Molecular genetics confirms taxonomic affinities of the endangered NorfolkIsland Boobook Owl Ninox novaeseelandiae undulata

摘要

In 1986, only one female survived of the Norfolk Island Boobook Owl Ninox novaeseelandiae undulata. In an attempt to conserve some of the genetic integrity of this subspecies of owl, the female was crossed with males from the presumed closely related subspecies occurring in New Zealand Ninox n. novaeseelandiae. To assess the validity of this choice DNA sequence data were obtained from the mitochondrial cytochrome-b gene in five species and subspecies of Ninox owls. The resulting data clearly identified N. n undulata as being more closely related to N. n. novaeseelandiae than to N. n. leucopsis (Tasmania) which it also resembles in outward appearance. This finding vindicates the current management strategy for conserving N. n. undulata. The taxonomic status of N. n. undulata, N. n. novaeseelandiae and N. n. leucopsis are reviewed in the light of the DNA sequence data.