Orinus

Abstract: We analyzed geographic variation in southern populations of Liophis miliaris and tested the hypothesis that L. m. semiaureus is a valid species. We examined 222 specimens from Argentina and Paraguay, including those from the areas of overlap of L. m. semiaureus and L. m. orinus, and compared these data with previous taxonomic revisions. We performed univariate statistical tests comparing L. m. semiaureus and L. m. orinus, and a discriminant function analysis using three morphological variables to compare four subpopulations, including two of L. m. semiaureus and two of L. m. orinus. We examined coloration in life in 152 specimens. These data and analyses support the hypothesis of L. semiaureus as a valid species: univariate analyses show significant differences in ventral and subcaudal numbers, and snout-vent length/tail length ratio between the two putative subspecies. L. m. semiaureus has significant more ventrals and subcaudals than L. m. orinus. Discriminant analysis separated two defined populations corresponding to L. m. orinus and L. m. semiaureus. Populations of L. m. semiaureus that are in contact with L. m. orinus populations show the highest ventral values of all of the L. m. semiaureus populations examined by us. We recorded differences in coloration among the juveniles of both subspecies, including specimens from neighbouring localities. The distributions are parapatric and have different ecological and historical settings. We discuss the validity of some diagnostic characters that have been used to distinguish L. m. semiaureus.

Abstract: The Large-billed Reed Warbler Acrocephalus orinus is known only from the type specimen, collected in Himachal Pradesh, India, in 1867 The specimen is poorly prepared, and it has been suggested that it could represent an isolated form of the Clamorous Reed Warbler A stentoreus or an aberrant Blyth's Reed Warbler A dumetorum We tested the affinity of A orinus by (1) re-examining the morphology of the type specimen and (2) amplifying and sequencing a portion of its mitochondrial cytochrome b gene Both the morphological and the mitochondrial analyses showed the specimen to be similar to dumetorum, but distinct enough to qualify as a species of its own Relative to dumetorum, it has a more rounded wing, longer bill, longer and more graduated tail with more pointed tail feathers, and larger claws The divergence in mitochondrial DNA between orinus and dumetorum was 78%, well above the value expected between subspecies A orinus is smaller than any of the forms of A stentoreus or the related Australian Reed Warbler A australis It has a somewhat longer first primary, more pointed tail feathers and paler, less robust feet and claws DNA comparison places it in the clade of small unstreaked Acrocephalus warblers, and apart from the clade of large unstreaked warblers that contains stentoreus and australis

Abstract: We here report the finding of ten new specimens of the poorly known large-billed reed warbler Acrocephalus orinus. Preliminary identifications were made on the basis of bill, tarsus and claw measurements, and their specific identity was then confirmed by comparison of partial sequences of the cytochrome b gene with a large data set containing nearly all other species in the genus Acrocephalus, including the type specimen of A. orinus. Five of the new specimens were collected in summer in Afghanistan and Kazakhstan, indicating that the species probably breeds in Central Asia, and the data and moult of the others suggest that the species migrates along the Himalayas to winter in N India and SE Asia. The population structure suggests a stable or shrinking population.

Abstract: Recent studies on the comparative penile morphology of galagos have revealed complex patterns that vary among both genera and species, and help with species identification So far the penile morphologies of 14 galago species have been described and an identification key has been proposed The present study extends and revises previous work Wild Galagoides cocos, G granti, G zanzibaricus and G rondoensis from the Eastern Arc Mountains and coastal forests of Tanzania and Kenya were live-trapped, and one species (G orinus) was examined using a museum specimen Penile morphology was photographed, traced, and described qualitatively All of the mature males had penile spines Spines were absent or indistinct in immature males of all of the species The penile morphologies of G cocos, G granti, and G zanzibaricus are similar in their overall distribution and type of spines, but differ in the shape of the glans penis Both G orinus and G rondoensis have divergent penile morphologies compared to all other galagos, and are probably phylogenetically distinct The results support other recent morphological and behavioral studies that consider these five galagos to be distinct species The evolution of the baculum and spines is thought to be linked to sexual selection in multimale mating systems, but the mechanisms involved are not entirely understood Adult male G rondoensis appear to display the penile spines by exposing the distal section of the penis Am J Primatol 68:16–26, 2007 © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc