Saturday, October 28, 2017

[Ornithology • 2017] Machaeropterus eckelberryi • A New Species of Manakin (Aves: Pipridae) from Peru with A Taxonomic Reassessment of the Striped Manakin (M. regulus) Complex


Machaeropterus eckelberryi
Lane, Kratter & O'Neill, 2017


Abstract

We describe a new taxon of manakin in the Machaeropterus regulus complex, from the foothills of southwestern Loreto and northern San Martín departments, Peru. This new form appears to be almost identical morphologically to the Tepui form M. regulus aureopectus but differs strongly from that and all other members of the M. regulus complex in voice. Therefore, we conclude that this population represents a new biological species that we here name Machaeropterus eckelberryi. Based on voice and some morphological characters, we concur with several previous authors (e.g., Whittaker & Oren 1999; Snow 2004; Ridgely & Tudor 2009) that nominate M. regulus (Eastern Striped Manakin), of the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, should be separated as a biological species from the polytypic Machaeropterus striolatus of western South America (Western Striped Manakin), including M. s. striolatus of Amazonia, M. r. obscurostriatus and M. r. zulianus of the Venezuelan Andes, M. r. antioquiae of the Colombian Andes, and M. r. aureopectus of the tepuis region.

Keywords: Aves, Vocal differentiation, San Martín, Cordillera Azul, suboscine, Neotropical, Aves

Though found in 1996, this manakin wasn't discovered to be a new species until researchers listened to its song years later.

photo: Andy Kratter/Florida Museum of Natural History 

FIGURE 2. Comparison of ventral and dorsal plumage of some taxa in the Machaeropterus regulus complex. Males are on left, females on right, except in the case of M. regulus, in which the male is above and the female below.
Specimens exhibited (male, female): Machaeropterus eckelberryi (MUSM 17725 [holotype], LSUMZ 161896); M. regulus aureopectus (FMNH 344155, 344154); M. r. striolatus (LSUMZ 115836, 110617); M. r. regulus (AMNH 43053, 493115).

Machaeropterus eckelberryi, species novum
Painted Manakin

Etymology. We are pleased to name this colorful manakin after one of the greatest American bird artists of the twentieth century, Donald R. Eckelberry. Not only did Eckelberry’s artwork increase the world’s awareness of the beauty of the birds of the Americas, particularly the Neotropics, but he also was a great force in the establishment of the Asa Wright Nature Center in Trinidad, and a wonderful mentor to young bird artists ( Angell 2001; Gilbert & Amadon 2001). Both JPO and DFL personally benefitted from Eckelberry’s generous advice and coaching in artistic matters. Don Eckelberry passed away on 14 January 2000, and we are sorry he did not live to see this paper published. We are, however, pleased to say that he was aware of our intention to grace this bird with his name and excited by the prospect. May his influence continue to inspire other nature artists in the future! The suggested English name refers to the colorful plumage of the male, and also serves as a nod to Eckelberry’s forte. If taxonomic committees that follow our recommendation of splitting up the M. regulus complex (see below) would prefer all sibling species retain “Striped” in the English name, a fine alternative name for M. eckelberryi would be “Peruvian Striped Manakin.”


Daniel F. Lane, Andrew W. Kratter and John P O'Neill. 2017. A New Species of Manakin (Aves: Pipridae; Machaeropterus) from Peru with A Taxonomic Reassessment of the Striped Manakin (M. regulus) complex.   Zootaxa. 4320(2); 379–390. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4320.2.11
Open Mic: Tackling the World Big Day Record  wp.me/p4fXID-3md

Description d'une nouvelle espèce de manakin au Pérou | Ornithomedia.com: ornithomedia.com/breves/description-nouvelle-espece-manakin-perou-02530.html