Talk:Tyto robusta

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Merge?

Technically I'd be against it, but in ths particular case...

poorly resolved taxonomy (would have to await the Pavia/Göhlich paper based on their 2004 talk. No indication it's upcoming soon, but then I didn't ask them)
at the present state, all that would be different is size and prey spectrum
images are of course entirely conjectural as to color and do not provide significant information (size, namely); we would be better off with simple sketches comparing the 3 Gargano owls to Tyto alba' and Bubo bubo...

The Pavia/Göhlich paper is crucial. I might ask them, especially as regards the question of sexual size dimorphism... there should be 2 distinct size clusters visible in any significant sample of owl bones of any one species living or extinct (see HBW measurement data); one only has to think of the Rodrigues Owl and Mauritius Owl to become very very cautious. Mlikovsky's lumpings have a very bad track record, but the "3 species" scenario is by no means parsimonious either. I'd have no problem believing it if the Pavia/Göhilch data is good (Göhlich's data is usually not bad at the least) and if sexual dimorphism is covered, but if not... Dysmorodrepanis (talk) 01:44, 8 January 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Should we merge them together under "Gargano Barn Owl"?--Mr Fink (talk) 01:59, 8 January 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Because of T. balarica on Gargano, maybe Giant Mediterranean Barn-owl? If there will be 2 pages eventually, they can be split off but "G.M.B." could redirect to a page Giant Barn-owl where the two and their confused taxonomic history could be listed in brief, plus the Caribbean species. Or maybe Giant owl? That would have like 5 sections and links to (then) 4 taxon pages already - not bad for starters. Think Dwarf elephant.

BTW the new JVP has a few papers that might interest you: http://www.bioone.org/perlserv/?request=get-toc&issn=0272-4634&volume=27&issue=4 Dysmorodrepanis (talk) 04:42, 8 January 2008 (UTC)[reply]

That could work... And I wish I had a subscription.--Mr Fink (talk) 04:46, 8 January 2008 (UTC)[reply]