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The Kentish plover, scientifically designated as *Anarhynchus alexandrinus*, is classified within the family Charadriidae.
Answer: True
The Kentish plover is scientifically classified as *Anarhynchus alexandrinus* and belongs to the family Charadriidae, which encompasses plovers and lapwings.
The English name 'Kentish plover' originates from specimens collected near Sandwich in Kent, England, by ornithologist John Latham.
Answer: True
The English name 'Kentish plover' was given by ornithologist John Latham, referencing specimens collected near Sandwich in Kent, England. The species has not bred in Britain since 1979.
Carl Linnaeus formally described the Kentish plover in 1758, assigning it the binomial name *Charadrius alexandrinus*.
Answer: True
The formal description of the Kentish plover was provided by Carl Linnaeus in 1758, who assigned it the binomial name *Charadrius alexandrinus*.
The genus name *Anarhynchus* was assigned to the Kentish plover following a molecular phylogenetic study that identified the previous genus, *Charadrius*, as paraphyletic.
Answer: True
The genus classification of the Kentish plover was revised to *Anarhynchus* based on molecular phylogenetic research, which determined that the former genus, *Charadrius*, was paraphyletic.
The North American Snowy plover was formerly classified as a subspecies of the Kentish plover but is now recognized as a distinct species.
Answer: True
The North American Snowy plover, previously considered a subspecies of the Kentish plover, is now classified as a separate species based on research findings.
The subspecies *A. a. seebohmi*, found in southern India and Sri Lanka, has been proposed for elevation to full species status, potentially named the Hanuman plover.
Answer: True
A proposal exists to elevate the subspecies *A. a. seebohmi*, native to southern India and Sri Lanka, to full species status, with the suggested name Hanuman plover.
Three subspecies of the Kentish plover are currently recognized: *A. a. alexandrinus*, *A. a. nihonensis*, and *A. a. seebohmi*.
Answer: True
Currently, three subspecies of the Kentish plover are officially recognized: *A. a. alexandrinus*, *A. a. nihonensis*, and *A. a. seebohmi*.
What is the scientific classification of the Kentish plover, including its genus and family?
Answer: Genus *Anarhynchus*, Family Charadriidae
The Kentish plover is classified under the genus *Anarhynchus* and belongs to the family Charadriidae.
Why is the species named 'Kentish plover'?
Answer: Ornithologist John Latham named it after specimens shot near Sandwich in Kent, England.
The species received the English name 'Kentish plover' because ornithologist John Latham named it based on specimens collected near Sandwich in Kent, England.
Who formally described the Kentish plover in 1758?
Answer: Carl Linnaeus
Carl Linnaeus formally described the Kentish plover in 1758.
The recent change in the Kentish plover's genus from *Charadrius* to *Anarhynchus* was based on what type of study?
Answer: Molecular phylogenetic study
The revision of the Kentish plover's genus from *Charadrius* to *Anarhynchus* was prompted by findings from a molecular phylogenetic study.
What was the previous classification status of the North American Snowy plover relative to the Kentish plover?
Answer: It was formerly considered a subspecies of the Kentish plover.
The North American Snowy plover was previously classified as a subspecies of the Kentish plover before being recognized as a distinct species.
Which subspecies of the Kentish plover, found in southern India and Sri Lanka, has been proposed for elevation to full species status?
Answer: *A. a. seebohmi*
The subspecies *A. a. seebohmi*, endemic to southern India and Sri Lanka, has been proposed for elevation to full species status.
How many subspecies of the Kentish plover are currently recognized according to the source?
Answer: Three
According to current classifications, three subspecies of the Kentish plover are recognized.
Adult Kentish plovers are characterized by a weight range of 40-44 grams and exhibit pale plumage with white undersides, greyish-brown backs, dark legs, and a dark bill.
Answer: True
Adult Kentish plovers typically weigh between 40 and 44 grams. They share pale plumage, characterized by white undersides, greyish-brown backs, dark legs, and a dark bill.
During the breeding season, male Kentish plovers exhibit more distinct plumage markings than females, such as a black head bar and rufous nape, while females are generally paler.
