(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species WHITE-EYE, GREATER, PONAPE
Species Id ESIS101001
Date 14 MAR 96
TAXONOMY
NAME - WHITE-EYE, GREATER, PONAPE
OTHER COMMON NAMES - WHITE-EYE, GREATER, PONAPE; WHITE-EYE, LARGE, PONAPE; WHITE-EYE, GREAT, PONAPE; WHITE-EYE, PONAPE; WHITE-EYE, GREATER, POHNPEI;WHITE-EYE, GREAT, POHNPEI; WHITE-EYE, LARGE, POHNPEI; WHITE-EYE and POHNPEI
ELEMENT CODE -
CATEGORY - Birds
PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - CHORDATA,
CLASS AND SUBCLASS - AVES,
ORDER AND SUBORDER - PASSERIFORMES,
FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - ZOSTEROPIDAE,
GENUS AND SUBGENUS - RUKIA,
SPECIES AND SSP - LONGIROSTRA,
SCIENTIFIC NAME - RUKIA LONGIROSTRA
AUTHORITY -
TAXONOMY REFERENCES -
COMMENTS ON TAXONOMY -
Ponape Greater White-Eye
Rukia longirostra (Takatsukasa and Yamashina, 1931)
KINGDOM: Animal GROUP: Bird
PHYLUM: Chordata CLASS: Aves
ORDER: Passeriformes FAMILY: Zosteropidae
The Ponape greater white-eye is a comparitively large white-eye
(13 cm.). The back is buffy olive, brighter on the rump. Underparts
are lighter and buffy. The upper throat is a pale yellowish and there
is no visible eye ring. The iris and bill are brown in color. The
legs and feet are a fleshy orange. The bill is long, thin, and
decurved in shape like that of a honeyeater (01,09). The bird is
usually seen in the upper canopy where lighting conditions are poor.
The best identification traits are the call, curved beak, and light
colored legs for field work (03).
The species was originally listed was the Ponape great white-eye
in the Federal Register, however, Ponape greater white-eye is more
commonly used (01,11,13). Another common name is the large Ponape
white-eye (09). The common names also include the variation of the
spelling Ponape (=Pohnpei), and great vs. greater.
The species was described virtually simultaneously in 1931 by
Taxonomy - 1 (DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species WHITE-EYE, GREATER, PONAPE
Species Id ESIS101001
Date 14 MAR 96
Mayr as Rhamphozosterops sanfordi (07) and by Takatsukasa and
Yamashina as Cinnyrorhyncha longirostra (15). By 1944, both of the
original genus names were dropped in favor of the genus Rukia, which
had been assigned to the greater white-eyes in Micronesia (08).
There was still doubt about the species name through 1951, at which
time Baker used Rukia sanfordi, but questioned which of the two
originally published species names was correct (01). This issue was
apparently resolved by the time Peter's checklist was published in
1967; in the treatise on white-eyes, Rukia longirostra was designated
as the accepted name (10).
Baker examined 18 specimens deposited at the American Museum of
Natural History (01). These were presumably taken by W. Coultas
during the Whitney South Sea Expeditions (02). A specimen collected
by Richards in 1947 is deposited at the Bernice P. Bishop Museum in
Honolulu, HI. Several birds collected by Marshall in 1955-56 were
deposited in the Smithsonian (06). The type specimen is presumably at
the Yamashina Institute in Tokyo, Japan. The Ponape greater white-
eye should be illustrated in the Field Guide to Birds of the Pacific,
soon to be published (12).
Taxonomy - 2 (DRAFT) - Status
Species WHITE-EYE, GREATER, PONAPE
Species Id ESIS101001
Date 14 MAR 96
STATUS
Coded Status
E: Federal Endangered
Non-consumptive recreational
COMMENTS ON STATUS -
U.S STATUSES AND LAWS:
The Ponape greater white-eye (Rukia longirostra) has been
designated an Endangered species pursuant to the Endangered Species
Act of 1973 (50 CFR 17.11; P.L. 93-205, 87 Stat. 884; 16 U.S.C.
1531-1540), as amended. The species has this status wherever found
including Ponape Island, part of the U.S. Pacific Island Trust
Territories including The Federated States of Micronesia.
