Genomes of skipper butterflies reveal extensive convergence of wing patterns

Phylogenomics of the geometrid tribe Palyadini (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) reveals contrasting patterns of phylogenetic signal in wing colour characters

Next generation sequencing techniques currently represent a practical and efficient way to infer robust evolutionary hypotheses. Palyadini is a small Neotropical tribe of geometrid moths composed of six genera that feature strikingly colourful wings. Here, we investigated patterns of evolution and amount of phylogenetic signal contained in various colour characters featured in the wings of members of this tribe by (i) inferring a robust phylogenetic hypothesis using ultraconserved elements (UCEs), and afterwards, (ii) mapping the morphological characters onto the molecular topology under a parsimonious ancestral character optimization. Our matrix, obtained with 60% completeness, includes 754 UCE loci and 73 taxa (64 ingroup, nine outgroup). Maximum likelihood and parsimony generated largely identical topologies with strongly supported nodes, except for one node inside the genus Opisthoxia. According to our topology, most wing colour characters are reconstructed as homoplastic, particularly at the tribe level, but five of the seven provide evidence supporting common ancestry at the genus level. Our results emphasize, once again, that no character system is infallible, and that more research is necessary to take our understanding of the evolution of wing colour in moths to a level comparable with the knowledge we have for butterflies.

Molecular phylogeny of Hesperiidae (Lepidoptera) with an emphasis on Asian and African genera

Despite considerable research efforts in recent years, the deeper phylogenetic relationships among skipper butterflies (Hesperiidae) remain unresolved. This is primarily because of limited sampling, especially within Asian and African lineages. In this study, we consolidated previous data and extensively sampled Asian and African taxa to elucidate the phylogenetic relationships within Hesperiidae. The molecular dataset comprised sequences from two mitochondrial and two nuclear gene regions from 563 species that represented 353 genera. Our analyses revealed seven subfamilies within Hesperiidae: Coeliadinae, Euschemoninae, Eudaminae, Pyrginae, Heteropterinae, Trapezitinae, and Hesperiinae. The systematics of most tribes and genera aligned with those of prior studies. However, notable differences were observed in several tribes and genera. Overall, the position of taxa assigned to incertae sedis in Hesperiinae is largely clarified in this study. Our results strongly support the monophyly of the tribe Tagiadini (Pyrginae), and the systematics of some genera are clarified with comprehensive discussion. We recognize 15 tribes within the subfamily Hesperiinae. Of these, nine tribes are discussed in detail: Aeromachini, Astictopterini, Erionotini, Unkanini (new status), Ancistroidini, Ismini (confirmed status), Plastingini (new status), Gretnini (confirmed status), and Eetionini (confirmed status). We propose four subtribes within Astictopterini: Hypoleucina subtrib.n., Aclerosina, Cupithina, and Astictopterina. Furthermore, we describe a new genus (Hyarotoidesgen.n.) and reinstate two genera (Zeareinst.stat. and Separeinst.stat.) as valid. Additionally, we propose several new combinations: Zea mythecacomb.n.,Sepa bononiacomb.n. & reinst.stat., and Sepa umbrosacomb.n. This study, with extensive sampling of Asian and African taxa, greatly enhances the understanding of the knowledge of the skipper tree of life.

Phylogeography of Two Enigmatic Sulphur Butterflies, Colias mongola Alphéraky, 1897 and Colias tamerlana Staudinger, 1897 (Lepidoptera, Pieridae), with Relations to Wolbachia Infection

The genus Colias Fabricius, 1807 includes numerous taxa and forms with uncertain status and taxonomic position. Among such taxa are Colias mongola Alphéraky, 1897 and Colias tamerlana Staudinger, 1897, interpreted in the literature either as conspecific forms, as subspecies of different but morphologically somewhat similar Colias species or as distinct species-level taxa. Based on mitochondrial and nuclear DNA markers, we reconstructed a phylogeographic pattern of the taxa in question. We recover and include in our analysis DNA barcodes of the century-old type specimens, the lectotype of C. tamerlana deposited in the Natural History Museum (Museum für Naturkunde), Berlin, Germany (ZMHU) and the paralectotype of C. tamerlana and the lectotype of C. mongola deposited in the Zoological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia (ZISP). Our analysis grouped all specimens within four (HP_I-HP_IV) deeply divergent but geographically poorly structured clades which did not support nonconspecifity of C. mongola-C. tamerlana. We also show that all studied females of the widely distributed haplogroup HP_II were infected with a single Wolbachia strain belonging to the supergroup B, while the males of this haplogroup, as well as all other investigated specimens of both sexes, were not infected. Our data highlight the relevance of large-scale sampling dataset analysis and the need for testing for Wolbachia infection to avoid erroneous phylogenetic reconstructions and species misidentification.

A meta-analysis of butterfly structural colors: their color range, distribution and biological production

Butterfly scales are among the richest natural sources of optical nanostructures, which produce structural color and iridescence. Several recurring nanostructure types have been described, such as ridge multilayers, gyroids and lower lamina thin films. While the optical mechanisms of these nanostructure classes are known, their phylogenetic distributions and functional ranges have not been described in detail. In this Review, we examine a century of research on the biological production of structural colors, including their evolution, development and genetic regulation. We have also created a database of more than 300 optical nanostructures in butterflies and conducted a meta-analysis of the color range, abundance and phylogenetic distribution of each nanostructure class. Butterfly structural colors are ubiquitous in short wavelengths but extremely rare in long wavelengths, especially red. In particular, blue wavelengths (around 450 nm) occur in more clades and are produced by more kinds of nanostructures than other hues. Nanostructure categories differ in prevalence, phylogenetic distribution, color range and brightness. For example, lamina thin films are the least bright; perforated lumen multilayers occur most often but are almost entirely restricted to the family Lycaenidae; and 3D photonic crystals, including gyroids, have the narrowest wavelength range (from about 450 to 550 nm). We discuss the implications of these patterns in terms of nanostructure evolution, physical constraint and relationships to pigmentary color. Finally, we highlight opportunities for future research, such as analyses of subadult and Hesperid structural colors and the identification of genes that directly build the nanostructures, with relevance for biomimetic engineering.

Description of Uniphylus gen. nov., a new genus of Carcharodini (Lepidoptera, Hesperiidae, Pyrginae) for Staphylus evemerus Godman & Salvin, 1896

Staphylus evemerus Godman & Salvin, 1896 is a species with a unique set of morphological characters within Carcharodini. Also, mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI) sequences analysis demonstrated a large genetic distance with other related genera of the tribe. Therefore, this paper aims to describe a new genus for this species, which is named as Uniphylus gen. nov. Besides the morphological redescription of the male of Uniphylus evemerus (Godman & Salvin, 1896) new comb., the description of the female is provided for the first time, as well as an updated distributional map with all records known so far for this species.

Base Composition, Codon Usage, and Patterns of Gene Sequence Evolution in Butterflies

Coding sequence evolution is influenced by both natural selection and neutral evolutionary forces. In many species, the effects of mutation bias, codon usage, and GC-biased gene conversion (gBGC) on gene sequence evolution have not been detailed. Quantification of how these forces shape substitution patterns is therefore necessary to understand the strength and direction of natural selection. Here, we used comparative genomics to investigate the association between base composition and codon usage bias on gene sequence evolution in butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera), including an in-depth analysis of underlying patterns and processes in one species, Leptidea sinapis. The data revealed significant G/C to A/T substitution bias at third codon position with some variation in the strength among different butterfly lineages. However, the substitution bias was lower than expected from previously estimated mutation rate ratios, partly due to the influence of gBGC. We found that A/T-ending codons were overrepresented in most species, but there was a positive association between the magnitude of codon usage bias and GC-content in third codon positions. In addition, the tRNA-gene population in L. sinapis showed higher GC-content at third codon positions compared to coding sequences in general and less overrepresentation of A/T-ending codons. There was an inverse relationship between synonymous substitutions and codon usage bias indicating selection on synonymous sites. We conclude that the evolutionary rate in Lepidoptera is affected by a complex interaction between underlying G/C -> A/T mutation bias and partly counteracting fixation biases, predominantly conferred by overall purifying selection, gBGC, and selection on codon usage.

Lessons from the genomic analysis of Hesperiidae (Lepidoptera) holotypes in the MIZA collection (Maracay, Venezuela)

Genomic sequencing and analysis of holotypes from the MIZA collection (Maracay, Venezuela) and their comparison with other species and their type specimens advances our understanding of their taxonomy. Jemadia demarmelsi Orellana, [2010] is confirmed as a species-level taxon and its female is genetically verified. The following are species-level taxa, not subspecies: Amenis pedro O. Mielke & Casagrande, 2022, stat. nov. (not Amenis pionia (Hewitson, 1857)) and Jemasonia sosia (Mabille, 1878), stat. rest. (not Jemasonia hewitsonii (Mabille, 1878)). Amenis ponina rogeri Orellana, [2010], stat. nov. and Jemasonia pater ortizi (Orellana, [2010]), stat. nov. are subspecies, not species. Jemadia pseudognetus imitator (Mabille, 1891), comb. nov. (not Jemadia hospita (Butler, 1877)) and Damas cervelina Orellana & Costa, 2019, comb. nov. (not Megaleas Godman, 1901) are new combinations.

Molecular phylogeny, historical biogeography, and classification of Pseudocoladenia butterflies (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae)

The range of the butterfly genus Pseudocoladenia includes several biodiversity hotspots, such as the Himalayas, mountains of Southwest China, and Sundaland. However, the status of some of its species/subspecies remain controversial, and no previous phylogenetic or biogeographic analyses have been conducted. Herein, we determined the systematic relationships and biogeographic history of this genus by reconstructing its phylogeny based on six genes and 76 specimens as representatives of all known species/subspecies. Two species delimitation methods (Bayes Poisson Tree Processes and Bayesian Phylogenetics and Phylogeography) were also employed to assess the status of each taxon. Based on these results and morphological evidence, we identified 12 species and three subspecies in the genus and subsequently classified these into three species groups: P. fatih, P. dea, and P. dan. Five taxa, P. sadakoe (Sonan & Mitono, 1936) stat. nov., P. celebica (Fruhstorfer, 1909) stat. nov., P. fulvescens (Elwes & Edwarda, 1897) stat. nov., P. eacus (Latreille, 1823) stat. nov., and P. fabia (Evans, 1949) stat. nov. were all recognized as independent species. Additionally, two taxa: P. eacus sumatrana (Fruhstorfer, 1909) comb. nov. and P. eacus dhyana (Fruhstorfer, 1909) comb. nov., were placed under P. eacus (Latreille, 1823) stat. nov. as subspecies. Another new species distributed in N. Yunnan, Pseudocoladenia yunnana Fan, Cao & Hou sp. nov., was also discovered and described. Divergence time and ancestral range estimation indicated that the most recent common ancestor of Pseudocoladenia was distributed in the Himalayas-Hengduan Mountain region and Indochina and diverged approximately 14.00 Ma. Continuous and episodic dispersal, vicariance, and extinction were used to determine the current geographic distribution of the genus. The P. fatih group had a prominently disjunct distribution between the Himalaya-Hengduan Mountain and Taiwan. Meanwhile, the P. dan group was first derived in Indochina and subsequently dispersed into the Southeast Asian archipelagoes. This study provides a reference for the evolutionary route of transoceanic distributed species in Asia and elaborates on the causes of biodiversity.

Mitogenomic phylogenetic analyses provide novel insights into the taxonomic problems of several hesperiid taxa (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae)

Here, we present new molecular and morphological evidence that contributes towards clarifying the phylogenetic relations within the family Hesperiidae, and overcomes taxonomic problems regarding this family. First, nine new complete mitogenomes, comprising seven newly sequenced species and two samples of previously sequenced species collected from different localities, were obtained and assembled to analyze characteristics. The length of the mitogenomes ranges from 15,284 to 15,853 bp and encodes 13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, and a control region. Two model-based methods (maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference) were used to infer the phylogenetic relationships. Based on the mitogenomic phylogenetic analyses and morphological evidence, we claim that the lineage that comprises two Asian genera, Apostictopterus Leech and Barca de Nicéville, should be a tribe Barcini stat. nov. of the subfamily Trapezitinae, Pseudocoladenia dea (Leech, 1894), P. festa (Evans, 1949), and Abraximorpha esta Evans, 1949 are considered distinct species. Finally, we suggest that Lotongus saralus chinensis Evans, 1932 should belong to the genus Acerbas de Nicéville, 1895, namely Acerbas saralus chinensis (Evans, 1932) comb. nov..

Taxonomic notes on Neotropical Hesperiidae (Lepidoptera)

Genomic sequencing (or morphology when indicated) and analysis of Hesperiidae that includes a number of primary type specimens reveals inconsistencies between the phylogenetic trees and the current classification that are resolved here. The following taxonomic changes are proposed. Oeonus Godman, 1900, stat. nov. is a subgenus of Oxynthes Godman, 1900. Decinea lydora (Plötz, 1882), stat. rev. is a valid species, not a synonym of Lindra neroides (Herrich-Schäffer, 1869), comb. nov. The following are: species-level taxa, not subspecies: Cabirus junta Evans, 1952, stat. nov. and Cabirus purda Evans, 1952, stat. nov. (not Cabirus procas (Cramer, 1777)), Orthos hyalinus (E. Bell, 1930), stat. rest. and Orthos minka Evans, 1955, stat. nov. (not Orthos orthos (Godman, 1900)), Eprius obrepta (Kivirikko, 1936), stat. rest. (not Eprius veleda (Godman, 1901)), Corra catargyra (C. Felder & R. Felder, 1867), stat. rest. and Corra conka (Evans, 1955), stat. nov. (not Corra coryna (Hewitson, 1866)), Cymaenes macintyrei Hayward, 1939, stat. rest. (not Cymaenes tripunctata (Latreille, [1824])), Duroca lenta (Evans, 1955), stat. rest. (not Duroca duroca Plötz, 1882), Oarisma (Copaeodes) favor (Evans, 1955), stat. nov. (not Oarisma (Copaeodes) jean (Evans, 1955)), Panoquina eugeon (Godman & Salvin, 1896), stat. rest., Panoquina calna Evans, 1955, stat. nov. and Panoquina albistriga O. Mielke, 1980, stat. nov. (not Panoquina panoquinoides (Skinner, 1891)); subspecies-level taxa, not species: Carystus elvira rufoventris Austin & O. Mielke, 2007, stat. nov.; junior subjective synonyms: Bungalotis gagarini O. Mielke, 1967, syn. nov. of Bungalotis corentinus (Plötz, 1882), Salantoia dinka (Evans, 1952), syn. nov. of Adina adrastor (Mabille and Boullet, 1912), Lindra brasus ackeryi O. Mielke, 1978, stat. nov. of Lindra neroides neroides (Herrich-Schäffer, 1869) (but Lindra brasus (O. Mielke, 1968) is still a valid species), Vidius felus O. Mielke, 1968, syn. nov. of Vidius dagon (Evans, 1955), comb. nov., and Cobalopsis dorpa de Jong, 1983, syn. nov. of Vidius catocala (Herrich-Schäffer, 1869), comb. nov.; new genus-species combinations: Oxynthes (Oxynthes) egma (Evans, 1955), comb. nov. (not Oeonus Godman, 1900), Lindra neroides (Herrich-Schäffer, 1869), comb. nov. (not Decinea Evans, 1955), Mucia rusta (Evans, 1955), comb. nov. (not Psoralis Mabille, 1904), Rhomba mirnae (Siewert, Nakamura & O. Mielke, 2014), comb. nov. (not Alychna Grishin, 2019), Eprius planus (Weeks, 1901), comb. nov. and Eprius penna (Evans, 1955), comb. nov. (changed based on morphology) (not Mnasicles Godman, 1901), Lattus minor (O. Mielke, 1967), comb. nov. (not Eutocus Godman, 1901), Panca fiedleri (Carneiro, O. Mielke & Casagrande, 2015), comb. nov., Eutocus rogan (Evans, 1955), comb. nov. (changed based on morphology and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) DNA barcode) and Eutocus brasilia (Carneiro, O. Mielke & Casagrande, 2015), comb. nov. (not Ginungagapus Carneiro, O. Mielke & Casagrande, 2015), Eutocus fosca (Evans, 1955), comb. nov. (not Artines Godman, 1901), Rectava cascatona (O. Mielke, 1992), comb. nov. (not Papias Godman, 1900), Lurida zama (Hayward, 1939), comb. nov. and Vehilius campestris (O. Mielke, 1980), comb. nov. (not Cymaenes Scudder, 1872), Corra xanthus (O. Mielke, 1989), comb. nov., Cymaenes catarinae (O. Mielke, 1989), comb. nov., Vehilius spitzi (O. Mielke, 1967), comb. nov., Vehilius tinta (Evans, 1955), comb. nov. (not Vidius Evans, 1955), Cymaenes incomptus (Hayward, 1934), comb. nov. and Vehilius tanta (Evans, 1955), comb. nov. (not Nastra Evans, 1955), Vidius catocala (Herrich-Schäffer, 1869), comb. nov. Vidius cocalus (Hayward, 1939), comb. nov., Vidius dagon (Evans, 1955), and Vidius obscurior (Hayward, 1934), comb. nov. (not Cobalopsis Godman, 1900), Duroca caraca (O. Mielke, 1992), comb. nov. (not Lerema Scudder, 1872), and Cantha eteocla (Plötz, 1882), comb. nov. and Cantha buriti (O. Mielke, 1968), comb. nov. (not Phlebodes Hübner, [1819]); and new species-subspecies combinations: Lindra neroides huxleyi O. Mielke, 1978, comb. nov. (not Lindra brasus (O. Mielke, 1968)), Corra conka argentus (H. Freeman, 1969), stat. nov. (not Corra coryna (Hewitson, 1866)), Panoquina eugeon minima de Jong, 1983, comb. nov. (not Panoquina panoquinoides (Skinner, 1891)). The following neotype and lectotypes are designated to ensure nomenclatural identity and stability: neotype of Cobalus neroides Herrich-Schäffer, 1869 and lectotypes of Cobalus catocala Herrich-Schäffer, 1869 and Lerema elgina Schaus, 1902.

