Abstract
Two central African forest weavers, Ploceus aureonucha and P. flavipes, are known only from < 10 specimens each since 1920, and < 3 sightings each in the past 40 years. A re-examination of the available data raised the possibility that these taxa might be hybrids. For P. flavipes, the postulated parental species are P. nigerrimus X P. albinucha. For P. aureonucha, the parental species could be P. nigerrimus X P. tricolor, but it seems more likely that P. aureonucha represents an unrecognised plumage stage of P. tricolor. Resolution of the status of these two species is relevant to assessments of biodiversity, and conservation priorities, in the Ituri region.
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Craig, A.J.F.K. (2005). Rare Weavers (Aves: Ploceidae): Are Some Ploceus Species Hybrids?. In: African Biodiversity. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/0-387-24320-8_27
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/0-387-24320-8_27
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