Geographic variation in plumage coloration of Turquoise Tanager Tangara mexicana (Linnaeus, 1766)

摘要: he Turquoise Tanager Tangara mexicana is largely distributed in northern South America, and has been considered a polytypic species comprising four or five subspecies. Our study on plumage coloration of 175 specimens, from localities covering the entire species’ range, revealed existence two variable characters: color underparts lesser upper-wing coverts. Seven morphotypes were found that combine different states presented by these characters. Two very distinct, representing most easily diagnosable subspecies (T. m. mexicana, having yellowish white contrasting turquoise green humeral patch; T. boliviana, bright yellow blue upper- wing coverts similar to sides head, throat, breast rump). The other (including those media, vieilloti lateralis) are shared birds with character intermediate between thus polymorphic population ranging widely across central Amazonia, Venezuela Trinidad south lower Amazon. This large area may be as hybrid zone considerable phenotypic instability, more evident especially region Rio Madeira east Tocantins Belem area. Based General Lineage Species Concept could recognized based plumage: restricted Guyana center endemism, which western Amazonia eastern foothills Andes, an corresponding centers endemism Napo Inambari. taxonomic validity lateralis once challenged.