Ten genes and two topologies: an exploration of higher relationships in skipper butterflies (Hesperiidae)

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

Unique Duplication of trnN in Odontoptilum angulatum (Lepidoptera: Pyrginae) and Phylogeny within Hesperiidae

To explore the variation and relationship between gene rearrangement and phylogenetic effectiveness of mitogenomes among lineages of the diversification of the tribe Tagiadini in the subfamily Pyrginae, we sequenced the complete mitogenome of Odontoptilum angulatum. The genome is 15,361 bp with the typical 37 genes, a large AT-rich region and an additional trnN (trnN2), which is completely identical to trnN (sequence similarity: 100%). The gene order differs from the typical Lepidoptera-specific arrangement and is unique to Hesperiidae. The presence of a "pseudo-trnS1" in the non-coding region between trnN1 and trnN2 supports the hypothesis that the presence of an extra trnN can be explained by the tandem duplication-random loss (TDRL) model. Regarding the phylogenetic analyses, we found that the dataset comprising all 37 genes produced the highest node support, as well as a monophyly of Pyrginae, indicating that the inclusion of RNAs improves the phylogenetic signal. Relationships among the subfamilies in Hesperiidae were also in general agreement with the results of previous studies. The monophyly of Tagiadini is strongly supported. Our study provides a new orientation for application of compositional and mutational biases of mitogenomes in phylogenetic analysis of Tagiadini and even all Hesperiidae based on larger taxon sampling in the future.

Phylogenetic position and taxonomic rearrangement of Davidina (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae), an enigmatic butterfly genus new for Europe and America

Davidina, an enigmatic butterfly genus described from China in the 19th century, has for a long time been considered a member of the family Pieridae due to its pierid-like wing pattern. In the 20th century, it was transferred to Satyridae (now subfamily Satyrinae of Nymphalidae) based on analysis of the structure of genitalia and placed next to the species-rich genus Oeneis (subtribe Satyrina), being separated from the latter by supposed differences in wing venation. We have conducted a phylogenetic and taxonomic study of the subtribe Satyrina using analysis of molecular and morphological characters. We show that the genus Oeneis is not monophyletic, and consists of two genetically diverged and morphologically differentiated groups that are not sister-groups (Oeneis s.s. and Protoeneis). We also demonstrate that Davidina is closely related to Protoeneis, but not to Oeneis s.s. To resolve this newly discovered non-monophyly and morphological heterogeneity, several species should be removed from Oeneis and transferred to the genus Davidina. As a consequence, we synonymize the name ProtoeneisGorbunov, 2001 with DavidinaOberthür, 1879. We conclude that Davidina is not a monotypic Chinese endemic genus, as has been previously supposed, but is composed of nine species that have a broad distribution area across the Holarctic region, extending to Europe and America.

A complete time-calibrated multi-gene phylogeny of the European butterflies

With the aim of supporting ecological analyses in butterflies, the third most species-rich superfamily of Lepidoptera, this paper presents the first time-calibrated phylogeny of all 496 extant butterfly species in Europe, including 18 very localised endemics for which no public DNA sequences had been available previously. It is based on a concatenated alignment of the mitochondrial gene COI and up to eleven nuclear gene fragments, using Bayesian inferences of phylogeny. To avoid analytical biases that could result from our region-focussed sampling, our European tree was grafted upon a global genus-level backbone butterfly phylogeny for analyses. In addition to a consensus tree, the posterior distribution of trees and the fully concatenated alignment are provided for future analyses. Altogether a complete phylogenetic framework of European butterflies for use by the ecological and evolutionary communities is presented.

The mitogenome of a Malagasy butterfly Malaza fastuosus (Mabille, 1884) recovered from the holotype collected over 140 years ago adds support for a new subfamily of Hesperiidae (Lepidoptera)

Malaza fastuosus is a lavishly patterned skipper butterfly from a genus that has three described species, all endemic to the mainland of Madagascar. To our knowledge, M. fastuosus has not been collected for nearly 50 years. To evaluate the power of our techniques to recover DNA, we used a single foreleg of an at least 140-year-old holotype specimen from the collection of the Natural History Museum London with no destruction of external morphology to extract DNA and assemble a complete mitogenome from next generation sequencing reads. The resulting 15 540 bp mitogenome contains 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, and an A+T rich region, similarly to other Lepidoptera mitogenomes. Here we provide the first mitogenome also for Trapezitinae (Rachelia extrusus). Phylogenetic analysis of available skipper mitogenomes places Malaza outside of Trapezitinae and Barcinae + Hesperiinae, with a possible sister relationship to Heteropterinae. Of these, at least Heteropterinae, Trapezitinae, and almost all Hesperiinae have monocot-feeding caterpillars. Malaza appears to be an evolutionarily highly distinct ancient lineage, morphologically with several unusual hesperiid features. The monotypic subfamily Malazinae Lees & Grishin subfam. nov. (type genus Malaza) is proposed to reflect this morphological and molecular evidence.

