Ovenbirds (Furnariidae)

Pearled Treerunner (Margarornis squamiger) - HBW 8, p. 322

French: Anabasitte perlée German: Südlicher Perlstachelschwanz Spanish: Subepalo Perlado

Taxonomy: Anabates squamiger d’Orbigny and Lafresnaye, 1838, Ayopaya, Cochabamba, Bolivia.
Anatomical data are consistent with the idea that this genus and Premnornis, Premnoplex and Roraimia are each others’ closest relatives; various authors merge one or all of those into present genus. Sister-species to M. bellulus, which very likely conspecific. Sight record in NW Argentina presumably referable to nominate race or, possibly, an undescribed race. Three subspecies recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution:

perlatus (Lesson, 1844) - Perijá Mts and Andes of W Venezuela (Trujillo, Mérida, Táchira), Colombia (all three ranges), Ecuador, and N Peru N of R Marañón (Piura, N Cajamarca).
peruvianus Cory, 1913 - Andes of N & C Peru S of R Marañón (from S Cajamarca and Amazonas S to Cuzco).
squamiger (d’Orbigny & Lafresnaye, 1838) - Andes of S Peru (Puno) and Bolivia (S to W Santa Cruz); sight record in NW Argentina (Salta).