Typical Antbirds (Thamnophilidae)

Spot-backed Antshrike (Hypoedaleus guttatus) - HBW 8, p. 533

French: Batara moucheté German: Perlenmantel-Ameisenwürger Spanish: Batará Goteado

Taxonomy: Thamnophilus guttatus Vieillot, 1816, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Genus presumed related to Thamnophilus on basis of external morphology, especially the strongly hooked bill, but supporting molecular or other evidence unavailable. Relationships uncertain; historically placed after Cymbilaimus because of similarity of bill morphology, and ecology also somewhat similar. Paler N birds (Alagoas S to Espírito Santo) described as race leucogaster, but apparently broad zone of intergradation with S populations exists, with both extremes as well as intermediates occurring in São Paulo; racial division considered unwarranted. Monotypic.

Distribution: E & SE Brazil (E Alagoas and E Bahia S to extreme E Mato Grosso do Sul, Santa Catarina and N Rio Grande do Sul), E Paraguay (E of R Paraguay; one record on W bank, in SE Alto Paraguay) and extreme NE Argentina (Misiones).