The Arafura shrikethrush (Colluricincla megarhyncha) is a species of bird in the family Pachycephalidae.
| Arafura shrikethrush | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Pachycephalidae |
| Genus: | Colluricincla |
| Species: | C. megarhyncha
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| Binomial name | |
| Colluricincla megarhyncha | |
Taxonomy and systematics edit
This species was formerly considered a conspecific member of the little shrikethrush complex. Genetic investigations of New Guinea populations of the little shrikethrush indicated high levels of genetic divergence, suggesting it comprised more than one species.[2]
Subspecies edit
Currently, three subspecies are recognized:[3]
- C. m. megarhyncha (Quoy & Gaimard, 1832) ― found on Salawati and Misool (off northwestern New Guinea), Aru Islands (off southwestern New Guinea) and New Guinea
- C. m. parvula Gould, 1845 ― originally described as a separate species. Found in north-eastern Western Australia and northern Northern Territory (Australia)
- C. m. aruensis (Gray, GR, 1858) ― Aru Islands, Trans-Fly region of south New Guinea
Distribution and habitat edit
It is found in New Guinea and Australia. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.
Behaviour and ecology edit
During a study of toxicity in birds, two specimens of this species were tested. One of these specimens contained traces of batrachotoxins (BTXs) similar to those found in the secretions of Central and South American poison dart frogs.[4]
References edit
- ^ BirdLife International. (2017) [amended version of 2016 assessment]. "Colluricincla megarhyncha". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T22705547A118693118. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T22705547A118693118.en. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
- ^ Deiner, Kristy; Lemmon, Alan R.; Mack, Andrew L.; Fleischer, Robert C.; Dumbacher, John P. (2011). "A Passerine Bird's Evolution Corroborates the Geologic History of the Island of New Guinea". PLOS ONE. 6 (5): e19479. Bibcode:2011PLoSO...619479D. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0019479. PMC 3089620. PMID 21573115.
- ^ "IOC World Bird List 6.3". IOC World Bird List Datasets. doi:10.14344/ioc.ml.6.3.
- ^ Weldon, Paul J. (2000). "Avian chemical defense: Toxic birds not of a feather". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 97 (24): 12948–12949. Bibcode:2000PNAS...9712948W. doi:10.1073/pnas.97.24.12948. PMC 34071. PMID 11087849.