Grallaria rufula (Lafresnaye, 1843)

Isler, Morton L., Chesser, Terry, Robbins, Mark B., Cuervo, Andrés M., Cadena, Carlos Daniel & Hosner, Peter A., 2020, Taxonomic evaluation of the Grallaria rufula (Rufous Antpitta) complex (Aves: Passeriformes: Grallariidae) distinguishes sixteen species, Zootaxa 4817 (1), pp. 1-74 : 11

Grallaria rufula sensu stricto Lafresnaye, 1843

Muisca Antpitta

Includes populations designated rufula 1 and rufula 3 in the analysis.

Diagnosis. Overall plumage typically reddish-brown, underparts somewhat paler, but overall intensity variable. Grallaria rufula sensu stricto is best distinguished by vocalizations ( Fig. 4 ) from all other taxa in the G. rufula complex except its morphologically distinct sister species, G. rufocinerea ; its structurally unique long song, which is a nearly evenly paced series of similar notes, rather flat in frequency. Grallaria rufula sensu stricto is also distinguished from all other taxa, including G. rufocinerea , by its two-noted short song, the second note broken into abrupt vertical elements with a distinct burry quality.

Distribution. Eastern Andes from the Tamá massif in Táchira, Venezuela, and Norte de Santander, Colombia, south to Cundinamarca and western Meta, Colombia, except for the west slope in the Iguaque Massif in Boyacá and extreme southwestern Santander, Colombia, 1850–3800 m.

Plumage. Overall plumage of upperparts, including rectrices, remiges (primaries edged paler), crown and auriculars, typically reddish-brown (5YR 4/4) but variable and often brighter yellowish-red (5YR 4/6) in the south and browner (5YR 4/3) in the north; coloration shades to color of underparts in malar area. Overall plumage of underparts yellowish red-brown (5YR–7.5YR 5/8), becoming slightly paler in center of belly and undertail coverts in the south; flank coloration like breast. Individuals of the northern population ( rufula 1) have the malar a paler buff, typically with a pale pink tone at the base of the mandible. Birds of the southern population ( rufula 3) vary in intensity of their rufescent tones, particularly in Cundinamarca, Colombia (specimen photographs App. 6, Figs. A15 , A 16 , A33, and A34).

Etymology. The English name honors the Muisca civilization that occupied the altiplano and slopes of the Eastern Andes. Muisca culture survives in the contemporary Colombian society of this region.

Remarks. The substantial genetic distance (~5–6%) between samples of populations rufula 1 and rufula 3 is remarkable given the lack of vocal distinctions between these populations, but seems to agree with subtle phenotypic differences that remain to be assessed in detail. A better understanding of populations in the Eastern Andes will require additional specimens and vouchered vocal recordings from the region between Norte de Santander and southeastern Boyacá. The type locality of G. rufula was simply “ Colombia ” ( Lafresnaye, 1843), but it seems highly probable, as suggested by other authors (e.g., Cory & Hellmayr 1924), that the type specimen (photograph App. 6, Fig. A33) was collected in the Eastern Andes in the vicinity of Bogotá. As confirmation, we compared the holotype at MCZ against a larger series, and it fell within the variance observed in rufula 3 around Bogotá and Cundinamarca. Consequently, we have ascribed the name G. rufula to this population.

Figures

FIGURE 4. Songs of Grallaria rufula sensu stricto: (A) long song, Quebrada La Vieja, Cundinamarca, Colombia (Athanas XC32225); (B) short song, Quebrada La Vieja (Cadena IAvH-CSA6294/ML256116).

FIGURE 15. Songs of Grallaria o. occabambae: (A) long song, Carrizales, Cusco, Peru (Lane ML236893); (B) short song, San Luis, Cusco (Krabbe XC47645).

FIGURE 16. Songs of Grallaria occabambae marcapatensis: (A) long song, Abra Acjanaco, Cusco, Peru (Lane ML236892); (B) short song, upper Manu Road, Cusco (Lane ML236891).