| The Seedsnipes- Avian Family Thinocoridae: Charadriiformes | ||||||
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Systematics |
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Since 2001, the Department of Biology at Queen's University, Kingston, Canada (Gabriela Ibarguchi, Steve Lougheed, and Vicki Friesen), and the Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales 'Bernadino Rivadavia' in Buenos Aires, Argentina (Pablo Tubaro), have been involved in a study of Thinocoridae. The objectives of this collaboration are to improve our knowledge of the natural history, behaviour, and evolutionary history of seedsnipes. In the following pages some preliminary results and observations from this study are presented (and will be continually added).
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Fieldwork and labwork As little baseline information is available on this group, fieldwork often involves identifying locations within the Andes and Patagonia where seedsnipe populations can be studied, determining their reproductive period, trapping and banding individuals of both sexes, obtaining measurements for morphometric analyses, and obtaining small blood or feather samples for studies of parentage, population genetics and systematics (relationships among lineages). |
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As fieldwork generally takes place in logistically difficult locations, and DNA samples are often difficult to obtain, this study would not be possible without the invaluable assistance of volunteers, land owners, park authorities and park rangers, federal, provincial and local governments, museums and universities, other biologists and colleagues, and many community members who have kindly donated time, information, photographs, their own homes and vehicles, funds, humour and optimism. THANK YOU! Below are some stories and photos for a look 'behind the scenes'. |
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A
typical sunny day... |
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| This is what happens when seven live out of a field vehicle...how DARE you ask for your toothbrush on the roof?? And who decided that Roquefort cheese was 'better' than say...Swiss?? We really need a reality show on Day 30 of a field crew...(L to R: Mike Ray, Steve Lougheed, Marcelo Romano, Nina Craig, Daria Koscinski, Emily Croteau) | Beautiful blue skies all around at 3650 m. Marcelo Romano ('Mondongo') enjoys the Altiplano view in Laguna Pozuelos, Argentina, while waiting for our fuel to thaw after a starry but chilly night. | International Shorebird Banding Team 2002 enjoys well-deserved vino tinto after dozens of field hours in knuckle-numbing, cold, furious, damp winds along the shores of Tierra del Fuego. (Foreground L to R: Lily Parra, Allan Baker, Vero Damico, Mark Peck) |
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| Ibarguchi! This is the last time I break my neck to look for seedsnipes! Monica Abril (Berlingo Team Head Honcho) points an ultimatum in my direction after accompaning me for a tumble down a mountainside through thigh-deep snow & thorns ...(Result: broken camera & binoculars...but look Ma! No broken bones!) | Partial Berlingo Team (and faithful field dog Daisy)...freezing once more, as in most photos, this time in Puyehue, Chile. (L to R: Gladys Guerrero, Gaby Ibarguchi, Gabi Murga) |
Under construction!! |
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2005
- Website design and maintenance by G. Ibarguchi & G. Gissing Photos: copyright G. Ibarguchi unless otherwise noted (sources are shown, where possible, where authors/photographers could not be contacted or were anonymous). Website intended for educational and research purposes (not-for-profit uses). Kindly send email for permission to use material and photos, for information, or to report problems. gibarguchi ((remove this)) biology.ca Thanks! |