Thirteen new species of butterflies (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae) from Texas

Analyses of whole genomic shotgun datasets, COI barcodes, morphology, and historical literature suggest that the following 13 butterfly species from the family Hesperiidae (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea) in Texas, USA are distinct from their closest named relatives and therefore are described as new (type localities are given in parenthesis): Spicauda atelis Grishin, new species (Hidalgo Co., Mission), Urbanus (Urbanus) rickardi Grishin, new species (Hidalgo Co., nr. Madero), Urbanus (Urbanus) oplerorum Grishin, new species (Hidalgo Co., Mission/Madero), Telegonus tsongae Grishin, new species (Starr Co., Roma), Autochton caballo Grishin, new species (Hidalgo Co., 6 mi W of Hidalgo), Epargyreus fractigutta Grishin, new species (Hidalgo Co., McAllen), Aguna mcguirei Grishin, new species (Cameron Co., Brownsville), Polygonus pardus Grishin, new species (Hidalgo Co., McAllen), Arteurotia artistella Grishin, new species (Hidalgo Co., Mission), Heliopetes elonmuski Grishin, new species (Cameron Co., Boca Chica), Hesperia balcones Grishin, new species (Travis Co., Volente), Troyus fabulosus Grishin, new species (Hidalgo Co., Peñitas), and Lerema ochrius Grishin, new species (Hidalgo Co., nr. Relampago). Most of these species are known in the US almost exclusively from the Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas. Nine of the holotypes were collected in 1971-1975, a banner period for butterfly species newly recorded from the Rio Grande Valley of Texas; five of them collected by William W. McGuire, and one by Nadine M. McGuire. At the time, these new species have been recorded under the names of their close relatives. A Neotype is designated for Papilio fulminator Sepp, [1841] (Suriname). Lectotypes are designated for Goniurus teleus Hübner, 1821 (unknown, likely in South America), Goniloba azul Reakirt, [1867] (Mexico: Veracruz) and Eudamus misitra Plötz, 1881 (Mexico). Several taxonomic changes are proposed. The following taxa are species (not subspecies): Spicauda zalanthus (Plötz, 1880), reinstated status (not Spicauda teleus (Hübner, 1821)), Telegonus fulminator (Sepp, [1841]), reinstated status (not Telegonus fulgerator (Walch, 1775), Telegonus misitra (Plötz, 1881), reinstated status (not Telegonus azul (Reakirt, [1867])), Autochton reducta (Mabille and Boullet, 1919), new status (not Autochton potrillo (Lucas, 1857)), Epargyreus gaumeri Godman and Salvin, 1893, reinstated status (not Epargyreus clavicornis (Herrich-Schäffer, 1869)), and Polygonus punctus E. Bell and W. Comstock, 1948, new status (not Polygonus savigny (Latreille, [1824])). Urbanus ehakernae Burns, 2014 and Epargyreus socus chota Evans, 1952 are junior subjective synonyms of Urbanus alva Evans, 1952 and Epargyreus clavicornis (Herrich-Schäffer, 1869), respectively, and Epargyreus gaumeri tenda Evans, 1955, new combination is not a subspecies of E. clavicornis.

Additional taxonomic refinements suggested by genomic analysis of butterflies

Comparative analyses of genomic data reveal further insights into the phylogeny and taxonomic classification of butterflies presented here. As a result, 2 new subgenera and 2 new species of Hesperiidae are described: Borna Grishin, subgen. n. (type species Godmania borincona Watson, 1937) and Lilla Grishin, subgen. n. (type species Choranthus lilliae Bell, 1931) of Choranthus Scudder, 1872, Cecropterus (Murgaria) markwalkeri Grishin, sp. n. (type locality in Mexico: Sonora), and Hedone yunga Grishin, sp. n. (type locality in Bolivia: Yungas, La Paz). The lectotype is designated for Aethilla toxeus Plötz, 1882. The type locality of Dion uza (Hewitson, 1877) is likely in southern Brazil. A number of taxonomic changes are proposed. The following taxa are subgenera, not genera: Plebulina Nabokov, 1945 of Icaricia Nabokov, 1945; Sinia Forster, 1940 of Glaucopsyche Scudder, 1872; Pseudophilotes Beuret, 1958 of Palaeophilotes Forster, 1938; and Agraulis Boisduval & Le Conte, [1835] of Dione Hübner, [1819]. Asbolis Mabille, 1904 is a subgenus of Choranthus Scudder, 1872 rather than its synonym. The following are species, not subspecies or synonyms: Glaucopsyche algirica (Heyne, 1895) (not Glaucopsyche melanops (Boisduval, 1829)), Chlosyne flavula (W. Barnes & McDunnough, 1918) (not Chlosyne palla (Boisduval, 1852)), Cercyonis hypoleuca Hawks & J. Emmel, 1998 (not Cercyonis sthenele (Boisduval, 1852)), Cecropterus coyote (Skinner, 1892) and Cecropterus nigrociliata (Mabille & Boullet, 1912) (not Aethilla toxeus Plötz, 1882), Aguna malia Evans, 1952 (not Aguna megaeles (Mabille, 1888)), Polygonus arizonensis (Skinner, 1911), Polygonus histrio Röber, 1925, Polygonus pallida Röber, 1925, and Polygonus hagar Evans, 1952 (not Polygonus leo (Gmelin, [1790])), Viola kuma (Bell, 1942), comb. nov. (not Pachyneuria helena (Hayward, 1939)), Tamela maura (Snellen, 1886) (not Tamela othonias (Hewitson, 1878)), Tamela diocles (Moore, [1866]) (not Tamela nigrita (Latreille, [1824])), Vinius phellus (Mabille, 1883) (not Vinius exilis (Plötz, 1883)), Vinius sophistes (Dyar, 1918) (not Vinius tryhana (Kaye, 1914)), and Rhinthon andricus (Mabille, 1895) and Rhinthon aqua (Evans, 1955) (not Rhinthon braesia (Hewitson, 1867)). The following are new and revised species-subspecies combinations: Cercyonis sthenele damei W. Barnes & Benjamin, 1926 (not Cercyonis meadii (W. H. Edwards, 1872)) and Chlosyne flavula blackmorei Pelham, 2008 and Chlosyne flavula calydon (W. Holland, 1931) (not Chlosyne palla). The following are valid subspecies resurrected from synonymy in new and reinstated species-subspecies combinations: Chlosyne palla pola (Boisduval, 1869) (not Chlosyne gabbii gabbii (Behr, 1863)) and Cercyonis meadii mexicana R. Chermock, 1949 (not Cercyonis sthenele damei W. Barnes & Benjamin, 1926, comb. rev.). The following are new junior subjective synonyms: Aethilla toxeus Plötz, 1882 of Cecropterus albociliatus (Mabille, 1877) and Viola dagamba Steinhauser, 1989 of Viola kuma (Bell, 1942), comb. nov., stat. rest. Leucochitonea janice Ehrmann, 1907 is a junior subjective synonym of Heliopetes alana (Reakirt, 1868) and not of Heliopetes petrus (Hübner, [1819]). The holotype of Hermeuptychia sinuosa Grishin, 2021 is illustrated after being spread.

Erythrina stem borer moth in California - New taxonomic status and implications for control of this emerging pest

During the last 10 years, the Erythrina stem borer moth, Terastia meticulosalis, emerged as a pest of cultivated coral trees (Erythrina spp.) in California. Erythrina trees are valued for their moderate drought resistance and beautiful flame-like flowers. They are beloved enough to be considered Los Angeles's official "City Tree." Thus, they are a valuable horticultural crop and are grown by many nurseries and occur throughout the landscape in coastal southern California. Coral trees have been heavily affected by T. meticulosalis recently. Using whole genome sequencing techniques, we analysed the origins of this and other infestations of Erythrina in coastal areas and found that they have likely originated from the repeated expansions of the native range of the species in Arizona, a process possibly driven by climatic factors and/or movement of plants by humans. We also found sufficient genetic differences between the western population of the moth and the rest of the New World populations to describe a new western subspecies, T. meticulosalis occidentalis Sourakov & Grishin ssp. n. (type locality USA: CA, San Diego Co., La Jolla). These findings are of economic importance for future attempts to control the moth's impact on activities surrounding the horticultural use of Erythrina spp. by the Californian landscape and nursery industries.

Genomic analysis reveals a new genus of Firetip skippers (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae: Pyrrhopyginae)

We obtained whole genome shotgun sequence reads for a number of Firetip skippers (subfamily Pyrrhopyginae), including all known species from the genera Yanguna Watson, 1893 and Gunayan Mielke, 2002 and representative species of Pyrrhopyge Hübner, [1819]. Phylogenetic analysis of their protein-coding regions unexpectedly revealed that Yanguna tetricus Bell, 1931 was not monophyletic with the other species of Yanguna (type species Pyrrhopyga spatiosa Hewitson, 1870). Instead, Y. tetricus formed a phylogenetic lineage as ancient as other three genera in its clade (Pyrrhopyge, Yanguna and Gunayan) that rapidly diversified from their ancestor. Therefore a new genus, Guyanna Grishin, gen. n. (type species Yanguna tetricus), is proposed for this lineage. The specimen that we sequenced was the Y. tetricus holotype in the Natural History Museum, London, leaving no doubt that we are dealing with this species. Genomic sequencing and comparison of specimens from museum collections offers a powerful strategy to reveal unforeseen phylogenetic relationships, and sequencing of primary types ensures that the conclusions are accurate in terms of nomenclature.

Neotype designation for Papilio fulgerator Walch, 1775 (Hesperiidae: Eudaminae)

The discovery that a skipper butterfly Telegonus fulgerator (Walch, 1775), previously placed in the genus Astraptes Hübner, [1819], is a complex of many similar-looking species-level taxa with different COI barcodes, caterpillar foodplants and body patterns, and subtle differences in adult phenotypes raised a question about which species is the original T. fulgerator. To answer this question, being unable to locate its holotype, we designate the neotype of Papilio fulgerator Walch, 1775, a female specimen from Suriname in the Zoological State Collection, Munich, Germany. This neotype will form the foundation for a comprehensive revision of the T. fulgerator complex based on genomic sequencing and analysis augmented with phenotypic considerations.

Genomics reveals a new genus and species from a single female specimen (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae: Hesperiinae: Hesperiini: Moncina)

New taxa in Hesperiidae (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea) are traditionally proposed after inspection of male genitalia, which largely form the basis for Hesperiidae taxonomy. However, with genomic DNA sequencing, even a single female specimen can be placed in a phylogenetic context of existing classification and taxonomically assigned with confidence. Genomic sequencing of an unusually patterned Hesperiidae female from San Martin, Peru, characterized by pearly spots outlining an inverted heart pattern on the rust-colored ventral hindwing, reveals that it represents an undescribed genus and species named here as Gemmia buechei Brockmann and Grishin, new genus and new species.

