The biogeography of avian extinctions on oceanic islands revisited

Abstract

A recent paper by Karels et al., 'The biogeography of avian extinctions on oceanic islands' (Journal of Biogeography, 2008, 35, 1106-1111), uses structural equation modelling to assess the causes of the number of island bird species driven extinct in the historical period. Here, we critically assess the conclusions of the paper and argue that it does not provide the new insights into the causes of extinction in island birds that its authors claim. © 2008 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.