This species is protected by the Lacey Act (P.L. 97-79, as
amended; 16 U.S.C. 3371 et seq.) which makes it unlawful to import,
export, transport, sell, receive, acquire, or purchase any wild
animal (alive or dead including parts, products, eggs, or offspring):
(1) in interstate or foreign commerce if taken, possessed,
transported or sold in violation of any State law or
regulation; or
(2) if taken or possessed in violation of any U.S. law,
treaty, or regulation or in violation of Indian tribal law.
It is also unlawful to possess any wild animal (alive or dead
including parts, products, eggs, and offspring) within the U.S.
territorial or special maritime jurisdiction (as defined in
18 U.S.C. 7) that is taken, possessed, transported, or sold in
violation of any State law or regulation, foreign law, or Indian
tribal law.
RESPONSIBLE FEDERAL AGENCIES:
USFWS -Responsible for the management/recovery, listing, and
law enforcement/protection of this species.
All Federal agencies have responsibility to ensure that any
action authorized, funded, or carried out by that agency is not likely
to jeopardize the continued existence of the species or result in the
destruction or adverse modification of Critical Habitat (50 CFR 402),
and to utilize their authorities to carry out programs for the
conservation of the species.
STATE STATUSES AND LAWS:
STATE: Federated States of Micronesia (U.S. Trust Territory of
the Pacific Islands)
DESIGNATED STATUS: Endangered
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY: Department of Resources and Development
Status - 1 (DRAFT) - Status
Species WHITE-EYE, GREATER, PONAPE
Species Id ESIS101001
Date 14 MAR 96
STATE STATUTES: Title 45; Fish, Shellfish, and Game; Chapter 5;
Endangered Species Act (of Trust Territories)
INTERNATIONAL STATUSES, TREATIES, AND AGREEMENTS:
This species is listed in the IUCN Red Data Book.
ECONOMIC STATUSES:
This species is not directly utilized by humans, however, it may
aid in the pollination of plants and the control of insects within
the native forest ecosystem. The species is also of an esthetic
recreational value for bird watching.
70/06/02:35 FR 08491/08498 - Listing as Endangered
76/30/09:41 FR 43340/43358 - Republication of list
85/02/22:50 FR 29901/29909 - Five year review
Status - 2 HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS
HABITAT - TERRESTRIAL
TERRESTRIAL
LAND USE -
Evergreen Forest Land
COMMENTS ON HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS -
The Ponape greater white-eye is a resident of the interior rain
forests, but is occasionally found in second growth forests at lower
elevations as well. Data from the 1983 USFWS surveys clearly show the
stepwise increase in white-eye densities from the lower to the upper
elevations: There were no birds recorded in mangrove forests (0/sq.
km.), 23/sq.km. at 0-100 meters, 60/sq.km. at 100-200 meters, 201/sq.
km. at 200-400 meters, 378/sq.km. at 400-600 meters, and 375/sq.km.
at 600-800 meters (03). This is the only bird on Ponape that showed
such a distinct affiliation for the upper elevations.
The interior forests of Ponape are relatively intact and consist
of large, broadleaf evergreen trees with a moderately open to dense
understory. Much of the interior forest is dominated by stands of
tall native palms (Clinostigma). Other dominant trees in the well
developed forests include Campnosperma, Elaeocarpus, Parinarium,
Ficus, and others (04,05). At lower elevations most forests are mixed
second growth. Agricultural species such as breadfruit, banana, and
coconut are interspersed with native vegetation (04,05).
The greater white-eye is nectarivorous. During the USFWS
surveys, it was commonly observed feeding on nectar of the small,
white flowers of large Elaeocarpus trees and this tree may be
particularly important for the white-eye. The white-eye was
frequently seen in Campnosperma and Clinostigma and, to a lesser
extent, in Parinarium. These three trees may likewise be important
for the survival of the species (03).
At lower elevations the white-eye has been observed feeding on
the ripe fruit of mangos, but it is not known what significance
this and other fruits play in the diet and survival of the species
(03).
