Thiago V. V. Costa

Taxonomy, natural history, and conservation of the Great-billed Seed-Finch Sporophila maximiliani (Cabanis, 1851) (Thraupidae, Sporophilinae)

Seed-finches are small-sized Neotropical granivorous birds characterized by extremely strong and thick beaks. Among these birds, the Great-billed Seed-Finch Sporophila maximiliani has been selectively and intensively trapped to the extent that has become one of the most endangered bird species in South America, yet its taxonomy remains complex and controversial. Two subspecies have been recognized: S. m. maximiliani (Cabanis, 1851), mainly from the Cerrado of central South America, and S. m. parkesi Olson (= Oryzoborus m. magnirostris), from northeastern South America. Originally, S. m. parkesi was diagnosed as being larger than the Large-billed Seed-Finch, S. c. crassirostris (Gmelin, 1789), but proper comparisons with S. m. maximiliani, which is larger than S. c. crassirostris, were never performed. Here we provide a review of the taxonomic and nomenclatural history of S. maximiliani, reevaluate the validity and taxonomic status of the subspecies based on morphological characters, and significantly revise its geographic distribution. Analyses based on plumage patterns and a Principal Component Analysis of morphometric characters indicated that S. m. parkesi is most appropriately treated as a synonym of the nominate taxon, which results in a monotypic S. maximiliani comprising two disjunct populations. Further, we conducted systematic searches for S. maximiliani in Brazil, in an attempt to obtain natural history information. After more than 6,000 hours of fieldwork in 45 areas of potential and historical occurrence, S. maximiliani was located only in two sites, in marshy environments called veredas, confirming the critical conservation status of this species, at least in Brazil. We discuss the conservation potential for, and the problems involved with, captive breeding of S. maximiliani for reintroduction into the wild.

A systematic reappraisal of the Rufous Potoo Nyctibius bracteatus (Nyctibiidae) and description of a new genus

AbstractThe Rufous Potoo (Nyctibius bracteatus Gould, 1846) is the smallest member of the family Nyctibiidae, which comprises seven species endemic to the Neotropical region. Morphologically, it is highly distinct from its congeners, not only in its smaller size, but also in possessing a strange marking on its iris and having entirely rufous plumage, which is lightly vermiculated and has pronounced white spots on the wing coverts, breast, belly, flanks and undertail coverts. Molecular studies have shown extraordinarily high levels of genetic divergence amongst potoo species, and a recent genome-scale molecular phylogeny of potoo species placed N. bracteatus as sister to all other potoos with high confidence. Similarly, osteological data reveal that the species has several unique and plesiomorphic characters. Therefore, its distinctive morphology, in combination with unique behavioral traits, and its recurrent placement as the earliest branching terminal in phylogenetic treatments of the family, convinced us to erect a new genus for the species, Phyllaemulor.ZusammenfassungEine systematische Neubewertung des TropfentagschläfersNyctibius bracteatus(Nyctibiidae) und die Beschreibung einer neuen Gattung Der Tropfentagschläfer (Nyctibius bracteatus Gould, 1846) ist das kleinste Mitglied der Familie der Tagschläfer (Nyctibiidae), welche sieben für die Neotropis endemische Arten umfasst. Morphologisch unterscheidet er sich stark von den anderen Arten der Gattung, nicht nur durch seine geringere Größe sondern auch durch das Vorhandensein einer eigenartigen Musterung der Iris sowie durch sein gänzlich rötlichbraunes Gefieder, das eine leichte Wellenzeichnung und deutliche weiße Flecken auf Flügeldecken, Brust, Bauch, Flanken und Unterschwanzdecken aufweist. Molekulare Studien zeigen einen ungewöhnlich hohen Grad genetischer Divergenz bei den Tagschläferarten und eine neuere molekulare Phylogenie auf Genomebene stuft N. bracteatus mit hoher Konfidenz als basal zu allen übrigen Tagschläfern ein. Parallel dazu belegen osteologische Daten, dass die Art verschiedene einzigartige und plesiomorphe Merkmale besitzt. Diese charakteristische Morphologie in Verbindung mit einzigartigen Verhaltensmerkmalen und der derzeitigen Platzierung auf dem basalen Zweig der Familie haben uns daher dazu bewogen, für diese Art eine neue Gattung einzuführen, Phyllaemulor.