Taxonomic discoveries enabled by genomic analysis of butterflies

The comparative genomics of butterflies yields additional insights into their phylogeny and classification that are compiled here. As a result, 3 genera, 5 subgenera, 5 species, and 3 subspecies are proposed as new, i.e., in Hesperiidae: Antina Grishin, gen. n. (type species Antigonus minor O. Mielke, 1980), Pompe Grishin and Lamas, gen. n. (type species Lerema postpuncta Draudt, 1923), and Curva Grishin, gen. n. (type species Moeris hyagnis Godman, 1900); in Lycaenidae: Fussia Grishin, subgen. n. (type species Polyommatus standfussi Grum-Grshimailo, 1891) and Pava Grishin, subgen. n. (type species Thecla panava Westwood, 1852); in Hesperiidae: Monoca Grishin, subgen. n. (type species Tagiades monophthalma Plötz, 1884), Putuma Grishin, subgen. n. (type species Tisias putumayo Constantino and Salazar, 2013), and Rayia Grishin, subgen. n. (type species Mastor perigenes Godman, 1900); Cissia wahala Grishin, sp. n. (Nymphalidae; type locality in Mexico: Oaxaca); in Hesperiidae: Hedone mira Grishin and Lamas, sp. n. (type locality in Peru: Apurímac), Vidius pompeoides Grishin, sp. n. (type locality in Brazil: Amazonas), Parphorus hermieri Grishin, sp. n. (Hesperiidae; type locality in Brazil: Rondônia), and Zenis par Grishin, sp. n. (Hesperiidae; type locality in Peru: Cuzco); in Pieridae: Glutophrissa drusilla noroesta Grishin, ssp. n. (type locality in USA: Texas, Cameron Co.) and Pieris marginalis siblanca Grishin, ssp. n. (type locality in USA: New Mexico, Lincoln Co.), and Argynnis cybele neomexicana Grishin, ssp. n. (Nymphalidae; type locality in USA: New Mexico, Sandoval Co.). Acidalia leto valesinoides-alba Reuss, [1926] and Acidalia nokomis valesinoides-alba Reuss, [1926] are unavailable names. Neotypes are designated for Mylothris margarita Hübner, [1825] (type locality in Brazil) and Papilio coras Cramer, 1775 (type locality becomes USA: Pennsylvania, Montgomery Co., Flourtown). Mylothris margarita Hübner, [1825] becomes a junior objective synonym of Pieris ilaire Godart, 1819, currently a junior subjective synonym of Glutophrissa drusilla (Cramer, 1777). Lectotypes are designated for Hesperia ceramica Plötz, 1886 (type locality in Indonesia: Seram Island), Pamphila trebius Mabille, 1891 (type locality Colombia: Bogota), Methionopsis modestus Godman, 1901 and Papias microsema Godman, 1900 (type locality in Mexico: Tabasco), Hesperia fusca Grote & Robinson, 1867 (type locality in USA: Georgia), Goniloba corusca Herrich-Schäffer, 1869, and Goniloba devanes Herrich-Schäffer, 1869; the type localities of the last two species, together with Pamphila stigma Skinner, 1896 and Carystus (Argon) lota (Hewitson, 1877), are deduced to be in South America. Type locality of Junonia pacoma Grishin, 2020 is in Sinaloa, not Sonora (Mexico). Abdomen is excluded from the holotype of Staphylus ascalon (Staudinger, 1876). Furthermore, a number of taxonomic changes are proposed. Alciphronia Koçak, 1992 is treated as a subgenus, not a synonym of Heodes Dalman, 1816. The following genera are treated as subgenera: Lafron Grishin, 2020 of Lycaena [Fabricius], 1807, Aremfoxia Real, 1971 of Epityches D'Almeida, 1938, Placidina D'Almeida, 1928 of Pagyris Boisduval, 1870, and Methionopsis Godman, 1901 of Mnasinous Godman, 1900. Polites (Polites) coras (Cramer, 1775) is not a nomen dubium but a valid species. The following are species-level taxa (not subspecies or synonyms of taxa given in parenthesis): Lycaena pseudophlaeas (Lucas, 1866) and Lycaena hypophlaeas (Boisduval, 1852) (not Lycaena phlaeas (Linnaeus, 1761), Satyrium dryope (W. H. Edwards, 1870) (not Satyrium sylvinus (Boisduval, 1852)), Apodemia cleis (W. H. Edwards, 1882) (not Apodemia zela (Butler, 1870)), Epityches thyridiana (Haensch, 1909), comb. nov. (not Epityches ferra Haensch, 1909, comb. nov.), Argynnis bischoffii W. H. Edwards, 1870 (not Argynnis mormonia Boisduval, 1869), Argynnis leto Behr, 1862 (not Argynnis cybele (Fabricius, 1775)), Boloria myrina (Cramer, 1777) (not Boloria selene ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)), Phyciodes jalapeno J. Scott, 1998 (not Phyciodes phaon (W. H. Edwards, 1864)), Phyciodes incognitus Gatrelle, 2004 and Phyciodes diminutor J. Scott, 1998 (not Phyciodes cocyta (Cramer, 1777)), Phyciodes orantain J. Scott, 1998 (not Phyciodes tharos (Drury, 1773)), Phyciodes anasazi J. Scott, 1994 (not Phyciodes batesii (Reakirt, [1866])), Cercyonis silvestris (W. H. Edwards, 1861) (not Cercyonis sthenele (Boisduval, 1852)), Paramacera allyni L. Miller, 1972 and Paramacera rubrosuffusa L. Miller, 1972 (not Paramacera xicaque (Reakirt, [1867])), Cissia cheneyorum (R. Chermock, 1949), Cissia pseudocleophes (L. Miller, 1976), and Cissia anabelae (L. Miller, 1976) (not Cissia rubricata (W. H. Edwards, 1871)), Tarsoctenus gaudialis (Hewitson, 1876) (not Tarsoctenus corytus (Cramer, 1777)), Nisoniades inca (Lindsey, 1925) (not Nisoniades mimas (Cramer, 1775), Xenophanes ruatanensis Godman & Salvin, 1895 (not Xenophanes tryxus (Stoll, 1780)), Lotongus shigeoi Treadaway & Nuyda, 1994, Lotongus balta Evans, 1949, Lotongus zalates (Mabille, 1893), and Lotongus taprobanus (Plötz, 1885) (not Lotongus calathus (Hewitson, 1876)), Oxynthes martius (Mabille, 1889) (not Oxynthes corusca (Herrich-Schäffer, 1869)), Notamblyscirtes durango J. Scott, 2017 (not Notamblyscirtes simius W. H. Edwards, 1881), Hedone praeceps Scudder, 1872, Hedone catilina (Plötz, 1886), and Hedone calla (Evans, 1955) (not Hedone vibex (Geyer, 1832)), Atalopedes huron (W. H. Edwards, 1863) (not Atalopedes campestris (Boisduval, 1852)), Papias microsema Godman, 1900 (not Mnasinous phaeomelas (Hübner, [1829]), comb. nov.), Papias unicolor (Hayward, 1938) and Papias monus Bell, 1942 (not Papias phainis Godman, 1900), Nastra leuconoides (Lindsey, 1925) (not Nastra leucone (Godman, 1900)), Nastra fusca (Grote & Robinson, 1867) (not Nastra lherminier (Latreille, [1824])), Zenis hemizona (Dyar, 1918) and Zenis janka Evans, 1955 (not Zenis jebus (Plötz, 1882)), Carystus (Argon) argus Möschler, 1879 (not Carystus (Argon) lota Hewitson, 1877), and Lycas devanes (Herrich-Schäffer, 1869) (not Lycas argentea (Hewitson, 1866)). Borbo impar ceramica (Plötz, 1886), comb. nov. is not a synonym of Pelopidas agna larika (Pagenstecher, 1884) but a valid subspecies. Parnassius smintheus behrii W. H. Edwards, 1870 and Cercyonis silvestris incognita J. Emmel, T. Emmel & Mattoon, 2012 are subspecies, not species. The following are junior subjective synonyms: Shijimiaeoides Beuret, 1958 of Glaucopsyche Scudder, 1872, Micropsyche Mattoni, 1981 of Turanana Bethune-Baker, 1916, Cyclyrius Butler, 1897 of Leptotes Scudder, 1876, Mesenopsis Godman & Salvin, 1886 of Xynias Hewitson, 1874, Carystus tetragraphus Mabille, 1891 of Lotongus calathus parthenope (Plötz, 1886), Parnara bipunctata Elwes & J. Edwards, 1897 of Borbo impar ceramica (Plötz, 1886), Hesperia peckius W. Kirby, 1837 of Polites (Polites) coras (Cramer, 1775), and Lerodea neamathla Skinner & R. Williams, 1923 of Nastra fusca (Grote & Robinson, 1867). The following transfers are proposed: of species between genera (i.e., revised genus-species combinations): Nervia niveostriga (Trimen, 1864) (not Kedestes Watson, 1893), Leona lota Evans, 1937 (not Lennia Grishin, 2022), Leona pruna (Evans, 1937) and Leona reali (Berger, 1962) (not Pteroteinon Watson, 1893), Mnasinous phaeomelas (Hübner, [1829]) (not Papias Godman, 1900), Saturnus jaguar (Steinhauser, 2008) (not Parphorus Godman, 1900), Parphorus harpe (Steinhauser, 2008) (not Saturnus Evans, 1955), Parphorus kadeni (Evans, 1955) (not Lento Evans, 1955), and Calpodes chocoensis (Salazar & Constantino, 2013) (not Megaleas Godman, 1901); of subspecies between species (i.e., revised species-subspecies combinations): Melitaea sterope W. H. Edwards, 1870 of Chlosyne palla (Boisduval, 1852) (not Chlosyne acastus (W. H. Edwards, 1874)) and Panoquina ocola distipuncta Johnson & Matusik, 1988 of Panoquina lucas (Fabricius, 1793); and junior subjective synonym transferred between species: Rhinthon zaba Strand, 1921 of Conga chydaea (A. Butler, 1877), not Cynea cynea (Hewitson, 1876), Pamphila stigma Skinner, 1896 of Hedone catilina (Plötz, 1886), not Hedone praeceps Scudder, 1872, and Pamphila ortygia Möschler, 1883 of Panoquina hecebolus (Scudder, 1872), not Panoquina ocola (W. H. Edwards, 1863). Proposed taxonomic changes result in additional revised species-subspecies combinations: Lycaena pseudophlaeas abbottii (Holland, 1892), Satyrium dryope putnami (Hy. Edwards, 1877), Satyrium dryope megapallidum Austin, 1998, Satyrium dryope itys (W. H. Edwards, 1882), Satyrium dryope desertorum (F. Grinnell, 1917), Argynnis bischoffi opis W. H. Edwards, 1874, Argynnis bischoffi washingtonia W. Barnes & McDunnough, 1913, Argynnis bischoffi erinna W. H. Edwards, 1883, Argynnis bischoffi kimimela Marrone, Spomer & J. Scott, 2008, Argynnis bischoffi eurynome W. H. Edwards, 1872, Argynnis bischoffi artonis W. H. Edwards, 1881, Argynnis bischoffi luski W. Barnes & McDunnough, 1913, Argynnis leto letona (dos Passos & Grey, 1945), Argynnis leto pugetensis (F. Chermock & Frechin, 1947), Argynnis leto eileenae (J. Emmel, T. Emmel & Mattoon, 1998), Boloria myrina nebraskensis (W. Holland, 1928), Boloria myrina sabulocollis Kohler, 1977, Boloria myrina tollandensis (W. Barnes & Benjamin, 1925), Boloria myrina albequina (W. Holland, 1928), Boloria myrina atrocostalis (Huard, 1927), Boloria myrina terraenovae (W. Holland, 1928), Phyciodes anasazi apsaalooke J. Scott, 1994, Polites coras surllano J. Scott, 2006, and Curva darienensis (Gaviria, Siewert, Mielke & Casagrande, 2018). Specimen curated as the holotype of Acidalia leto valesinoides-alba Reuss, [1926] is Argynnis leto letona (dos Passos & Grey, 1945) (not A. leto leto Behr, 1862) from USA: Utah, Provo. A synonymic list of available genus-group names for Lycaeninae [Leach], [1815] is given. Unless stated otherwise, all subgenera, species, subspecies and synonyms of mentioned genera and species are transferred with their parent taxa, and others remain as previously classified.

Mosaic Evolution of Molecular Pathways for Sex Pheromone Communication in a Butterfly

Unraveling the origin of molecular pathways underlying the evolution of adaptive traits is essential for understanding how new lineages emerge, including the relative contribution of conserved ancestral traits and newly evolved derived traits. Here, we investigated the evolutionary divergence of sex pheromone communication from moths (mostly nocturnal) to butterflies (mostly diurnal) that occurred ~119 million years ago. In moths, it is the females that typically emit pheromones to attract male mates, but in butterflies males emit pheromones that are used by females for mate choice. The molecular bases of sex pheromone communication are well understood in moths, but they have remained relatively unexplored in butterflies. We used a combination of transcriptomics, real time qPCR, and phylogenetics to identify genes involved in the different steps (i.e., production, regulation, and reception) of sex pheromone communication of the butterfly Bicyclus anynana. Our results show that the biosynthesis and reception of sex pheromones relies both on moth-specific gene families (reductases) and on more ancestral insect gene families (desaturases, olfactory receptors, odorant binding proteins). Interestingly, B. anynana appears to use what was believed to be the moth-specific neuropeptide Pheromone Biosynthesis Activating Neuropeptide (PBAN) for regulating sex pheromone production. Altogether, our results suggest that a mosaic pattern best explains how sex pheromone communication evolved in butterflies, with some molecular components derived from moths, and others conserved from more ancient insect ancestors. This is the first large-scale investigation of the genetic pathways underlying sex pheromone communication in a butterfly.

Shape of Evasive Prey Can Be an Important Cue That Triggers Learning in Avian Predators

Advertising escape ability could reduce predatory attacks. However, the effectiveness of certain phenotypic cues (e.g., color, shape, and size) in signaling evasiveness is still unknown. Understanding the role of such signals in driving predator learning is important to infer the evolutionary mechanisms leading to convergent evasiveness signals among prey species (i.e., evasive mimicry). We aim to understand the role of the color pattern (white patches on dark background) and morphology (extended butterfly hindwings) in driving learning and avoidance of escaping prey by surrogate avian predators, the European blue tit. These cues are common in butterflies and have been suspected to advertise escape ability in nature. We use dummy butterflies harboring shape and color patterns commonly found in skippers (family Hesperiidae). The prey models displayed the studied phenotypical cues (hindwing tails and white bands) in factorial combinations, and we tested whether those cues were learned as evasive signals and were generalised to different phenotypes. Our results suggest that hindwing tails and white bands can be associated with prey evasiveness. In addition, wild blue tits might learn and avoid attacking prey models bearing the studied phenotypic cues. Although blue tits seem to have an initial preference for the phenotype consisting of white patches and hindwing tails, the probability of attacking it was substantially reduced once the cues were associated with escaping ability. This suggests that the same morphological cues might be interchangeable as preference/avoidance signals. Further investigation of the salience of hindwing tails vs. white bands as cues for escaping ability, revealed that predators can associate both color pattern and shape to the difficulty of capture, and possibly generalize their aversion to other prey harboring those cues. More studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm this trend. Altogether, our results highlight the hitherto overlooked role of shape (butterfly hindwing tails) for signaling prey unprofitability.

Genomics-based higher classification of the species-rich Hairstreaks (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae: Eumaeini)

We propose a higher classification of the lycaenid hairstreak tribe Eumaeini - one of the youngest and most species-rich butterfly tribes - based on autosome, Lepidopteran Z sex chromosome, and mitochondrial protein-coding genes. The subtribe Neolycaenina Korb is a synonym of Callophryidina Tutt, and subtribe Tmolusina Bálint is a synonym of Strephonotina K. Johnson, Austin, Le Crom, & Salazar. Proposed names are Rhammina Prieto & Busby, new subtribe; Timaetina Busby & Prieto, new subtribe; Atlidina Martins & Duarte, new subtribe; Evenina Faynel & Grishin, new subtribe; Jantheclina Robbins & Faynel, new subtribe; Paiwarriina Lamas & Robbins, new subtribe; Cupatheclina Lamas & Grishin, new subtribe; Parrhasiina Busby & Robbins, new subtribe; Ipideclina Martins & Grishin, new subtribe; and Trichonidina Duarte & Faynel, new subtribe. Phylogenetic results from the autosome and Z sex chromosome analyses are similar. Future analyses of datasets with hundreds of terminal taxa may be more practical time-wise by focussing on the smaller number of sex chromosome sequences (2.6% of nuclear protein-coding sequences). The phylogenetic classification and biological summaries for each subtribe suggest that a variety of factors affected Eumaeini diversification. About a dozen kinds of male secondary sexual organs with frequent evolutionary gains and losses occur in Atlidina, Evenina, and Jantheclina (141 species combined). Females have been shown to use these organs to discriminate between conspecific and non-conspecific males, facilitating sympatry among close relatives. Eumaeina, Rhammina, and Timaetina (140 species combined) are overwhelmingly montane with some evidence for a higher incidence of sympatric diversification. Seven Neotropical lineages in five subtribes invaded the temperate parts of the Nearctic Region with a diversification increase in the Callophryidina (262 species). North American Satyrium and Callophrys then invaded the Palearctic at least once each, with a major species-richness increase in Satyrium. The evolution of litter feeding detritivores within Calycopidina (172 species) resulted in an increase in diversification rate compared with its flower-feeding sister lineage. Atlidina, Strephonotina, Parrhasiina, and Strymonina (562 species combined) each contain a mixture of genera that specialize on one or two caterpillar food plant families and genera that are polyphagous. These would be appropriate subtribes to assess how the breadth of caterpillar food plants and the frequency of host shifts affected diversification.

The road not taken: Evolution of tetrodotoxin resistance in the Sierra garter snake (Thamnophis couchii) by a path less traveled

The repeated evolution of tetrodotoxin (TTX) resistance provides a model for testing hypotheses about the mechanisms of convergent evolution. This poison is broadly employed as a potent antipredator defense, blocking voltage-gated sodium channels (Na_v ) in muscles and nerves, paralyzing and sometimes killing predators. Resistance in taxa bearing this neurotoxin and a few predators appears to come from convergent replacements in specific Na_v residues that interact with TTX. This stereotyped genetic response suggests molecular and phenotypic evolution may be constrained and predictable. Here, we investigate the extent of mechanistic convergence in garter snakes (Thamnophis) that prey on TTX-bearing newts (Taricha) by examining the physiological and genetic basis of TTX resistance in the Sierra garter snake (Th. couchii). We characterize variation in this predatory adaptation across populations at several biological scales: whole-animal TTX resistance; skeletal muscle resistance, functional genetic variation in three Na_v encoding loci; and levels of gene expression for one of these loci. We found Th. couchii possess extensive geographic variation in resistance at the whole-animal and skeletal muscle levels. As in other Thamnophis, resistance at both levels is highly correlated, suggesting convergence across the biological levels linking organism to organ. However, Th. couchii shows no functional variation in Na_v loci among populations or difference in candidate gene expression. Local variation in TTX resistance in Th. couchii cannot be explained by the same relationship between genotype and phenotype seen in other taxa. Thus, historical contingencies may lead different species of Thamnophis down alternative routes to local adaptation.

Macrostructural Evolution of the Mitogenome of Butterflies (Lepidoptera, Papilionoidea)

Simple Summary

Papilionoidea is a superfamily of Lepidoptera encompassing about 19,000 species. In the present work, we study the evolution of the structure of the mitogenome of these lepidopterans. The mechanisms generating the eight arrangements known for Papilionoidea were investigated analysing the movements of different mitochondrial genes. Five newly sequenced/assembled mitogenomes were included in our analysis involving more than 600 genomes. We provide new findings that help to understand the evolution of the gene orders MIQGO, IMQGO, 2S1GO, ES1GO and S1NGO in different butterflies. We demonstrate that the evolution of the 2S1GO in Lycaenidae followed a complicated pathway with multiple events of duplication and loss of trnS1 and changes in anticodon. We describe two new gene orders 2FFGO and 4QGO for Ampittia subvittatus (Hesperiidae) and Bhutanitis thaidina (Papilionidae).

Abstract

The mitogenome of the species belonging to the Papilionodea (Lepidoptera) is a double stranded circular molecule containing the 37 genes shared by Metazoa. Eight mitochondrial gene orders are known in the Papilionoidea. MIQGO is the plesiomorphic gene order for this superfamily, while other mitochondrial arrangements have a very limited distribution. 2S1GO gene order is an exception and is present in several Lycaenidae and one species of Hesperiidae. We studied the macrostructural changes generating the gene orders of butterflies by analysing a large data set (611 taxa) containing 5 new mitochondrial sequences/assemblies and 87 de novo annotated mitogenomes. Our analysis supports a possible origin of the intergenic spacer trnQ-nad2, characterising MIQGO, from trnM. We showed that the homoplasious gene order IMQGO, shared by butterflies, species of ants, beetles and aphids, evolved through different transformational pathways. We identify a complicated evolutionary scenario for 2S1GO in Lycaenidae, characterised by multiple events of duplication/loss and change in anticodon of trnS1. We show that the gene orders ES1GO and S1NGO originated through a tandem duplication random loss mechanism. We describe two novel gene orders. Ampittia subvittatus (Hesperiidae) exhibits the gene order 2FFGO, characterised by two copies of trnF, one located in the canonical position and a second placed in the opposite strand between trnR and trnN. Bhutanitis thaidina (Papilionidae) exhibits the gene order 4QGO, characterised by the quadruplication of trnQ.

