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Morphological variability and taxonomy of the Blue- winged Parrotlet Forpus xanthopterygius (Psittacidae)

Fernanda Bocalini

Abstract


Forpus xanthopterygius is a polytypic species that ranges through most of South America. Currently, it comprises five subspecies: F. x. xanthopterygius, F. x. crassirostris, F. x. spengeli, F. x. flavissimus, and F. x. flavescens. Previous studies that have revised the taxonomy of this complex used a limited number of specimens, hence disagreements about allocation of specific or subspecific status, and even the validity of some taxa, continue. Here, we revise the taxonomy of the Forpus xanthopterygius complex based on morphological and morphometric characters. We analyzed 518 specimens from the entire species geographical distribution. Our results allowed us to propose the recognition of two valid taxa that we suggest to be treated as full species (Forpus xanthopterygius and Forpus spengeli). Forpus xanthopterygius shows great phenotypic variability, in which the plumage is brighter and yellowish in drier habitats and dull and darker in humid ones; nevertheless, this variation has no taxonomic significance.


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