Our recent article (Auk 132:647–656, 2015) did not describe a new subspecies, though we may have created that misperception, especially by suggesting a new scientific name. We also caused confusion because the suggested name (johnsoni) and its explanation (two persons) were inconsistent. We hereby withdraw the suggested name. Our aim was not to describe any subspecies, but to show that two flyway populations of the same species differ significantly in morphometrics in an adaptive way. This demonstrates ongoing evolution in two directions. We believe that both flyway populations differ so strongly that they deserve to be considered different subspecies, but we readily leave the official description to an experienced taxonomist. Should a new subspecies be described, we recommend naming it in honor of two long-term students of the species, Oscar W. and Patricia Johnson.
J. Jukema
J. G. van Rhijnand
T. Piersma
(2015). Geographic variation in morphometrics, molt, and migration suggests ongoing subspeciation in Pacific Golden-Plovers (Pluvialis fulva). The Auk: Ornithological Advances 132:647–656. Google Scholar