Habitat Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species WHITE-EYE, GREATER, PONAPE
Species Id ESIS101001
Date 14 MAR 96
FOOD HABITS
TROPHIC LEVEL -
OMNIVORE
LIFESTAGE FOOD FOOD PART
General Arthropods
General Evergreen Trees-Flowers/Fruit/Seed
Food Habits - 1 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species WHITE-EYE, GREATER, PONAPE
Species Id ESIS101001
Date 14 MAR 96
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
G = General A = Adult
LIM = Limiting RA = Resting Adult
J = Juvenile FA = Feeding Adult
RJ = Resting Juvenile BA = Breeding Adult
FJ = Feeding Juvenile P = Pupae
L = Larvae E = Egg
RL = Resting Larvae
FL = Feeding Larvae
LIFESTAGE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
G Coastal Features: Vegetated offshore islands
Environment Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species WHITE-EYE, GREATER, PONAPE
Species Id ESIS101001
Date 14 MAR 96
LIFE HISTORY
FOOD HABITS:
The greater white-eye apparently derives most of its nourishment
from nectar, as evidenced in part by the relatively long, decurved
beak typical of nectarivorous species. Birds that Coultas collected
were feeding on the nectar of flowers, and he wrote that "the features
at the base of the bill on individuals are sometimes absent and are
usually sticky and discolored from flower juices" (02). The
specimen collected by Richards also had yellowish sap adhering to its
bill (01). During the USFWS survey the white-eye was commonly
observed feeding on nectar of the small, white flowers of large
Elaeocarpus trees, where individuals would move methodically from one
spray to another as they forged (03). The bird also feeds on small
white Parinarium flowers (03). The white-eye was frequently seen in
Campnosperma and Clinostigma trees during the survey, and it is
speculated that these trees provide nectar or some other food for the
bird (03).
Besides feeding on nectar, the white-eye sometimes takes fruit
and has been noted feeding on ripe mangos. The white-eye regularly
searches the foliage, possibly for insects (03).
HOME RANGE/TERRITORY:
Small flocks of about 3 to 6 birds usually travel and forage
together (03). These flocks probably remain within, and possibly
defend, some type of territory of unknown size. No other information
is available or known on this subject.
PERIODICITY:
The Ponape greater white-eye is diurnal. No other information is
available and nothing is known about any seasonal activity.
MIGRATION PATTERNS:
The species is non-migratory and no information is available on
local movement patterns.
COVER/SHELTER REQUIREMENTS:
The white-eye is commonly found in the tropical rainforest of
Ponape Island, however, specific features of cover and shelter
requirements are not known.
REPRODUCTIVE SITE REQUIREMENTS:
No information is available on this subject.
REPRODUCTIVE CHARACTERISTICS:
No information is available on this subject.
PARENTAL CARE:
No information is available on this subject.
POPULATION BIOLOGY:
No information is available on this subject.
Life History - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species WHITE-EYE, GREATER, PONAPE
Species Id ESIS101001
Date 14 MAR 96
SPECIES INTERRELATIONSHIPS:
The greater white-eye is commonly found in mixed company with
the dusky white-eye (Zosterops cinerea) or, less often, with the
bridled white-eye (Zosterops conspicillatus). Competition from these
two species may influence the distribution of the greater white-eye
(03).
OTHER LIFE HISTORY DESCRIPTORS:
The greater white-eye is a relatively vocal species, voicing
contact calls continually when on the move. The most common call is
a series of clear, high pitched, descending notes. The calls are
generally short and quiet and are easily overlooked among the calls
of other birds. Another call which is less frequently voiced consists
of a clear high note followed by a short, rapid, melodious rattle
(03,06).
Life History - 2 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species WHITE-EYE, GREATER, PONAPE
Species Id ESIS101001
Date 14 MAR 96
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Agricultural Practice
Beneficial Reforestation
Beneficial Restricting Timber Harvest
Beneficial Suppressing wildfire
Beneficial Maintaining Later Stages of Succession
COMMENTS ON MANAGEMENT PRACTICES -
Although reported to be rare in the past (02,14), Marshall found
the Ponape greater white-eye to be fairly common in 1955-56 (06).
