Prioritizing species conservation: does the Cape Verde kite exist?

Area of Science:

• Ornithology
• Evolutionary Biology
• Conservation Genetics

Background:

• The Cape Verde kite (Milvus milvus fasciicauda) is critically endangered, prompting research into its taxonomic and population status.
• Understanding its evolutionary distinctiveness is crucial for effective conservation strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To resolve the taxonomic status of the Cape Verde kite using phylogenetic analyses.
• To determine if the Cape Verde kite represents a distinct evolutionary unit or species.

Main Methods:

• Phylogenetic analyses were conducted using three mitochondrial genes.
• Samples included historical museum specimens of Cape Verde kites (1897–1924), museum specimens of black kites (Milvus migrans) and red kites (Milvus milvus), and recently trapped kites from the Cape Verde Islands (2002).

Main Results:

• Historical Cape Verde kites were found to be non-monophyletic, clustering within the red kite clade.
• Recently trapped kites from the Cape Verde Islands were identified as black kites.
• The study identified at least one yellow-billed kite clade, traditionally a black kite subspecies, as a distinct phylogenetic species.

Conclusions:

• The traditional Cape Verde kite is not a distinct evolutionary unit, and its species status is not supported by this research.
• The findings suggest that conservation efforts should focus on the broader Milvus genus, particularly differentiating distinct phylogenetic species like certain yellow-billed kites.