A striking, critically endangered, new species of hillstar (Trochilidae: Oreotrochilus) from the southwestern Andes of Ecuador

We describe a new species of the genus Oreotrochilus from the southwestern Andes of Ecuador. The new species is most similar in adult male plumage to O. stolzmanni and O. chimborazo. However, male and female show unique combinations of plumage characters that are likely to act as social signals. Phylogenetic analyses based on mitochondrial DNA indicate that this new taxon is closely related to O. stolzmanni and O. melanogaster, whereas genetic distances and preliminary comparisons of vocalizations suggest a sister relationship with O. stolzmanni. The geographic distribution of the new species seems to be restricted to cordillera Chilla-Tioloma-Fierro Urcu, in the southwestern highlands of Ecuador, an area historically poorly explored by ornithologists. Thus, based on its restricted distribution, apparently low population size, and lack of protection of its habitat, we evaluate it as critically endangered. © 2018 American Ornithological Society

Dos nuevos registros de vertebrados en la dieta de<i>Corallus hortulanus</i> (Squamata: Boidae) en el noroeste de la Amazonía

Two new records of vertebrates in diet of Corallus hortulanus (Squamata: Boidae) in the northwest Amazon. Previous reports from the Brazilian Amazon demonstrated that the diet of Corallus hortulanus consist on small vertebrates. We add two new records to diet of Corallus hortulanus: a bird, Atticora fasciata and, a rodent Hylaeamys perenensis, from two localities in the Yasuni National Park in Ecuador, western Amazon. Our reports are based on field observations and the review of museum collections. We suggest that this snake present a day-night activity.Asociación Herpetológica Argentina (AHA

Predación de la Raposa de cuatro ojos (Philander opossum; Mamalia, Didelphidae) por el Gavilán (Rupornis magnirostris, Aves, Accipitridae)

El conocimiento sobre la predación de mamíferos medianos por aves rapaces es aún poco conocido. En la presente nota se registra por primera vez la predación de la raposa de cuatro ojos Philander opossum por el gavilán campestre Rupornis magnirostris al Suroeste del Ecuador