Species rank for Rheinardia ocellata nigrescens (Phasianidae)

May combine two claims.

The three recordings are too few to calculate effect sizes; for example, the methodology of Isler et al. (1998) requires calculation of percentiles in the t-distribution of measurements drawn from a sample of vocalisations.

“The three recordings are too few to calculate effect sizes; for example, the methodology of Isler et al. (1998) requires calculation of percentiles in the t-distribution of measurements drawn from a sample of vocalisations.”

• cites Isler et al. 1998 sourceSupported

May combine two claims.

Supercilium in nigrescens is buff vs. stony white in ocellata, usually broader and stronger, and contrasts more strongly with the blacker crown and face (Tobias score at least 2).

“1. supercilium buff vs. stony white, usually broader and stronger, and contrasting more strongly with the blacker crown and 'face' (area around eye and on ear-coverts) (Fig. 1a,b; score at least 2);”

May combine two claims.

Nareal area in nigrescens is blackish, adjacent area of bill distal to nares rosy, rest of bill yellowish horn with a paler tip and cutting edge, vs. bill including all but the base of the nareal area rosy pink, slightly paler at the tip, deeper pink above and behind the nostril (score 3).

“2. nareal area blackish, adjacent area of bill (distal to nares) rosy (as noted in Ogilvie-Grant 1908), rest of bill yellowish horn with a paler tip and cutting edge vs. bill including all but the base of the nareal area rosy pink”

May combine two claims.

Their respective Long Calls also differ in structure, in number of notes, and probably in the degree of difference between males and females.

“Their respective Long Calls also differ in structure, in number of notes, and probably in the degree of difference between males and females.”

• AssumptionThe authors state this as an assumption: The forms and types of calls of R. ocellata were not, or not greatly, affected by captive conditions.

May combine two claims.

Long Calls by captive male ocellata had a unimodal distribution, with 74% of calls containing 6-8 loud notes.

“They had a unimodal distribution, with 74% of calls containing 6-8 loud notes.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Vocalisations of captive nominate ocellata are representative of wild nominate ocellata.

May combine two claims.

When erected, the crest of male nigrescens forms a very spiky pure white radiating mass of untidy feathers, while the long black feathers that lie over the white ones when at rest are projected far forward, overhanging the forehead and bill, apparently straightening under their own weight.

“When erected, the crest of male nigrescens forms a very spiky pure white radiating mass of untidy feathers, while the long black feathers that lie over the white ones when at rest are projected far forward, overhanging the forehead and bill, apparently straightening under their own weight (Fig. 4a).”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The tail of nigrescens averages slightly shorter than ocellata.

“The tail of nigrescens averages slightly shorter, but this is almost certainly an effect of sample size:”

May combine two claims.

There is very little overlap in length of crest between taxa, which shows much the greatest degree of difference between means.

“There is also very little overlap in length of crest, which shows much the greatest degree of difference between means (Table 1);”

May combine two claims.

Long Calls by unsexed wild nigrescens ranged from seven to 17 loud notes per call, with a mean of 11.6 (n = 22 calls), and were therefore longer on average than Long Calls of ocellata, with nine (41%) of the nigrescens calls containing more loud notes (13-17) than any ocellata Long Call (max.12 loud notes, from a female).

“Long Calls by unsexed wild nigrescens ranged from seven to 17 loud notes per call, with a mean of 11.6 (n = 22 calls), and were therefore longer on average than Long Calls of ocellata, with nine (41%) of the nigrescens calls containing more loud notes (13-17) than any ocellata Long Call (max.12 loud notes, from a female).”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: The unsexed wild nigrescens sample is not biased by sex in a way that affects number of loud notes in Long Call.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

In nigrescens soft preliminary notes have not been heard, but if present they would not have been detected because of distance in the field.

“In nigrescens soft preliminary notes have not been heard, but if present they would not have been detected because of distance in the field.”

May combine two claims.

The Short Call of ocellata is very similar to allopatric Argusianus argus, while the Short Call in nigrescens (sympatric with A. argus but separated by elevation) is quite different.

“the Short Call of ocellata is very similar to allopatric Argusianus argus, while the Short Call in nigrescens (sympatric with A. argus but separated by elevation) is quite different”

• AssumptionThe authors state this as an assumption: The forms and types of calls of R. ocellata were not, or not greatly, affected by captive conditions.

