Agroaldea
Bird expert George Sangster discovered genetic differences in the blue finch Tenerife.
The Blue Chaffinch of Gran Canaria, one of the birds most endangered on the planet, It has substantial differences with Tenerife and, Therefore, It can be considered as a species with own taxonomic rank, with the scientific name Fringilla polatzeki.
So says a study to be published expert George Sangster magazine Journal of Avian Biology, as it reported by the Spanish Ornithological Society (SEO/Bird Life).
The latest issue of the publication Birds and Nature que edita SEO/Bird Life, stresses that research lists differences between the Blue Chaffinch of Gran Canaria and Tenerife, plumage both in morphology and singing, which together they studied the genetic differences and make it worthy of cataloging as a single species.
From it was discovered this endemic subspecies in early the early 1900 for out of ornithologist Johann Polatzek, He had not returned to their taxonomic status review and the results of the study show that both represent two different species: Sit polatzeki y favorite teydea.
The Blue Chaffinch of Gran Canaria It is one of the few European passerines, so it should be classified as an “Critically Endangered”. Their long-term survival in the wild now depends on a very small area on the Reserva Natural Integral de Inagua, less than 20 square kilometers, in the southwest of Gran Canaria, says the study.
Blue finch It is one of the most emblematic endemic birds and characteristics of the Archipelago, but Gran Canaria is the most threatened worldwide by a very small population and a very restricted distribution.
Unlike what happens in Tenerife, where the blue finch is abundant and widely distributed throughout its geography, the Gran Canaria is only found in the pine forests Ojeda, Inagua y Pajonales.
One of the authors of the study and associate of SEO / BirdLife, Felipe Rodríguez, He hopes the work will serve to make you take “true consciousness” the need to recover and conserve this species, “with seriousness and responsibility”. The survival autonomously is only possible if it significantly increases the size of the population in a relatively short period of time.
The Recovery Plan of this species, approved 2013 by the Government of the Canary Islands, power setting new population by release of specimens from the breeding program and exchange of wild specimens.
The Cabildo de Gran Canaria has reinforced the population in the highest part of the island, Although this action has not been enough. For that reason and for the first time, the Ministry of Environment, with the collaboration of the Directorate General of Nature Conservation of the Canary Government, He released in the pinewood Summit fifteen specimens from the pine Ojeda, Inagua y Pajonales.
Ten blue finches were placed a radio transmitter that will allow her remote monitoring, location in the weeks after release and collection of data on dispersal, routes, survival or feed.
The project Life + Blue Finch this year has a budget of 99.000 euros and includes the reforestation of pines in their nesting areas, Juan Manuel Brito he reported, Minister for the Environment.
Other European projects, as Life+Guguy and Life + Rabiche, also they have public funding to rehabilitate forests and shelter endemic species. by cons, the Life+Lampropeltis, It has run out of money in the EU and only available 50.000 euros for controlling Snake California, an introduced species that has been dispersed and Galdar Valsequillo that is wreaking havoc on the native fauna of lizards.
In total, the council will allocate more than 320.000 euros for conservation of fauna and flora, Brito explained, who stressed that only rabiche Life + project includes planting 460.000 reintroducing trees that pigeon.
Regarding the Life + Guguy, Brito said eliminating wild goats will remain by apañadas, although the shots are not discarded if necessary.