USFWS surveys conducted in 1983 found the greater white-eye to be
common throughout the upper forests (03). It is believed that the
species reported rarity is due largely to the inconspicuous nature of
the bird, along with the inaccessible montane habitat in which it is
found. The average population density based on USFWS surveys was
estimated at 31,500 total individuals over a 151 square kilometer
area (03).
Since the white-eye is small and remains primarily in the upper
canopy, it is not sought as a game species and is not directly
disturbed by humans. Lumbering and conversion of forests to
subsistance gardens may eventually remove a significant amount of
habitat, however, maintenance of the upper elevation forests is
necessary to assure continued survival of the white-eye. Especially
important are the well developed forests with large specimens of
Elaeocarpus and native palms (Clinostygma) (03).
UNAPPROVED PLAN:
No Recovery Plan has been initiated and no target date has been
established.
Based on the USFWS survey conducted in 1983, the Ponape greater
white-eye is common in the interior rain forests of Ponape Island.
There is no evidence of a decline in numbers, and few or no recovery
actions are required for "recovery".
Greater white-eye numbers may diminish in the future due to loss
of native forests. These forests, though still extensive, are
becoming increasingly threatened by encroachment of the rapidly
expanding human population. Preservation of portions of the upland
forest is necessary to provide habitat for the greater white-eye.
At present, the species does not appear to be on the verge of
extinction or otherwise endangered. Its inclusion on the endangered
species list should be reassessed.
Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - References
Species WHITE-EYE, GREATER, PONAPE
Species Id ESIS101001
Date 14 MAR 96
References
***** REFERENCES FOR ALL NARRATIVES EXCEPT N-OCCURRENCE *****
01 Baker, R.H. 1951. The avifauna of Micronesia, its origin,
evolution, and distribution. Univ. of Kansas Publ., Mus. Nat.
Hist., 3:1-359.
02 Coultas, W.F. 1930-31. Whitney south sea expedition journals.
Amer. Mus. Natur. Hist. Unpublished.
03 Engbring, J., F.L. Ramsey, and V.J. Wildman. In prep. Federated
states of Micronesia forest bird survey 1983-84: Kosrae, Pohnpei,
Truk, and Yap. USFWS.
04 Fosberg, F.R. 1960. The vegetation of Micronesia. Bull. of the
Am. Mus. of Nat. Hist., Vol. 119, Article 1. 75 pp.
05 Glassman, S.F. 1971. The flora of Ponape. Bernice P. Bishop Mus.
Bull. 209. Honolulu, HI. 152 pp.
06 Marshall, J.T., Jr. 1955-56. Field notes from Micronesia.
Unpublished.
07 Mayr, E. 1931. Rhamphozosterops nov. gen. ornith. monatsber.,
39:182.
08 Mayr, E. 1944. Notes on some genera from the southwest Pacific.
Amer. Mus. Novit., No. 1269:1-8.
09 Mayr, E. 1945. Birds of the southwest Pacific. Macmillan Co.,
New York, NY.
10 Mayr, E., and R.E. Moreau; In: Peters, J.L. 1967. Checklist of
birds of the world. Vol. 12. pp. 289-337.
11 Owen, R.P. 1977. A checklist of the birds of Micronesia.
Micronesia 13:65-81.
12 Pratt, H.D., P.L. Bruner, and D.G. Berrett. In press. A field
guide to the birds of Hawaii and the tropical Pacific. Princeton
Univ. Press, Princeton, MA.
13 Pyle, P., and J. Engbring. In press. Checklist to the birds of
Micronesia. Elepaio.
14 Richards, L.P. 1947-48. Bird and mammal collection field notes.
B.P. Bishop Mus. Unpublished.
15 Takatsukasa, S., and Yamashina, Y. 1931. On two new birds from
the Caroline Islands. Dobutsu. Zasshi, 43:599-600.
***** REFERENCES FOR N-OCCURRENCE NARRATIVE ONLY *****
01 Baker, R.H. 1951. The avifauna of Micronesia, its origin,
evolution, and distribution. Univ. of Kansas Publ., Mus. Nat.
Hist., 3:1-359.
02 Engbring, J. 1985. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; P.O. Box
5016; Honolulu, HI. 96850.
References - 1