The persicus clade .28West Indian Ocean.29 Audubon's shearwater

puffinus lherminieri persicus



puffinus lherminieri persicus hume, 1837 – breeds on khuriya muriya islands (arabian sea); ranges throughout arabian sea.
puffinus lherminieri temptator louette & herremans, 1985 – breeds on mohéli (comoros); ranges in w indian ocean around northern end of madagascar.

these form distinct clade indicated mtdna sequences, , have time been proposed distinct species, persian shearwater (p. persicus). molecular data alone, seems warranted, ranges of 2 taxa quite far apart, separated forms of third clade. quite obvious on basis of such contradicting data presently available, no decision can taken regarding taxonomic status of these birds. possibly, form distinct species separated third clade different circannual rhythm, known other procellariiform birds. phenotypically distinct, longer bill, dark rump, , more extensive dark on underwing, including mottling in white area.

if p. bailloni accepted distinct species p. persicus not, latter group have included in p. bailloni.