The biology and relationships of the ground woodpecker

[摘要] Paterson's recognition concept of species predictsthat new species arise as an incidental consequence ofadaptation by small, isolated populations to a new environment.If this is so, species-wide characteristics,especially those of the species fertillzation system,should have evolved entirely in isolation and shouldrelate strongly to the normal habitat of the species. Thepurpose of this study is to explore and test thid theory.The African Ground Woodpecker Geocolaptes olivaceus isthe tool for this exploration. The first phase of thestudy documents aspects of ecology, behaviour and breedingbiology of this little-studied bird; the second phaseestablishes its relationship to other African woodpeck-ers, and in the third phase a hypothetical account of aspeciation event is presented.The Ground Woodpecker is the only terrestrial picidon the African continent and its distribution is confinedto the subcontinent south of the Tropic of Capricorn, Itis seldom found far from rocks and boulders; these providethe birds with resting and hiding places and displayplatforms. The birds excavate tunnels in earthen banksfor roosting and nesting. (Abbreviation abstract)

[发布机构] University of the Witwatersrand