Smithsonian scientists in the central African country of Gabon have discovered a new species of bird. The so-called olive-backed forest robin (Stiphrornis pyrrholaemus) was discovered during a biodiversity assessment of southwestern Gabon that contains two protected areas – Loango and Moukalaba-Doudou National Parks. The research expedition that discovered the new forest robin was part of the Smithsonian Institution’s Monitoring and Assessment of Biodiversity Program (SIMAB).

According to the authors presenting the findings in the scientific journal Zootaxa, the new species of forest robin is common and “inhabits primary lowland forest and forages on or near the ground like the other members of the genus Stiphrornis of central and western Africa [and] unique phenotypic features of the new species include the male’s bright orange chin, throat, and breast, creamy yellow belly, olive green back and rump, and gray flanks.”

Certainly, new species discoveries of any bird or mammal are rare, but this discovery is surprising considering the coloring of the bird, and its apparent status of being “common.” These factors reflect the level of scientific exploration within this area of Gabon. Furthermore, considering the increase in habitat degradation, loss, and fragmentation, these factors also highlight the importance of supporting science and projects that conduct biodiversity surveys or inventories, because information and the subsequent press can facilitate awareness to protect unique landscapes. It is easier to make an argument for species or landscape protection if we know what’s there.

In addition to biodiversity assessments and research conducted by SIMAB, the project is also working to integrate biodiversity education as part of the conservation strategy or portfolio of the area. Image credit: Brian Schmidt. From the Press Room of the Smithsonian Institution:

The bird was first observed by Smithsonian scientists in 2001 during a field expedition of the National Zoo’s Monitoring and Assessment of Biodiversity Program in southwest Gabon. It was initially thought, however, to be an immature individual of an already-recognized species. Brian Schmidt, a research ornithologist at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History and a member of the MAB program’s team, returned to Washington, D.C., from Gabon in 2003 with several specimens to enter into the museum’s bird collection. When he compared them with other forest robins of the genus Stiphrornis in the collection, Schmidt immediately noticed differences in color and plumage, and realized the newly collected birds might be unique.

“I suspected something when I found the first bird in Gabon since it didn’t exactly match any of the species descriptions in the field guides,” Schmidt said. “Once I was able to compare them side by side to other specimens in our collections it was clear that these birds were special. You, of course, have to be cautious, but I was still very excited at the prospect of possibly having found a new species of bird.”

To ensure that the specimens Schmidt collected were a new species, geneticists at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo compared the DNA of the new specimens to that of the four known forest robin species. The results clearly showed that these birds were in fact a separate and distinct species.

Discovering an unknown mammal or bird species is far from a common event. Before the 20th century, the rate of discoveries was great—several hundred new species were being described each decade. Since then, however, the pace has slowed and new species of vertebrates are generally only found in isolated areas.

Now officially recognized, the olive-backed forest robin brings Gabon’s number of known bird species to 753. Other than its existence, however, little is known to science about this newcomer.

On the Net: Zootaxa; Aves, birds
On the Net: A new species of African Forest Robin from Gabon (Passeriformes: Muscicapidae: Stiphrornis): Full journal article
On the Net: Smithsonian Institution’s Monitoring and Assessment of Biodiversity Program (SIMAB)