Mimic Honeyeater (Meliphaga analoga) - HBW 13, p. 591

Taxonomy: Ptilotis analoga Reichenbach, 1852, “Oceanien”; error = Triton Bay, south-east New Guinea.
On basis of molecular evidence, genus consists of two clades; present species is part of group which contains also M. orientalis, M. albonotata, M. vicina, M. gracilis, M. cinereifrons, M. mimikae, M. montana, M. flavirictus, M. albilineata, M. fordiana and M. reticulata. Name stevensi (from N watershed of SE New Guinea) has been used for a race variously of present species or of M. cinereifrons, and it is not certain at present to which (if either) the type specimen applies; recent genetically based investigations indicate that specimens attributed to stevensi include cryptic variants of both species; further study currently in progress. Populations in Baiyer Valley (E New Guinea) probably constitute an as yet unnamed race. Race citreola of M. orientalis originally treated as an altitudinal variant of present species. Birds from N lowlands (Wewak E to Huon Gulf) described as race connectens (from Madang, in Astrolabe Bay) appear indistinguishable from flavida; birds from Fly R district E to Hall Sound proposed as race papuae (Wuroi, on Oriomo R), but inseparable from nominate. Three subspecies currently recognized.