Calliste tanagnathus Eyton, 1856' (1 Viewer)

[James Jobling]

Calliste tanagnathus Eyton, 1856. I have unearthed this specific name in Eyton, 1856, Cat. Species of Birds in his Possession, p. 277 (two examples, one from Demerara/Guyana, the other from Guatemala). I assume it is a synonym for one of the tanagers, but, despite checking the usual Neotropical references, have yet to find it. Originally I was drawn towards Lampropsar tanagrinus, an icterid, but that does not occur in Guatemala. Can any reader help with identifying / defining Eyton’s name?

 

[l_raty]

(two examples, one from Demerara/Guyana, the other from Guatemala).

This won't answer the main question, I'm afraid, but -- is this really how we are supposed to read it ?

A catalogue of the species of birds in his possession - Biodiversity Heritage Library

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My inclination would be to understand the Demerara bird only as included in 'Calliste Tanagnathus', and the Guatemalan bird as being left unidentified.

(In my reading, the blank space separating the data pertaining to the two specimens is a line where the name of the second bird should in principle have appeared, but which was left empty. Note that, elsewhere in the list, Eyton regularly listed multiple specimens, sometimes with multiple localities associated to them, in a single entry -- e.g., if you scroll down to the next page, under Nemosia gularis, you will see 5 specimens from 3 localities.)

 

[James Jobling]

Laurent, I appreciate your observation. As our late lamented Queen said, “Recollections may vary.” My take is still that the entry for Calliste tanagnathus refers to two consecutively numbered specimens (e.g., as per the listings of Calliste labradoroides (pp. 277-278,) and Nemosia guira (p. 279.)) I shall insert tanagnathus in The Key, just to explain the epithet, but leave the identity in abeyance.
Many thanks.

 

[l_raty]

My take is still that the entry for Calliste tanagnathus refers to two consecutively numbered specimens (e.g., as per the listings of Calliste labradoroides (pp. 277-278,) and Nemosia guira (p. 279.))

No problem, James, although I'm sorry for not being convincing enough.
Still, I will note that what you see as a 'second specimen' of 'Calliste labradoroides' (now Tangara labradorides) is indicated as being from Guatemala too... where this species does not occur either.

 

[Taphrospilus]

Any idea where Thomas Campbell Eytons collection went?

 

[l_raty]

Any idea where Thomas Campbell Eytons collection went?

At least part of it was apparently bought by the British Museum in 1881, after his death.