Estrutura da espécie nos periquitos do gênero Pionites Heine (Psittacidae, Aves)

Abstract

The structure of the species is analyzed in the parakeets of the genus Pionites, which comprises only one P. melanocephalus superspecies. The two component species, P. melanocephalus and P. leucogaster, inhabit the north and south banks of the Amazon River, respectively. In the eastern part of their geographical distribution the two forms are isolated, but to the west they are in close contact zone. The presence of black feathers on the top of the head in leucogaster is widely disseminated in the geographical area and not restricted to the zone of contact between melanocephalus and leucogaster. It is possible to explain evolution in Pionites based on the theory of Quaternary refuges.