Priors and Posteriors in Bayesian Timing of Divergence Analyses: The Age of Butterflies Revisited

The need for robust estimates of times of divergence is essential for downstream analyses, yet assessing this robustness is still rare. We generated a time-calibrated genus-level phylogeny of butterflies (Papilionoidea), including 994 taxa, up to 10 gene fragments and an unprecedented set of 12 fossils and 10 host-plant node calibration points. We compared marginal priors and posterior distributions to assess the relative importance of the former on the latter. This approach revealed a strong influence of the set of priors on the root age but for most calibrated nodes posterior distributions shifted from the marginal prior, indicating significant information in the molecular data set. Using a very conservative approach we estimated an origin of butterflies at 107.6 Ma, approximately equivalent to the latest Early Cretaceous, with a credibility interval ranging from 89.5 Ma (mid Late Cretaceous) to 129.5 Ma (mid Early Cretaceous). In addition, we tested the effects of changing fossil calibration priors, tree prior, different sets of calibrations and different sampling fractions but our estimate remained robust to these alternative assumptions. With 994 genera, this tree provides a comprehensive source of secondary calibrations for studies on butterflies.

Fifty new genera of Hesperiidae (Lepidoptera)

Genomic sequencing and analysis of worldwide skipper butterfly (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae) fauna points to imperfections in their current classification. Some tribes, subtribes and genera as they are circumscribed today are not monophyletic. Rationalizing genomic results from the perspective of phenotypic characters suggests two new tribes, two new subtribes and 50 new genera that are named here: Ceratrichiini Grishin, trib. n., Gretnini Grishin, trib. n., Falgina Grishin, subtr. n., Apaustina Grishin, subtr. n., Flattoides Grishin, gen. n., Aurivittia Grishin, gen. n., Viuria Grishin, gen. n., Clytius Grishin, gen. n., Incisus Grishin, gen. n., Perus Grishin, gen. n., Livida Grishin, gen. n., Festivia Grishin, gen. n., Hoodus Grishin, gen. n., Anaxas Grishin, gen. n., Chiothion Grishin, gen. n., Crenda Grishin, gen. n., Santa Grishin, gen. n., Canesia Grishin, gen. n., Bralus Grishin, gen. n., Ladda Grishin, gen. n., Willema Grishin, gen. n., Argemma Grishin, gen. n., Nervia Grishin, gen. n., Dotta Grishin, gen. n., Lissia Grishin, gen. n., Xanthonymus Grishin, gen. n., Cerba Grishin, gen. n., Avestia Grishin, gen. n., Zetka Grishin, gen. n., Turmosa Grishin, gen. n., Mielkeus Grishin, gen. n., Coolus Grishin, gen. n., Daron Grishin, gen. n., Barrolla Grishin, gen. n., Brownus Grishin, gen. n., Tava Grishin, gen. n., Rigga Grishin, gen. n., Haza Grishin, gen. n., Dubia Grishin, gen. n., Pares Grishin, gen. n., Chitta Grishin, gen. n., Artonia Grishin, gen. n., Lurida Grishin, gen. n., Corra Grishin, gen. n., Fidius Grishin, gen. n., Veadda Grishin, gen. n., Tricrista Grishin, gen. n., Viridina Grishin, gen. n., Alychna Grishin, gen. n., Ralis Grishin, gen. n., Testia Grishin, gen. n., Buzella Grishin, gen. n., Vernia Grishin, gen. n., and Lon Grishin, gen. n. In addition, the following taxonomic changes are suggested. Prada Evans is transferred from Hesperiinae to Trapezitinae. Echelatus Godman and Salvin, Systaspes Weeks, and Oenides Mabille are removed from synonymy and are treated as valid genera. The following genera are new junior subjective synonyms: Tosta Evans of Eantis Boisduval; Turmada Evans of Neoxeniades Hayward, Arita Evans of Tigasis Godman, and Alera Mabille of Perichares Scudder. Eantis pallida (R. Felder) (not Achlyodes Hübner), Gindanes kelso (Evans) (not Onenses Godman and Salvin), Isoteinon abjecta (Snellen) (not Astictopterus C. and R. Felder), Neoxeniades ethoda (Hewitson) (not Xeniades Godman), Moeris anna (Mabille) (not Vidius Evans), and Molo pelta Evans (not Lychnuchus Hübner) are new genus-species combinations. The following are species-level taxa: Livida assecla (Mabille) (not a subspecies of Livida grandis (Mabille), formerly Pythonides Hübner) and Alychna zenus (E. Bell) (not a junior subjective synonym of Alychna exclamationis (Mabille), formerly Psoralis Mabille); and Barrolla molla E. Bell (formerly Vacerra Godman) is a junior subjective synonym of Barrolla barroni Evans (formerly Paratrytone Godman). All these changes to taxonomic status of names are propagated to all names currently treated as subspecies (for species), subgenera (for genera) and synonyms of these taxa. Finally, taxa not mentioned in this work are considered to remain at the ranks and in taxonomic groups they have been previously assigned to.