May combine two claims.

When repeated, the Short Call of nigrescens can be with a distinct interval of a few seconds between calls, or as a rolling uninterrupted sequence.

“When repeated, which is often when responding to extraneous sounds such as gibbons, hornbills, thunder or tree-falls, it can be with a distinct interval of a few seconds between calls, or as a rolling uninterrupted sequence.”

May combine two claims.

Although the volume of individual Sharp Call notes can increase over the series, there are no distinct soft preliminary notes and no sudden transition to very loud notes.

“Although the volume of the individual notes can increase over the series, there are no distinct soft preliminary notes, and no sudden transition to very loud notes.”

May combine two claims.

Long Calls by captive female ocellata almost had a unimodal distribution, with 81% of calls containing 5-9 loud notes.

“They almost had a unimodal distribution, with 81% of calls containing 5-9 loud notes (slightly fewer calls with six than with five or seven loud notes).”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Vocalisations of captive nominate ocellata are representative of wild nominate ocellata.

May combine two claims.

The Sharp Call is quieter and higher pitched than the Long Call.

“but it is quieter and higher pitched”

May combine two claims.

The Sharp Call consists of more notes than the Long Call, with a variable number from 12 up to 191 heard.

“and consists of more notes (but a more variable number, from 12 up to 191 heard)”

May combine two claims.

The Short Call is given by males at or near display sites, apparently in advertisement, and as far as is known it is not given by females.

“The Short Call is given by males at or near display sites, apparently in advertisement, and as far as is known it is not given by females.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The Sharp Call is similar to the Long Call only in that it consists of a series of notes.

“It is similar to the Long Call only in that it consists of a series of notes”

May combine two claims.

In morphometrics, nigrescens emerges slightly larger overall, with no overlap in tarsus or wing.

“In morphometrics nigrescens emerges slightly larger overall, with no overlap in tarsus or wing (Table 1).”

May combine two claims.

The crest of male ocellata forms a fluffy, bouffant powderpuff of golden-buff feathers, while the short brown feathers project above the forehead and in profile view form a short rounded curl.

“Contrastingly, the crest of male ocellata forms a fluffy, bouffant powderpuff of golden-buff feathers, while the short brown feathers project above the forehead and in profile view form a short rounded curl (Fig. 4b; also Seth-Smith 1932, Huxley 1941).”

May combine two claims.

Sharp Call notes are each much shorter than those of the Long Call and appear on a sonogram as an inverted U shape.

“The notes are each much shorter than those of the Long Call, and appear on a sonogram as an inverted U shape.”

May combine two claims.

Inner vanes of largest rectrices in nigrescens have dull matt rufous-orange background on which white spots are inset in broad grey rings, vs. grey background with rufous-orange contracting to islands between white spots (ns[2]).

“6. inner vanes of the largest rectrices with dull matt rufous-orange background on which white spots are inset in broad grey rings, vs. with grey background, the dull matt rufous-orange contracting to islands between the white spots (Fig.6a,b; ns[2]).”

May combine two claims.

Occipital crest in nigrescens points directly backwards rather than tending to spread laterally, with much longer and coarser filoplumes, and consists of two colours: sparse elongate black feathers above 5-10 times as many much longer white feathers, vs. soft, decurving sooty-brown feathers shading to rufous-tinged brown then creamy white (score 3).

“4. occipital crest pointing directly backwards rather than tending to spread laterally, in museum skins, with much longer and coarser filoplumes (lacking the fluffiness of the nominate), and consisting of two colours in different proportions, namely a relatively sparse number of elongate black feathers positioned above 5-10 times as many much longer white feathers, vs. soft, decurving sooty-brown”

May combine two claims.

One nigrescens specimen (NHMUK 1903.5.1.1) has a tail of 1,642 mm, far longer than the next longest, an ocellata (NHMUK 1928.6.26.98) at 1,494 mm.

“and in fact one nigrescens (NHMUK 1903.5.1.1)has a tail of 1,642 mm, far longer than the next longest, an ocellata (NHMUK 1928.6.26.98) at 1,494 mm.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

The very soft preliminary notes in ocellata Long Call are delivered at a rate of c.1 per second, and each lasts approximately 0.4 seconds.

