Talk:Tyto robusta

Merge?
Technically I'd be against it, but in ths particular case... 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)
 * 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''...
 * Should we merge them together under "Gargano Barn Owl"?--Mr Fink (talk) 01:59, 8 January 2008 (UTC)
 * 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)
 * That could work... And I wish I had a subscription.--Mr Fink (talk) 04:46, 8 January 2008 (UTC)