Myiothlypis is a genus of New World warblers, best represented in Central and South America. This is one of only two warbler genera that are well represented in the latter continent. All of these species were formerly placed in the genus Basileuterus.
Taxonomy The genus Myiothlypis was introduced in 1851 by the German ornithologist Jean Cabanis to accommodate a single species, Trichas nigrocristatus, the black-crested warbler, that had been described in 1840 by Frédéric de Lafresnaye. The genus name combines the Ancient Greek muia meaning "fly" with thlupis, an unidentified small bird.
A molecular phylogenetic study of the New World warbler family Parulidae published in 2010 found that the species formed several major clades that did not align with the traditional genera. This led to a major reorganization of the species within the family to create monophyletic genera. As part of this rearrangement the genus Myiothlypis was resurrected to contain a clade that now includes 18 species.
Species The genus contains 18 species:
Citrine warbler, Myiothlypis luteoviridis Santa Marta warbler, Myiothlypis basilica White-striped warbler, Myiothlypis leucophrys Flavescent warbler, Myiothlypis flaveola White-rimmed warbler, Myiothlypis leucoblephara Pale-legged warbler, Myiothlypis signata Black-crested warbler, Myiothlypis nigrocristata Buff-rumped warbler, Myiothlypis fulvicauda Riverbank warbler, Myiothlypis rivularis Two-banded warbler, Myiothlypis bivittata Roraiman warbler, Myiothlypis roraimae Cuzco warbler, Myiothlypis chrysogaster Choco warbler, Myiothlypis chlorophrys White-lored warbler, Myiothlypis conspicillata Grey-throated warbler, Myiothlypis cinereicollis Grey-and-gold warbler, Myiothlypis fraseri Russet-crowned warbler, Myiothlypis coronata Grey-headed warbler, Myiothlypis griseiceps
References
Further reading
Curson, Quinn and Beadle,New World Warblers Stiles and Skutch, A guide to the birds of Costa Rica