“The very soft preliminary notes are delivered at a rate of c.1 per second, and each lasts approximately 0.4 seconds.”

May combine two claims.

Each Sharp Call note lasts less than 0.5 seconds and is delivered at roughly 1.5-2.0 second intervals, sometimes with pauses.

“Each note lasts less than 0.5 seconds and is delivered at roughly 1.5-2.0second-intervals, sometimes with pauses.”

May combine two claims.

A Kruskal-Wallis test revealed a highly significant difference between the three groups (χ2 = 37.889, p<0.001), with number of notes from nigrescens significantly different from those of ocellata females (Dunn's pairwise test; Bonferroni corrected p<0.001) and ocellata males (p<0.001).

“A Kruskal-Wallis test revealed that there was a highly significant difference between the three groups (χ 2 = 37.889, p<0.001), with number of notes from nigrescens significantly different from those of ocellata females (Dunn's pairwise test; Bonferroni corrected p<0.001) and ocellata males (p<0.001).”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Vocalisations of captive nominate ocellata are representative of wild nominate ocellata.
• AssumptionRests on an assumption: The unsexed wild nigrescens sample is not biased by sex in a way that affects number of loud notes in Long Call.

May combine two claims.

The Short Call of nigrescens consists of a diagnostic single continuous whistle on level pitch followed by quavering modulations, vs. two emphasised overslurred notes in ocellata.

“consisting of a diagnostic single continuous whistle on level pitch followed by quavering modulations, vs. two emphasised overslurred notes.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Vocalisations of captive nominate ocellata are representative of wild nominate ocellata.

May combine two claims.

In nigrescens, the Short Call is a rather pure whistled whuuhuhHUhuuu, sounding less forceful and delivered fluently in one breath at fairly consistent amplitude, resembling a protracted single note with different internal emphases.

“In nigrescens (Fig. 8a,b) the Short Call is a rather pure whistled whuuhuhHUhuuu, sounding less forceful and delivered fluently in one breath at fairly consistent amplitude, hence resembling a protracted single note with different internal emphases.”

May combine two claims.

White spots on the blacker body and wings of nigrescens are much more distinct, smaller and fewer, more widely spaced and more linearly arranged compared to dense buffy-white speckling of nominate (ns[2]).

“5. white spots on the blacker body and wings much more distinct, being smaller and fewer (hence more widely spaced) and more linearly arranged compared to the dense buffy-white speckling of the nominate (Fig. 5a,b; ns[2]);”

May combine two claims.

White of throat in nigrescens is more contrasting, buffier and more extensive, vs. a less striking greyish white shading quickly into a dull rufous-brown lower neck (ns[2]).

“3. white of throat more contrasting, buffier (in an echo of the supercilium differences) and more extensive, vs. a less striking greyish white shading quickly into a dull rufousbrown lower neck”

May combine two claims.

In unsexed nigrescens, there are two non-overlapping categories of Long Call, and both categories have more notes on average than male and female ocellata.

“two non-overlapping categories of Long Call, and more notes on average in both these categories than in male and female ocellata”

• AssumptionThe authors state this as an assumption: The forms and types of calls of R. ocellata were not, or not greatly, affected by captive conditions.

May combine two claims.

Means of loud notes per call for nigrescens-1 and nigrescens-2 are 8.6 (n = 11) and 14.5 (n = 11), respectively.

“their means are (nigrescens-1) 8.6 (n = 11) vs. (nigrescens-2) 14.5 (n = 11) loud notes per call.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

A seemingly identical Sharp Call has been heard only once in the wild from nigrescens, but at a distance and was not attributable to sex.

“A seemingly identical Sharp Call has been heard only once in the wild from nigrescens, but at a distance and was not attributable to sex.”

May combine two claims.

In ocellata, the difference between males and females in mean number of notes per Long Call is only 0.38, and the distribution of call notes within a large sample of males is unimodal.

“difference between males and females of only 0.38 in mean number of notes per Long Call, and unimodal distribution of call notes within a large sample of males”

• AssumptionThe authors state this as an assumption: The forms and types of calls of R. ocellata were not, or not greatly, affected by captive conditions.

