The Avifauna of the Gulf of Guinea Oceanic Islands

Abstract

Although birds have always been one of the best-known taxa on the Gulf of Guinea oceanic islands, our understanding of their ecology and evolution has increased substantially in the last two decades. Intensive field-based surveys have allowed the first detailed island-wide distribution maps for most species and a much better grasp of habitat associations, highlighting the importance of native forests for many of the endemic birds. Molecular data have provided important insights into evolutionary history, leading to an extensive revision of the taxonomy of the islands’ endemic avifauna. Most speciation events are much more recent than the age of the islands, indicating a high species turn-over that is likely explained by the islands’ history of intense volcanic activity and their moderate distances to the mainland. These islands have the highest accumulation of endemic bird species for small oceanic islands: at least 29 endemic species occur in three islands with a total area of just over 1000 km2. This may be explained by their particular geographic location: offshore from a species-rich continent at distances that allowed the colonization and evolution in isolation of many distinct lineages. All these contributions are now being used to ensure bird conservation, through updated species conservation status and species action plans for the most threatened species, and also to promote the conservation of the native forests on which most of the endemic birds depend.

Species Ecology in the Gulf of Guinea Oceanic Islands: Distribution, Habitat Preferences, Assemblages, and Interactions

“…A few have also regained species status (e.g., Melo et al 2010), while many others remain undescribed, even among plants (e.g. Stévart et al 2022), land mammals (Rainho et al 2022), and birds (Melo et al 2022). This incomplete knowledge is a serious handicap to develop a more in-depth understanding of the ecology of the islands.…”

Biodiversity in the Gulf of Guinea Oceanic Islands: A Synthesis

“…All sea turtles are threatened, and this chapter includes extensive discussion of conservation successes and challenges. Chapter 21 (Melo et al 2022b) revises information on birds, one of the best-known and most charismatic taxa from the islands that includes at least 29 endemic species. It summarizes historical data and provides updated insights into a group that has been at the forefront of research and conservation.…”

The Terrestrial Reptiles of the Gulf of Guinea Oceanic Islands

“…Other than some anecdotal data presented in taxonomic reviews (e.g., Ceríaco et al 2016Ceríaco et al , 2017, there are few studies focused on the ecology, natural history, and conservation of species. Furthermore, in contrast to the comprehensive assessments that have been conducted for other groups, notably birds (Melo et al 2022), no studies exist on the impacts of invasive species or land use for terrestrial reptiles (Soares et al 2022). Another important topic that needs further attention is the venom composition, medical significance and social impact of N. peroescobari snakebite.…”