A New Species

 

An article in the March 2019 Smithsonian magazine presented a detailed description of the multiplicity of fishes of a variety of species living in a complex intermingled assemblage in a lake in Africa. The fish are notable for their similarity, and for having evolved quickly from a common ancestor to the present day variations which compel assignment to various species.

A noted ichthyologist studying the fish in Lake Malawi has “discovered” more than 60 new cichlid species. The Lake Malawi cichlid species number over 295 — and counting.

Care is taken to identify new species on the basis of mating selection, as well as morphological features. Making careful distinction between various blue zebra-striped cichlids, taxonomists have assigned them to thirteen different species.

Upon re-reading the Smithsonian article I am given to understand that the assignment to a new and different species may be based on behavioral distinction, disregarding morphological similarities.

Emboldened by the precedent established by this policy, I am pleased to announce the identification of a new bird species. Throughout my residence in the Gulf coast area of south Texas I have been entertained by the antics of the Cattle egret, Bubulcus ibis. This beautiful white bird feeds with enthusiasm in the grass behind grazing cows, feasting on insects stirred up by their feeding activities. 

Some fifty-plus years after first observing the cattle egret, I am privileged to identify a new species. Although the morphology is virtually identical to the cattle egret of years past, the change in feeding habits justifies — as in the assertion of new species of Cichlid — assigning new speciation.

I will stand aside and let the credentialed scientists assign the formal (Binomial nomenclature ) name, but without hesitation I can supply the appropriate common name: Tractor egret — this based on my ongoing observation of the birds following behind a tractor- towed mower which was cutting the weeds in the grassy meadow adjacent to my residence. I imagine the tractor stirs up greater numbers of insects unlike those the cattle stir up, so the diet is probably different in the new egret species. Also the birds that tolerate the noise of the tractor must have evolved different nervous systems. There must be all sorts of differences that lead to the speciation I have identified.

Do you think I can publish?