Zur Taxonomie mediterraner Sperlinge der Gattung Passer - Probleme weiterhin aktuell: Hybridisation, italiae, tingitanus

Abstract

Taxonomy of mediterranean sparrows, genus Passerfurther problems on hybridization, italiae, tingitanus This paper discusses three actual problems: 1. the interpretation of italiae as a hybrid of Passer domesticus and I? hispnniolensis and its treatment as a subspecies of one of the parent species. 2. the interpretation of the African italiae-like sparrows and their hybrid status. 3. the use of the name tingitanus.The proposal that italiae is a result of hybridization is rejected. A form resulting from hybridization can not be a subspecies of one of the parent species. Thus, italiae, in this special case, is neither a subspecies of I? domesticus nor of I? hispaniolensis.Also the italiae-like sparrows of Africa are not hybrids but the result of evolution and should receive the same taxonomic status as italiae. In Africa the following systematic arrangement is proposed neither: a) the grey-crowned domesticus, b) the chestnut-headed hispaniolensis, c) the chestnut-headed italiae, and d) hybrids.The name ringitanus can be used for grey-crowned nor for chestnut-headed sparrows because the type is insufficiently described.

Taxonomic recommendations for Western Palaearctic birds: 10th report

“…Species rank of italiae is appropriate given (1) its distinctive morphology, (2) strong evidence for its hybrid origin and (3) evidence for a substantial degree of reproductive isolation from both P. domesticus and P. hispaniolensis . Species rank was previously proposed by Massa (), Fulgione and Milone () and Stephan (, ). Thus, Italian Sparrow is recognized as a full species and listed between House and Spanish Sparrows.…”