Systematic state of vittata form of pied wheatear in Iran based on morphological data Oenanthe pleschanka vittata (Hemprich et Ehrenberg, 1833)

Abstract

In recent years, many of Wheatears' hybrids have been recorded based on new work on old sub-species and geographical variation. One of the forms with little available data in Iran is vittata. For some time, the vittata phenotype of Wheatear has been considered as a subspecies of Pied Wheatear Oenanthe pleschanka (Lepechin, 1770). Systematic location of Oenanthe pleschanka vittata remains unclear for some reasons. Since spring of 2009, this rare phenotype has frequently recorded in eastern and north parts of Alborz Mountains, Quchan, Disful and Arsanjan between April and August. Also, the hypothesis that vittata could be an intermediatetaxa resulted from hybridization between O. pleschanka and O. hispanicahad investigated. But interesting enough the geographical distribution range of vittata did not occur even in the hybrid zone of this species pairs. Our data based on 37 morphometrical characters did not support the separation of vittata from pleshanka. Discriminant analysis and canonical discriminant functions of mentioned characters could not separate vittata and Pied Wheatear. Further studies using molecular data could possibly give more resolution on the systematic situation of this taxon. Additional data about the nesting, breeding, singing, and courtship behaviors are required.