Synonyms
  • Neospiza concolor (Barboza du Bocage, 1888)

The São Tomé grosbeak (Crithagra concolor) is the largest member of the canary genus Crithagra,[2] 50% heavier than the next largest canary species.[3] It is endemic to the island of São Tomé.[1]

For a long period this bird was known only from three nineteenth-century specimens. It was rediscovered in 1991. The current population is estimated at less than 250, and it is classified as critically endangered by the IUCN.[1]

The São Tomé grosbeak was formerly placed in the genus Neospiza (meaning "new finch"[2]) but was assigned to the genus Crithagra based on a phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences.[4][5]

Habitat

The São Tomé grosbeak, when rediscovered, was thought to inhabit exclusively lowland, old-growth forests in the lower elevations of the south of the island. Observations in the early 2000s indicated that the species was also inhabiting younger forests at higher elevations (between 1,300–1,400 m).[6] The grosbeak is a very discrete species, and thus difficult to detect; its believed scarcity may also be a function of persistent non-detection during surveys.[7]

Threats

Habitat degradation

Historically, old growth lowland forests were cleared to establish cocoa plantations which, when abandoned, grew into secondary forests, which are less suitable for the grosbeak. An oil palm plantation has also been established on São Tomé, compounding this habitat loss.[1] However, given the bird's presence in secondary forests, habitat degradation is not believed to be as threatening as previously thought.[7]

Hybridization

The São Tomé grosbeak may hybridise with the São Tomé seedeater (Serinus rufobrunneus thomensis), which could pollute an already small genetic pool.[7]

Predation

Several introduced species like the black rat (Rattus rattus), mona monkey (Cercopithecus mona), African civet (Civettictis civetta), and feral cats (Felis catus) live on the island, and could presumably predate on the grosbeak.[8] However, no data currently exists about predation's effects on the population; further research is needed to assess whether these species are threats to the São Tomé grosbeak's survival.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e BirdLife International (2021). "Crithagra concolor". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021 e.T22720310A176571427. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T22720310A176571427.en.
  2. ^ a b Sekar, Sandhya (5 April 2017). "World's largest canary discovered on island of giants and dwarfs". New Scientist. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
  3. ^ Melo, M.; Stervander, M.; Hansson, B.; Jones, P. J. (2017). "The endangered São Tomé Grosbeak Neospiza concolor is the world's largest canary". Ibis. 159 (3): 673–679. doi:10.1111/ibi.12466.
  4. ^ Melo, Martim; Stervander, Martin; Hansson, Bengt; Jones, Peter J. (2017-07-01). "The endangered São Tomé Grosbeak Neospiza concolor is the world's largest canary". Ibis. 159 (3): 673–679. doi:10.1111/ibi.12466. ISSN 1474-919X.
  5. ^ Gill, Frank; Donsker, David (eds.). "Finches, euphonias". World Bird List Version 5.2. International Ornithologists' Union. Retrieved 5 June 2015.
  6. ^ Solé, Nelson; Alberto, António; Samba, Sedney; Santana, Aristides; de Lima, Ricardo Faustino (2012). "New hope for the critically endangered São Tomé Grosbeak Neospiza concolor and an alert to protect Obô Natural Park surroundings". Ostrich. 83 (3): 161–163.
  7. ^ a b c Ward-Francis, Alice; de Lima, Ricardo F.; Sampaio, Hugo; Buchanan, Graeme (2017). Reducing the extinction risk of the three Critically Endangered birds of São Tomé: Final Project Report (PDF).
  8. ^ Dutton, John (1994). "Introduced mammals in São Tomé and Príncipe: possible threats to biodiversity". Biodiversity and Conservation. 3: 927–938.


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