Heliothraupis, Lane, Burns, Klicka, and Price-Waldman, 2021

Lane, D. F., Justiniano, M. A. A., Terrill, R. S., Rheindt, F. E., Klicka, L. B., Rosenberg, G. H., Schmitt, C. J. & Burns, K. J., 2021, A new genus and species of tanager (Passeriformes, Thraupidae) from the lower Yungas of western Bolivia and southern Peru, Ornithology 138 (4), pp. 1-17 : 6

Heliothraupis, Lane, Burns, Klicka, and Price-Waldman , gen. nov.

Type species: Heliothraupis oneilli (see below).

Diagnosisof genus. Anine-primariedoscine; coloration, general size and shape, and voice eliminate most families within this group except Thraupidae and Cardinalidae . Similar in size to larger members of these two families. Sexuallydimorphic, withmalesexhibitingashortbushycrest that can be raised or flattenedagainst the crown, this feature lacking in females ( Figure 3 ). Unlike other members of the Thraupidae , the bright coloration of the feathers of the crest includes feathers of the forehead all the way to the base of the maxilla. The yellow on the underwing coverts and inner webs of the inner remiges is unique among thraupids. Tail rounded, slightly graduated, longer than most members of Thraupidae (similar to Schistochlamys spp.) with 12 rectrices ( Figure 3 ). Both sexesare yellowoverall with a brightsalmon orange bill, unique among the Tachyphoninae clade within the thraupids. The bill is not conical but considerably longer than deep (11.2 mm vs. 7.3 mm; Table 2), similar in shape to that of Piranga , including the presence of a weakly defined “tooth” about mid-way along the cutting edge of the maxilla ( Figure 3 ). Bill depth at nares ~ 1 mm greater than bill width at nares (Table 2). Rictal bristles are present, but are not long, growing from the lores and sparingly around base of mandible laterally and between the rami. Tarsi are scutellate-laminiplantar, as is common among most nineprimaried oscines ( Rand 1959; Figure 3 ). Primary extension averages ~1/5 of total wing length (Table 2). The cardinalid “tanagers” ( Piranga , Chlorothraupis , Habia ) famously were only discovered not to be members of Thraupidae using molecular methods ( Burns 1997). Thus, we cannot provide strong morphological characters to separate Heliothraupis from cardinalid “tanagers,” but their relationships are resolved by molecular means. Osteological characters will be presented elsewhere.

Etymology. The genus Heliothraupis is derived from classic Greek helios, meaning “sun” (due to the bright yellow plumage of this species) and thraupis meaning “finch” or “small bird,” but in currentusage usually referring to tanagers.

We consider Heliothraupis to be monotypic, and describe its sole species here:

Figures

FIGURE 3. Line drawings of external morphological characters of Heliothraupis, based on LSUMZ 195912. (A) Bill structure, (B) outside view of left leg, (C) underside of tail, and (D) dorsal view of open right wing. Drawing by DFL.