The biology and relationships of the ground woodpecker
Date
1992
Authors
Oatley, Terence Barry
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Journal ISSN
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Abstract
Paterson's recognition concept of species predicts
that new species arise as an incidental consequence of
adaptation by small, isolated populations to a new environment.
If this is so, species-wide characteristics,
especially those of the species fertillzation system,
should have evolved entirely in isolation and should
relate strongly to the normal habitat of the species. The
purpose of this study is to explore and test thid theory.
The African Ground Woodpecker Geocolaptes olivaceus is
the tool for this exploration. The first phase of the
study documents aspects of ecology, behaviour and breeding
biology of this little-studied bird; the second phase
establishes its relationship to other African woodpeck-
ers, and in the third phase a hypothetical account of a
speciation event is presented.
The Ground Woodpecker is the only terrestrial picid
on the African continent and its distribution is confined
to the subcontinent south of the Tropic of Capricorn, It
is seldom found far from rocks and boulders; these provide
the birds with resting and hiding places and display
platforms. The birds excavate tunnels in earthen banks
for roosting and nesting. (Abbreviation abstract)
Description
A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Science,
University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg,
in fulfilment of the requirements for 'the degree
of Doctor of Philosophy.
Keywords
Woodpeckers -- Behavior -- South Africa, Woodpeckers -- Behavior, Birds -- Behavior, Species