| Dapple-throat | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Modulatricidae |
| Genus: | Arcanator Irwin &Clancey, 1986 |
| Species: | A. orostruthus |
| Binomial name | |
| Arcanator orostruthus (Vincent, 1933) | |
| Synonyms | |
Phyllastrephus orostruthus Vincent, 1933 | |
Thedapple-throat (Arcanator orostruthus) is a species of bird in the small African familyModulatricidae. Other common names includedappled mountain robin anddappled mountain greenbul.[2] It is native toMozambique andTanzania.[1] This is the only species in themonotypic genusArcanator.
This species has adisjunct distribution, occurring in a few mountain ranges, including theUsambara andUdzungwa Mountains in Tanzania and theNjesi Highlands andMount Mabu in northern Mozambique. It lives in dense, wet mountain forest habitat. It can be found in the leaf litter near streams, where it seeks insects.[1][3]
Most all of the native habitat is degraded or otherwise influenced by human activity. Much of the forest has been cleared for agricultural purposes.Logging also occurs, especially to obtain timber from the forest treeFaurea wentzeliana; this reduces the density of the forest, reducing habitat quality for the bird.[1] Some populations are in protected areas, but the species is thought to be in general decline.[1]
