With huge golden eyes and a distinctive call, a species of owl (猫头鹰) was finally spotted from Príncipe Island, just off Africa’s western coast. Officially named the Principe scops-owl, it is the eighth known bird species found only on that island.
“I was studying the grey parrot population of Príncipe Island with Bikegila, a local parrot harvester, who was one of the first people to spot the owl while searching for baby parrots in the early 1990s. He told me two instances where instead of finding baby parrots inside the parrot’s nests, they found a frightening-looking bird with big eyes. I immediately thought about owls,” says lead researcher Martim Melo.
Melo points out that the most interesting part of the new species is how they had hidden for so long. Their genetic (基因的) analysis shows that they are related to the very first owl that lived on one of the Gulf of Guinea islands. They arrived in Príncipe before any owl on neighboring islands but they were still the last to be discovered. “From my first conjecture about their existence, in 1998, it took me nearly 20 years to first set eyes on them!” Melo says.
While there are thought to be nearly 1,000 to 1,500 individuals of the newly described species, the researchers suggest that they are critically endangered. The main threat is that the species is found only in a single population in an area of about 34 square kilometers but they use only about half of that or less. “Although inside this area they are relatively common, they are also highly sensitive to any changes that may occur here,” Melo says. “Our results have shown that the species is very sensitive to human disturbance. A particular threat that worries us is the plan to build a hydroelectric dam. This will require construction work inside the park in an area where the owl is present.”
【小题1】What can be learned about the Príncipe scops-owl?| A．It was mistaken for a parrot initially. | B．It was discovered purely by accident. |
| C．It was the only bird unique to the island. | D．It was first seen and studied by Martim Melo. |
| A．Guess. | B．Opinion. | C．Knowledge. | D．Concern |
| A．Their numbers are decreasing. | B．They suffer from much human disturbance. |
| C．They just live in a limited area. | D．Their living places are occupied by humans. |
| A．To show the critical role of owls in African ecosystems. |
| B．To uncover long-hidden secrets of Príncipe scops-owls. |
| C．To present growing threats to new owl species in Africa. |
| D．To introduce a new owl species found on Príncipe Island. |