Molecular phylogeny, systematics and generic classification of the butterfly subfamily Trapezitinae (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea: Hesperiidae)

Trapezitinae skippers are restricted to Australia and New Guinea. Despite decades of taxonomic work, their systematics and phylogeny remain little understood. To resolve the composition of genera and determine their evolutionary relationships, we inferred a comprehensive multilocus molecular phylogeny of Trapezitinae. Our results recover a monophyletic Trapezitinae as sister to Barcinae, with a poorly resolved backbone possibly indicating an early rapid radiation. We recover two main clades comprising all currently described genera, including the previously contentious Prada Evans, 1949 but excluding Tiacellia Evans, 1949. Several genera are recovered as paraphyletic or polyphyletic, rendering the classification of Trapezitinae incompatible with the new phylogeny. Therefore, we synonymize Motasingha Watson, 1893 syn. nov. and Oreisplanus Waterhouse & Lyell, 1914 syn. nov. with Hesperilla Hewitson, 1868 and Neohesperilla Waterhouse & Lyell, 1914 syn. nov. with Toxidia Mabille, 1891. To reflect the placement of Anisynta dominula outside of Anisynta, we describe the new genus Atkinsia Braby & Toussaint gen. nov., which includes the sole species Atkinsia dominula (Plötz, 1884) comb. nov. Two species of Toxidia and two species of Signeta Waterhouse & Lyell, 1914 are placed into Timoconia Strand, 1909, yielding four new combinations: Timoconia melania (Waterhouse, 1903) comb. nov., Timoconia peron (Latreille, 1824) comb. nov., Timoconia flammeata (Butler, 1882) comb. nov. and Timoconia tymbophora (Meyrick & Lower, 1902) comb. nov. Thus, Signeta Waterhouse & Lyell, 1914 syn. nov. is now regarded as a junior synonym of Timoconia. Overall, our phylogeny has provided the basis for 20 nomenclatural changes at the species and subspecies level, including 14 new combinations.

Mitogenomes of Nine Asian Skipper Genera and Their Phylogenetic Position (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae: Pyrginae)

In this study, complete mitochondrial genomes of nine species representing three tribes in the subfamily Pyrginae sensu lato were newly sequenced. The mitogenomes are closed double-stranded circular molecules, with the length ranging from 15,232 bp to 15,559 bp, which all encode 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, and a control region. The orientation and gene order of these nine mitogenomes are identical to the inferred ancestral arrangement of insects. All PCGs exhibit the typical start codon ATN except for cox1 (using CGA) and cox2 (using TTG) in Mooreana trichoneura. Most of the PCGs terminate with a TAA stop codon, while cox1, cox2, nad4, and nad5 end with the incomplete codon single T. For the different datasets, we found that the one comprising all 37 genes of the mitogenome produced the highest nodal support, indicating that the inclusion of RNAs improves the phylogenetic signal. This study re-confirmed the status of Capila, Pseudocoladenia, and Sarangesa; namely, Capila belongs to the tribe Tagiadini, and Pseudocoladenia and Sarangesa to the tribe Celaenorrhini. Diagnostic characters distinguishing the two tribes, the length of the forewing cell and labial palpi, are no longer significant. Two populations of Pseudocoladenia dan fabia from China and Myanmar and P. dan dhyana from Thailand are confirmed as conspecific.

Complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Abraximorpha davidii (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae: Tagiadinae)

Taxonomic status and phylogenetic position of some skippers within Hesperiidae remains a controversial issue, here, we sequenced and analyzed the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of Abraximorpha davidii, one of species in Hesperiidae. This mitogenome is 15,469 bp long and encodes 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA genes (tRNAs), and two ribosomal RNA unit genes (rRNAs). The overall base composition of the mitogenome is A 40.2%, T 41.4%, C 11.2%, and G 7.2%, with a high A + T content of 81.6%. Except for cox1 starting with CGA, all other PCGs start with the standard ATN codons (seven ATG and five ATT). Most of the PCGs terminate with the stop codon TAA, whereas cox1, cox2, nad5, and nad4 end with the incomplete codon T−. Phylogenetic analysis showed that A. davidii is closely related to Daimio tethys and Tagiades vajuna, then this clade clusters Ctenoptilum vasava and Celaenorrhinus maculosa.

KS, Callaghan CJ, Carter G, Carter W, Dantas SM, Dolibaina DR, Garwood K, Hoyer RC, Robbins RK, Soh A, Willmott KR, Freitas AVL. The butterflies of Cristalino Lodge, in the Brazilian southern Amazonia: An updated species list with a significant contribution from citizen science

Abstract The richest butterfly communities in the world are found in the Amazon rainforest. Despite of this, and the importance of species inventories for the knowledge of diversity patterns, there are few comprehensive lists of butterflies for localities in the Brazilian Amazon. Here, we present an updated list of the butterflies of Cristalino Lodge (Alta Floresta, Mato Grosso, Brazil), in southern Amazonia, based on specimens collected by researchers and photographic records taken by ecotourists, butterfly watchers, and tour guides. With 1010 species recorded, this is currently the largest list of butterflies published for a single locality in Brazil and the first to reach (and surpass) 1000 species, with more than one third of the records coming from citizen science. The region has about 29% of the butterfly species in Brazil and one of the greatest richnesses known in the country, inferior only to areas in the western Amazon. Its fauna is mainly composed of species widely distributed in lowland Amazonia, with the addition of some species typical of the Cerrado. It has a relatively low number of species of the tribe Ithomiini (Nymphalidae: Danainae), generally considered a good indicator of the total butterfly diversity in neotropical forests, which points to the need for caution when using a single taxonomic group as a surrogate of richness of entire communities. The present work highlights the importance of citizen science and ecotourism centers for inventories and data on species distribution in diverse tropical forests.

Checking the checkered taxonomy of Plötz's checkered skippers (Hesperiidae: Pyrgini)

We present an analysis of the names proposed by Carl Plötz in 1884 for the New World species in the genus Pyrgus Hübner, [1819] facilitated by the genomic sequencing of extant primary type specimens comparatively with a larger sample of more recently collected specimens of these species and their relatives. The changes to nomenclature suggested here are only caused by the identity of primary type specimens as revealed by their phenotypes or through genomic sequencing. All neotypes are designated to stabilize nomenclature in agreement with the current usage of these names, which in unison agrees best with the information available about them. Lectotypes are designated for the following 5 taxa: Pyrgus (Scelothrix [sic]) bellatrix Plötz, 1884 (type locality Argentina: Buenos Aires), Pyrgus (Pyrgus) willi Plötz, 1884 (type locality in Brazil: Minas Gerais), Pyrgus (Pyrgus) albescens Plötz, 1884 (type locality in Mexico), Pyrgus (Syrichthus [sic]) lycurgus Plötz, 1884 (type locality in "Central America", likely southern Mexico), and Pyrgus occidentalis Skinner, 1906 (type locality USA: Texas, San Antonio). Neotypes are designated for the following 4 taxa: Pyrgus (Pyrgus) adepta Plötz, 1884 (Herrich-Schäffer in litt.) (type locality Colombia: Bogota), Pyrgus (Scelothrix [sic]) dion Plötz, 1884 (type locality Colombia: Bogota), Pyrgus (Scelothrix [sic]) adjutrix Plötz, 1884 (Herrich-Schäffer in litt.) (type locality in Mexico: Nuevo Leon), Pyrgus (Pyrgus) insolatrix Plötz, 1884 (Herrich-Schäffer in litt.) (type locality in "Central America", likely southern Mexico). As a result, P. lycurgus and P. insolatrix are objective synonyms. The following are junior subjective synonyms: P. dion of Burnsius adepta (Plötz, 1884), Pyrgus (Syrichthus [sic]) varus Plötz, 1884 of Burnsius orcus (Stoll, 1780) and P. adjutrix of Burnsius oileus (Linnaeus, 1767). Heliopetes (Heliopyrgus) willi (Plötz, 1884) is a species-level taxon and not a subspecies of Heliopetes (Heliopyrgus) domicella (Erichson, [1849])). Genomic analysis of the lectotypes of P. albescens, P. lycurgus, and P. occidentalis establishes them as conspecific with Burnsius communis (Grote, 1872), thus depriving a distinct species currently identified as Burnsius albescens from its name, that becomes a name for Burnsius communis albescens (Plötz, 1884) in accord with its lectotype identity; P. lycurgus and P. insolatrix are its junior subjective synonyms, but P. occidentalis is a junior subjective synonym of B. communis communis. A new name Burnsius albezens Grishin sp. n. (type locality USA: Arizona, Cochise Co., Portal) is proposed for the species misidentified as B. albescens. Furthermore, genomic comparisons reveal two other new species and one new subspecies of Burnsius Grishin, 2019: B. burnsi Grishin sp. n. (type locality Mexico: Veracruz, Huatusco), B. adepta inepta Grishin ssp. n. (type locality Ecuador: Pichincha, Tandapi), and B. orcynus Grishin sp. n. (type locality Curaçao: Hato Field) that are cryptic and can be confidently identified only by their genotype.

Taxonomic changes suggested by the genomic analysis of Hesperiidae (Lepidoptera)

