Myrmelastes

Myrmelastes
File:Schistocichla leucostigma.jpg
Spot-winged Antbird, M. leucostigma
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Thamnophilidae
Genus:	Myrmelastes Sclater, 1858
Species
See text.
Synonyms
Schistocichla Myrmeciza

Myrmelastes is a genus of antbirds in the Thamnophilidae family. They are commonly included in the genus Percnostola instead. Until recently, Schistocichla only included three species, but following Braun et al. (2005) and Isler et al. (2007) several taxa previously considered subspecies of the Spot-winged Antbird have been elevated to species status. It contains the following species:

• Slate-colored Antbird, Myrmelastes schistaceus
• Roraiman Antbird, Myrmelastes saturatus
• Plumbeous Antbird, Myrmelastes hyperythrus
• Caura Antbird, Myrmelastes caurensis
• Rufous-faced Antbird, Myrmelastes rufifacies
• Brownish-headed Antbird, Myrmelastes brunneiceps
• Spot-winged Antbird, Myrmelastes leucostigma
• Humaita Antbird, Myrmelastes humaythae

References

• Braun, Isler, Isler, Bates & Robbins. 2005. Avian speciation in the pantepui: the case of the Roraiman Antbird (Percnostola [Schistocichla] "leucostigma" saturata). Condor 107(2): 327-341.
• Isler, Isler, Whitney & Zimmer. 2007. Species limits in the "Schistocichla" complex of Percnosticla antbirds (Passeriformes: Thamnophilidae). Wilson Journal of Ornithology 119(1): 53-70.
• Recognize Percnostola (Schistocichla) saturata (Thamnophilidae) as a species separate from P. leucostigma. South American Classification Committee. Accessed 2008-06-27
• Elevate subspecies humaythae, brunneiceps, and rufifacies (within Schistocichla leucostigma) to species rank. South American Classification Committee. Accessed 2008-06-27

This article is part of Project Bird Genera, a All Birds project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each genus, including made-up genera.