Supertramp fantail explained

The supertramp fantail (Rhipidura semicollaris) is a species of bird in the family Rhipiduridae that is found on the Lesser Sunda Islands, Maluku Islands, Kai Islands and Aru Islands. It was formerly considered to be subspecies of the Arafura fantail (Rhipidura dryas). Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.

Taxonomy

The supertramp fantail was formally described in 1843 by the German naturalist Salomon Müller based on specimens collected in Timor. He placed it with the other fantails in the genus Rhipidura and coined the binomial name Rhipidura semicollaris.^{[1] [2]} The specific epithet combines the Latin semi- meaning "half" with collaris meaning "collared".^[3] The supertramp fantail and its subspecies were formerly treated as being conspecific with the Arafura fantail (Rhipidura dryas).^[2]

Nine subspecies are recognised:^[4]

• R. s. squamata Müller, S, 1843 – Kekek and Lawin (east of Obi Islands, central north Moluccas), Banda Islands (southwest Moluccas), Raja Ampat Islands (northwest of New Guinea) and Babi (Aru Islands, southwest of New Guinea)
• R. s. celebensis Büttikofer, 1892 – Tanahjampea and Kalao (south of south Sulawesi)
• R. s. mimosae Meise, 1929 – Kalaotoa (southeast of south Sulawesi)
• R. s. sumbensis Hartert, EJO, 1896 – Sumba and Sawu (central south Lesser Sunda Islands)
• R. s. semicollaris Müller, S, 1843 – Flores to Timor and Wetar (central, east Lesser Sunda Islands)
• R. s. elegantula Sharpe, 1879 – Romang, Damar Island, Leti and Moa (east Lesser Sunda Islands)
• R. s. reichenowi Finsch, 1901 – Babar Islands (far east Lesser Sunda Islands)
• R. s. hamadryas Sclater, PL, 1883 – Tanimbar Islands (south Moluccas)
• R. s. henrici Hartert, EJO, 1918 – Seram Laut (southeast of Seram, central east Moluccas), Tayandu (west of Kai Islands), Kai Islands (southeast Moluccas) and Aru Islands (southwest of New Guinea)

Notes and References

1. Book: Müller, Salomon . Salomon Müller . 1843 . Verhandelingen over de natuurlijke geschiedenis . 1: Land-en Volkenkunde . Dutch . Leiden . In commissie bij. S. en J. Luchtmans en C.C. van der Hoek . 184, Footnote . For the publication date see: Husson . A.M. . Holthuis . L.B. . 1955 . The dates of publication of "Verhandelingen over de natuurlijke Geschiedenis der Nederlandsche overzeesche Bezittingen" edited by C. J. Temminck . Zoologische Mededelingen . 34 . 2 . 17–24 .
2. Book: Mayr . Ernst . Ernst Mayr . Cottrell . G. William . 1986 . Check-List of Birds of the World . 11 . Museum of Comparative Zoology . Cambridge, Massachusetts . 552 .
3. Book: Jobling, James A. . 2010. The Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names . Christopher Helm . London . 978-1-4081-2501-4 . 353 .
4. Web site: Gill . Frank . Frank Gill (ornithologist) . Donsker . David . Rasmussen . Pamela . Pamela C. Rasmussen . December 2023 . Orioles, drongos, fantails . IOC World Bird List Version 14.1 . International Ornithologists' Union . 16 January 2024.