May combine two claims. The quote only partly states this claim.

In nominate ocellata, the Short Call is a loud, explosive, slightly nasal woOh-WAWh delivered as two clearly separated and equally accentuated notes; the first note is slightly rising, the second overslurred and reaches a higher maximum pitch.

“In nominate ocellata (Fig. 7a,b) this call is a loud, explosive, slightly nasal woOh-WAWh delivered as two clearly separated and equally accentuated notes”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The series of rising whistles in ocellata Long Call, each lasting c.1 second, often gradually increases in pitch, every whistle reaching a slightly higher frequency than the previous one.

“This series of rising whistles, each of which lasts c.1 second, often gradually increases in pitch, every whistle reaching a slightly higher frequency than the previous one.”

May combine two claims.

The Short Call in nigrescens is typically given once per calling bout, but has been heard repeated up to eight times in succession.

“It is typically given once per calling bout, but has been heard repeated up to eight times in succession.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable). May combine two claims.

Nine points of distinction is a relatively large number for a taxon being described as a subspecies, and suggests a level of divergence worthy of reassessment.

“Nine points of distinction is a relatively large number for a taxon being described as a subspecies, and certainly suggests a level of divergence worthy of reassessment in the light of modern taxonomic trends.”

May combine two claims.

Rheinardia ocellata has two highly disjunct populations: nominate ocellata in Vietnam and Lao PDR and subspecies nigrescens in peninsular Malaysia.

“Crested Argus Rheinardia ocellata has two highly disjunct populations in Vietnam and Lao PDR (nominate ocellata) and Malaysia (subspecies nigrescens).”

• cites Whitmore 1984 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites Sterling & Hurley 2008Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

• cites Corlett 2014 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

Differences between the two taxa have never been considered particularly strong, but were mentioned as a topic needing examination.

“Differences between the two taxa have never been considered particularly strong, but mentioned as a topic that needs examining (Liang et al. 2018)”

• cites Liang et al. 2018Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

May combine two claims.

The two taxa are disjunct by more than 1,000 km in a direct line (1,800 km by the shortest present-day land route) and lie in two biogeographically distinct provinces within the Oriental region, in mainland Indochina and on the Sunda Shelf.

“Nevertheless, the two taxa are disjunct by more than 1,000 km in a direct line (1,800 km by the shortest present-day land route), and they lie in two biogeographically distinct provinces within the Oriental region, in mainland Indochina and on the Sunda Shelf (Whitmore 1984, Sterling & Hurley 2008, Corlett 2014).”

• cites Whitmore 1984 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites Sterling & Hurley 2008Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

• cites Corlett 2014 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

May combine two claims.

The calls of R. ocellata analysed here were mainly from captive individuals, and those of R. nigrescens were made by wild birds.

“The calls of R. ocellata analysed here were mainly from captive individuals, and those of R. nigrescens were made by wild birds.”

May combine two claims. The quote only partly states this claim.

The shorter average tail of nigrescens is almost certainly an effect of sample size, because tails in Rheinardia possibly increase in length with age.

“tails in Rheinardia possibly increase in length with age (McGowan 1994)”

• cites McGowan 1994Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

May combine two claims.

To the museum-skin score can be added the distinctive appearance and deportment of the crest, a significant display feature, and considerable differences in advertising calls, totalling 6.

“To that we are able to add the distinctive appearance and deportment of the crest, a significant display feature, and considerable differences in advertising calls (totalling 6).”

• AssumptionThe authors state this as an assumption: The forms and types of calls of R. ocellata were not, or not greatly, affected by captive conditions.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

In Vietnam R. ocellata occurs in several protected and proposed protected areas such as Bach Ma National Park, Ngoc Linh Nature Reserve and Song Thanh Nature Reserve, all in Quang Nam province, and Khe Nuoc Trong Proposed Nature Reserve, Quang Binh province.

“In Vietnam R. ocellata occurs in several protected and proposed protected areas such as Bach Ma National Park, Ngoc Linh Nature Reserve and Song Thanh Nature Reserve, all in Quang Nam province, and Khe Nuoc Trong Proposed Nature Reserve, Quang Binh province (Gray et al. 2014, Vũ et al. 2017a,b, Vu & Tran 2020)”

• cites Gray et al. 2014 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites Vũ et al. 2017a,bNot matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

• cites Vu & Tran 2020 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

May combine two claims.

