Systematics of the obligate ant-following clade of antbirds (Aves: Passeriformes: Thamnophilidae)

Abstract

ABSTRACT Results of a comprehensive molecular phylogeny of the family Thamnophilidae were consistent with earlier findings that almost all obligate army-ant-followers of the family form a monophyletic group that contains five well-supported clades and encompasses six currently recognized genera: Phaenostictus, Pithys, Willisornis, Gymnopithys, Rhegmatorhina, and Phlegopsis. A comparative analysis of seven suites of morphological, behavioral, and ecological traits within the context of the phylogeny reinforced the validity of five of these genera, but results for the sixth, Gymnopithys, were internally inconsistent and required the description of a new genus, Oneillornis.