| Abstrakt: |
We examined the mainland South-East Asian taxa formerly grouped as part of the Oriental White-eye Zosterops palpebrosus complex. We amplified three mitochondrial loci, cytochrome b, NADH dehydrogenase 2 and NADH dehydrogenase 3, and one nuclear locus, the fifth intron of the nuclear gene transcription growth factor, through PCR. Evidence from both DNA and vocalisations indicated that individuals of inland forest populations Z. p. siamensis clustered with nominate Z. p. palpebrosus. On the other hand, the mangrove-dwelling taxa, Z. [p.] williamsoni and Z. [p.] cf. erwini, were most closely related to the migratory Japanese White-eye Z.japonicus simplex (100% posterior probability support). While williamsoni and cf. erwini apparently constituted distinct lineages, there was only 50% posterior probability support for this arrangement. Because Z.j. simplex is apparently also distinct from other Z.japonicus lineages, a more detailed examination of mainland and island-inhabiting Zosterops taxa in East and South-East Asia is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
