Brown-throated Sunbird (Anthreptes malacensis) - HBW 13, p. 247

Taxonomy: Certhia malacensis Scopoli, 1786, Malacca, Peninsular Malaysia.
Forms a superspecies with A. griseigularis and often treated as conspecific, but the two exhibit constant differences in plumage and measurements, and no indication of hybridization or introgression; close also to A. rhodolaemus. Races form two groups: “chlorigaster group” (incorporating also heliolusius and wiglesworthi), males of which have head and back iridescent dark green and underparts generally olive-green, and “nominate group” (all other races), males having head to rump iridescent violet and underparts bright yellow. Geographical variation otherwise not well marked; races anambae, erixanthus and bornensis possibly better merged with nominate, in which paraguae and mjobergi were formerly included; heliolusius has in the past been synonymized with chlorigaster. In addition, population on Lombok (W Lesser Sundas) of uncertain racial affiliation, belongs either with nominate race or with convergens; further study required. Birds from Marinduque and Camiguin Sur (C & S Philippines) reported to represent two further races, but to date no descriptions formally published. Other proposed races are, off W Sumatra, pelloptilus (from Simeulue I), pollostus (Mt Lembu, on Nias I) and nesaeus (Pagai Is), all included in nominate, as also are javanicus (Java) and baweanus (Bawean I, N of Java); basilanicus (Basilan, in S Philippines), included in heliolusius; sanghiranus (Sangihe I, N of Sulawesi), merged with heliocalus; and nesophilus (Mantehage, off NE Sulawesi) and citrinus (described from Wawo, in SE Sulawesi), both synonymized with celebensis. Sixteen subspecies currently recognized.