New species described! Scientists unveil a fascinating find in Indonesia

The beautiful Banda Myzomela occurs across three remote island groups in Indonesia, called the Banda Islands, Tanimbars and Babar. Feeding on nectar and small invertebrates, males of this charismatic species are distinguished by their vibrant black and red plumage.  Until now, scientists believed Banda Myzomela occurred as two subspecies (one on the Banda Islands, and another on Tanimbar and Babar). This means that while these two groups were considered slightly different, they were thought able to interbreed and therefore represent a single species.

However, a new collaborative study led by a BirdLife scientist reveals that the two subspecies differ in plumage, size and – critically – song.  Careful analyses of voice recordings reveal that birds on the Tanimbar and Babar islands, once thought to be identical, actually have entirely different songs. As the authors wrote, the analysed complex songs are likely to ‘function as a barrier to mate recognition and reproduction’, and they concluded that the three populations were unlikely to breed with one another and therefore should be treated as three species. Given the Babar population did not have a scientific name – a formality necessary for the recognition of a new species – they called it Myzomela babarensis.

Lead scientist and Red List Officer at BirdLife International, Alex Berryman explained: ‘‘The exciting discovery of distinct differences in the three populations of Banda Myzomela led us to propose recognition of three species. In this publication, we suggest these species should be named after the islands in which they are found: Banda Islands Myzomela, Babar Myzomela and Tanimbar Myzomela (never let it be said ornithologists lack imagination…).’’

So how did these three species likely evolve? The archipelagic nation of Indonesia comprises an astonishing 18,000 islands, many of which have been isolated for millions of years.  As bird species colonise new islands, their size, shape and plumage adapts to local habitats and they develop distinctive songs. Over time, these populations change so much from those on neighbouring islands that scientists consider them separate species.

Thankfully, while these three myzomela species have small ranges, they have proven very adaptable to habitat degradation and are unlikely to be of conversation concern. Sadly, this is not always the case. Many of Indonesia’s endemic birds are struggling and more than 150 are considered at risk of extinction. Our Partner, Burung Indonesia, leads national efforts to tackle threats facing birds across the archipelago, working with communities to ensure the wondrous diversity of species can thrive in decades to come.

Feature Image ©James Eaton