White-fronted Manakin (Lepidothrix serena) Science Article 2
abstract
The White-fronted Manakin, Lepidothrix serena (formerly in the genus Pipra), is currently recognized as a polytypic species that includes nominate serena, from the eastern Guianan region, and suavissima, from southern and eastern Venezuela and Guyana. Nominate serena and suavissima are significantly different in plumage, syringeal morphology, and vocalizations. The distribution of the two forms has not been completely documented, but no contact between the populations is known. Derived morphological and behavioral novelties indicate that the two forms are sister taxa, and that they constitute distinct phylogenetic and biological species. The recommended common name of the newly recognized Lepidothrix suavissimais the Tepui Manakin. Maintenance of the current biological species taxonomy may underestimate the diversity of species in the Neotropics and hamper the documentation of diversity in the Neotropics that is important to conservation biology.
RICHARD 0. PRUM, The Condor 96:692-702