Spiderhunter species limits

[Larry Wheatland]

Clements 2000 includes the Spiderhunter subspecies concolor of Sumatra within Arachnothera affinis (Streaky-breasted Spiderhunter) rather than within A. modesta (Grey-breasted). The field guide I have for the Greater Sundas includes it within Grey-breasted. Any views on either treatment ?

Also has there been any recent work clarifying the position of the peninsular Malaysian form of "Large" Cuckoo-Shrike (ie. is it closer to Javan or Large) ?

[James Eaton]

Larry,

Haven't got any literature to hand, both I treat the Cuckoo-shrike on Malaysia as the same throughout the Sundaic region, Malaysian Cuckoo-shrike (better name than Javan). Large is seperate, which occurs throughout Indochina.

Spiderhunters - I doubt if anyone really knows, a very complex situation. If you check out Sunbirds monograph, then affinis is treated as endemic to Bornean highlands & Java. Another states Sumatra & Borneo, whereas most treat it as endemic to Sabah (some including lowlands!). Personally..... I need to research them more.

[cuckooroller]

Hi Larry, James,

Still at work and I would need books especially for the Spiderhunter. However, and forgive me if I screw up because just working from memory, there are still a few loose ends to tie up from the ex-superspecies novaehollandiae and one of them is the position of larutensis (S Malaysia as I recall). Personally, and with a personal note waiting until someone does give a final answer on larutensis, I place larutensis (and siamensis) with macei (Large Cuckooshrike) and allow, for the present at least, that javensis ranges only on Java and Bali (Javan Cuckooshrike). As I said, everything turns on when someone finally figures out if larutensis is better collocated with javensis or remains with macei.