The new subspecies of the common crane Grus grus korelovi ssp. n. (Aves: Gruidae) from Central and Eastern Tien-Shan

Traditionally the Common Crane population of the North-West China («Tibet population») is referred to its eastern subspecies Grus grus lilfordi. The study of one male crane and wild cranes in South-East of Kazakhstan showed that its have morphological and biological differences from the other subspecies. In particular the plumage of the head and of the neck's front part of this subspecies is more contrasting then of the others subspecies. Black spots on the tertiary remiges are more developed then those spots of G. g. lilfordi. The inside part of vane feathers that form the top of the wing is 5 mm wider, and the inside part of vane of the central rectrices are 10 mm wider than the maximal width of these feathers of other subspecies. It is proposed to name this new form Tibetan common crane Grus grus korelovi ssp. n, after outstanding explorer of birds of Kazakhstan M.N.Korelov. Holotype. Male ad, 12 May 2010, near Tuzkol Lake, Central Tien-Shan, Kazakhstan. Coordinates: 42°58'37''N, 79°57'05''E. Zoological Museum of the Moscow State University, Moscow, № R-126723.