Scientists Sequence Genome of Elusive Night Parrot

Researchers at CSIRO have sequenced the first genome of the night parrot (Pezoporus occidentalis), one of the world’s rarest and most elusive birds.

The night parrot is a relatively small and short-tailed parrot species endemic to Australia.

Also known as porcupine parrot, nocturnal ground parakeet, midnight cockatoo, solitaire, spinifex parrot and night parakeet, the species was first described by the English ornithologist John Gould in 1861.

The night parrot is one of the most elusive and mysterious birds in the world, with no confirmed sightings between 1912 and 1979.

Once more widespread in arid Australia, the bird declined due to environmental changes such as predation by cats and foxes.

It is now known only from localized parts of southwest Queensland and Western Australia.

“A couple of dozen scientific specimens were collected during the nineteenth century and one in 1912. Then a specimen was found in 1990 in southwest Queensland,” said Dr. Leo Joseph, director of CSIRO’s Australian National Wildlife Collection.

“Live birds were reported from the same area in 2013, and a live parrot was finally caught and tagged in 2015.”

“The genome will enable us to explore the genetic basis of why the night parrot is nocturnal, a very unusual feature in parrots,” he added.

“We’ll investigate faculties like navigation, smell, beak shape and its less-than-optimal night vision.”

“Researchers will also be able to run statistical analyses on the genome of this individual to estimate past population sizes of night parrot populations in Australia.”

“Now, we have the capability to compare this annotated genome with other, closely related parrots, shedding light on the reasons behind its scarcity and limited distribution compared to many of its relatives.”

Dr. Joseph and colleagues sequenced the genome of the night parrot using tissue obtained from a specimen found in the Pilbara region.

“Access to high-throughput sequencing technology under CSIRO’s Applied Genomics Initiative is accelerating genomics research in Australia,” said CSIRO Environment’s Dr. Gunjun Pandey, leader of the night parrot genomics project.

“We can now generate very high-quality genomes from really tiny tissue samples — even as small as an ant’s head or a single mosquito.”

“This level of quality and detail just wasn’t possible even five years ago.”

“The genetic data can be used to ensure conservation programs maximize diversity, so the species is resilient and has the best chance of long-term survival.”

While the night parrot genome is an exciting scientific resource to understand more about this bird, protecting the species from cats, foxes, fire and habitat loss is also crucial for their conservation.

“The Night Parrot genome will open up numerous opportunities for further research to help conserve this species,” Dr. Pandey said.

“This will empower scientists to develop a plan for saving the night parrot, which is the ultimate goal of sequencing the genome and making it publicly available.”