A review of the genus Momotus (Coraciiformes: Momotidae) in northern south America and adjacent areas: Una revisión del género Momotus (Coraciiformes: Momotidae) en el norte de Sudamérica y áreas adyacentes

F. Gary  Stiles

doi:10.59517/oc.e185

Authors

F. Gary Stiles Instituto de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59517/oc.e185

Keywords:

Momotidae, Momotus momota, morphometrics, northern South America, plumage patterns, primary songs, southern Middle America, taxonomy

Abstract

Over the last sixty years, most of the more than 20 named taxa of the genus Momotus have been included in a single widespread, variable species, Momotus momota. In recent decades, several authors have questioned this broad species concept and suggested splitting this “Momotus momota complex” into two or more species. However, for want of a detailed analysis no consensus has been reached regarding which and how many species should be recognized. The present study therefore seeks to provide criteria for redefining species limits in this complex through analyses of external measurements, plumage patterns and the ‘hooting’ primary songs among ten focal taxa occurring in the area between Nicaragua, northern Peru, Trinidad-Tobago and Guyana. Five external measurements of bills, wings and tails were made on 512 specimens of the focal taxa and an additional 30 specimens of taxa occurring in adjacent regions; data on body masses permitted use of relative mean measurements of external dimensions to examine differences in form as well as in absolute size. A subsample of 183 specimens was scored for 14 characters of plumage pattern of the underparts, crown, pectoral “stickpin”, borders of the mask and tail racquets. The focal taxa break into two groups with respect to the primary song: those in which the song consists of a single long note vs. two shorter notes. Five parameters of duration and frequency were measured on sonograms of taxa in the one-note group; these and an additional six parameters were measured on sonograms of those of the two-note group, and two-note “duet” songs of one taxon of the one-note group. Data were analyzed with t-tests, ANOVA, discriminant analysis and principal components analysis. I defined species limits in this complex on the basis of two general criteria: diagnosability and the probability that the differences observed would assure maintenance of reproductive isolation should currently allopatric groups enter into contact. My results support recognition of five species-level taxa in this complex: lessonii Lesson 1842 (including 2-3 additional subspecies in Mexico beyond the scope of this study), momota Linnaeus 1766 (including the nominate, microstephanus Sclater 1855 and several other subspecies of eastern and southern South America beyond the scope of this study); M. aequatorialis Gould 1857 (including the subspecies chlorolaemus Berlepsch and Stolzmann 1902); bahamensis Swainson 1837 and subrufescens Sclater 1853. In the latter species I recognize as subspecies osgoodi Cory 1913, argenticinctus Sharpe 1892 and spatha Wetmore 1946, but find the following taxa not adequately diagnosable and recommend lumping them into nominate subrufescens: conexus Thayer & Bangs 1906, reconditus Nelson 1912 and olivaresi Hernandez & Romero 1978.

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