Taxonomic revision of the Savanna Nightjar(Caprimulgus affinis)complex based on vocalizations reveals three species

摘要

Background:The Savanna Nightjar(Caprimulgus affinis)is a widespread,polytypic species which was previously treated as two or three species.It is currently treated as a single species based on superficial similarity of their songs but no detailed comparisons of the songs in this complex have been made.Methods:A total of 15 acoustic variables were measured for the songs of 86 individuals representing 8 of the 10 subspecies in the complex.Results:Three major groups can be distinguished based on univariate and multivariate analyses:a northern group consisting of the subspecies C.a.monticolus,C.a.amoyensis and C.a.stictomus;a southern group consisting of C.a.affinis,C.a.kasuidori,C.a.timorensis and C.a.propinquus;and a third group in the Philippines consisting of C.a.griseatus.Conclusions:It is here argued that these groups are best treated as species,and that Franklin''s Nightjar(C.monticolus)and Kayumanggi Nightjar(C.griseatus)are reinstated as separate species.