In nominate ocellata all three calls have been sound-recorded; in nigrescens only the Short Call has been digitally recorded while the other two have written descriptions based on field experience.

“In nominate ocellata all three calls have been sound-recorded; in nigrescens only the Short Call has been digitally recorded while the other two have written descriptions based on experience in the field.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Field descriptions of Long Call and Sharp Call of nigrescens are reliable enough for comparison despite not being digitally recorded.

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

The Tobias et al. (2010) scoring system sets a threshold of 7 for species status, with character scores 4 exceptional, 3 major, 2 medium, 1 minor; only three plumage, two vocal, two biometric and one behavioural/ecological character may be counted.

“a threshold of 7 is set to allow species status, species status cannot be triggered by minor characters alone, and only three plumage characters, two vocal characters, two biometric characters (assessed for effect size using Cohen's d where 0.2-2 is minor, 2-5 medium, 5-10 major and >10 exceptional) and one behavioural or ecological character (allowed 1) may be counted.”

• cites Tobias et al. 2010 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

They applied Dunn's pairwise test and Bonferroni correction, considering these a reasonable option given the non-normal distribution and different sizes of samples.

“we also applied Dunn's pairwise test and Bonferroni correction, considering these a reasonable option given the non-normal distribution and different sizes of samples.”

May combine two claims.

Given this is a very stereotypic call (heard >100 times in various field situations but not recorded, and immediately recognisable), we can confidently estimate Tobias scores for the three differences to reach respectively 2 (for length), [ns]2 (for pitch) and 4 (for 1 vs. 2 notes), resulting in a total score for this vocal character of 6.

“However, given this is a very stereotypic call (heard >100 times in various field situations but not recorded, and immediately recognisable), we can confidently estimate Tobias scores for the three differences to reach respectively 2 (for length), [ns]2 (for pitch) and 4 (for 1 vs. 2 notes), resulting in a total score for this vocal character of 6.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Vocalisations of captive nominate ocellata are representative of wild nominate ocellata.

May combine two claims.

The voice of nigrescens evolved to differentiate it from A. argus, while ocellata retained more ancestral features.

“suggesting that the voice of nigrescens evolved to differentiate it from A. argus, while ocellata retained more ancestral features.”

• AssumptionThe authors state this as an assumption: The forms and types of calls of R. ocellata were not, or not greatly, affected by captive conditions.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Outside Galliformes, African Houbara and Asian Houbara differ significantly in feather deportment and pattern in display, including crest, as well as number of call notes.

“two species that look extremely similar at rest but which differ significantly in feather deportment and pattern in display, including the crest, as well as in the number of call notes (Collar & Combreau 2017).”

• cites Collar & Combreau 2017Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

May combine two claims.

In combination these characters indicate a level of differentiation compatible with species rank for nigrescens, and this is strongly reflected in Tobias criteria scoring.

“In combination these characters indicate a level of differentiation compatible with species rank for nigrescens, and this is strongly reflected in Tobias criteria scoring.”

• cites Tobias et al. 2010 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Vocalisations of captive nominate ocellata are representative of wild nominate ocellata.
• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Field descriptions of Long Call and Sharp Call of nigrescens are reliable enough for comparison despite not being digitally recorded.
• AssumptionRests on an assumption: The unsexed wild nigrescens sample is not biased by sex in a way that affects number of loud notes in Long Call.

May combine two claims.

These are based on field notes from a broad area of forest covering at least three separate mountain flanks, and therefore unlikely to reflect individual call differences between two birds.

“These are based on field notes from a broad area of forest covering at least three separate mountain flanks, and therefore unlikely to reflect individual call differences between two birds.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: The unsexed wild nigrescens sample is not biased by sex in a way that affects number of loud notes in Long Call.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

Our recognition of R. nigrescens as a species distinct from R. ocellata is likely to have several conservation implications.

“Our recognition of what we propose to call Malaysian Crested Argus R. nigrescens as a species distinct from Vietnamese Crested Argus R. ocellata is likely to have several conservation implications.”