Answer: True
Male Kentish plovers display more pronounced markings during the breeding season, including a black horizontal head bar, two incomplete dark breast bands, black ear coverts, and a rufous nape and crown, whereas females typically present paler coloration in these areas.
Sexual dimorphism in the Kentish plover refers to the distinct physical characteristics observed between males and females, particularly in their breeding plumage.
Answer: True
Sexual dimorphism signifies the presence of differing physical characteristics between males and females of a species. In the Kentish plover, this is most evident in the breeding plumage, where males exhibit more pronounced markings than females.
Plumage ornamentation in male Kentish plovers is influenced by environmental factors such as rainfall patterns and the species' breeding system (monogamous vs. polygamous).
Answer: True
The degree of plumage ornamentation in male Kentish plovers is modulated by factors including rainfall patterns during the breeding season and the prevailing breeding system, whether monogamous or polygamous.
High rainfall during the breeding season is associated with less elaborate plumage ornamentation in male Kentish plovers.
Answer: False
Conversely to the statement, high rainfall during the breeding season is associated with *more* elaborate plumage ornamentation in male Kentish plovers, while low rainfall leads to lighter ornaments.
Sexual dimorphism is less pronounced in polygamous Kentish plover populations compared to monogamous populations.
Answer: False
Sexual dimorphism is *more* pronounced in polygamous Kentish plover populations than in monogamous ones, as males in polygamous systems tend to develop more elaborate ornaments.
Which of the following best describes the general physical characteristics and weight of an adult Kentish plover?
Answer: Small wader, weighing 40-44 grams, with pale plumage, white undersides, greyish-brown backs, dark legs, and a dark bill.
Adult Kentish plovers are small waders, typically weighing 40-44 grams, exhibiting pale plumage with white undersides, greyish-brown backs, dark legs, and a dark bill.
How do male Kentish plovers typically differ from females in their breeding plumage?
Answer: Males have a black horizontal head bar, two incomplete dark breast bands, and a rufous nape/crown, while females are paler.
During the breeding season, males exhibit more distinct markings, including a black horizontal head bar, two incomplete dark breast bands, and a rufous nape and crown, whereas females are generally paler in these areas.
What does the term 'sexually dimorphic' mean in the context of the Kentish plover?
Answer: Males and females exhibit distinct physical characteristics, particularly in breeding plumage.
Sexual dimorphism refers to the observable differences in physical characteristics between males and females of a species, which is notably apparent in the breeding plumage of the Kentish plover.
Which environmental factor, when high during the breeding season, leads to more elaborate plumage ornamentation in male Kentish plovers?
Answer: High rainfall
High rainfall during the breeding season correlates with more elaborate plumage ornamentation in male Kentish plovers.
How does the breeding system influence sexual dimorphism in Kentish plovers?
Answer: Monogamous populations show less pronounced sexual dimorphism than polygamous ones.
Sexual dimorphism is more pronounced in polygamous populations compared to monogamous ones, where males tend to have less elaborate ornaments.
Kentish plovers breed in diverse coastal and inland saline environments, including sand dunes, marshes, semi-arid deserts, and tundra.
Answer: True
The breeding habitats of the Kentish plover encompass the shores of saline lakes, lagoons, and coasts, extending to areas such as sand dunes, marshes, semi-arid deserts, and tundra.
The geographical range of the Kentish plover spans across North Africa, Central Asia, and Europe, typically found between latitudes 10 and 55 degrees.
Answer: True
The Kentish plover possesses a wide geographical distribution, extending across North Africa, Central Asia, and Europe, generally situated between latitudes 10 and 55 degrees.
Not all populations of the Kentish plover undertake long migratory journeys; some island populations are resident.
Answer: True
While many populations of the Kentish plover migrate, typically wintering in Africa or Asia, certain island populations are resident and do not undertake extensive migratory journeys.
Kentish plovers prefer nesting sites that are elevated, have dense vegetation, and are situated far from water sources.
Answer: False
Kentish plovers favor nesting sites that are low in elevation, possess sparse vegetation, are moist, and are located near water sources, rather than elevated sites with dense vegetation far from water.
Which of the following is NOT a typical breeding habitat for the Kentish plover?
