Die Unterart rhenana des Haselhuhns Tetrastes bonasia: Taxonomie und Schutzbedarf
Auteur : Schreiber (Arnd)
Année de publication : 2018
Publication : Charadrius
Volume :
54
Fascicule : 2-3
Pagination : 66-94
Résumé :
Taxonomy and conservation needs of the Hazel Grouse subspecies Tetrastes bonasia rhenana. The Western Hazel Grouse (Tetrastes bonasia rhenana) might be the taxon in most immediate risk of worldwide extinction of the German bird fauna. Still it has been neglected by authorities and conservation circles. The exploration history and taxonomic discreteness of the subspecies are reviewed. Differential characters include colouration (reddish-brown hue in the dorsal plumage, less pronounced dark mottling on the breast and belly), body size (smaller than the adjacent Alpine subspecies, much larger than the Scandinavian forms, similar in size to the east-Central European population), shorter feather covering on thetarsometatarsus, and markers in the mtDNA; a few further possible characters (shorter horn fringes on toes, many other details of colouration) require confirmation in larger series. A progress report of an ongoing biometric study reveals that the wing length alone fulfills the 75%-rule for a subspecies status of the Western Hazel Grouse in relation to the Alpine populations (T. b. styriaca) and those from northern Scandinavia (T. b. griseonota). Sample numbers do not yet permit similar comparisons with T. b. rupestris. The subspecies rhenana might qualify as being at least “endangered” when rated for the criteria of the worldwide IUCN Red List, but more likely “critically endangered”. Measures to conserve and to expand Hazel Grouse biotopes by coppicing are of urgent importance for the survival of this taxon. In addition a captive breeding programme to provide a reserve population should start without delay. The reintroduction of a captive-bred population into recently declared national parks, where forests have been released from silviculture into natural dynamics, or in other strict reserves with natural forest dynamics is considered the single most promising strategy for the long-term survival of this subspecies.