You are here
Magnoliopsida
D
EOL Text
Beresford (2003) suggested a new genus for the cholo alethes and close relatives: Pseudoalethe based on mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequence data. Based on those data the genus Alethe was polyphyletic, calling for the separation of Alethe castanea and Alethe diademata from other species of Alethe: Alethe poliocephala, Alethe fuelleborni, Alethe choloensis, and Alethe poliophrys. Currently, however, the Howard and Moore Checklist of Bird Species of the World (2003) only recognizes 5 species and retains them in the genus Alethe: Alethe diademata, Alethe poliophrys, Alethe poliocephala, Alethe fuelleborni, and Alethe choloensis. Alethe castanea is recognized as a subspecies: A. diademata castanea. Beresford (2003) suggested sister-species relationship between A. choloensis and A. fuelleborni.
Alethe choloensis is also known by the common names: Thyolo alethe and Cholo Mountain alethe.
- Beresford, P. 2003. Molecular systematics of Alethe, Sheppardia and some other African robins (Muscicapoidea). Ostrich, 74: 58-73.
- Dickinson, E. 2003. The Howard and Moore Complete Checklist of the Birds of the World. Princeton: Princeton University Press.
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | ©1995-2013, The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors |
Source | http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Alethe_choloensis/ |
There is no information on longevity in cholo alethes. Related birds of similar sizes can live up to 14 years in the wild.
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | ©1995-2013, The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors |
Source | http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Alethe_choloensis/ |
Chile Central
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | Pablo Gutierrez, IABIN |
Source | No source database. |
Habitat and Ecology
Systems
- Terrestrial
- Freshwater
- Marine
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | © International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources |
Source | http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/22694428 |
Typically observed on or near the forest floor, the Thyolo alethe is most often seen alone, although small flocks of up to five individuals have also been found (4). It hops around in the leaf-litter (3), foraging amongst dead leaves to feed on insects, including army ants, beetles and larvae (2). It may also pluck insects from tree trunks and leaves whilst in flight, and will follow a swarm of army ants to take advantage of the insects that are disturbed by this march. Up to four or five Thyolo alethes may feed on the abundance of prey that is revealed by a single swarm of ants (2). Only a single nest of this species has been found: green moss shaped into a cup and lined with dry tendrils. This nest was situated in the fork of a tree, four metres off the ground, and held three eggs within it (2). It is thought that the Thyolo alethe lays its eggs between September and January (3).
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | Copyright Wildscreen 2003-2008 |
Source | http://www.arkive.org/thyolo-alethe/alethe-choloensis/ |
No information on mating systems in cholo alethes have been reported. The literature does suggest that cholo alethes pair for mating, suggesting monogamy.
Cholo alethes seem to breed from September to January. Only 1 nest has been documented, it was placed in the fork of a tree 4 m above the ground. Other information on reproduction in this species is not reported in the literature.
Breeding interval: Breeding interval is not known.
Breeding season: Cholo alethes seem to breed from September to January.
Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; oviparous
No information on parental investment is reported in the literature. If pairs form for breeding, it can be assumed that male and female parents contribute to the protection and feeding of their young. Most young in the family Turdidae are altricial.
Parental Investment: altricial ; pre-fertilization (Provisioning, Protecting: Female); pre-hatching/birth (Provisioning: Female)
- Barnes, K., F. Dowsett-Lemaire, M. Dyer, J. Haugaard, P. Kaliba, L. Luhanga, V. Parker. 2009. "Species factsheet: Thyolo alethe (Alethe choloensis)" (On-line). BirdLife International. Accessed February 11, 2009 at http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/search/species_search.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=6456&m=0.
- BirdLife International, 2008. "Alethe choloensis" (On-line). IUCN Redlist of Endangered Species. Accessed February 10, 2009 at http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/147307.
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | ©1995-2013, The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors |
Source | http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Alethe_choloensis/ |
Habitat and Ecology
Systems
- Terrestrial
- Marine
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources |
Source | http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/22698119 |
Maximum longevity: 31.7 years (wild)
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | Copyright © 2002 - 2009 by Joao Pedro de Magalhaes |
Source | http://genomics.senescence.info/species/entry.php?species=Larus_genei |
Cholo alethes are considered endangered by the IUCN red list. They are endemic to a very small range, fragmented populations, and high levels of habitat destruction via deforestation. Concerns about the rates of deforestation increasing in their range, caused some researchers to call for a new listing as critically endangered in the near future. Two populations were recently discovered in approximately 1600 hectares of montane forest on Mt. Chiperone and approximately 5000 hectares of evergreen forest on Mt. Mabu, both in Mozambique. These population increase estimated global population sizes. At least for the time being, those populations are not currently threatened with high levels of deforestation. It is likely that populations of cholo alethes have been shrinking with the reduction and fragmentation of tropical montane forests in Africa, as the extent of these forests has continued to shrink since the last glacial maxima, approximately 20,000 years ago. Humans have greatly hastened this habitat fragmentation and reduction in recent years.
Some of the forest fragments occupied by cholo alethes are protected as forest reserves, although enforcement of land protection in these areas is often poor. An effort to protect Mulanje Mountain, in Malawi, will help to protect a substantial population of these birds. Efforts are underway to protect areas in Mozambique where cholo alethes are found. Current population estimates range from 2,500 to 10,000 individuals.
US Federal List: endangered
CITES: no special status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: endangered
- Spottiswoode, C., I. Patel, E. Herrman, J. Timberlake, J. Bayliss. 2008. Threatened bird species on two little-known mountains (Chiperone and Mabu) in northern Mozambique. Ostrich, 79: 1-7.
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | ©1995-2013, The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors |
Source | http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Alethe_choloensis/ |
Depth range based on 128 specimens in 1 taxon.
Water temperature and chemistry ranges based on 125 samples.
Environmental ranges
Depth range (m): 0 - 0
Temperature range (°C): -0.938 - 12.819
Nitrate (umol/L): 1.740 - 27.513
Salinity (PPS): 33.715 - 34.695
Oxygen (ml/l): 6.023 - 8.053
Phosphate (umol/l): 0.467 - 1.896
Silicate (umol/l): 2.050 - 52.680
Graphical representation
Temperature range (°C): -0.938 - 12.819
Nitrate (umol/L): 1.740 - 27.513
Salinity (PPS): 33.715 - 34.695
Oxygen (ml/l): 6.023 - 8.053
Phosphate (umol/l): 0.467 - 1.896
Silicate (umol/l): 2.050 - 52.680
Note: this information has not been validated. Check this *note*. Your feedback is most welcome.
License | http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | Ocean Biogeographic Information System |
Source | http://www.iobis.org/mapper/?taxon_id=484202 |