Golden‐spectacled Warbler systematics

Two papers on the systematics of the Golden-spectacled Warbler Seicercus burkii complex were published almost simultaneously in autumn 1999 (Alstrom & Olsson 1999, Martens et al. 1999). Both propose that what was previously considered to be one species, S. burkii, is in fact a complex of sibling species, and both describe a new species from central China! At a glance, the two papers might appear very similar. However, two different new species are described, in some cases different names are applied to the same populations, and in one case the same name is applied to different populations. Also some conclusions differ. This letter is intended to highlight and clarify the differences in opinion and conclusions. The paper by Alstrom and Olsson is based on fieldwork at nine different localities throughout the range of the ‘Golden-spectacled Warbler’ during 14 different visits over 12 years, and a study of more than 700 specimens, including all traceable types. In contrast, the paper by Martens et al. is based on a study of specimens and tape recordings collected during one visit to each of two localities in central China in 1997 and 1998 and their own tape recordings and specimens from Nepal; in all, 196 specimens were examined. The study by Martens et al., unlike the one by Alstrom and Olsson, also included an analysis of mitochondria1 DNA sequences. Unlike Alstrom and Olsson, Martens et al. apparently did not examine any type specimens, which is an important reason for the lack of agreement in nomenclature between these two papers (and, surprisingly, they did not consider any of the four names listed as synonyms by Watson et al. 1986: Cyptolopha auricapilla Swainson, 1837; Acanthiza arrogans Sundevall, 183 8; Muscicapa bilineata Lesson, 1839; and Cyptolopha bimanica Berezowski & Bianchi, 1891).