Avifaunal surveys along the lower Huallaga River, Region of Loreto, Peru: New distributional records, collection of topotypes, and taxonomic implications

Abstract

The lower Huallaga River in Peru was the focal region of 2 important ornithological collections in the mid-19th century and a third in the early 20th century. Many new taxa were described from these collections, yet the lower Huallaga region has since been largely unexplored by ornithologists. There is a need for modern sampling, including collection of genetic and vocal data, near type localities in order to anchor taxonomic units and better inform conservation decisions. We undertook 2 ornithological expeditions to the lower Huallaga region (Jeberos on the left bank of the Huallaga River in 2001 and Santa Cruz on the right bank in 2016) that collected topotypes or near-topotypes for 18 taxa previously described from the area. We report large range extensions for several species and discuss notable records, taxonomic implications, and biogeographic patterns.