Our expanded efforts in genomic sequencing to cover additional skipper butterfly (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae) species and populations, including primary type specimens, call for taxonomic changes to restore monophyly and correct misidentifications by moving taxa between genera and proposing new names. Reconciliation between phenotypic characters and genomic trees suggests three new tribes, two new subtribes, 23 new genera, 17 new subgenera and 10 new species that are proposed here: Psolosini Grishin, new tribe (type genus Psolos Staudinger, 1889), Ismini Grishin, new tribe (type genus Isma Distant, 1886), Eetionini Grishin, new tribe (type genus Eetion de Nicéville, 1895), Orphina Grishin, new subtribe (type genus Orphe Godman, 1901), Carystoidina Grishin, new subtribe (type genus Carystoides Godman, 1901), Fulvatis Grishin, new genus (type species Telegonus fulvius Plötz, 1882), Adina Grishin, new genus (type species Nascus adrastor Mabille and Boullet, 1912), Ornilius Grishin, new genus (type species Ornilius rotundus Grishin, new species), Tolius Grishin, new genus (type species Antigonus tolimus Plötz, 1884), Lennia Grishin, new genus (type species Leona lena Evans, 1937), Trida Grishin, new genus (type species Cyclopides barberae Trimen, 1873), Noxys Grishin, new genus (type species Oxynthes viricuculla Hayward, 1951), Gracilata Grishin, new genus (type species Enosis quadrinotata Mabille, 1889), Hermio Grishin, new genus (type species Falga ? hermione Schaus, 1913), Eutus Grishin, new genus (type species Cobalus rastaca Schaus, 1902), Gufa Grishin, new genus (type species Phlebodes gulala Schaus, 1902), Godmia Grishin, new genus (type species Euroto chlorocephala Godman, 1900), Rhomba Grishin, new genus (type species Eutychide gertschi Bell, 1937), Rectava Grishin, new genus (type species Megistias ignarus Bell, 1932), Contrastia Grishin, new genus (type species Hesperia distigma Plötz, 1882), Mit Grishin, new genus (type species Mnasitheus badius Bell, 1930), Picova Grishin, new genus (type species Vorates steinbachi Bell, 1930), Lattus Grishin, new genus (type species Eutocus arabupuana Bell, 1932), Gubrus Grishin, new genus (type species Vehilius lugubris Lindsey, 1925), Koria Grishin, new genus (type species Hesperia kora Hewitson, 1877), Corta Grishin, new genus (type species Eutychide lycortas Godman, 1900), Calvetta Grishin, new genus (type species Hesperia calvina Hewitson, 1866), Oz Grishin, new genus (type species Astictopterus ozias Hewitson, 1878), Praxa Grishin, new subgenus (type species Nascus prax Evans, 1952), Bron Grishin, new subgenus (type species Papilio broteas Cramer, 1780), Turis Grishin, new subgenus (type species Pyrgus (Scelothrix) veturius Plötz, 1884), Tiges Grishin, new subgenus (type species Antigonus liborius Plötz, 1884), Ocrypta Grishin, new subgenus (type species Notocrypta caerulea Evans, 1928), Tixe Grishin, new subgenus (type species Cobalus quadrata Herrich-Schäffer, 1869), Nycea Grishin, new subgenus (type species Pamphila hycsos Mabille, 1891), Nausia Grishin, new subgenus (type species Oenus [sic] nausiphanes Schaus, 1913), Flor Grishin, new subgenus (type species Stomyles florus Godman, 1900), Geia Grishin, new subgenus (type species Pamphila geisa Möschler, 1879), Rotundia Grishin, new subgenus (type species Enosis schausi Mielke and Casagrande, 2002), Volus Grishin, new subgenus (type species Eutocus volasus Godman, 1901), Pseudopapias Grishin, new subgenus (type species Papias tristissimus Schaus, 1902), Septia Grishin, new subgenus (type species Justinia septa Evans, 1955), Brasta Grishin, new subgenus (type species Lychnuchus brasta Evans, 1955), Bina Grishin, new subgenus (type species Cobalus gabina Godman, 1900), Balma Grishin, new subgenus (type species Carystoides balza Evans, 1955), Ornilius rotundus Grishin, new species (type locality in Brazil: Santa Catarina), Salantoia metallica Grishin, new species (type locality in Guyana: Acarai Mts.), Dyscophellus australis Grishin, new species (type locality in Paraguay: Sapucay), Dyscophellus basialbus Grishin, new species (type locality in Brazil: Rondônia), Telegonus subflavus Grishin, new species (type locality in Ecuador: Riobamba), Decinea colombiana Grishin, new species (type locality in Colombia: Bogota), Lerema lucius Grishin, new species (type locality in Panama: Colón), Cynea rope Grishin, new species (type locality in Nicaragua: Chontales), Lerodea sonex Grishin, new species (type locality in Peru: Cuzco), and Metiscus goth Grishin, new species (type locality in Costa Rica). Lectotypes are designated for the following 17 taxa: Telegonus gildo Mabille, 1888, Netrocoryne damias Plötz, 1882, Telegonus erythras Mabille, 1888, Telegonus galesus Mabille, 1888, Eudamus cretellus Herrich-Schäffer, 1869, Leucochitonea chaeremon Mabille, 1891, Antigonus aura Plötz, 1884, Pamphila voranus Mabille, 1891, Hesperia pupillus Plötz, 1882, Cobalus lumina Herrich-Schäffer, 1869, Cobalus stigmula Mabille, 1891, Megistias isus Godman, 1900, Cobalopsis latonia Schaus, 1913, Pamphila nubila Mabille, 1891, Metiscus atheas Godman, 1900, Mnasalcas amatala Schaus, 1902, and Hesperia ina Plötz, 1882. The lectotype of Hesperia infuscata Plötz, 1882 is invalid because it does not agree with the original description and illustration by Plötz, is not from the locality listed in the original description, and therefore is not a syntype. Neotypes are designated for the following five taxa: Telegonus corentinus Plötz, 1882, Hesperia dido Plötz, 1882, Hesperia distigma Plötz, 1882, Hesperia infuscata Plötz, 1882, and Hesperia pruinosa Plötz, 1882. As a result, the following five taxa are junior objective synonyms: Telegonus diophorus Möschler, 1883 of Telegonus corentinus Plötz, 1882, Pamphila puxillius Mabille, 1891 of Hesperia pupillus Plötz, 1882, Cobalus stigmula Mabille, 1891 of Hesperia distigma Plötz, 1882, Mnasalcas amatala Schaus, 1902 of Hesperia infuscata Plötz, 1882, and Hesperia pruinosa Plötz, 1882 of Hesperia uza Hewitson, 1877. Morys valerius valda Evans, 1955 is fixed as the type species of Morys Godman, 1900, and Pamphila compta Butler, 1877 is reaffirmed as the type species of Euroto Godman, 1900. Furthermore, the following taxonomic changes are suggested. Prosopalpus Holland, 1896, Lepella Evans, 1937, and Creteus de Nicéville, 1895 are placed in Aeromachini Tutt, 1906. Triskelionia Larsen and Congdon, 2011 is transferred from Celaenorrhinini Swinhoe, 1912 to Tagiadini Mabille, 1878. Kobelana Larsen and Collins, 2013 is transferred from Tagiadini Mabille, 1878 to Celaenorrhinini Swinhoe, 1912. The following nine genus-group names are resurrected from synonymy and treated as valid genera: Abaratha Moore, 1881 (not in Caprona Wallengren, 1857), Bibla Mabille, 1904 (not in Taractrocera Butler, 1870), Kerana Distant, 1886 and Tamela Swinhoe, 1913 (not in Ancistroides Butler, 1874), Metrocles Godman, 1900 (not in Metron Godman, 1900), Alerema Hayward, 1942 (not in Tigasis Godman, 1900), Metiscus Godman, 1900 (not in Enosis Mabille, 1889), Vistigma Hayward, 1939 (not in Phlebodes Hübner, [1819]), and Mnasalcas Godman, 1900 (not in Mnasitheus Godman, 1900). The genus-group names Daimio Murray, 1875 and Pterygospidea Wallengren, 1857 are resurrected from synonymy and treated as valid subgenera of Tagiades Hübner, [1819]. We confirm Apallaga Strand, 1911 as a valid genus. The following 24 genera are placed as subgenera, new status: Pseudonascus Austin, 2008 of Nascus Watson, 1893; Albiphasma Huang, Chiba, Wang and Fan, 2016 of Pintara Evans, 1932; Ctenoptilum de Nicéville, 1890 of Tapena Moore, [1881]; Odontoptilum de Nicéville, 1890 of Abaratha Moore, 1881; Caprona Wallengren, 1857 of Abantis Hopffer, 1855; Timochreon Godman and Salvin, 1896 of Zopyrion Godman and Salvin, 1896; Pulchroptera Hou, Fan and Chiba, 2021 of Heteropterus Duméril, 1806; Stimula de Nicéville, 1898 of Koruthaialos Watson, 1893; Udaspes Moore, [1881] and Notocrypta de Nicéville, 1889 of Ancistroides Butler, 1874; Cravera de Jong, 1983 of Xeniades Godman, 1900; Cobaloides Hayward, 1939 of Oligoria Scudder, 1872; Saniba O. Mielke and Casagrande, 2003 of Psoralis Mabille, 1904; Quinta Evans, 1955 of Cynea Evans, 1955; Styriodes Schaus, 1913 and Remella Hemming, 1939 of Mnasicles Godman, 1901; Repens Evans, 1955 of Eprius Godman, 1901; Morys Godman, 1900 of Lerema Scudder, 1872; Enosis Mabille, 1889 of Lychnuchus Hübner, [1831]; Penicula Evans, 1955 of Vistigma Hayward, 1939; Mnasinous Godman, 1900 of Methionopsis Godman, 1901; and Moeros Evans, 1955, Argon Evans, 1955, and Synale Mabille, 1904 of Carystus Hübner, [1819]. The following 20 genera are treated as junior subjective synonyms: Leucochitonea Wallengren, 1857 of Abantis Hopffer, 1855; Sapaea Plötz, 1879 and Netrobalane Mabille, 1903 of Caprona Wallengren, 1857; Parasovia Devyatkin, 1996 of Sebastonyma Watson, 1893; Pemara Eliot, 1978 of Oerane Elwes and Edwards, 1897; Ankola Evans, 1937 of Pardaleodes Butler, 1870; Arotis Mabille, 1904 of Mnaseas Godman, 1901; Chalcone Evans, 1955, Hansa Evans, 1955, and Propertius Evans, 1955 of Metrocles Godman, 1900; Jongiana O. Mielke and Casagrande, 2002 of Cobaloides Hayward, 1939; Pamba Evans, 1955 of Psoralis Mabille, 1904; Brownus Grishin, 2019 of Styriodes Schaus, 1913; Mnasilus Godman, 1900 of Papias Godman, 1900; Sucova Evans, 1955 of Mnasitheus Godman, 1900; Pyrrhocalles Mabille, 1904 and Asbolis Mabille, 1904 of Choranthus Scudder, 1872; Miltomiges Mabille, 1903 of Methionopsis Godman, 1901; Sacrator Evans, 1955 of Thracides Hübner, [1819]; and Lychnuchoides Godman, 1901 of Perichares Scudder, 1872. Arunena Swinhoe, 1919 is a junior subjective synonym of Stimula de Nicéville, 1898 (not of Koruthaialos Watson, 1893). The following 27 names are species-level taxa (some in new combinations) reinstated from synonymy: Salantoia gildo (Mabille, 1888) (not Salatis cebrenus (Cramer, 1777)), Bungalotis corentinus (Plötz, 1882) (not Bungalotis midas (Cramer, 1775)), Telegonus cretellus (Herrich-Schäffer, 1869) (not Telegonus cassander (Fabricius, 1793)), Santa palica (Mabille, 1888) (not Chiothion asychis (Stoll, 1780)), Camptopleura cincta Mabille and Boullet, 1917 (not Camptopleura auxo (Möschler, 1879)), Camptopleura orsus (Mabille, 1889) (not Nisoniades mimas (Cramer, 1775)), Metron voranus (Mabille, 1891) and Metron fasciata (Möschler, 1877) (not Metron zimra (Hewitson, 1877)), Limochores catahorma (Dyar, 1916) (not Limochores pupillus (Plötz, 1882)), Pares viridiceps (Mabille, 1889) (not Thoon modius (Mabille, 1889)), Tigasis wellingi (Freeman, 1969) (not Tigasis arita (Schaus, 1902)), Rectava sobrinus (Schaus, 1902) (not Papias phainis Godman, 1900), Nastra subsordida (Mabille, 1891) (not Adlerodea asema (Mabille, 1891), previously in Eutychide Godman, 1900), Lerema pattenii Scudder, 1872 (not Lerema accius (J. E. Smith, 1797)), Lerema (Morys) ancus (Möschler, 1879) (not Cymaenes tripunctus theogenis (Capronnier, 1874)), Cobalopsis zetus (Bell, 1942) (not Cobalopsis nero (Herrich-Schäffer, 1869)), Lerema (Geia) etelka (Schaus, 1902) (not Lerema (Geia) geisa (Möschler, 1879), previously in Morys Godman, 1900), Cymaenes isus (Godman, 1900) (not Cymaenes trebius (Mabille, 1891)), Vehilius labdacus (Godman, 1900) (not Vehilius inca (Scudder, 1872)), Papias amyrna (Mabille, 1891) (not Papias allubita (Butler, 1877), previously in Mnasilus Godman, 1900), Papias integra (Mabille, 1891) (not Papias subcostulata (Herrich-Schäffer, 1870)), Metiscus atheas Godman, 1900 (not Hesperia achelous Plötz, 1882), Dion agassus (Mabille, 1891) (not Dion uza (Hewitson, 1877), previously in Enosis Mabille, 1889), Picova incompta (Hayward, 1942) (not Lerema (Morys) micythus (Godman, 1900), previously in Morys Godman, 1900), Lucida melitaea (Draudt, 1923) (not Lucida lucia (Capronnier, 1874)), Methionopsis modestus Godman, 1901 (not Methionopsis ina (Plötz, 1882)), and Thargella (Volus) volasus (Godman, 1901) (not Eutocus facilis (Plötz, 1884)). The following 57 taxa are elevated from subspecies to species, new status (some in new combinations): Dyscophellus doriscus (Hewitson, 1867) (not Dyscophellus porcius (C. Felder and R. Felder, 1862), Phocides vida (A. Butler, 1872) (not Phocides urania (Westwood, 1852)), Tagiades (Daimio) ceylonica Evans, 1932 (not Tagiades litigiosa Möschler, 1878), Tagiades (Daimio) tubulus Fruhstorfer, 1910 (not Tagiades sambavana Elwes and Edwards, 1897), Tagiades (Daimio) kina Evans, 1934, Tagiades (Daimio) sheba Evans, 1934, Tagiades (Daimio) martinus Plötz, 1884, Tagiades (Daimio) sem Mabille, 1883, and Tagiades (Daimio) neira Plötz, 1885 (not Tagiades trebellius (Hopffer, 1874)), Tagiades (Daimio) korela Mabille, 1891 and Tagiades (Daimio) presbyter Butler, 1882 (not Tagiades nestus (C. Felder, 1860)), Tagiades obscurus Mabille, 1876, Tagiades ravi (Moore, [1866]), Tagiades atticus (Fabricius, 1793), Tagiades titus Plötz, 1884, Tagiades janetta Butler, 1870, Tagiades inconspicua Rothschild, 1915, and Tagiades hovia Swinhoe, 1904 (not Tagiades japetus (Stoll, [1781])), Tagiades silvia Evans, 1934 and Tagiades elegans Mabille, 1877 (not Tagiades gana (Moore, [1866])), Tapena bornea Evans, 1941 and Tapena minuscula Elwes and Edwards, 1897 (not Tapena thwaitesi Moore, [1881]), Darpa dealbata (Distant, 1886) (not Darpa pteria (Hewitson, 1868)), Perus manx (Evans, 1953) (not Perus minor (Schaus, 1902)), Canesia pallida (Röber, 1925) (not Carrhenes canescens (R. Felder, 1869)), Carrhenes conia Evans, 1953 (not Carrhenes fuscescens (Mabille, 1891)), Anisochoria extincta Hayward, 1933 and Anisochoria polysticta Mabille, 1876 (not Anisochoria pedaliodina (Butler, 1870)), Anisochoria verda Evans, 1953 (not Anisochoria minorella Mabille, 1898), Bralus alco (Evans, 1953) (not Bralus albida (Mabille, 1888)), Ephyriades jamaicensis (Möschler, 1879) (not Ephyriades brunnea (Herrich-Schäffer, 1865)), Koruthaialos (Stimula) frena Evans, 1949 (not Koruthaialos focula (Plötz, 1882)), Euphyes kiowah (Reakirt, 1866) (not Euphyes vestris (Boisduval, 1852)), Mnaseas inca Bell, 1930 (not Mnaseas bicolor (Mabille, 1889)), Metron hypochlora (Draudt, 1923) (not Metrocles schrottkyi (Giacomelli, 1911), previously in Metron Godman, 1900), Decinea huasteca (H. Freeman, 1969), Decinea denta Evans, 1955, and Decinea antus (Mabille, 1895) (not Decinea decinea (Hewitson, 1876)), Xeniades pteras Godman, 1900 (not Xeniades chalestra (Hewitson, 1866)), Xeniades difficilis Draudt, 1923 (not Xeniades orchamus (Cramer, 1777)), Xeniades hermoda (Hewitson, 1870) (not Tisias quadrata (Herrich-Schäffer, 1869)), Hermio vina (Evans, 1955) (not Hermio hermione (Schaus, 1913), previously in Lento Evans, 1955), Cymaenes loxa Evans, 1955, (not Cymaenes laureolus (Schaus, 1913)), Niconiades peri (Evans, 1955) (not Rhinthon bajula (Schaus, 1902), previously in Neoxeniades Hayward, 1938), Gallio danius (Bell, 1941) (not Vehilius seriatus (Mabille, 1891)), Gallio massarus (E. Bell, 1940) (not Gallio garima (Schaus, 1902) previously in Tigasis Godman, 1900), Cymaenes edata (Plötz, 1882), Cymaenes miqua (Dyar, 1913) and Cymaenes aequatoria (Hayward, 1940) (not Cymaenes odilia (Burmeister, 1878)), Lychnuchus (Enosis) demon (Evans, 1955) (not Lychnuchus (Enosis) immaculata (Hewitson, 1868), previously in Enosis Mabille, 1889), Naevolus naevus Evans, 1955 (not Naevolus orius (Mabille, 1883)), Lucida scopas (Mabille, 1891), Lucida oebasus (Godman, 1900), and Lucida leopardus (Weeks, 1901) (not Lucida lucia (Capronnier, 1874)), Corticea schwarzi (E. Bell, 1941) and Corticea sylva (Hayward, 1942) (not Corticea mendica (Mabille, 1898)), and Choranthus orientis (Skinner, 1920) (not Choranthus antiqua (Herrich-Schäffer, 1863), previously in Pyrrhocalles Mabille, 1904). Borbo impar bipunctata (Elwes and J. Edwards, 1897) is a valid subspecies, not a synonym of Borbo impar tetragraphus (Mabille, 1891), here placed in synonymy with Lotongus calathus (Hewitson, 1876), new synonym. We confirm the species status of Telegonus cassius (Evans, 1952) and Lerema (Morys) valda Evans, 1955. Euphyes chamuli Freeman, 1969 is placed as a subspecies of Euphyes kiowah (Reakirt, 1866), new status. The following 41 taxa are junior subjective synonyms, either newly proposed or transferred from synonymy with other species or subspecies: Telegonus mutius Plötz, 1882 of Euriphellus phraxanor (Hewitson, 1876), Telegonus erythras Mabille, 1888 of Dyscophellus damias (Plötz, 1882), Aethilla jaira Butler, 1870 of Telegonus cretellus (Herrich-Schäffer, 1869), Paches era Evans, 1953 of Santa palica (Mabille, 1888), Antigonus alburnea Plötz, 1884 of Tolius tolimus robigus (Plötz, 1884) (not of Echelatus sempiternus simplicior (Möschler, 1877)), Echelatus depenicillus Strand, 1921 of E. sempiternus simplicior (not of T. tolimus robigus), Antigonus aura Plötz, 1884 of Theagenes dichrous (Mabille, 1878) (not of Helias phalaenoides palpalis (Latreille, [1824])), Achlyodes impressus Mabille, 1889 of Camptopleura orsus (Mabille, 1889), Augiades tania Schaus, 1902 of Metron voranus (Mabille, 1891), Pamphila verdanta Weeks, 1906 of Metron fasciata (Möschler, 1877), Niconiades viridis vista Evans, 1955 of Niconiades derisor (Mabille, 1891), Pamphila binaria Mabille, 1891 of Conga chydaea (A. Butler, 1877) (not of Cynea cynea (Hewitson, 1876)), Psoralis concolor Nicolay, 1980 of Ralis immaculatus (Hayward, 1940), Hesperia dido Plötz, 1882 of Cynea (Quinta) cannae (Herrich-Schäffer, 1869) (not of Lerema lochius (Plötz, 1882)), Proteides osembo Möschler, 1883 of Cynea (Cynea) diluta (Herrich-Schäffer, 1869) (not of Cynea (Quinta) cannae (Herrich-Schäffer, 1869)), Cobalopsis brema E. Bell, 1959 of Eutus rastaca (Schaus, 1902), Psoralis panamensis Anderson and Nakamura, 2019 of Rhomba gertschi (Bell, 1937), Cobalus asella Herrich-Schäffer, 1869 of Amblyscirtes alternata (Grote and Robinson, 1867) (not of Amblyscirtes vialis (W. H. Edwards, 1862)), Papias trimacula Nicolay, 1973 of Nastra subsordida (Mabille, 1891), Pamphila bipunctata Mabille, 1889 and Sarega staurus Mabille, 1904 of Lerema pattenii Scudder, 1872 (not of Cymaenes lumina (Herrich-Schäffer, 1869), previously in Lerema Scudder, 1872), Hesperia aethra Plötz, 1886 of Lerema lineosa (Herrich-Schäffer, 1865) (not of Lerema (Morys) compta Butler, 1877), Megistias miaba Schaus, 1902 of Cobalopsis valerius (Möschler, 1879), Phanis sylvia Kaye, 1914 of Lerema etelka (Schaus, 1902) (not of Lerema (Geia) geisa (Möschler, 1879), previously in Morys Godman, 1900), Carystus odilia Burmeister, 1878, Pamphila trebius Mabille, 1891 and Megistias corescene Schaus, 1902 of Cymaenes lumina (Herrich-Schäffer, 1869), Hesperia phocylides Plötz, 1882 of Cymaenes edata (Plötz, 1882) (not of Lerema accius (J. E. Smith, 1797)), Pamphila xenos Mabille, 1898 of Vehilius inca (Scudder, 1872), Mnasilus guianae Lindsey, 1925 of Papias amyrna (Mabille, 1891), Pamphila nubila Mabille, 1891 of Papias integra (Mabille, 1891) (not of Cynea corisana (Plötz, 1882)), Enosis matheri H. Freeman, 1969 of Metiscus atheas Godman, 1900 (previously in Enosis Mabille, 1889), Hesperia infuscata Plötz, 1882 of Mnaseas derasa derasa (Herrich-Schäffer, 1870) (previously Arotis Mabille, 1904), (not of Papias subcostulata (Herrich-Schäffer, 1870)), Pamphila astur Mabille, 1891 of Metiscus angularis (Möschler, 1877) (not of Cymaenes tripunctus theogenis (Capronnier, 1874)), Anthoptus macalpinei H. Freeman, 1969 of Anthoptus inculta (Dyar, 1918), Methionopsis typhon Godman, 1901 of Methionopsis ina (Plötz, 1882), Methionopsis dolor Evans, 1955 of Thargella volasus (Godman, 1901), Hesperia cinica Plötz, 1882 of Dubiella dubius (Stoll, 1781), Cobalus disjuncta Herrich-Schäffer, 1869 of Dubiella dubius (Stoll, 1781) (not of Vettius lafrenaye (Latreille, [1824])), and Saliana vixen Evans, 1955 of Neoxeniades parna (Evans, 1955). The following are new and revised genus-species combinations: Euriphellus cebrenus (Cramer, 1777) (not Salatis Evans, 1952), Gorgopas extensa (Mabille, 1891) (not Polyctor Evans, 1953), Clytius shola (Evans, 1953) (not Staphylus Godman and Salvin, 1896), Perus narycus (Mabille, 1889) (not Ouleus Lindsey, 1925), Perus parvus (Steinhauser and Austin, 1993) (not Staphylus Godman and Salvin, 1896), Pholisora litus (Dyar, 1912) (not Bolla Mabille, 1903), Carrhenes decens (A. Butler, 1874) (not Antigonus Hübner, [1819]), Santa palica (Mabille, 1888) (not Chiothion Grishin, 2019), Bralus nadia (Nicolay, 1980) (not Anisochoria Mabille, 1876), Acerbas sarala (de Nicéville, 1889) (not Lotongus Distant, 1886), Caenides sophia (Evans, 1937) (not Hypoleucis Mabille, 1891), Hypoleucis dacena (Hewitson, 1876) (not Caenides Holland, 1896), Dotta tura (Evans, 1951) (not Astictopterus C. Felder and R. Felder, 1860), Nervia wallengrenii (Trimen, 1883) (not Kedestes Watson, 1893), Testia mammaea (Hewitson, 1876) (not Decinea Evans, 1955), Oxynthes trinka (Evans, 1955) (not Orthos Evans, 1955), Metrocles argentea (Weeks, 1901) (not Paratrytone Godman, 1900), Metrocles scitula (Hayward, 1951) (not Mucia Godman, 1900), Metrocles schrottkyi (Giacomelli, 1911) (not Metron Godman, 1900), Niconiades derisor (Mabille, 1891) (not Decinea Evans, 1955), Paratrytone samenta (Dyar, 1914) (not Ochlodes Scudder, 1872), Oligoria (Cobaloides) locutia (Hewitson, 1876) (not Quinta Evans, 1955), Psoralis (Saniba) laska (Evans, 1955) (not Vidius Evans, 1955), Psoralis (Saniba) arva (Evans, 1955) and Psoralis (Saniba) umbrata (Erschoff, 1876) (not Vettius Godman, 1901), Psoralis (Saniba) calcarea (Schaus, 1902) and Psoralis (Saniba) visendus (E. Bell, 1942) (not Molo Godman, 1900), Alychna gota (Evans, 1955) (not Psoralis Mabille, 1904), Adlerodea asema (Mabille, 1891) and Adlerodea subpunctata (Hayward, 1940) (not Eutychide Godman, 1900), Ralis immaculatus (Hayward, 1940) (not Mucia Godman, 1900), Rhinthon braesia (Hewitson, 1867) and Rhinthon bajula (Schaus, 1902) (not Neoxeniades Hayward, 1938), Cymaenes lochius Plötz, 1882 (not Lerema Scudder, 1872), Paracarystus ranka (Evans, 1955) (not Thoon Godman, 1900), Tricrista aethus (Hayward, 1951), Tricrista canta (Evans, 1955), Tricrista slopa (Evans, 1955), Tricrista circellata (Plötz, 1882), and Tricrista taxes (Godman, 1900) (not Thoon Godman, 1900), Gallio madius (E. Bell, 1941) and Gallio seriatus (Mabille, 1891) (not Vehilius Godman, 1900), Gallio garima (Schaus, 1902) (not Tigasis Godman, 1900), Tigasis corope (Herrich-Schäffer, 1869) (not Cynea Evans, 1955), Tigasis perloides (Plötz, 1882) (not Cymaenes Scudder, 1872), Amblyscirtes (Flor) florus (Godman, 1900) (not Repens Evans, 1955), Vidius fraus (Godman, 1900) (not Cymaenes Scudder, 1872), Nastra celeus (Mabille, 1891) (not Vehilius Godman, 1900), Nastra nappa (Evans, 1955) (not Vidius Evans, 1955), Vehilius warreni (Weeks, 1901) and Vehilius limae (Lindsey, 1925) (not Cymaenes Scudder, 1872), Cymaenes lumina (Herrich-Schäffer, 1869) (not Lerema Scudder, 1872), Cobalopsis valerius (Möschler, 1879) (not Cobalopsis Godman, 1900), Cobalopsis dictys (Godman, 1900) (not Papias Godman, 1900), Lerema (Morys) venias (Bell, 1942) (not Cobalopsis Godman, 1900), Papias latonia (Schaus, 1913) (not Cobalopsis Godman, 1900), Dion iccius (Evans, 1955) and Dion uza (Hewitson, 1877) (not Enosis Mabille, 1889), Vistigma (Vistigma) opus (Steinhauser, 2008) (not Thoon Godman, 1900), Saturnus fartuga (Schaus, 1902) (not Parphorus Godman, 1900), Phlebodes fuldai (E. Bell, 1930) (not Vettius Godman, 1901), Mnasitheus padus (Evans, 1955) (not Moeris Godman, 1900), Naevolus brunnescens (Hayward, 1939) (not Psoralis Mabille, 1904), Lamponia ploetzii (Capronnier, 1874) (not Vettius Godman, 1901), Mnestheus silvaticus Hayward, 1940 (not Ludens Evans, 1955), Rigga spangla (Evans, 1955) (not Sodalia Evans, 1955), Corticea vicinus (Plötz, 1884) (not Lento Evans, 1955), Mnasalcas thymoetes (Hayward, 1942) (not Mnasicles Godman, 1901), Mnasalcas boyaca (Nicolay, 1973) (not Pamba Evans, 1955), Vertica brasta (Evans, 1955) (not Lychnuchus Hübner, [1831]), Carystina discors Plötz, 1882 (not Cobalus Hübner, [1819]), Zetka irena (Evans, 1955) (not Neoxeniades Hayward, 1938), and Neoxeniades parna (Evans, 1955) (not Niconiades Hübner, [1821]). The following are new or revised species-subspecies combinations: Tagiades neira moti Evans, 1934, Tagiades neira canonicus Fruhstorfer, 1910, Tagiades sheba vella Evans, 1934, Tagiades sheba lola Evans, 1945, Tagiades korela biakana Evans, 1934, Tagiades korela mefora Evans, 1934, Tagiades korela suffusus Rothschild, 1915, Tagiades korela brunta Evans, 1949, Tagiades ravi ravina Fruhstorfer, 1910, Tagiades atticus carnica Evans, 1934, Tagiades atticus nankowra Evans, 1934, Tagiades atticus helferi C. Felder, 1862, Tagiades atticus balana Fruhstorfer, 1910, Tagiades inconspicua mathias Evans, 1934, Tagiades hovia kazana Evans, 1934, Tagiades elegans fuscata de Jong and Treadaway, 2007, Tagiades elegans semperi Fruhstorfer, 1910, Metron hypochlora tomba Evans, 1955, Decinea denta pruda Evans, 1955, and Choranthus orientis eleutherae (Bates, 1934) (previously in Pyrrhocalles Mabille, 1904). In addition to the abovementioned changes, the following new combinations involve newly proposed genus group names: Fulvatis fulvius (Plötz, 1882) and Fulvatis scyrus (E. Bell, 1934) (not Salatis Evans, 1952); Adina adrastor (Mabille and Boullet, 1912) (not Bungalotis Watson, 1893); Nascus (Praxa) prax Evans, 1952, Nascus (Bron) broteas (Cramer, 1780), and Nascus (Bron) solon (Plötz, 1882) (not Pseudonascus Austin, 2008); Chirgus (Turis) veturius (Plötz, 1884); Paches (Tiges) liborius (Plötz, 1884), and Paches (Tiges) mutilatus (Hopffer, 1874) (not Antigonus Hübner, [1819]); Paches (Tiges) exosa (A. Butler, 1877); Tolius tolimus (Plötz, 1884) and Tolius luctuosus (Godman & Salvin, 1894) (not Echelatus Godman and Salvin, 1894); Ancistroides (Ocrypta) caerulea (Evans, 1928), Ancistroides (Ocrypta) renardi (Oberthür, 1878), Ancistroides (Ocrypta) waigensis (Plötz, 1882), Ancistroides (Ocrypta) aluensis (Swinhoe, 1907), Ancistroides (Ocrypta) flavipes (Janson, 1886), and Ancistroides (Ocrypta) maria (Evans, 1949) (not Notocrypta de Nicéville, 1889); Lennia lena (Evans, 1937), Lennia binoevatus (Mabille, 1891), Lennia maracanda (Hewitson, 1876), and Lennia lota (Evans, 1937) (not Leona Evans, 1937); Trida barberae (Trimen, 1873) and Trida sarahae (Henning and Henning, 1998) (not Kedestes Watson, 1893); Noxys viricuculla (Hayward, 1951) (not Oxynthes Godman, 1900); Xeniades (Tixe) quadrata (Herrich-Schäffer, 1869), Xeniades (Tixe) rinda (Evans, 1955), Xeniades (Tixe) putumayo (Constantino and Salazar, 2013) (not Tisias Godman, 1901); Gracilata quadrinotata (Mabille, 1889) (not Styriodes Schaus, 1913); Hermio hermione (Schaus, 1913) (not Lento Evans, 1955); Cynea (Nycea) hycsos (Mabille, 1891), Cynea (Nycea) corisana (Plötz, 1882), Cynea (Nycea) popla Evans, 1955, Cynea (Nycea) iquita (E. Bell, 1941), Cynea (Nycea) robba Evans, 1955, Cynea (Nycea) melius (Geyer, 1832), and Cynea (Nycea) irma (Möschler, 1879); Eutus rastaca (Schaus, 1902) (not Eutychide Godman, 1900); Eutus yesta (Evans, 1955) (not Thoon Godman, 1900); Eutus mubevensis (E. Bell, 1932) (not Tigasis Godman, 1900); Gufa gulala (Schaus, 1902) (not Mucia Godman, 1900); Gufa fusca (Hayward, 1940) (not Tigasis Godman, 1900); Godmia chlorocephala (Godman, 1900) (not Onophas Godman, 1900); Rhomba gertschi (E. Bell, 1937) (not Justinia Evans, 1955); Mnasicles (Nausia) nausiphanes (Schaus, 1913) (not Tigasis Godman, 1900); Amblyscirtes (Flor) florus (Godman, 1900) (not Repens Evans, 1955); Rectava ignarus (E. Bell, 1932) (not Papias Godman, 1900); Rectava vorgia (Schaus, 1902) (not Cobalopsis Godman, 1900); Rectava nostra (Evans, 1955) (not not Vidius Evans, 1955); Lerema (Geia) geisa (Möschler, 1879) and Lerema (Geia) lyde (Godman, 1900) (not Morys Godman, 1900); Contrastia distigma (Plötz, 1882) (not Cymaenes Scudder, 1872); Mit (Mit) badius (E. Bell, 1930) (not Styriodes Schaus, 1913); Mit (Mit) gemignanii (Hayward, 1940), (not Mnasitheus Godman, 1900); Mit (Rotundia) schausi (Mielke and Casagrande, 2002), (not Enosis Mabille, 1889); Picova steinbachi (E. Bell, 1930) (not Saturnus Evans, 1955); Lattus arabupuana (E. Bell, 1932) (not Eutocus Godman, 1901); Gubrus lugubris (Lindsey, 1925) (not Vehilius Godman, 1900); Thargella (Pseudopapias) tristissimus (Schaus, 1902) (not Papias Godman, 1900); Koria kora (Hewitson, 1877) (not Justinia Evans, 1955); Justinia (Septia) septa Evans, 1955; Corta lycortas (Godman, 1900) (not Orthos Evans, 1955); Vertica (Brasta) brasta (Evans, 1955) (not Lychnuchus Hübner, [1831]); Calvetta calvina (Hewitson, 1866) (not Cobalus Hübner, [1819]); Neoxeniades (Bina) gabina (Godman, 1900) (not Orthos Evans, 1955); Oz ozias (Hewitson, 1878) and Oz sebastiani Salazar and Constantino, 2013 (not Lychnuchoides Godman, 1901); and Carystoides (Balma) balza Evans, 1955 and Carystoides (Balma) maroma (Möschler, 1877). Finally, unless stated otherwise, all subgenera, species, subspecies and synonyms of mentioned genera and species are transferred together with their parent taxa, and taxa not mentioned in this work remain as previously classified.

