Proposed subspecies chapmani (southern Central America to north-western Ecuador) described as like nigrofumosa but with rump slightly browner and crown, wings and underparts slightly paler, but variation evidently clinal, and individual specimens not diagnosable. Named taxon jaraguana from eastern Brazil (Goiás), described as a subspecies of present species, was based on misidentified specimens of Cinereous-breasted Spinetail (Synallaxis hypospodia).
The following 5 subspecies are recognised:
nigrofumosa Lawrence, 1865 - North-central Honduras south to Panama and north-western Colombia south to north-western Ecuador (south to northern Guayas).
brachyura Lafresnaye, 1843 - Northern Colombia (Antioquia east to Magdalena Valley).
caucae Chapman, 1914 - Central Colombia (Cauca Valley).
griseonucha Chapman, 1923 - South-western Ecuador (southern from Guayas and Azuay) south to extreme north-western Peru (Tumbes).
chapmani Bangs & Penard, 1919 - South-western Costa Rica to extreme north-western Peru (Tumbes).
BirdLife International Species Factsheet