The red-throated lorikeet (Vini amabilis) is a critically endangered lorikeet endemic to Fiji. It is 18 cm long and is bright green overall, with red cheeks, throat and thighs.
Red-throated lorikeet | |
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Aves |
Order: | Psittaciformes |
Family: | Psittaculidae |
Genus: | Vini |
Species: | V. amabilis
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Binomial name | |
Vini amabilis (Ramsay, 1875)
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![](http://178.128.105.246/cars-http-upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/db/Charmosyna_amabilis.jpg/220px-Charmosyna_amabilis.jpg)
This bird has been found on the islands of Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, Taveuni and Ovalau. Ten specimens were collected in 1923, but it was last recorded in 1993, although it may also have been seen on Mount Tomanivi on Viti Levu in 2001. A search of Viti Levu in 2001-2 failed to find any birds, as did a second series of surveys in 2003. It continues to be threatened by habitat loss, the introduced black rat, as well as introduced feral cats and small Indian mongooses. It is known as the Kulawai in Fiji and is the bird found on the Fijian $5 dollar bills.
Taxonomy
editThis species was formerly assigned to the genus Charmosyna. It was moved to the genus Vini based on a molecular phylogenetic study of the lorikeets published in 2020.[2][3][4]
References
edit- ^ BirdLife International (2012). "Charmosyna amabilis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
- ^ Smith, B.T.; Mauck, W.M.I.; Benz, B.W.; Andersen, M.J. (2020). "Uneven missing data skew phylogenomic relationships within the lories and lorikeets". Genome Biology and Evolution. 12 (7): 1131–1147. doi:10.1093/gbe/evaa113. PMC 7486955. PMID 32470111.
- ^ Joseph, L.; Merwin, J.; Smith, B.T. (2020). "Improved systematics of lorikeets reflects their evolutionary history and frames conservation priorities". Emu - Austral Ornithology. 120 (3): 201–215. Bibcode:2020EmuAO.120..201J. doi:10.1080/01584197.2020.1779596.
- ^ Gill, Frank; Donsker, David; Rasmussen, Pamela, eds. (July 2021). "Parrots, cockatoos". IOC World Bird List Version 11.2. International Ornithologists' Union. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
- BirdLife International (2006) Species factsheet: Charmosyna amabilis. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 4/7/2006
External links
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