A new taxon in the Amazilia viridifreons (Chordata : Aves : Trochilidae) complex of southern Mexico

Abstract

We examined variation among populations of the complex assemblage of hummingbirds presently considered to constitute Amazilia viridifreons (Elliott, 1871), of Guerrero, Oaxaca, and Chiapas. A previous author had correctly suggested recognition of most Oaxaca populations as a full species, A. wagneri Phillips, 1964. We found that the Chiapas populations are also recognizable as a distinct taxon

because no name had previously been applied to these populations, we name it as a new subspecies, A. viridifreons villadai. Populations recently described as A. viridifreons rowlei are actually referable to A. wagneri

moreover, that subspecies is not valid as an entity distinct freom the remainder of A.wagneri.