Other Scientific Names
Percnostola leucostigma [BirdLife International (2004)], Percnostola leucostigma [Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993)], Percnostola leucostigma [Stotz et al. (1996)]
Closest to Slate-colored Antbird (Myrmelastes schistaceus) and Caura Antbird (Myrmelastes caurensis). Some subspecies appear to represent full species, although others may involve only clinal variation and taxonomic study currently being undertaken. Racial identity of birds from western Brazil (extreme south-western Amazonas and western Acre) uncertain, tentatively assigned to subplumbea. Eastern Colombia population probably belongs with infuscata, but further study needed.
The following 9 subspecies are recognised:
saturatus (Salvin, 1885) - Vicinity of Mt Roraima, in extreme south-eastern Venezuela and west-central Guyana. Considered by some authors to be a distinct species, Roraiman Antbird (Myrmelastes saturatus).
obscura (J. T. Zimmer and Phelps, Sr., 1946) - South-eastern Venezuela (tepuis of eastern Bolívar except Mt Roraima) and adjacent Brazil (extreme northern Roraima).
leucostigma (Pelzeln, 1868) - Eastern Venezuela (extreme eastern Bolívar), the Guianas and north-eastern Amazonian Brazil (eastern from R Branco and R Negro to Amapá).
infuscatus (Todd, 1927) - Southern Venezuela (south-western Amazonas), eastern Colombia (Guianía, Vaupés, Amazonas) and north-western Amazonian Brazil (upper R Negro drainage south to R Solimíµes).
subplumbeus (P. L. Sclater and Salvin, 1880) - Extreme western Venezuela (Táchira) and along eastern base of Andes in Colombia south to north-eastern Peru (south to northern Ucayali), also western Brazil (extreme south-western Amazonas, extreme western Acre).
intensus (J. T. Zimmer, 1927) - Central Peru (Huánuco, Pasco, Junín, southern Ucayali).
brunneiceps (J. T. Zimmer, 1931) - Southern Peru (Cuzco, western Madre de Dios, Puno) and extreme west-central Bolivia (west-central La Paz). Considered by some authors to be a distinct species, Brownish-headed Antbird (Myrmelastes brunneiceps).
humaythae (Hellmayr, 1907) - South-western and central Amazonian Brazil (lower R Japurá east to lower R Negro and, south of R Amazon, east to R Madeira) and extreme northern Bolivia (Pando). Considered by some authors to be a distinct species, Humaita Antbird (Myrmelastes humaythae).
rufifacies (Hellmayr, 1929) - Brazil east of R Madeira, east to Pará (west of R Tocantins) and south to northern Rondônia and extreme northern Mato Grosso). Considered by some authors to be a distinct species, Rufous-faced Antbird (Myrmelastes rufifacies).
BirdLife International Species Factsheet