Hainan Peacock-pheasant
Encyclopedia
The Hainan Peacock-Pheasant (Polyplectron katsumatae) is an endangered bird that belongs to the pheasant
family Phasianidae
. It is endemic to the island of Hainan
, China
. It is extremely rare
.
or Polyplectron bicalcaratum, despite the two species barely having even superficial similarities. The Hainan Peacock-Pheasant is obviously smaller, and it possesses a short crest and ruff
(Johnsgard 1986). Beebe (1922) noted various plumage differences between the two and considered them separate species. It is unclear why the subspecies status of P. katsumatae had remained for so long, when little to no evidence existed to validate subspecies status. It appears to be a case of a lack of published evidence.
gene and intron G
of the nuclear ovomucoid gene
, to reevaluate the taxonomy
of the Hainan Peacock-Pheasant. The results showed phylogeographic
monophyly and large genetic distance between the Hainan Peacock-Pheasant and the grey Peacock-Pheasant
. Sequence differences corroborated the species-level distinction between these two Peacock-pheasants, which were inferred to have diverged about 1.4±0.3 million years ago, near the time Hainan Island became separated from mainland China
. BirdLife International
has also decided to recognize the split of Polyplectron katsumatae from Polyplectron bicalcaratum.
in China
. Taking more conservation
action immediately to protect this endangered island endemic is imperative.
Pheasant
Pheasants refer to some members of the Phasianinae subfamily of Phasianidae in the order Galliformes.Pheasants are characterised by strong sexual dimorphism, males being highly ornate with bright colours and adornments such as wattles and long tails. Males are usually larger than females and have...
family Phasianidae
Phasianidae
The Phasianidae is a family of birds which consists of the pheasants and partridges, including the junglefowl , Old World Quail, francolins, monals and peafowl. The family is a large one, and is occasionally broken up into two subfamilies, the Phasianinae, and the Perdicinae...
. It is endemic to the island of Hainan
Hainan
Hainan is the smallest province of the People's Republic of China . Although the province comprises some two hundred islands scattered among three archipelagos off the southern coast, of its land mass is Hainan Island , from which the province takes its name...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. It is extremely rare
Rare species
A rare species is a group of organisms that are very uncommon or scarce. This designation may be applied to either a plant or animal taxon, and may be distinct from the term "endangered" or "threatened species" but not "extinct"....
.
Description
The bird was long considered a subspecies of Grey Peacock-PheasantGrey Peacock-pheasant
The Grey Peacock-Pheasant, Polyplectron bicalcaratum also known as Burmese Peacock is a large Southeast Asian member of the order Galliformes. It is rather closely related to the peafowl , and like these – and like most other Polyplectron – has brilliant eyespots on its plumage...
or Polyplectron bicalcaratum, despite the two species barely having even superficial similarities. The Hainan Peacock-Pheasant is obviously smaller, and it possesses a short crest and ruff
Ruff
The Ruff is a medium-sized wading bird that breeds in marshes and wet meadows across northern Eurasia. This highly gregarious sandpiper is migratory and sometimes forms huge flocks in its winter grounds, which include southern and western Europe, Africa, southern Asia and Australia...
(Johnsgard 1986). Beebe (1922) noted various plumage differences between the two and considered them separate species. It is unclear why the subspecies status of P. katsumatae had remained for so long, when little to no evidence existed to validate subspecies status. It appears to be a case of a lack of published evidence.
Taxonomy
Due to lack of detailed taxonomic studies, whether it was truly a subspecies (Polyplectron bicalcaratum katsumatae) or a full species remained unclear. Scientists used molecular markers, including the complete mitochondrial cytochrome bCytochrome b
Cytochrome b/b6 is the main subunit of transmembrane cytochrome bc1 and b6f complexes. In addition, it commonly refers to a region of mtDNA used for population genetics and phylogenetics.- Function :...
gene and intron G
Group I catalytic intron
Group I introns are large self-splicing ribozymes. They catalyze their own excision from mRNA, tRNA and rRNA precursors in a wide range of organisms. The core secondary structure consists of nine paired regions...
of the nuclear ovomucoid gene
Nuclear DNA
Nuclear DNA, nuclear deoxyribonucleic acid , is DNA contained within a nucleus of eukaryotic organisms. In mammals and vertebrates, nuclear DNA encodes more of the genome than the mitochondrial DNA and is composed of information inherited from two parents, one male, and one female, rather than...
, to reevaluate the taxonomy
Taxonomy
Taxonomy is the science of identifying and naming species, and arranging them into a classification. The field of taxonomy, sometimes referred to as "biological taxonomy", revolves around the description and use of taxonomic units, known as taxa...
of the Hainan Peacock-Pheasant. The results showed phylogeographic
Phylogeography
Phylogeography is the study of the historical processes that may be responsible for the contemporary geographic distributions of individuals. This is accomplished by considering the geographic distribution of individuals in light of the patterns associated with a gene genealogy.This term was...
monophyly and large genetic distance between the Hainan Peacock-Pheasant and the grey Peacock-Pheasant
Grey Peacock-pheasant
The Grey Peacock-Pheasant, Polyplectron bicalcaratum also known as Burmese Peacock is a large Southeast Asian member of the order Galliformes. It is rather closely related to the peafowl , and like these – and like most other Polyplectron – has brilliant eyespots on its plumage...
. Sequence differences corroborated the species-level distinction between these two Peacock-pheasants, which were inferred to have diverged about 1.4±0.3 million years ago, near the time Hainan Island became separated from mainland China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. BirdLife International
BirdLife International
BirdLife International is a global Partnership of conservation organisations that strives to conserve birds, their habitats and global biodiversity, working with people towards sustainability in the use of natural resources...
has also decided to recognize the split of Polyplectron katsumatae from Polyplectron bicalcaratum.
Conservation status
Due to a very low population density in tropical forest and declining population, it is now becoming severely endangered and should be regarded as the rarest species in the order GalliformesGalliformes
Galliformes are an order of heavy-bodied ground-feeding domestic or game bird, containing turkey, grouse, chicken, New and Old World Quail, ptarmigan, partridge, pheasant, and the Cracidae. Common names are gamefowl or gamebirds, landfowl, gallinaceous birds or galliforms...
in China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. Taking more conservation
Conservation movement
The conservation movement, also known as nature conservation, is a political, environmental and a social movement that seeks to protect natural resources including animal, fungus and plant species as well as their habitat for the future....
action immediately to protect this endangered island endemic is imperative.