Partial cytochrome b sequence of Crested Argus from Peninsular Malaysia

Abstract

The Crested Argus (Rheinardia ocellata) is a large peafowl-like but elusive species with amazing plumage. It is rare in captivity and listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (BirdLife International, 2018) and is listed in CITES Appendix 1. This species is totally protected under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010. Two subspecies are recognised namely Rheinardia ocellata ocellata which can be found in Vietnam and Laos (Robson et al., 1991; Thewlis et al., 1998; Gray et al., 2014) while Rheinardia ocellata nigrescens is endemic to Peninsular Malaysia (Mamat & Yasak, 1998; McGowan & Madge, 2010). R. o. nigrescens possess a few distinct morphological characteristics compared to R. o. ocellata (Wells, 1999; McGowan & Kirwan, 2020). R. o. nigrescens was first described as a subspecies by Rothschild (1902) based on three specimens (two males and one female) caught at Ulu Pahang, Pahang. Morphologically, R. o. nigrescens has darker colouration on its crest and plumage, and its ocellations is densely spaced compared to R. o. ocellata (Wells, 1999; McGowan & Madge, 2010). Besides, the supercilium and throat patch of R. o. nigrescens is buff in colour while the nominate subspecies are whitish (McGowan & Madge, 2010). Male R. ocellata has a long tail while the female is usually less than half the size of the male (WWF, 2005)