Publication Date

1-19-1968

Series Number

114

Abstract

The anatomical characters of the passerine family Conopophagidae have been reexamined. The sternum, syrinx, tarsus, antorbital osteology and pterylosis of Conopophaga and Corythopis were compared with a broad sample of other suboscines, with particular attention to the Formicariidae and Rhinocryptidae. Conopophaga was found to lie well within the range of variation of the Formicariidae in the principal characters (sternum and syrinx) used by Forbes in describing the Conopophagidae. The key character was the apparent presence in Conopophaga of a four-notched sternum. In nearly all specimens of Conopophaga, however, we found the sternum to have two notches and two large medial fenestrae. The four-notched condition is found in some species of Grallaria and Pittasoma, both considered to be formicariid. In most of the other characters studied also, Conopophaga strongly resembles Grallaria. The genus Corythopis differs from Conopophaga and all other furnarioids in the major diagnostic characters examined. In several respects, particularly the pterylosis and syringeal structure, it shows strong affinities with the Tyrannidae. It is recommended that Conopophaga be returned to its former position, near Grallaria in the Formicariidae. Corythopis must be moved from the Furnarioidea to the Tyrannoidea; its proper position appears to be in the family Tyrannidae.

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