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Post by nomad on Mar 20, 2013 10:24:23 GMT -8
If this pair was from Yahukimo they would be the western subspecies tarunggarensis. However, the males from that locality that I have seen, have had a darker green iridescence, so perhaps these are a pair of nominate O. meridionalis?
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Post by nomad on Mar 21, 2013 10:19:30 GMT -8
On the plateau between Kamrau Bay and Lake Yamur at 700 meters in Southwestern New Guinea [ Irian Jaya], Jan Pasternak discovered a highland race of O. meridionalis where the males were quite different to other known populations. Three males of O. meridionalis were collected at the plateau locality and all show the same morphological characters, which include the different cubital pattern with the increased golden iridescence into the cell of the forewing. [ See below for a full description] The unique set of characters shown by the males of this rare taxon would point to a new, as yet, unnamed subspecies, and not just a local form of O. meridionalis. Shown here is a historic photograph of one of the three males that were collected by Jan Pasternak. The forewings of the male specimen in the photo were slightly defected when enclosing but this image shows the taxon's unique set of morphological characters very well. Also included here are the drawings made of the three males by Jan Haugum for Jan Pasternak's 1986 paper, ' Western Ornithoptera [Schoenbergia] two forms of subspecies meridionalis tarunggarensis' that was published in Papilio International. I would like to thank, Jan Pasternak for permission to use his historic photograph, his interesting text figures from his paper and for all the information he has provided on this rare taxon. I would also like to thank Jacques for his help in this matter. That historic O. meridionalis photograph. Attachments:
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Post by nomad on Mar 21, 2013 10:22:57 GMT -8
Locality data and Jan's description of the new O. meridionalis that was written on the back of a copy of the above photo, and which he originally sent to a friend. Attachments:
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Post by nomad on Mar 21, 2013 10:24:57 GMT -8
The Jan Haugum drawings of the new taxon from Jan Pasternak's 1986 paper. Attachments:
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Post by nomad on Mar 28, 2013 10:42:16 GMT -8
Here are some specimens figured in the 1981 Jan Pasternak Paper ' On the rediscovery of O. meridionalis on a new locality in Kamrau Bay, south-west Irian Jaya Indonesia' published by the Himeji Natural History Association. These specimens of O. meridionalis are interesting to compare with the unusual highland form shown above from Lake Yamur ! Copyright Jan Pasternak and shown here with his permission. Thank you to Jacques for providing these. Below tarunggarensis from the little known locality of Kamrau Bay. Attachments:
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Post by nomad on Mar 28, 2013 10:44:35 GMT -8
The nominate O. meridionalis from Papua. Attachments:
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steve
Full Member
Posts: 231
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Post by steve on Mar 28, 2013 14:52:42 GMT -8
Does anyone know where the O meridionalis that IFTA was supplying originated? What sub-species are they?
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Post by nomad on Mar 28, 2013 15:18:58 GMT -8
Does anyone know where the O meridionalis that IFTA was supplying originated? What sub-species are they? IFTA were supplying a small quantity of the nominate O. meridionalis from a few locations in Morobe Province.. Some specimens came from Mungo village Aseki [see the Ray Staatman thread]. I believe some of the nominate O. meridionalis were occasionally bred at Michael Hudson's butterfly Ranch in Wau. [ see the Matsuka freshly emerged male above which was photographed at Wau ] Peter. |
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Post by froggy on Mar 28, 2013 16:16:17 GMT -8
Peter, Thank you again for the new picts! It is really interesting to see the 2 subspecies compared. The differences appear quite subtle, which is why I am having a hard time to tell them apart. But thanks to you my birdwing knowledge (and enjoyment of these beauties) has increased significantly. Cheers, Thierry PS: and thanks for the Alexandrae image link too  |
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Post by wollastoni on Mar 29, 2013 2:31:08 GMT -8
BTW did someone know what happened to Michael Hudson  I heard many different versions. |
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Post by Paradiseus on Aug 10, 2013 12:14:05 GMT -8
Hello to all forum members! I want to share with you pictures ornithoptera meridionalis from the new location - Yahukimo, Irian Jaya. The male, compared with attach another male subspecies tarrungarensis from Timika. Also female. Ornithoptera meridionalis form confluenta male from Yahukimo  Ornithoptera meridionalis tarrungarensis form confluenta male from Timika  Ornithoptera meridionalis female from Yahukimo  Ornithoptera meridionalis tarrungarensis female from Timika  Papua map  |
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Post by Paradiseus on Aug 10, 2013 12:35:31 GMT -8
As you can see on the map - Yahukimo is a highland area. Although I do not have data on the height above sea level but it probably flies in the foothills. Also, the couple has an interesting pattern that resembles tarugarensis subspecies, but also similar to nominative. Perhaps it is the border form.))
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Post by nomad on Aug 10, 2013 23:45:29 GMT -8
Hi grafvalent.
Welcome to the forum. Thank you for posting your beautiful and well set meridionalis specimens. Very interesting to compare specimens from the two localities. Peter.
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Post by Paradiseus on Aug 11, 2013 5:04:39 GMT -8
Thank you Peter for your Ornithoptera posts! Especially about the information on the life and habitat of these magnificent creatures. Best regards
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Post by ornithop101 on Aug 18, 2013 14:31:28 GMT -8
Here are a few other specimens to add to this nominate topic! Here is a nominate female collected January of 1923, along the Kumusi River that flows through the Oro Province of Papua New Guinea.   |
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I heard many different versions. 
