Cotinga 25 Taxonomic Round-up

Yet another new from paraensis (in east Amazonian perhaps leading to further Peruvian white-sand ...! ). substantial refinements in our The remarkable white-sand • Whitney, B. M. & Alvarez Alonso, knowledge as it currently stands. (;varillal) forests of the J. (2005) A new species of • Maurício, G. N. (2005) Allpahuayo-Mishana National gnatcatcher from white-sand of southern populations in the Reserve, just west of Iquitos, , forests of northern Amazonian Scytalopus speluncae group, have already yielded a handful of Peru with revision of the with description of a new species new species in recent years, Polioptila guianensis complex. and remarks on the systematics including a Zimmerius tyrannulet Wilson Bull. 117: 113-127. and biogeography of the complex (Cotinga 17: 11) and a Percnostola (Passeriformes: Rhinocryptidae). antbird (Cotinga 18: 15), and now Some insights into the Ararajuba 13: 7-28. Polioptila clementsi. To date, the taxonomy of Atlantic new gnatcatcher is known only Scytalopus And another new species of from the recently created reserve, Whilst workers have appreciated Scytalopus from the Colombian and is rare even there (we have for over two decades the A ndes already remarked on its imperiled complexity of Scytalopus Scytalopus stilesi (named for the conservation status: see Cotinga populations in the Andean chain, many contributions to Colombian 18: 11-12). Indeed, the authors of it is only more recently that those and Neotropical ornithology of the type description recommend working in the Atlantic Forest Gary Stiles) is endemic to the that P. clementsi be categorised as have begun to appreciate the central Colombian Andes in the Critically Endangered, as suitable taxonomic problems inherent to dptos. of Antioquia, Caldas and habitat within its restricted range this group in the latter region. Risaralda, where it inhabits cloud continues to be degraded and Now, Giovanni Maurício has forests at c.l,400-2,100 m destroyed. Comparisons of described a new species, elevation. The new species has morphological and vocal Scytalopus pachecoi (named for been suggested to be Near characters have confirmed that Fernando Pacheco, in honour of Threatened, and is distinguishable the new species, named for the his great many contributions to from closely related taxa on the recently deceased James Clements modern Brazilian ornithology), basis of vocalisations, DNA and (in recognition of his financial from three highland regions of distribution. S. stilesi appears to contribution to the protection of southernmost Brazil and adjacent occur in sympatry with S. latrans, the area), is a member of the extreme north-east . The S. spillmanni and S. atratus, but Polioptila guianensis complex, new species is separable from both is somewhat ecologically which comprises at least three S. speluncae and S. novacapitalis segregated from all three. poorly known, allopatric taxa on the basis of plumage and vocal­ • Cuervo, A. M., Cadena, C. D., ranging from the Guianas and the isations, although it is arguably Krabbe, N. & Renjifo, L. M. rio Negro region through much of closest to the latter species in (2005) Scytalopus stilesi, a new species of tapaculo Amazonia south of the Amazon. morphology. Furthermore, the (Rhinocryptidae) from the Roughly equivalent levels of author draws attention to potentially significant differences Central Cordillera of . phenotypic differentiation are Auk 122: 445-463. documented for all taxa east of the between northern and southern Andes, including the new species. populations of S. speluncae, which may lead to their recognition as Planalto Foliage-gleaner is not a Given that some other species Philydor complexes in the comprise separate species in the future. Newly discovered populations of A recent paper, by Mark Robbins sister taxa showing lower levels of and Kevin Zimmer, contends on phenotypic differentiation, both Scytalopus in Minas Gerais and Bahia may, on the basis of current the basis of vocal, plumage and morphologically and vocally, the morphological evidence that authors of the new species have evidence, also represent undescribed species. Nonetheless, Philydor dimidiatum (Planalto recommended that the Guianan Foliage-gleaner) belongs not in the Gnatcatcher P. guianensis be it also seems likely that further work will build substantially on large genus Philydor, but in henceforth considered to comprise Syndactyla. Furthermore, the three species, with in addition to that reported here, as the distribu­ tion, vocalisations and plumages of authors also found sufficient ‘nominate’ guianensis in the evidence to suggest that the genus Guianas, P. facilis (in east Brazilian Scytalopus become increasingly better known, Simoxenops (the recurvebills) also and north-east Brazil) and P. be subsumed within Syndactyla. A

9 Cotinga 25 Taxonomic Round-up number of changes to the specific Pionopsitta also revealed the basal New insights into the correct names of the taxa involved are and unique position of P. pileata . generic placement of some required when Robbins and The latter study, which also Neotropical eagles Zimmer’s suggestions are followed. combined a study of toucans, A recent attempt to reconstruct a • Robbins, M. B. & Zimmer, K. J. confirmed the early divergence of phylogeny of the tribe Aquilini (2005) Taxonomy, vocalisations Serra do Mar (Atlantic Forest) (eagles with fully feathered tarsi) and natural history of Philydor taxa in both Pionopsitta and using both mitochondrial and dimidiatum (Furnariidae), with Pteroglossus. This study further nuclear DNA has provided some comments on the systematics of supported the results of another highly congruent and interesting Syndactyla and Simoxenops. recent genetic study (see Cotinga results. Monophyly of the Aquilini Bull. Brit. Orn. Club 125: 24: 9-10) which suggested that the relative to other of prey was 212-228. genus Baillonius nestles well confirmed. For Neotropical taxa, within Pteroglossus and that the the following results are most A phylogeny for the antpittas former should subsumed within interesting: all polytypic genera Phylogenetic relationships among the latter. within the tribe, Spizaetus, Aquila, antpitta genera have been studied • Ribas, C. C., Gaban-Lima, R., Hieraaetus, proved to be non- using mtDNA sequence data. The Miyaki, C. Y. & Cracraft, J. monophyletic, whilst Spizastur clade representing the traditional (2005) Historical biogeography melanoleucus and Oroaetus isidori antpitta genera (Grallaria, and diversification within the nestled among the New World Grallaricula, Hylopezus, Neotropical parrot genus Spizaetus species and, it is Myrmothera and Pittasorna) was Pionopsitta (Aves: Psittacidae). recommended, should be merged found to be paraphyletic and a J. Biogeogr. 32: 1409-1428. with the latter genus. previously unreported relation­ • Eberhard, J. E. & Bermingham, E. • Helbig, A. J., Kocum, A., Seibold, I. ship, that of Pittasorna being the (2005) Phylogeny and & Braun, M. J. (2005) A multi- sister genus to Conopophaga comparative biogeography of gene phylogeny of aquiline (Conopophagidae), was strongly Pionopsitta parrots and eagles (Aves: Accipitriformes) supported. The remaining antpitta Pteroglossus toucans. Mol. Phyl. reveals extensive paraphyly at genera form a fully resolved and & Evol. 36: 288-304. the genus level. Mol. Phyl. & well-supported monophyletic Evol. 35: 147-164. lineage containing two major Kalinowski’s Tinamou: the subclades: the first consisting of species that never was W hither the way forward in the genus Grallaria and the Kalinowski’s Tinamou Nothoprocta defining species lim its in second has Hylopezus as sister kalinowskii has one of the antbirds? genus to Myrmothera, with strangest distributions of any Three papers in a recent issue of Grallaricula as their sister genus. Peuvian , despite being known Auk examine problems of defining • Rice, N. H. (2005) Phylogenetic from just three specimens, and has species limits in antbirds. A study relationships of antpitta genera long been considered highly of five populations of Variable (Passeriformes: Formicariidae). threatened with extinction, if Antshi'ike Thamnophilus Auk 122: 673-683. indeed it still persisted. Following caerulescens in southern South a detailed analysis of the type America identified a clinal Separate phylogenies for the specimen and other relevant variation in the loudsongs of males genus Pionopsitta (and material, Niels Krabbe and Tom of the different populations which, Pteroglossus) Schulenberg have concluded that in turn, was coincident with A recently published phylogeny of N. kalinowskii must be considered genetic variation in some of the the genus Pionopsitta, using an invalid species and that the same taxa uncovered by a several other genera of short-tailed name represents a junior synonym companion DNA study focusing on parrots as outgroups, found that of N. ornato branckii. This finding the Bolivian populations. The these parrots could not be has the happy outcome of Islers et al. recommend that, in considered a monophyletic removing one species from the list future, at least three different grouping and recommended that of those considered on the verge of vocal characters be studied in the genus Gypopsitta be extinction. works that seek to identify new resurrected for those eight species • Krabbe, N. & Schulenberg, T. S. species-level taxa amongst in Central America, the Chocó and (2005) A mystery solved: the Thamnophilidae, but nonetheless Amazonia, thus in fact leaving identity and distribution of defend the underlying importance only Pileated Parrot P. pileata Kalinowski’s Tinamou of vocal characters in taxonomic within Pionopsitta. Spéciation Nothoprocta kalinowskii■ Bull. work on antbirds. As an introduc­ Brit. Orn. Club 125: 253-260. events within this group of parrots tion to the other two works, seem largely to have been Remsen provides an overview of determined by geotectonic events, the point we have currently marine transgressions and river reached in determining species dynamics. A separate phylogeny of limits, and the importance therein

