Subspecies
Molecular-genetic evidence indicates that this genus may form a monophyletic group with Piranga and Chlorothraupis, and that all three are more closely related to cardinals (Cardinalidae) than to true tanagers. Subspecies willisi appears to intergrade with nominate in north-western Panama, from where one specimen is intermediate between the two.
The following 6 subspecies are recognised:
salvini (von Berlepsch, 1883) - Eastern and south-eastern Mexico (from San Luis Potosí and southern Tamaulipas) south to Guatemala (except north), Belize, Honduras and El Salvador.
insularis (Salvin, 1888) - South-eastern Mexico (northern and eastern Yucatán Peninsula) and northern Guatemala.
discolor (Ridgway, 1901) - Nicaragua.
fuscicauda (Cabanis, 1861) - Extreme southern Nicaragua, and both slopes of Costa Rica south to western Panama.
willisi Parkes, 1969 - Central Panama from north-eastern Coclé and Colon east to San Blas (mainly on Caribbean slope).
erythrolaema (Sclater, PL, 1862) - Caribbean coast of Colombia (northern Atlántico, northern Bolívar and Córdoba).
BirdLife International Species Factsheet