Answer: Dense coniferous forests
Kentish plovers breed in coastal and saline lake environments, including sand dunes and marshes, but not typically in dense coniferous forests.
The Kentish plover's wide geographical range covers parts of which continents?
Answer: Europe, Asia, and Africa
The Kentish plover's extensive geographical range includes populations found across Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Are all populations of the Kentish plover migratory?
Answer: No, some island populations are resident, while others migrate.
Not all populations of the Kentish plover are migratory; while many undertake seasonal migrations, some island populations remain resident year-round.
Which characteristic is LEAST preferred for Kentish plover nesting sites?
Answer: Dense undergrowth
Kentish plovers prefer nesting sites with sparse vegetation and proximity to water sources; dense undergrowth is generally not preferred.
Kentish plovers construct their nests by preparing a shallow scrape in the ground and lining it with materials such as shells, pebbles, grass, and leaves.
Answer: True
The nest construction of the Kentish plover involves preparing a small scrape in the ground, which is then lined with available materials like shells, pebbles, grass, and leaves.
Longer flank feathers in male Kentish plovers are hypothesized to aid incubation and brood care by providing enhanced heat insulation.
Answer: True
The presence of longer flank feathers in male Kentish plovers is theorized to benefit incubation and brood care through improved thermal insulation for the eggs and chicks.
Relocating chicks to different areas can benefit Kentish plovers by improving food access but increases the risk of predation during transit.
Answer: True
Moving chicks to new locations can offer benefits such as enhanced food access, but it also elevates the risk of predation during the transit phase.
Female Kentish plovers, being generally smaller, are more likely to move their chicks to new locations than males.
Answer: False
Female Kentish plovers, being generally larger and heavier than males, are more likely to move their chicks, potentially due to their greater capacity for defending them.
The Kentish plover exhibits a rigid breeding system, exclusively practicing monogamy throughout its range.
Answer: False
The breeding system of the Kentish plover is flexible, encompassing both monogamous and polygamous behaviors, rather than being rigidly monogamous.
Extra-pair fertilizations (EPFs) in Kentish plovers occur when offspring are produced by parents who are not the socially paired mates.
Answer: True
Extra-pair fertilizations (EPFs) describe reproductive outcomes where offspring result from matings outside the established social pair bond.
One proposed evolutionary reason for extra-pair copulations (EPCs) in Kentish plovers is to increase the likelihood of producing sons with desirable traits ('sexy sons').
Answer: True
A leading evolutionary hypothesis for extra-pair copulations (EPCs) in Kentish plovers suggests females may seek these matings to enhance the probability of producing sons possessing advantageous genetic traits, aligning with the 'sexy sons' hypothesis.
The breeding season for Kentish plovers typically lasts between two and five months, varying by population, rather than year-round.
Answer: True
The breeding season for the Kentish plover is not year-round; it typically spans between two and five months, with duration varying according to specific populations and geographical locations.
Young Kentish plover chicks, when threatened, do not immediately attempt to fly away but rather freeze and crouch.
Answer: True
Upon perceiving danger, young Kentish plover chicks instinctively freeze and crouch, remaining motionless to avoid detection, rather than attempting to fly.
The modal clutch size for Kentish plovers is typically three eggs, although nests with fewer eggs can occur.
Answer: True
The most common clutch size for Kentish plovers is three eggs, although nests containing one or two eggs are also observed.
How does the Kentish plover construct its nest?
Answer: By preparing a small scrape in the ground and lining it with shells and pebbles.
Kentish plovers construct their nests by creating a shallow scrape in the ground and embellishing it with materials such as shells, pebbles, grass, and leaves.
What is the proposed advantage of longer flank feathers in male Kentish plovers?
Answer: Better heat insulation for incubation and brood care.
Longer flank feathers in male Kentish plovers are hypothesized to provide better heat insulation, thereby benefiting incubation and brood care.
What is a potential cost associated with Kentish plovers moving their chicks to new areas?
Answer: Increased risk of mortality from starvation or predation during transit.
Moving chicks to new areas can incur costs, including an increased risk of mortality due to starvation or predation during transit through potentially exposed environments.
