Systematics

Two subspecies of Xolmis pyrope are recognized:

pyrope, described as Muscicapa Pyrope (Kittlitz 1830); type locality Tomé, Bahia de Concepción, Chile

The nominate subspecies occupies most of the range of the species.

fortis, described as Xolmis pyrope fortis Philippi and Johnson 1946; type locality Ancud, Chiloé, Chile

Breeds on Isla de Chiloé, Chile. Usually is considered to be resident (Traylor 1979, Fjeldså and Krabbe 1990, but Johnson (1967) suggested that "the island population, like that of the mainland, is subject to migratory displacement towards the north during the winter months".

Similar to nominate pyrope, but larger (see Measurements); also is darker gray above, and "grey of underparts is more intense" (Johnson 1967).

This species sometimes was classified in a monotypic genus, Pyrope, at least in part based on the modified (emarginated) outer primaries of the adult male (e.g. Meyer de Schauensee 1966, Johnson 1967). Most authorities, however, classify pyrope in the genus Xolmis (e.g. Hellmayr 1927, Traylor 1977, 1979, Dickinson 2003, Remsen et al. 2013).

Relationships within Xolmis have not been investigated. Phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequence data from three nuclear introns suggests that Xolmis, as represented by X. irupero (White Monjita), is basal to the sister pair of Polioxolmis rufipennis (Rufous-webbed Bush-Tyrant) and Cnemarchus erythropygius (Red-rumped Bush-Tyrant) (Ohlson et al. 2008). On the other hand, Tello et al. (2009), in a phylogenetic survey based on DNA sequence data from two nuclear genes, also recovered Polioxolmis and Cnemarchus as sister taxa, but found that X. pyrope is basal to a clade that includes Myiotheretes, Neoxolmis rufiventris (Chocolate-vented Tyrant), and Agriornis. As each of these two phylogenetic surveys included only a single (and different) species of Xolmis, it is not clear whether the relationships of Xolmis (sensu lato) are unresolved, or whether pyrope in fact is not a member of that genus.