Genomic DNA sequencing reveals two new North American species of Staphylus (Hesperiidae: Pyrginae: Carcharodini)

Two new skipper butterfly (Hesperiidae) species are described from the United States: Staphylus floridus Grishin, sp. n. (type locality in Florida, Volusia Co.) and Staphylus ecos Grishin, sp. n. (type locality in Texas, Brewster Co.). They are cryptic and hence escaped recognition. They differ from their sister species by the relative size and morphology of genitalia and by genotype-including and beyond the COI barcode-thus suggesting genetic isolation that argues for their species-level status. A lectotype is designated for Helias ascalaphus Staudinger, 1876. Staphylus opites (Godman & Salvin, 1896), stat. rest. is a species-level taxon and not a synonym of Staphylus vincula (Plötz, 1886), while Pholisora iguala Williams & Bell, 1940, syn. n. is a junior subjective synonym of S. vincula.

A bioinformatic platform to integrate target capture and whole genome sequences of various read depths for phylogenomics

The increasing availability of short‐read whole genome sequencing (WGS) provides unprecedented opportunities to study ecological and evolutionary processes. Although loci of interest can be extracted from WGS data and combined with target sequence data, this requires suitable bioinformatic workflows. Here, we test different assembly and locus extraction strategies and implement them into secapr, a pipeline that processes short‐read data into multilocus alignments for phylogenetics and molecular ecology analyses. We integrate the processing of data from low‐coverage WGS (<30×) and target sequence capture into a flexible framework, while optimizing de novo contig assembly and loci extraction. Specifically, we test different assembly strategies by contrasting their ability to recover loci from targeted butterfly protein‐coding genes, using four data sets: a WGS data set across different average coverages (10×, 5× and 2×) and a data set for which these loci were enriched prior to sequencing via target sequence capture. Using the resulting de novo contigs, we account for potential errors within contigs and infer phylogenetic trees to evaluate the ability of each assembly strategy to recover species relationships. We demonstrate that choosing multiple sizes of kmer simultaneously for assembly results in the highest yield of extracted loci from de novo assembled contigs, while data sets derived from sequencing read depths as low as 5× recovers the expected species relationships in phylogenetic trees. By making the tested assembly approaches available in the secapr pipeline, we hope to inspire future studies to incorporate complementary data and make an informed choice on the optimal assembly strategy.

Comparative Mitogenomic Analysis of Five Awl Skippers (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae: Coeliadinae) and Their Phylogenetic Implications

Simple Summary

The subfamily Coeliadinae (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae) is a unique group of over 70 species in the butterfly family, and its mitochondrial genome data still needs to be supplemented. This study sequenced and analyzed five additional complete mitochondrial genomes of the Coeliadinae species (Hasora schoenherr, Burara miracula, B. oedipodea, B. harisa, and Badamia exclamationis) and compared them in detail with those of the other known skipper mitogenomes. All five of these mitogenomes have the typical lepidopteran mitogenome characteristics of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, and a non-coding region. Our results indicate that their structure, nucleotide composition, codon usage, secondary structure of tRNAs, and so on, are highly conserved. Expanded sampling and gene data from the GenBank, phylogenetic analyses using maximum likelihood, and Bayesian inference methods indicate that Coeliadinae is monophyletic. These results contribute toward refining the phylogeny.

Abstract

To determine the significance of mitochondrial genome characteristics in revealing phylogenetic relationships and to shed light on the molecular evolution of the Coeliadinae species, the complete mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) of five Coeliadinae species were newly sequenced and analyzed, including Hasora schoenherr, Burara miracula, B. oedipodea, B. harisa, and Badamia exclamationis. The results show that all five mitogenomes are double-strand circular DNA molecules, with lengths of 15,340 bp, 15,295 bp, 15,304 bp, 15,295 bp, and 15,289 bp, respectively, and contain the typical 37 genes and a control region. Most protein-coding genes (PCGs) begin with ATN, with 3 types of stop codons including TAA, TAG, and an incomplete codon T-; most of the genes terminate with TAA. All of the transfer RNA genes (tRNAs) present the typical cloverleaf secondary structure except for the trnS1. Several conserved structural elements are found in the AT-rich region. Phylogenetic analyses based on three datasets (PCGs, PRT, and 12PRT) and using maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) methods show strong support for the monophyly of Coeliadinae, and the relationships of the five species are (B. exclamationis + ((B. harisa + (B. oedipodea + B. miracula)) + H. schoenherr)).

