Three formerly sympatric grasswrens in Central Australia: specimen evidence, collection localities, habitats and present status

Abstract

Specimens of three broadly sympatric grasswrens were collected during the 1894 Horn Expedition to the MacDonnell Ranges in Central Australia: four Dusky Grasswrens Amytornis purnelli, two Thick-billed Grasswrens A. modestus and one Rufous Grasswren A. whitei. Sympatry in grasswrens is uncommon and threeway sympatry is unique. Additional specimens of all three species were taken from the region over the next three decades. The Thick-billed Grasswren was subsequently described as a new species and the expedition’s specimens of Dusky Grasswren and Rufous Grasswren were the first collected. Thick-billed Grasswrens are now presumed extinct in the MacDonnell Ranges and their continuing presence in Central Australia needs clarification. The Rufous Grasswren may no longer occur where reported during the Horn Expedition but is possibly more widespread in Central Australia than presently documented and warrants further search effort. The Dusky Grasswren has retained a wide distribution among three or more populations, but areas of occupancy remain imprecisely defined; diversity among its populations is worthy of further study.