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Issue: Vol. 2305 No. 1: 7 Dec. 2009
Type: Articles
Published: 2009-12-07
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.2305.1.5
Page range: 61–68
Abstract views: 33
PDF downloaded: 2

Species limits in antbirds (Aves: Passeriformes: Thamnophilidae): an evaluation of Frederickena unduligera (Undulated Antshrike) based on vocalizations

Department of Vertebrate Zoology¾ Birds, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC 20560, USA
Department of Vertebrate Zoology¾ Birds, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC 20560, USA
Louisiana State University Museum of Natural Science, 119 Foster Hall, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History, 900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90007, USA
Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi, Caixa Postal 399, Belém, Pará, Brazil
Aves speciation Neotropics Frederickena systematics vocalizations Thamnophilidae

Abstract

The Undulated Antshrike, Frederickena unduligera, a resident of lowland humid forests of western Amazonia, is somewhat poorly known as a result of its low population density and retiring habits. In recent years, vocalizations of F. unduligera have been recorded sufficiently to permit geographic analysis. Vocalizations supply valuable measures of species limits for antbirds, whose vocalizations are thought not to be learned. Based on vocalizations, we found that populations of the Undulated Antshrike are more appropriately considered as two biological species. Three populations considered subspecies of F. unduligera await further evaluation pending the acquisition of additional vocal recordings, specimens, and tissue for genetic analysis.

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