Geographic variation and taxonomy of the Arremon taciturnus (Hermann, 1783) species complex (Aves: Passerellidae)

Author(s)

Buainain, Nelson ; de Assis, Claydson P. ; Raposo, Marcos A.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: JOURNAL OF ORNITHOLOGY; v. 158, n. 3, p. 20-pg., 2017-07-01.

Abstract

Arremon taciturnus is a polytypic South American species with three currently recognized subspecies: Arremon taciturnus taciturnus, Arremon taciturnus nigrirostris and Arremon taciturnus axillaris. Historically, two additional species, Arremon semitorquatus, and Arremon franciscanus, were considered related to Arremon taciturnus, thus forming a species complex. In this paper, we review the taxonomy of the complex, including all taxa involved, based on coloration, morphometrics and vocal characters. All the taxa, except for A. taciturnus nigrirostris, are diagnosable based on coloration, especially of the bill, superciliary stripes and wing coverts, and have well-defined distributions. Based on our results, we suggest that A. taciturnus, A. axillaris, A. semitorquatus and A. franciscanus are valid species, while the specific name nigrirostris should be considered a junior synonym of taciturnus. All these species, besides A. taciturnus and A. axillaris, also have clearly different vocalizations. Additionally, we discuss the geographical variation between populations of A. taciturnus revealed by a multivariate analysis of song characters. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/10914-2 - Fauna exchange between the Amazonian and Atlantic Forests: phylogeny and biogeography of the genera Xipholena and Cotinga (Passeriformes: Cotingidae) based on thousands of loci
• Grantee: Claydson Pinto de Assis Bezerra
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral