Plain-brown Woodcreeper (Dendrocincla fuliginosa) - HBW 8, p. 401

Taxonomy: Dendrocopus fuliginosus Vieillot, 1818, “Cayenne”.
Forms a superspecies with D. turdina, and often regarded as conspecific. Races appear to be separable into three groups, which may represent distinct species. Geographically isolated “taunayi­ group” contains a single race, affinities of which are uncertain because it is morphologically intermediate between present species and D. turdina, but vocally distinct from both. Heterogeneous “meruloides group” also includes ridgwayi, lafresnayei, barinensis, deltana, phaeochroa and neglecta; within this group, significant genetic differences found between ridgwayi and neglecta, the two being separated by Andes. Remaining races constitute the “fuliginosa group”, also including rufoolivacea, trumaii and atrirostris, last of which is placed by some authors with D. turdina on basis of similar vocalizations and presence of crown streaking. Proposed race christiani (W Colombia) considered indistinguishable from ridgwayi; validity of several other currently accepted races requires revision, e.g. neglecta may prove to be better merged with phaeochroa, barinensis with meruloides, and rufoolivacea with nominate. It appears that D. turdina and race taunayi have evolved following separate invasions by stock of present species into S & N portions, respectively, of Atlantic forest. Twelve subspecies recognized.