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21 February 2020 Untangling cryptic diversity in the High Andes: Revision of the Scytalopus [magellanicus] complex (Rhinocryptidae) in Peru reveals three new species
Niels K. Krabbe, Thomas S. Schulenberg, Peter A. Hosner, Kenneth V. Rosenberg, Tristan J. Davis, Gary H. Rosenberg, Daniel F. Lane, Michael J. Andersen, Mark B. Robbins, Carlos Daniel Cadena, Thomas Valqui, Jessie F. Salter, Andrew J. Spencer, Fernando Angulo, Jon Fjeldså
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Abstract

Tropical mountains feature marked species turnover along elevational gradients and across complex topography, resulting in great concentrations of avian biodiversity. In these landscapes, particularly among morphologically conserved and difficult to observe avian groups, species limits still require clarification. One such lineage is Scytalopus tapaculos, which are among the morphologically most conserved birds. Attention to their distinctive vocal repertoires and phylogenetic relationships has resulted in a proliferation of newly identified species, many of which are restricted range endemics. Here, we present a revised taxonomy and identify species limits among high-elevation populations of Scytalopus tapaculos inhabiting the Peruvian Andes. We employ an integrated framework using a combination of vocal information, mitochondrial DNA sequences, and appearance, gathered from our own fieldwork over the past 40 yr and supplemented with community-shared birdsong archives and museum specimens. We describe 3 new species endemic to Peru. Within all 3 of these species there is genetic differentiation, which in 2 species is mirrored by subtle geographic plumage and vocal variation. In a fourth species, Scytalopus schulenbergi, we document deep genetic divergence and plumage differences despite overall vocal similarity. We further propose that an extralimital taxon, Scytalopus opacus androstictus, be elevated to species rank, based on a diagnostic vocal character. Our results demonstrate that basic exploration and descriptive work using diverse data sources continues to identify new species of birds, particularly in tropical environs.

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Niels K. Krabbe, Thomas S. Schulenberg, Peter A. Hosner, Kenneth V. Rosenberg, Tristan J. Davis, Gary H. Rosenberg, Daniel F. Lane, Michael J. Andersen, Mark B. Robbins, Carlos Daniel Cadena, Thomas Valqui, Jessie F. Salter, Andrew J. Spencer, Fernando Angulo, and Jon Fjeldså "Untangling cryptic diversity in the High Andes: Revision of the Scytalopus [magellanicus] complex (Rhinocryptidae) in Peru reveals three new species," The Auk 137(2), 1-26, (21 February 2020). https://doi.org/10.1093/auk/ukaa003
Received: 18 September 2019; Accepted: 6 January 2020; Published: 21 February 2020
KEYWORDS
integrated taxonomy
Neotropics
systematics
tapaculo
vocalizations
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