Molecular and morphological evidence reveals a new genus of the subfamily Heteropterinae (Lepidoptera, Hesperiidae) from China

Molecular phylogenetic analysis indicates that the genus Carterocephalus is not monophyletic. Based on combined molecular and morphological evidence, we propose a new genus, Pulchroptera Hou, Fan & Chiba, gen. nov., for Pamphilapulchra Leech, 1891. The adult, wing venation, and male genitalia of Pulchropterapulchra comb. nov., Carterocephaluspalaemon, and related genera are illustrated.

Genomics Reveals the Origins of Historical Specimens

Centuries of zoological studies have amassed billions of specimens in collections worldwide. Genomics of these specimens promises to reinvigorate biodiversity research. However, because DNA degrades with age in historical specimens, it is a challenge to obtain genomic data for them and analyze degraded genomes. We developed experimental and computational protocols to overcome these challenges and applied our methods to resolve a series of long-standing controversies involving a group of butterflies. We deduced the geographical origins of several historical specimens of uncertain provenance that are at the heart of these debates. Here, genomics tackles one of the greatest problems in zoology: countless old specimens that serve as irreplaceable embodiments of species concepts cannot be confidently assigned to extant species or population due to the lack of diagnostic morphological features and clear documentation of the collection locality. The ability to determine where they were collected will resolve many on-going disputes. More broadly, we show the utility of applying genomics to historical museum specimens to delineate the boundaries of species and populations, and to hypothesize about genotypic determinants of phenotypic traits.

De novo genome assemblies of butterflies

BACKGROUND

The availability of thousands of genomes has enabled new advancements in biology. However, many genomes have not been investigated for their quality. Here we examine quality trends in a taxonomically diverse and well-known group, butterflies (Papilionoidea), and provide draft, de novo assemblies for all available butterfly genomes. Owing to massive genome sequencing investment and taxonomic curation, this is an excellent group to explore genome quality.

FINDINGS

We provide de novo assemblies for all 822 available butterfly genomes and interpret their quality in terms of completeness and continuity. We identify the 50 highest quality genomes across butterflies and conclude that the ringlet, Aphantopus hyperantus, has the highest quality genome. Our post-processing of draft genome assemblies identified 118 butterfly genomes that should not be reused owing to contamination or extremely low quality. However, many draft genomes are of high utility, especially because permissibility of low-quality genomes is dependent on the objective of the study. Our assemblies will serve as a key resource for papilionid genomics, especially for researchers without computational resources.

CONCLUSIONS

Quality metrics and assemblies are typically presented with annotated genome accessions but rarely with de novo genomes. We recommend that studies presenting genome sequences provide the assembly and some metrics of quality because quality will significantly affect downstream results. Transparency in quality metrics is needed to improve the field of genome science and encourage data reuse.

Complete mitochondrial genomes of three skippers in the tribe Aeromachini (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae: Hesperiinae) and their phylogenetic implications

The mitochondrial genome is now widely used in the study of phylogenetics and molecular evolution due to its maternal inheritance, fast evolutionary rate, and highly conserved gene content. To explore the phylogenetic relationships of the tribe Aeromachini within the subfamily Hesperiinae at the mitochondrial genomic level, we sequenced and annotated the complete mitogenomes of 3 skippers: Ampittia virgata, Halpe nephele, and Onryza maga (new mitogenomes for 2 genera) with a total length of 15,333 bp, 15,291 bp, and 15,381 bp, respectively. The mitogenomes all contain 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNAs (tRNAs), 2 ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs), and a noncoding A + T-rich region and are consistent with other lepidopterans in gene order and type. In addition, we reconstructed the phylogenetic trees of Hesperiinae using maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) methods based on mitogenomic data. Results show that the tribe Aeromachini in this study robustly constitute a monophyletic group in the subfamily Hesperiinae, with the relationships Coeliadinae + (Euschemoninae + (Pyrginae + ((Eudaminae + Tagiadinae) + (Heteropterinae + ((Trapezitinae + Barcinae) + Hesperiinae))))). Moreover, our study supports the view that Apostictopterus fuliginosus and Barca bicolor should be placed out of the subfamily Hesperiinae.

Genomics-guided refinement of butterfly taxonomy

Continuing with comparative genomic exploration of worldwide butterfly fauna, we use all protein-coding genes as they are retrieved from the whole genome shotgun sequences for phylogeny construction. Analysis of these genome-scale phylogenies projected onto the taxonomic classification and the knowledge about butterfly phenotypes suggests further refinements of butterfly taxonomy that are presented here. As a general rule, we assign most prominent clades of similar genetic differentiation to the same taxonomic rank, and use criteria based on relative population diversification and the extent of gene exchange for species delimitation. As a result, 7 tribes, 4 subtribes, 14 genera, and 9 subgenera are proposed as new, i.e., in subfamily Pierinae Swainson, 1820: Calopierini Grishin, trib. n. (type genus Calopieris Aurivillius, 1898); in subfamily Riodininae Grote, 1895: Callistiumini Grishin, trib. n. (type genus Callistium Stichel, 1911); in subfamily Nymphalinae Rafinesque, 1815: Pycinini Grishin, trib. n. (type genus Pycina Doubleday 1849), Rhinopalpini Grishin, trib. n. (type genus Rhinopalpa C. & R. Felder 1860), Kallimoidini Grishin, trib. n. (type genus Kallimoides Shirôzu & Nakanishi 1984), Vanessulini Grishin, trib. n. (type genus Vanessula Dewitz 1887), and Doleschalliaini Grishin, trib. n. (type genus Doleschallia C. & R. Felder 1860); in tribe Mesosemiini Bates, 1859: Eunogyrina Grishin, subtrib. n. (type genus Eunogyra Westwood, 1851); in tribe Satyrini Boisduval, 1833: Callerebiina Grishin, subtrib. n. (type genus Callerebia Butler, 1867), Gyrocheilina Grishin, subtrib. n. (type genus Gyrocheilus Butler, 1867), and Calistina Grishin, subtrib. n. (type genus Calisto Hübner, [1823]); in subfamily Euselasiinae Kirby, 1871: Pelolasia Grishin, gen. n. (type species Eurygona pelor Hewitson, [1853]), Myselasia Grishin, gen. n. (type species Eurygona mys Herrich-Schäffer, [1853]), Eurylasia Grishin, gen. n. (type species Eurygona euryone Hewitson, 1856), Maculasia Grishin, gen. n. (type species Euselasia albomaculiga Callaghan, 1999), and Eugelasia Grishin, gen. n. (type species Eurygona eugeon Hewitson, 1856); in subtribe Mesosemiina Bates, 1859: Ectosemia Grishin, gen. n. (type species Papilio eumene Cramer, 1776) and Endosemia Grishin, gen. n. (type species Papilio ulrica Cramer, 1777); in tribe Symmachiini Reuter, 1896: Tigria Grishin, gen. n. (type species Mesene xypete Hewitson, 1870) and Asymma Grishin, gen. n. (type species Symmachia virgatula Stichel, 1910); in tribe Riodinini Grote, 1895: Putridivora Grishin, gen. n. (type species Charis argyrea Bates, 1868), Chadia Grishin, gen. n. (type species Charis cadytis Hewitson, 1866), Inkana Grishin, gen. n. (type species Charis incoides Schaus, 1902), and Oco Grishin, gen. n. (type species Symmachia ocellata Hewitson, 1867); in subtribe Zabuellina Seraphim, Freitas & Kaminski, 2018: Teenie Grishin, gen. n. (type species Calydna tinea Bates, 1868); Boreographium Grishin, subgen. n. (type species Papilio marcellus Cramer, 1777, parent genus Eurytides Hübner, [1821]), Esperourus Grishin, subgen. n. (type species Papilio esperanza Beutelspacher, 1975, parent genus Pterourus Scopoli, 1777), Hyppasonia Grishin, subgen. n. (type species Papilio hyppason Cramer, 1775, parent genus Heraclides Hübner, [1819]), Sisymbria Grishin, subgen. n. (type species Pieris sisymbrii Boisduval, 1852, parent genus Pontia [Fabricius], 1807), Greenie Grishin, subgen. n. (type species Thecla sheridonii [sic] Edwards, 1877, parent genus Callophrys Billberg, 1820), Magda Grishin, subgen. n. (type species Erebia magdalena Strecker, 1880, parent genus Erebia Dalman, 1816), and in genus Eresia Boisduval, 1836: Notilia Grishin, subgen. n. (type species Eresia orthia Hewitson, 1864), Levinata Grishin, subgen. n. (type species Eresia levina Hewitson, 1872), and Ithra Grishin, subgen. n. (type species Phyciodes ithra Kirby, 1900). Furthermore, we resurrect 6 genera, change the rank of 36 currently used genera to subgenus, synonymize 3 subtribes, 42 genera or subgenera, assign 3 genera to tribes and subtribes, and transfer 34 additional species to genera different from those these taxa are presently assigned to, present evidence to support 7 taxa as species instead of subspecies, and 1 taxon as a subspecies instead of species. Namely, the following taxa are valid genera: Terias Swainson, 1821 (not in Eurema Hübner, [1819]), Erythia Hübner, [1819] and Marmessus Hübner, [1819] (not in Euselasia Hübner, [1819]), Eucorna Strand, 1932 (not in Voltinia Stichel, 1910), Cremna Doubleday, 1847 (not in Napaea Hübner, [1819]), and Hallonympha Penz & DeVries, 2006 (not in Zabuella Stichel, 1911). The following taxa are best treated as subgenera: Zegris Boisduval, 1836 of Anthocharis Boisduval, Rambur, [Duménil] & Graslin, [1833]; Baltia Moore, 1878 and Pontieuchloia Verity, 1929 of Pontia [Fabricius], 1807; Phrissura Butler, 1870 of Appias Hübner, [1819]; Saletara Distant, 1885 of Catophaga Hübner, 1819; Leodonta Butler, 1870 of Pereute Herrich-Schäffer, 1867; Takashia M. Okano & T. Okano, 1985 of Polycaena Staudinger, 1886; Corrachia Schaus, 1913 of Styx Staudinger, 1876; Ionotus Hall, 2005 and Voltinia Stichel, 1910 of Cremna Doubleday, 1847; Hermathena Hewitson, 1874 of Ithomiola C. & R. Felder, 1865; Lucillella Strand, 1932 of Esthemopsis C. & R. Felder, 1865; Mesenopsis Godman & Salvin, 1886 and Xenandra C. & R. Felder, 1865 of Symmachia Hübner, [1819]; Pirascca J. Hall & Willmott, 1996 of Pterographium Stichel, 1910; Imelda Hewitson, 1870 of Echenais Hübner, [1819]; Calicosama J. Hall & Harvey, 2001 of Behemothia Hall, 2000; Polygrapha Staudinger, 1887 and Fountainea Rydon, 1971 of Anaea Hübner, [1819]; Siderone Hübner, [1823] and Phantos Dias, 2018 of Zaretis Hübner, [1819]; Harsiesis Fruhstorfer, 1911 of Platypthima Rothschild & Jordan, 1905; Vila Kirby, 1871 of Biblis Fabricius, 1807; Diaethria Billberg, 1820 and Perisama Doubleday, 1849 of Callicore Hübner, [1819]; Antigonis C. Felder, 1861 of Haematera Doubleday, 1849; Asterope Hübner, [1819], Nica Hübner, [1826], Peria Kirby, 1871, and Callicorina Smart, 1976 of Temenis Hübner, [1819]; Anthanassa Scudder, 1875, Castilia Higgins, 1981, Telenassa Higgins, 1981, Dagon Higgins, 1981, and Janatella Higgins, 1981 of Eresia Boisduval, 1836; and Wallengrenia Berg, 1897 of Polites Scudder, 1872. The following taxa are junior subjective synonyms: Maniolina Grote, 1897 of Erebiina Tutt, 1896; Melanargiina Wheeler, 1903 of Satyrina Boisduval, 1833; Phyciodina Higgins, 1981 of Melitaeina Herrich-Schäffer, 1843; Cunizza Grote, 1900 of Hesperocharis C. Felder, 1862; Reliquia Ackery, 1975 of Pontia [Fabricius], 1807; Tatochila A. Butler, 1870, Piercolias Staudinger, 1894, Hypsochila Ureta, 1955, Theochila W. D. Field, 1958, Pierphulia W. D. Field, 1958, and Infraphulia W. D. Field, 1958 of Phulia Herrich-Schäffer, 1867; Mesapia Gray, 1856 of Aporia Hübner, [1819]; Catasticta Butler, 1870 of Archonias Hübner, 1827; Sandia Clench & P. Ehrlich, 1960 andXamia Clench, 1961 of Incisalia Scudder, 1872; Hades Westwood, 1851 of Methone Doubleday, 1847; Semomesia Westwood, 1851, Mesophthalma Westwood, 1851, Perophthalma Westwood, 1851 and Leucochimona Stichel, 1909 of Mesosemia Hübner, [1819], Xynias Hewitson, 1874 of Mesenopsis Godman & Salvin, 1886; Stichelia J. Zikán, 1949 of Symmachia Hübner, [1819]; Chimastrum Godman & Salvin, 1886 of Mesene Doubleday, 1847; Alethea Nielsen & Salazar, [2018] of Pirascca J. Hall & Willmott, 1996; Panaropsis J. Hall, 2002 of Pterographium Stichel, 1910; Comphotis Stichel, 1910 of Phaenochitonia Stichel, 1910; Colaciticus Stichel, 1910 of Baeotis Hübner, [1819]; Nahida Kirby, 1871 of Ithomeis Bates, 1862; Machaya Hall & Willmott, 1995 of Pachythone Bates, 1868; Percnodaimon Butler, 1876 and Erebiola Fereday, 1879 of Argyrophenga Doubleday, 1845; Hestinalis Bryk, 1938 of Mimathyma Moore, 1896; Catacore Dillon, 1948 of Diaethria Billberg, 1820; Mesotaenia Kirby, 1871 and Orophila Staudinger, 1886 of Perisama Doubleday, 1849; Paulogramma Dillon, 1948 of Catagramma Boisduval, 1836; Panacea Godman & Salvin, 1883 of Batesia C. Felder & R. Felder, 1862; Napeocles Bates, 1864 of Siproeta Hübner, [1823]; Texola Higgins, 1959 and Dymasia Higgins, 1960 of Microtia H. Bates, 1864; Tisona Higgins, 1981 of Ortilia Higgins, 1981; Abananote Potts, 1943 and Altinote Potts, 1943 of Actinote Hübner, [1819]; Episcada Godman & Salvin, 1879 of Ceratinia Hübner, 1816; and Appia Evans, 1955 of Pompeius Evans, 1955. The following genera are placed in taxonomic hierarchy: Prestonia Schaus, 1920 belongs to Euremini Grote, 1898; Petrocerus Callaghan, 1979 belongs to Theopina Clench, 1955; and Paralasa Moore, 1893 belongs to Ypthimina Reuter, 1896. The following taxa are distinct species rather than subspecies (of species shown in parenthesis): Pyrisitia westwoodii (Boisduval, 1836) (not Pyrisitia dina (Poey, 1832)), Biblis aganisa Boisduval, 1836 (not Biblis hyperia (Cramer, 1779)), Phystis variegata (Röber, 1913) and Phystis pratti (A. Hall, 1935) (not Phystis simois (Hewitson, 1864)), Phocides batabano (Lucas, 1857) and Phocides bicolora (Boddaert, 1783) (not Phocides pigmalion (Cramer, 1779)), Lobotractus mysie (Dyar, 1904) (not Lobotractus valeriana (Plötz, 1881)). Nahida coenoides (Hewitson, 1870) is conspecific with Ithomeis aurantiaca H. Bates, 1862. Additional new and revised combinations are: Teriocolias deva (E. Doubleday, 1847), Teriocolias reticulata (A. Butler, 1871), Hesperocharis leucothea (Molina, 1782), Methone euploea (Hewitson, [1855]), Methone eucerus (Hewitson, 1872), Methone hypophaea (Godman & Salvin, 1878), Methone eubule (R. Felder, 1869), Methone onorata (Hewitson, 1869), Methone authe (Godman, 1903), Methone dolichos (Staudinger, [1887]), Methone baucis (Stichel, 1919), Methone eucrates (Hewitson, 1872), Napaea danforthi A. Warren & Opler, 1999, Napaea dramba (J. Hall, Robbins & Harvey, 2004), Napaea sanarita (Schaus, 1902), Napaea agroeca Stichel, 1910, Napaea tumbesia J. Hall & Lamas, 2001, Napaea umbra (Boisduval, 1870), Napaea phryxe (C. & R. Felder, 1865), Napaea cebrenia (Hewitson, [1873]), Napaea loxicha (R.G. Maza & J. Maza, 2016), Napaea maya (J. Maza & Lamas, 2016), Napaea necaxa (R.G. Maza & J. Maza, 2018), Napaea totonaca (R.G. Maza & J. Maza, 2016), Mesene aeolia (Bates, 1868), Pterographium hypochloris (Bates, 1868), Phaenochitonia florus (Fabricius, 1793), Ourocnemis carausius (Westwood, 1851), Ourocnemis principalis (Hopffer, 1874), Ourocnemis renaldus (Stoll, 1790), and Ourocnemis aerosus (Stichel, 1924), Hallonympha maculosa (Bates, 1868), Exoplisia aphanis (Stichel, 1910), Phystis fontus (A. Hall, 1928), Phocides batabano okeechobee (Worthington, 1881), and Phocides batabano batabanoides (W. Holland, 1902). Finally, we confirm the combination Zabuella castanea (Prittwitz, 1865) and find Pyrgus centaureae dzekh Gorbunov, 2007 as a new subspecies for North America.

