About Torreornis inexpectata Barbour & J.L.Peters, 1927
The subspecies Torreornis inexpectata varonai was originally described in a Cuban publication, but there are claims that this original description is obscure or may not even exist, and further review is required to confirm its taxonomic validity. Buden and Olson (1989, Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology 477) did not review the original description, but drew attention to Bond, who cited varonai to a different Cuban publication than other authors. A reprint of the relevant publication that Olson received from Regalado only indicates the source at the top of page 87 as 'Centre [sic] Agricola, No. 2 mayo-agosto/1981', which matches the citation given by Garrido et al. (1986, serial Poeyana). In contrast, Bond (1982:12, Ibid) cited the original description of Torreornis inexpectata varonai Regalado as 'Rev. Minist Educ. Sup. Rep. Cuba, 8, Nov. 2, 1981, pp. 87–106.' Apart from sharing the same starting page number, this appears to reference a different publication. Buden and Olson did not mention or cite Morton and Gonzalez Alonso (1982, Wilson Bulletin, volume 94/4), who referenced varonai and cited Centro Agricola as the source. Dickinson (2003, Howard and Moore Complete Checklist) also stated there was 'an element of doubt' over whether the original description was actually published. Copies of the relevant serial from 1981 and earlier are currently held in the Smathers Library of the University of Florida. In terms of distribution and habitat, the Zapata sparrow (Torreornis inexpectata) is endemic to Cuba.
