Distinct taxonomic practices impact patterns of bird endemism in the South American Cerrado savannas.

This article examines how three taxonomic approaches—traditional biological species concept (BSC) at species and subspecies levels, and a revised alternative taxonomy identifying evolutionarily significant units (ESUs)—affect the recognition of bird endemism patterns in the Cerrado, the largest tropical savanna in the world. The study found that traditional species-level taxonomy underestimates bird endemism by overlooking some ESUs classified as subspecies, while traditional subspecies-level taxonomy overestimates endemism by including taxonomic artefacts. The revised alternative taxonomy, focusing on monotypic species as ESUs, provided a more accurate identification of 19 endemic bird species and delineated three main areas of endemism within the Cerrado, none of which correspond to typical savanna vegetation but rather to specialized habitats such as Campo Rupestre, seasonally dry forests, and floodplains. These findings highlight the importance of taxonomic rigor in biogeographical and conservation studies, as taxonomic practices significantly influence the detection of endemic taxa and areas of endemism.