DNA sexing of weka (Gallirallus australis)

Loading...
Thumbnail Image

Supplementary material

Other Title

Authors

Dale, Arnja
Robertson, B.C.

Author ORCID Profiles (clickable)

Degree

Grantor

Date

2006

Supervisors

Type

Journal Article

Ngā Upoko Tukutuku (Māori subject headings)

Keyword

sexing
morphometric birds
New Zealand
conservation management
birds
weka (Gallirallus australis)

ANZSRC Field of Research Code (2020)

Citation

Dale, A., and Robertson, B. (2006). DNA sexing of weka (Gallirallus australis). Nortonis. 53 : 375-381.

Abstract

Sexing morphometric birds is problematic, yet it is necessary for the conservation management of many such species, including the endangered weka (Gallirallus australis), a large fl ightless rail endemic to New Zealand. Weka are visually monomorphic and until now have only been sexed using behavioural and morphometric techniques (Beauchamp et al. 1999). Behavioural sexing is complicated as both male and female weka share the responsibility of nest building, egg incubation, and chick rearing. Likewise polygamy has been reported in weka (Guthrie-Smith 1914; Beauchamp 1986) as have same sex pair bonding in captivity (D. Emmerson, pers. comm.) and also in wild populations (A.J. Beauchamp, pers. comm.) ...

Publisher

Link to ePress publication

DOI

Copyright holder

© The Ornithological Society of New Zealand, Inc.

Copyright notice

All rights reserved

Copyright license

Available online at