Taxonomic status of Blackthroat Calliope obscura and Firethroat C. pectardens

The Chinese endemic breeders Blackthroat Calliope obscura and Firethroat C. pectardens are two of the world's rarest and least known 'chats' (Muscicapidae). They have been considered colour morphs of the same species (Firethroat, by priority), although they are nowadays usually treated as separate species. The taxonomic status of these two taxa is here investigated based on analyses of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA, vocalisations and reassessed distributions. Phylogenetic analysis confirms that they are sisters. Their genetic divergence (cytochrome b 6.4%, GTR+Gamma+I corrected) is comparable to several other species pairs of 'chats'. Discriminant function analysis of songs correctly classified 88% of the recordings. The breeding ranges appear to be mainly parapatric. Based on congruent differences in morphology, songs and molecular markers, it is concluded that Blackthroat and Firethroat are appropriately treated as separate species.