Gnatcatchers (Polioptilidae)

Masked Gnatcatcher (Polioptila dumicola) - HBW 11, p. 376

French: Gobemoucheron masqué German: Maskenmückenfänger Spanish: Perlita Azul
Other common names: Berlepsch’s Gnatcatcher (berlepschi)

Taxonomy: Sylvia dumicola Vieillot, 1817, Paraguay.
Race berlepschi may represent a separate species; has been suggested that intergradation between it and nominate race has increased in S Brazil (S Mato Grosso) as forests which once isolated races have been removed, but other authors comment that no intermediate specimens known; more study needed in presumed contact zone in vicinity of border between Mato Grosso and E Bolivia (Santa Cruz). Some specimens from NE Bolivia (E Beni) asserted to be of race berlepschi, but this location nearly 1000 km W of nearest confirmed records of latter; further study required. Three subspecies r.. View all taxonomy...

Taxonomy: Sylvia dumicola Vieillot, 1817, Paraguay.
Race berlepschi may represent a separate species; has been suggested that intergradation between it and nominate race has increased in S Brazil (S Mato Grosso) as forests which once isolated races have been removed, but other authors comment that no intermediate specimens known; more study needed in presumed contact zone in vicinity of border between Mato Grosso and E Bolivia (Santa Cruz). Some specimens from NE Bolivia (E Beni) asserted to be of race berlepschi, but this location nearly 1000 km W of nearest confirmed records of latter; further study required. Three subspecies recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution:

  • berlepschi Hellmayr, 1901 - C Brazil (S Maranhão to S Mato Grosso, SC & E Goiás and S Minas Gerais).
  • saturata Todd, 1946 - highlands of Bolivia (S Cochabamba, EC Santa Cruz).
  • dumicola (Vieillot, 1817) - E Bolivia (Beni, Santa Cruz and SW Cochabamba S through Tarija), Paraguay and S Brazil (C Mato Grosso do Sul) S to E Argentina (E Jujuy and E Salta S to N & E Córdoba and N Buenos Aires) and Uruguay.