Furnariida I

Passerines

The 45 Orders

Paleognaths

Galloanserae

Metaves

Pelecanae

Charadriae

Passerae

New World Suboscines I: Furnariida Ames, 1971

The latest changes from the SACC have been used in restructuring the Furnariida, although we follow a different ordering based on Chesser (2004; see also Fjeldså et al., 2003; Irestedt et al., 2001, 2002; Moyle et al., 2009; Rice, 2005). The Grallariidae (antpittas) have been separated from the Formicariidae (ant-thrushes) because the tapaculos are more closely related to the remaining ant-thrushes than the antpittas are. Similar issues lead to a separation of the Melanopareiidae (crescent-chests) and the Rhinocryptidae (tapaculos). The Pittasoma antpittas have been moved to the Conopophagidae. The tree below shows the basic structure of the Furnariida.

Furnariida

The subfamily structure is based on the tree in Moyle et al. (2009). The arrangement of genera within Grallariidae is from Moyle et al. (2009), while that within Rhinocryptidae combines Maurício et al. (2008), Moyle et al. (2009), and Ericson et al. (2010). As Melanopareiidae, Conopophagidae, and Formicariidae each involve only one or two genera, the arrangement there is trival (small genus first). The two large groups, Thamnophilidae and Furnariidae are much more complex, and will be treated separately in detail.

There is still some uncertainty about exactly how these families fit together. Everyone seems to agree that Formicariidae and Furnariidae are sisters, and there is general agreement that Grallariidae (antpittas), Rhinocryptidae (tapaculos), Formicariidae (ant-thrushes) and Furnariidae (ovenbirds) form a clade, while Melanopareiidae (crescent-chests), Conopophagidae (gnateaters), and Thamnophilidae (antbirds) are more basal. The case for Conopophagidae and Thamnophilidae being sisters is somewhat weaker, with some genes pointing to a different arrangement. As for Melanopareiidae, there are several possibilities. It could be basal in Furnariida, or it could even be sister to the Grallariidae—Furnariidae clade.

Moyle et al. (2009), who consider Xenopinae to be included within Furnariinae, suggest raising both Sclerurinae (leaftossers and miners) and Dendrocolaptinae (woodcreepers) to family rank.

Melanopareiidae: Crescent-chests Ericson et al., 2010

1 genus, 4 species Not HBW Family

Conopophagidae: Gnateaters Sclater and Salvin, 1873

2 genera, 11 species HBW-8

The order within Conopophaga is based on Pessoa (2007). He also found evidence supporting the split of Ceara Gnateater, Conopophaga cearae, from Rufous Gnateater, Conopophaga lineata.

Thamnophilidae: Antbirds Swainson, 1824

54 genera (including 5 unnamed genera), 222 species HBW-8

Due to Moyle et al. (2009), the taxonomy of the antbirds has been drastically changed. It was already clear from Brumfield et al. (2007) that changes were needed. Those two papers, with some help from Aleixo et al. (2009) and Irestedt et al. (2004b), drive this reorganization. Moyle et al. (2009) and Brumfield et al. (2007) find the same major clades (designated tribes by Moyle et al.) and many of the same subclades.

I've split one of Moyle et al.'s tribes into two parts, Pithyini and Drymophilini. This is done to highlight the fact that most of the obligate army ant followers are in Pithyini. Indeed, of the 18 species of olibgate ant followers listed in Zimmer and Isler (2003, p.497), only the Pyriglena fire-eyes are outside of Pithyini. They are also a bit different from the Pithyini ant-followers in that they are sometimes found feeding away from ant swarms. Of the Pithyini, only the two Willisornis antbirds are not obligate ant-followers. Still, they are regular ant-followers (2 of 7 such species according to Zimmer and Isler; the other 5 are in Pyriglenini). In contrast, none of the Drymophilini are either obligate or regular ant-followers. For a fuller discussion of ant-following, see Zimmer and Isler (2003, pp.495-503).

One big problem had been that Myrmeciza seemed to appear all over the tree. By now it is clear that way too many species had been included in Myrmeciza. Moreover, there is now enough information to make an educated guess about how to split it up. My guess is probably not entirely correct, but I think it's better than leaving Myrmeciza in such an unsatisfactory state. There seem to seven unrelated Myrmeciza clades. Names are available for two: Myrmophylax (Todd 1927), with type species Myrmophylax atrothorax (Black-throated Antbird) and Myrmoderus (Ridgway 1909), with type Myrmoderus loricata (White-bibbed Antbird). I have not be able to find any available names for the other Myrmeciza, and have labelled the non-core Myrmeciza genera as Myrmeciza1 to Myrmeciza4. It might be possible to merge these with neighboring genera, but I think it is better to await a more detailed analysis. Besides, it is only a guess right now as to which is the true Myrmeciza!

Aleixo et al. (2009) argued in favor of merging Skutchia into Phlegopsis, which has been done here. Also, the White-lined Antbird, "Percnostola" lophotes, does not seem to belong to Percnostola. It appears to be sister to Myrmoborus, but between issues with the DNA sample and the fact that they seem rather different birds, I am unwilling to merge them at this time.

Note that Plumbeous Antvireo, Dysithamnus plumbeus, and White-streaked Antvireo, Dysithamnus leucostictus, are now considered separate species here (Isler et al., 2008). The race tucuyensis is considered part of D. leucostictus. Also, Fulvous Antshrike, Frederickena fulva, has been split from Undulated Antshrike, Frederickena unduliger (Isler et al., 2009).

Also, the Restinga Antwren, Formicivora littoralis, has been lumped into Serra Antwren, Formicivora serrana. See Firme and Raposa (2011).

Magdalena Antbird, Myrmeciza palliata, has been split from Dull-mantled Antbird, Myrmeciza laemosticta. See SACC #475.

Isler and Whitney (2011) examined all seven subspecies of Willisornis. Differences between most of the races seemed consistent with their current status. However, they found that vidua exhibited significant vocal differences, and recommended elevating it to species status as Xingu Scale-backed Antbird, Willisornis vidua. I have followed their recommendation.

Terenurinae Informal?

Myrmornithinae Sundevall, 1872

Thamnophilinae Swainson, 1824

Microrhopiini Moyle et al., 2009

Formicivorini Bonaparte, 1854

Thamnophilini Swainson, 1824

Pyriglenini Moyle et al., 2009

Pithyini: Ant-followers Ridgway, 1911

Drymophilini Swainson, 1826

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