Yellow-eyed Junco (Junco phaeonotus) - HBW 16, p. 542

Taxonomy: Junco phaeonotus Wagler, 1831, Mexico.
Molecular data indicate close relationship between this genus and Zonotrichia. Recent molecular-genetic studies suggest that genus spread quickly N from Central America in post-glacial period; although morphological divergence high, molecular divergence not so well marked; on the other hand, the farther S in Central America, the older is the lineage, and the more distinctly characterized it is molecularly. Present species closely related to J. vulcani, but its N populations are genetically very close to J. hyemalis; unpublished molecular data suggest that Guadalupe taxon insularis, generally included with latter, may be better placed with present species. Races form four groups, one represented by nominate and palliatus, the other three being single-subspecies groups formed by, respectively, bairdi, fulvescens and alticola. These sometimes treated as four separate species; indeed, Guatemala population (alticola) appears genetically well differentiated from all other taxa in genus, and further work may support its elevation to species rank. Race palliatus intergrades with nominate in C Mexico from Nayarit, Durango, Coahuila and Nuevo León S to Guanajuato. Five subspecies recognized.