10 C o tin g a 25 Taxonomic Round-up

of vocal characters, for those A cryptic species of barbet? and mitochondrial DNA. Mol. working within the confines of the An attempt to reconstruct the Phyl. & Evol. 37: 327-346. Biological Species Concept. phylogeny of the Black-spotted • Brumfield, R. T. (2005) Barbet complex (which comprises A phylogeny for the whitestarts Mitochondrial variation in three Amazonian taxa, Capito Mitochondrial sequences from the Bolivian populations of Variable niger, C. auratus and C. cytochrome-ò, ND2 and ND3 genes Antshrike (Thamnophilus brunneipectus) revealed that all have been used to reconstruct a caerulescens). Auk 122: 414—432. three might be considered species, phylogeny for the whitestarts • Isler, M. L., Isler, P. R. & but that, additionally, within C. Myioborus. Reconstructions based Brumfield, R. T. (2005) Clinal auratus there are two reciprocally on maximum parsimony, variation in vocalizations of an monophyletic groups (and perhaps maximum likelihood and Bayesian antbird (Thamnophilidae) and species) separated by the Amazon, methods produced similar results implications for defining species Solimões and Ucayali rivers. These and suggested a northern origin limits. Auk 122: 433-444. rivers appear to serve as barriers for the genus. The lower montane • Remsen, J. V. (2005) Pattern, to mtDNA gene flow between species, M. miniatus, is a sister process, and rigor meet classifi­ populations of C. auratus. taxon to a clade in which all taxa cation. Auk 122: 403-413. Plumage coloration was not occupy upper-montane habitats. informative in reconstructing a The highland taxa diverged early A new genus for the Solitary phylogeny for the group and and have produced two well- C acique several subspecies of C. auratus defined monophyletic lineages, a Recent attempts to reconstruct a named on the basis of such Central American-northern phylogeny for the Icteridae have coloration were not monophyletic Andean clade formed by M. revealed the strange and isolated based on mtDNA comparisons. albifrons, M. ornatus and M. position of the Solitary • Armenta, J. K., Weckstein, J. D. & melanocephalus, and a Pantepui Caeicus solitarius. The phyloge­ Lane, D. F. (2005) Geographic clade comprising M. castaneocapil- netic data currently available variation in mitochondrial DNA lus, M. albifacies, M. cardonal, and suggest that solitarius cannot be sequences of an Amazonian probably M. pariae. M. brunniceps, placed in either of the available nonpasserine: the Black-spotted M. xavivertex and M. torquatus genera, Caeicus or Archiplanus, Barbet complex. Condor 107: also clustered within the upper- which has led Rosendo Fraga to 527-536. montane clade but without clear erect a new genus for the species, relationships to other taxa. Procacicus. New ideas concerning relation­ • Peréz-Emán, J. L. (2005) • Fraga, R. M. (2005) A new generic ships amongst raptors Molecular phylogenetics and name for the Solitary Cacique. Phylogenetic relationships for biogeography of the Neotropical Bull. Brit. Orn. Club 125: birds of prey in the family redstarts (Myioborus; Aves, 286-287. Accipitridae have been assessed Parulinae). Mol. Phyl. & Evol. using both mitochondrial genes 37: 511-528. W as the Hispaniolan macaw a and one nuclear intron. m yth? Representatives of all 14 Genetic research into the Historical accounts from Accipitridae subfamilies were Vitelline W arbler- Hispaniola in the 16th century sampled, especially eagles (booted Recent analyses of the relation­ have been misinterpreted since the eagles, sea eagles, harpy eagles ships of the Vitelline Warbler late 19th century as indicating and snake eagles) and Old World Dendroica vitellina, which is that three species of parrot once vultures. Multiple well-supported endemic to the Cayman and Swan occurred on the island, amongst relationships among accipitrids Islands, in the western Caribbean, which was a macaw (Ara). Fresh were identified contra to those using mitochondrial and nuclear analysis of these accounts, by traditionally recognised using DNA has confirmed the taxon’s Storrs Olson, has revealed that morphology or life-history traits. sister relationship to Prairie only two parrots were described, Results of relevance to Neotropical Warbler D. discolor, and that the and that these correspond with the taxa include the discovery that two subspecies currently extant Amazona ventralis and harpy eagles were found to be non- recognised within the Cayman Aratinga chloroptera, thereby monophyletic, and Gymnogene Islands, at least, are warranted. refuting the existence of a macaw Polyboroides typus and Crane • Markland, H. M. & Lovette, I. J. on Hispaniola in recent history. Hawk Geranospiza caerulescens (2005) Phylogenetic affinities • Olson, S. L. (2005) Refutation of are not close relatives, but an and inter-island differentiation the historical evidence for a example of convergent evolution. in the Vitelline Warbler Hispaniolan macaw (Aves: • Lerner, H. R. L. & Mindell, D. P. Dendroica vitellina, a West Pittacidae: Ara). J. Carib. Sei. (2005) Phylogeny of eagles, Old Indian endemic. Ibis 147: 41: 319-323. World vultures, and other 764-771. Accipitridae based on nuclear Cotinga 25 Taxonomic Round-up

...and the genus Tangara between named subspecies were sister species. The associated The genus Tangara has recently much larger than expected, biogeographic analyses indicated been investigated using samples of namely Tangara punctata and T. that many early spéciation events both mitochondrial and nuclear mexicana, suggesting that multiple occurred in the Andes. DNA. The genus proved to be species are involved. Three species • Burns. K. J. & Naoki, K. (2004) monophyletic and to consist of two show unusually large genetic Molecular phylogenetics and main clades, and the data confirm variation between populations biogeography of Neotropical the monophyly of most recognised separated by the Andes, namely T. tanagers in the genus Tangara. species groups, although within labradorides, T. arthus and T. Mol. Phyl. & Evol. 32: 838-854. two currently recognised species, gyrola. In contrast, others are only levels of DNA sequence variation weakly differentiated from their

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