Molecular Evolution of Ecological Specialisation: Genomic Insights from the Diversification of Murine Rodents

Adaptive radiations are characterized by the diversification and ecological differentiation of species, and replicated cases of this process provide natural experiments for understanding the repeatability and pace of molecular evolution. During adaptive radiation, genes related to ecological specialization may be subject to recurrent positive directional selection. However, it is not clear to what extent patterns of lineage-specific ecological specialization (including phenotypic convergence) are correlated with shared signatures of molecular evolution. To test this, we sequenced whole exomes from a phylogenetically dispersed sample of 38 murine rodent species, a group characterized by multiple, nested adaptive radiations comprising extensive ecological and phenotypic diversity. We found that genes associated with immunity, reproduction, diet, digestion, and taste have been subject to pervasive positive selection during the diversification of murine rodents. We also found a significant correlation between genome-wide positive selection and dietary specialization, with a higher proportion of positively selected codon sites in derived dietary forms (i.e., carnivores and herbivores) than in ancestral forms (i.e., omnivores). Despite striking convergent evolution of skull morphology and dentition in two distantly related worm-eating specialists, we did not detect more genes with shared signatures of positive or relaxed selection than in a nonconvergent species comparison. Although a small number of the genes we detected can be incidentally linked to craniofacial morphology or diet, protein-coding regions are unlikely to be the primary genetic basis of this complex convergent phenotype. Our results suggest a link between positive selection and derived ecological phenotypes, and highlight specific genes and general functional categories that may have played an integral role in the extensive and rapid diversification of murine rodents.

Complete mitochondrial genome of the Small-Branded Swift: Pelopidas mathias (Lepidoptera, Hesperiidae)

We report the complete mitochondrial genome of the Small-Branded Swift: Pelopidas mathias, which is an important pest of rice. The total length of the circular double-stranded mitogenome is 15,524 bp, containing 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNAs (tRNAs), 2 ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs) and a non-coding AT-rich region with the nucleotide base composition of 40.07% A, 40.83% T, 11.59% C, and 7.51% G, showing a relatively strong AT bias. The gene order and organization are consistent with typical Lepidoptera species. This work will provide molecular data support for the study of the phylogeny and evolution in the family Hesperiidae.

Two complete mitochondrial genomes of Papilio butterflies obtained from historical specimens (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae)

Museum specimens are collected for education, exhibition, and various multiple scientific purposes. However, millions of specimens remain in their collection boxes for years without being analyzed. Historical specimens have been known to contain low-quality DNA; hence, it is difficult to utilize their sequence information in phylogenetic studies. However, recent advances in high-throughput sequencing (HTS) make these collections amenable to phylogenomic studies. In this study, two historical specimens (Papilio xuthus Linnaeus, 1767, and Papilio thoas Linnaeus, 1771) were sampled and DNA extracted for HTS via the Miseq platform. Two complete mitogenomes were assembled, even though the DNA quality of those specimens was highly fragmented, below 250 bp in length. The 37 genes of 60 mitogenomes were aligned and used for inferring the phylogenetic relationships of Papilioninae. These two newly sequenced mitogenomes are correctly grouped in the genus Papilio, and this result indicates that historical specimens show great potential for phylogenetic studies with HTS technology.

Immature stages of Nisoniades macarius (Hesperiidae: Pyrginae: Carcharodini): biology, morphology and behavior

ABSTRACT The biology, morphology and behavior of the immature stages of Nisoniades macarius (Herrich-Schäffer, 1870) are herein described from specimens collected in an anthropized area of Caatinga biome. The larva of N. macarius passes through six larval instars with the development time from egg to adult lasted between 31 and 35 days. Except for the first instar larva, which is easily recognized by the presence of evident primary setae on the head, there are few distinctive morphological characters among the larvae of different instars. The head capsule width proved to be the most effective character to differentiate them. Two different types of shelters are built by larvae: center-cut shelters (type 3) built by larvae from the first to the third instars and two-cut shelters (type 5) built by larvae from the fourth to the sixth instars. Ipomoea asarifolia (Desr.) Roem. & Schult. (Convolvulaceae) is recorded as larval host plant of N. macarius for the first time. A Eulophidae wasp was found as parasitoid of the earlier larval instars of N. macarius, this being the second record of the family as parasitoid in the genus Nisoniades.

Genomic evidence suggests further changes of butterfly names

Further genomic sequencing of butterflies by our research group expanding the coverage of species and specimens from different localities, coupled with genome-scale phylogenetic analysis and complemented by phenotypic considerations, suggests a number of changes to the names of butterflies, mostly those recorded from the United States and Canada. Here, we present evidence to support these changes. The changes are intended to make butterfly classification more internally consistent at the genus, subgenus and species levels. I.e., considering all available evidence, we attempt to assign similar taxonomic ranks to the clades of comparable genetic differentiation, which on average is correlated with the age of phylogenetic groups estimated from trees. For species, we use criteria devised by genomic analysis of the genetic differentiation across suture zones and comparison of sympatric populations of closely related species. As a result, we resurrect 4 genera and 1 subgenus from subgeneric status or synonymy, change the rank of 8 currently used genera to subgenus, synonymize 7 genus-group names, summarize evidence to support 19 taxa as species instead of subspecies and 1 taxon as subspecies instead of species, along with a number of additional changes. One new genus and one new subspecies are described. Namely, the following taxa are treated as genera Tharsalea Scudder, 1876, Helleia Verity, 1943, Apangea Zhdanko, 1995, and Boldenaria Zhdanko, 1995. Tetracharis Grote, 1898 is a valid subgenus (not a synonym of Anthocharis Boisduval, Rambur, [Duménil] & Graslin, [1833]) that consists of Anthocharis cethura C. Felder & R. Felder, 1865 (Müller, 1764), Anthocharis midea (Hübner, [1809]), and Anthocharis limonea (A. Butler, 1871). The following are subgenera: Speyeria Scudder, 1872 of Argynnis Fabricius, 1807; Aglais Dalman, 1816 and Polygonia Hübner, [1819] of Nymphalis Kluk, 1780; Palaeonympha Butler, 1871 of Megisto Hübner, [1819]; Hyponephele Muschamp, 1915 of Cercyonis Scudder, 1875; Pyronia Hübner, [1819] and Aphantopus Wallengren, 1853 of Maniola Schrank, 1801 and Pseudonymphidia Callaghan, 1985 of Pachythone. Lafron Grishin, gen. n. (type species Papilio orus Stoll, [1780], parent subfamily Lycaeninae [Leach], [1815]) is described. Dipsas japonica Murray, 1875 is fixed as the type species of Neozephyrus Sibatani & Ito, 1942. The following taxa are junior subjective synonyms: Falcapica Klots, 1930 of Tetracharis Grote, 1898; Habrodais Scudder, 1876, Favonius Sibatani & Ito, 1942, Neozephyrus Sibatani & Ito, 1942, Quercusia Verity, 1943, Chrysozephyrus Shirôzu & Yamamoto, 1956, and Sibataniozephyrus Inomata, 1986 of Hypaurotis Scudder, 1876; Plesioarida Trujano & García, 2018 of Roeberella Strand, 1932; Papilio temenes Godart, 1819 (lectotype designated herein) of Heraclides aristodemus (Esper, 1794), Speyeria hydaspe conquista dos Passos & Grey, 1945 of Argynnis hesperis tetonia (dos Passos & Grey, 1945), and Erycides imbreus Plötz, 1879 of Phocides polybius polybius (Fabricius, 1793). The following are revised genus-species combinations: Pachythone lencates (Hewitson, 1875) Pachythone flocculus (Brévignon & Gallard, 1993), Pachythone floccus (Brévignon, 2013), Pachythone heberti (P. Jauffret & J. Jauffret, 2007), Pachythone marajoara (P. Jauffret & J. Jauffret, 2007) and Cissia cleophes (Godman & Salvin, 1889). The following species are transferred between subgenera: Anthocharis lanceolata Lucas, 1852 belongs to Anthocharis Boisduval, Rambur, [Duménil] & Graslin, [1833] instead of Paramidea Kuznetsov, 1929 and Danaus eresimus (Cramer, 1777) belongs to Danaus Kluk, 1780, and not to Anosia Hübner, 1816. The following taxa are distinct species rather than subspecies (of species shown in parenthesis): Heraclides ponceana (Schaus, 1911) (not Heraclides aristodemus (Esper, 1794)), Colias elis Strecker, 1885 (not Colias meadii W. H. Edwards, 1871), Argynnis irene Boisduval, 1869 and Argynnis nausicaa W. H. Edwards, 1874 (not Argynnis hesperis W. H. Edwards, 1864), Coenonympha california Westwood, [1851] (not Coenonympha tullia (Müller, 1764)), Dione incarnata N. Riley, 1926 (not Dione vanillae (Linnaeus, 1758)), Chlosyne coronado (M. Smith & Brock, 1988) (not Chlosyne fulvia (W. H. Edwards, 1879)), Chlosyne chinatiensis (Tinkham, 1944) (not Chlosyne theona (Ménétriés, 1855)), Phocides lilea (Reakirt, [1867]) (not Phocides polybius (Fabricius, 1793)), Cecropterus nevada (Scudder, 1872) and Cecropterus dobra (Evans, 1952) (not Cecropterus mexicana (Herrich-Schäffer, 1869)), Telegonus anausis Godman & Salvin, 1896, (not Telegonus anaphus (Cramer, 1777)), Epargyreus huachuca Dixon, 1955 (not Epargyreus clarus (Cramer, 1775)), Nisoniades bromias (Godman & Salvin, 1894) (not Nisoniades rubescens (Möschler, 1877)), Pholisora crestar J. Scott & Davenport, 2017 (not Pholisora catullus (Fabricius, 1793)), Carterocephalus mandan (W. H. Edwards, 1863) and Carterocephalus skada (W. H. Edwards, 1870) (not Carterocephalus palaemon (Pallas, 1771)), Amblyscirtes arizonae H. Freeman, 1993 (not Amblyscirtes elissa Godman, 1900), and Megathymus violae D. Stallings & Turner, 1956 (not Megathymus ursus Poling, 1902). Resulting from these changes, the following are revised species-subspecies combinations: Heraclides ponceana bjorndalae (Clench, 1979), Heraclides ponceana majasi L. Miller, 1987, Argynnis irene dodgei Gunder, 1931, Argynnis irene cottlei J. A. Comstock, 1925, Argynnis irene hanseni (J. Emmel, T. Emmel & Mattoon, 1998), Argynnis nausicaa elko (Austin, 1984), Argynnis nausicaa greyi (Moeck, 1950), Argynnis nausicaa viola (dos Passos & Grey, 1945), Argynnis nausicaa tetonia (dos Passos & Grey, 1945), Argynnis nausicaa chitone W. H. Edwards, 1879, Argynnis nausicaa schellbachi (Garth, 1949), Argynnis nausicaa electa W. H. Edwards, 1878, Argynnis nausicaa dorothea (Moeck, 1947), and Argynnis nausicaa capitanensis (R. Holland, 1988), Argynnis zerene atossa W. H. Edwards, 1890, Dione incarnata nigrior (Michener, 1942), Chlosyne coronado pariaensis (M. Smith & Brock, 1988), Cecropterus nevada aemilea (Skinner, 1893), Cecropterus nevada blanca (J. Scott, 1981), Telegonus anausis annetta (Evans, 1952), Telegonus anausis anoma (Evans, 1952), Telegonus anausis aniza (Evans, 1952), Epargyreus huachuca profugus Austin, 1998, Carterocephalus mandan mesapano (Scudder, 1868) and Carterocephalus skada magnus Mattoon & Tilden, 1998. American Coenonympha subspecies placed under C. tullia other than Coenonympha tullia kodiak W. H. Edwards, 1869, Coenonympha tullia mixturata Alpheraky, 1897 and Coenonympha tullia yukonensis W. Holland, 1900 belong to C. california. Heraclides ponceana latefasciatus Grishin, ssp. n. is described from Cuba. Argynnis coronis carolae dos Passos & Grey, 1942 is considered a subspecies-level taxon. Unless stated otherwise, all subgenera, species, subspecies and synonyms of mentioned genera and species are transferred together with their parent taxa, and others remain as previously classified.

It's a moth! It's a butterfly! It's the complete mitochondrial genome of the American moth-butterfly Macrosoma conifera (Warren, 1897) (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Hedylidae)!

The taxonomic placement of the moth-butterfly, Macrosoma conifera (Warren 1897) (Lepidoptera: Hedylidae), has been controversial. The 15,344 bp complete M. conifera circular mitogenome, assembled by genome skimming, consists of 81.7% AT nucleotides, 22 tRNAs, 13 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNAs and a control region in the typical butterfly gene order. Macrosoma conifera COX1 features an atypical CGA start codon while ATP6, COX1, COX2, and ND5 exhibit incomplete stop codons completed by the post-transcriptional addition of 3' A residues. Phylogenetic reconstruction places M. conifera as sister to the skippers (Hesperiidae), which is consistent with several recent phylogenetic analyses.

Speciation in North American Junonia from a genomic perspective

Delineating species boundaries in phylogenetic groups undergoing recent radiation is a daunting challenge akin to discretizing continuity. Here, we propose a general approach exemplified by American butterflies from the genus Junonia Hübner notorious for the variety of similar phenotypes, ease of hybridization, and the lack of consensus about their classification. We obtain whole-genome shotgun sequences of about 200 specimens. We reason that discreteness emerges from continuity by means of a small number of key players, and search for the proteins that diverged markedly between sympatric populations of different species, while keeping low polymorphism within these species. Being 0.25% of the total number, these three dozen 'speciation' proteins indeed partition pairs of Junonia populations into two clusters with a prominent break in between, while all proteins taken together fail to reveal this discontinuity. Populations with larger divergence from each other, comparable to that between two sympatric species, form the first cluster and correspond to different species. The other cluster is characterized by smaller divergence, similar to that between allopatric populations of the same species and comprise conspecific pairs. Using this method, we conclude that J. genoveva (Cramer), J. litoralis Brévignon, J. evarete (Cramer), and J. divaricata C. & R. Felder are restricted to South America. We find that six species of Junonia are present in the United States, one of which is new: Junonia stemosa Grishin, sp.n. (i), found in south Texas and phenotypically closest to J. nigrosuffusa W. Barnes & McDunnough (ii) in its dark appearance. In the pale nudum of the antennal club, these two species resemble J. zonalis C. & R. Felder (iii) from Florida and the Caribbean Islands. The pair of sister species, J. grisea Austin & J. Emmel (iv) and J. coenia Hübner (v), represent the classic west/east U.S.A. split. The mangrove feeder (as caterpillar), dark nudum J. neildi Brévignon (vi) enters south Texas as a new subspecies Junonia neildi varia Grishin ssp.n. characterized by more extensive hybridization with and introgression from J. coenia, and, as a consequence, more variable wing patterns compared with the nominal J. n. neildi in Florida. Furthermore, a new mangrove-feeding species from the Pacific Coast of Mexico is described as Junonia pacoma Grishin sp.n. Finally, genomic analysis suggests that J. nigrosuffusa may be a hybrid species formed by the ancestors of J. grisea and J. stemosa sp.n.