According to the source, which sex of Kentish plover is more likely to move chicks, and why?
Answer: Females, because they are larger and potentially better able to defend chicks.
Female Kentish plovers, being larger and heavier, are more likely to move chicks, possibly due to their enhanced capacity to defend them from threats.
The Kentish plover's breeding system is described as:
Answer: Flexible, exhibiting both monogamous and polygamous behaviors.
The breeding system of the Kentish plover is characterized by flexibility, incorporating both monogamous pair bonds and polygamous mating strategies.
What is the primary evolutionary theory proposed for females engaging in extra-pair copulations (EPCs)?
Answer: To avoid the negative effects of inbreeding or to gain beneficial genes for sons.
A primary evolutionary theory posits that females engage in extra-pair copulations (EPCs) to mitigate the risks of inbreeding or to acquire beneficial genes for their offspring, particularly sons.
How long does the breeding season typically last for the Kentish plover?
Answer: Between 2 and 5 months, varying by population
The breeding season for the Kentish plover typically spans between two and five months, with the duration varying among different populations.
What behavior do young Kentish plover chicks exhibit when they perceive danger?
Answer: They freeze, crouch, and remain motionless to hide.
When faced with danger, young Kentish plover chicks typically freeze, crouch, and remain motionless as a primary defense mechanism.
What is the typical clutch size for Kentish plovers?
Answer: 3 eggs
The modal clutch size for Kentish plovers, meaning the most common number of eggs laid, is three.
How do Kentish plovers use nest materials during incubation?
Answer: To cover and camouflage the eggs, aiding insulation.
During incubation, Kentish plovers cover and camouflage their eggs with nest materials, which also serves to insulate them and maintain stable temperatures.
The primary diet of the Kentish plover consists mainly of insects and other invertebrates, rather than seeds and berries.
Answer: True
The Kentish plover is primarily insectivorous, subsisting on a diet of insects and other invertebrates, rather than seeds and berries found in its habitat.
Courtship displays in Kentish plovers primarily involve complex aerial acrobatics performed by both sexes.
Answer: False
Courtship displays in Kentish plovers are not characterized by complex aerial acrobatics; they typically involve terrestrial behaviors such as flat running and nest site preparation, primarily performed by males.
When a territory is invaded, Kentish plovers may engage in fights, particularly between males, which can sometimes result in injury or death.
Answer: True
Territorial disputes in Kentish plovers can escalate to physical confrontations, especially between males defending their areas, with potential outcomes including injury or mortality.
What is the primary food source for the Kentish plover?
Answer: Insects and other invertebrates
The primary diet of the Kentish plover consists of insects and other invertebrates, reflecting its insectivorous feeding habits.
Which of the following is a common courtship display mentioned for male Kentish plovers?
Answer: Flat running and preparing nest scrapes.
Common courtship displays observed in male Kentish plovers include 'flat running' and the preparation of nest scrapes.
What is the IUCN conservation status of the Kentish plover?
Answer: Least Concern
The Kentish plover is classified as 'Least Concern' by the IUCN, primarily due to its extensive global range.
What is the 'honey pot' effect concerning Kentish plover predators?
Answer: Predators are attracted to the high availability of prey (eggs and chicks) in breeding grounds.
The 'honey pot' effect describes how predators are drawn to Kentish plover breeding grounds due to the high concentration of prey, such as eggs and chicks.
Major threats to the Kentish plover include habitat loss, human disturbance, predation, climate change, and rising sea levels.
Answer: True
Major threats include habitat loss and disturbance caused by human activities such as tourism, pollution, urbanization, and fishing. Natural predators, often attracted to breeding grounds by abundant prey (the 'honey pot' effect), also pose a significant threat. Additionally, climate change and rising sea levels endanger their low-lying coastal nesting sites.
Conservation efforts for the Kentish plover include international legal protections and habitat management strategies.
Answer: True
The Kentish plover is listed on Annex I of the EU Birds Directive and Annex II of the Bern Convention. Proposed conservation actions include protecting and conserving their natural habitats by establishing or enhancing protected areas, minimizing human interaction, and controlling pollution and urbanization.