Clarification of the type locality of the Curl-crested Aracari Pteroglossus beauharnaesii Wagler, 1832 (Aves: Ramphastidae)

The Curl-crested Aracari Pteroglossus beauharnaesii Wagler, 1832 is one of the most remarkable species in the family Ramphastidae. Among other distinctive plumage traits, its modified curly, shiny black crown feathers are unique in the family and are modified to an extent not found in any other living bird species (Brush 1967; Short & Horne 2002). The crown feathers, along with the distinct white throat, were considered sufficient justification in the past to include the species in the monotypic genus Beauharnaisius Bonaparte; however, molecular studies have shown that it is embedded within the genus Pteroglossus Illiger, sister to P. bitorquatus (Hackett & Lehn 1997; Eberhard & Bermingham 2005; Pereira & Wajntal 2008). It is a southern Amazonian species, occurring in the lowlands of northern Peru, north and central Bolivia and western and central Amazonian Brazil, south of the Marañon-Solimões-Amazonas rivers (Short & Horne 2002).

New records of the enigmatic Clytoctantes atrogularis (Thamnophilidae) in Amazonian Brazil, with remarks on plumage, natural history, and distribution

ABSTRACT Clytoctantes atrogularis Lanyon, Stotz and Willard, 1990 (Thamnophilidae) is one of the most mysterious and poorly known birds of the Neotropics. Endemic to Amazonian Brazil, it was known only from the holotype and two sight records at the type locality in Rondônia, and a sighting of a pair with a recording on the Sucunduri River in Amazonas. Here we review the distribution and report five new records in the states of Mato Grosso, Amazonas, and Rondônia, considerably increasing the known range of the species. We present the first detailed descriptions of males, for which the plumage was previously unknown. The records presented herein were made in terra firme forest with understories dominated by Lepidocaryum palms and also with sparse Guadua spp. of bamboo, demonstrating that the bird species occurs in habitats other than those previously described. Stomach contents of six individuals included mostly ants and their eggs, possibly obtained by opening stems of Guadua spp. The high rate of deforestation that characterizes a large part of the range of C. atrogularis could be causing declines in local populations.

Clutch size of Blackish Nightjar Nyctipolus nigrescens

Summary. Clutch size of Blackish Nightjar Nyctipolus nigrescens is generally considered to be one egg. Records of two-egg clutches mentioned in ornithological literature of the 19th and early 20th century are possibly mistakes or misidentifications. However, we report a documented recent observation of a female incubating two eggs.

Considerations on the type specimens and type locality of Pyrrhura roseifrons (Gray, 1859) (Psittacidae)

The Rose-fronted Parakeet Pyrrhura roseifrons (Gray, 1859) is a poorly known species that occurs in lowland forest of western Amazonia, from eastern Peru to western Brazil and northern Bolivia (Collar 1997; Forshaw 2010). Like many Pyrrhura species, it is mostly green, and has a pale auricular patch, red tail and belly, but presents a bright red head, distinct from any other close relatives within the genus. It was long considered a subspecies of P. picta (Statius Miller, 1776) (Arndt 1983; Arndt 1996; Collar 1997; Juniper & Parr, 1998) and only recently has its specific rank been restored (Joseph 2000, 2002; Ribas et al. 2006) and accepted in the literature (Dickinson & Remsen 2013; del Hoyo & Collar 2014; Remsen et al. 2015).

A new look at the holotype and type locality of Setopagis maculosa (Todd, 1920) Aves: Caprimulgidae), with remarks on its systematic relationships

Setopagis maculosa (Todd, 1920) (Aves: Caprimulgidae) was described based on a single male specimen collected by Samuel Milton Klages in French Guiana, northeastern South America. Since then, no new specimens have been collected nor have any reliable records been made, and the validity of the species has been questioned. A detailed analysis of the holotype reveals that it has unique and distinctive morphological traits that support the validity and taxonomic status of the species, which is provisionally placed in Setopagis. We present new information on the type locality at the time of its collection, which may shed some light on the habitat preferences of the species, and we provide details on its plumage that have been largely overlooked and that will be important for future field identification.

Nesting of Laughing Falcons (Herpetotheres cachinnans) in the Pantanal, Brazil, with Remarks on Young Plumage and Nestling Vocalization

Abstract Laughing Falcons (Herpetotheres cachinnans) are common, medium-sized falconids that occur throughout the Neotropical region and marginally in the Nearctic American continent. There is little data on their breeding biology with the only information available based on scattered records. Here, we report data on 11 nests of H. cachinnans from the Pantanal, Brazil, including four in nest-boxes, between 2007–2008. The breeding season occurred between July–December, which is in accordance with the few records for this region. Records of two eggs or nestlings were found in 28% (n  =  3) of nests, while the remaining 72% (n  =  8) had one egg or nestling. The eggs were rounded and buff with brown markings or dark brown or purplish brown with darker markings. The hatchlings, even when a few days old, are pale buff overall in plumage with the distinctive black mask, typical of the adults. An undescribed vocalization of the nestling was recorded, which is similar to an uncommon vocal type emitted by the adults when disturbed. The study reveals novel data on the use of nest-boxes and on the breeding biology of the species, and reinforces the importance of such studies on its conservation.