Three new subfamilies of skipper butterflies (Lepidoptera, Hesperiidae)

We obtained and analyzed whole genome data for more than 160 representatives of skipper butterflies (family Hesperiidae) from all known subfamilies, tribes and most distinctive genera. We found that two genera, Katreus Watson, 1893 and Ortholexis Karsch, 1895, which are sisters, are well-separated from all other major phylogenetic lineages and originate near the base of the Hesperiidae tree, prior to the origin of some subfamilies. Due to this ancient origin compared to other subfamilies, this group is described as Katreinae Grishin, subfam. n. DNA sequencing of primary type specimens reveals that Ortholexismelichroptera Karsch, 1895 is not a female of Ortholexisholocausta Mabille, 1891, but instead a female of Ortholexisdimidia Holland, 1896. This finding establishes O.dimidia as a junior subjective synonym of O.melichroptera. Furthermore, we see that Chamunda Evans, 1949 does not originate within Pyrginae Burmeister, 1878, but, unexpectedly, forms an ancient lineage of its own at the subfamily rank: Chamundinae Grishin, subfam. n. Finally, a group of two sister genera, Barca de Nicéville, 1902 and Apostictopterus Leech, [1893], originates around the time Hesperiinae Latreille, 1809 have split from their sister clade. A new subfamily Barcinae Grishin, subfam. n. sets them apart from all other Hesperiidae.

Molecular Phylogeny and Historical Biogeography of the Butterfly Tribe Aeromachini Tutt (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae) from China

: The butterfly tribe Aeromachini Tutt, 1906 is a large group of skippers. In this study, a total of 10 genera and 45 species of putative members of this tribe, which represent most of the generic diversity and nearly all the species diversity of the group in China, were sequenced for two mitochondrial genes and three nuclear genes (2093 bp). The combined dataset was analyzed with maximum likelihood inference using IQtree. We found strong support for monophyly of Aeromachini from China and support for the most recent accepted species in the tribe. Two paraphyletic genera within Aeromachini are presented and discussed. The divergence time estimates with BEAST and ancestral-area reconstructions with RASP provide a detailed description about the historical biogeography of the Aeromachini from China. The tribe very likely originated from the Hengduan Mountains in the late Ecocene and expanded to the Himalaya Mountains and Central China Regions. A dispersal-vicariance analysis suggests that dispersal events have played essential roles in the distribution of extant species, and geological and climatic changes have been important factors driving current distribution patterns.

Genomes of skipper butterflies reveal extensive convergence of wing patterns

For centuries, biologists have used phenotypes to infer evolution. For decades, a handful of gene markers have given us a glimpse of the genotype to combine with phenotypic traits. Today, we can sequence entire genomes from hundreds of species and gain yet closer scrutiny. To illustrate the power of genomics, we have chosen skipper butterflies (Hesperiidae). The genomes of 250 representative species of skippers reveal rampant inconsistencies between their current classification and a genome-based phylogeny. We use a dated genomic tree to define tribes (six new) and subtribes (six new), to overhaul genera (nine new) and subgenera (three new), and to display convergence in wing patterns that fooled researchers for decades. We find that many skippers with similar appearance are distantly related, and several skippers with distinct morphology are close relatives. These conclusions are strongly supported by different genomic regions and are consistent with some morphological traits. Our work is a forerunner to genomic biology shaping biodiversity research.

The mitochondrial genomes of three skippers: Insights into the evolution of the family Hesperiidae (Lepidoptera)

We sequenced the mitogenomes of Astictopterus jama, Isoteinon lamprospilus and Notocrypta curvifascia to obtain further insight into the mitogenomic architecture evolution and performed phylogenetic reconstruction using 29 Hesperiidae mitogenome sequences. The complete mitogenome sequences of A. jama, I. lamprospilus and N. curvifascia are 15,430, 15,430 and 15,546 bp in size, respectively. All contain 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, and an A + T-rich region. Nucleotide composition is A + T biased, and the majority of the protein-coding genes exhibit a negative AT-skew, which is reflected in the nucleotide composition, codon, and amino acid usage. The A + T-rich region is comprised of nonrepetitive sequences, including the motif ATAGA followed by a poly-T stretch, a microsatellite-like element next to the ATTTA motif, and a poly-A adjacent to tRNAs. Although most genes evolve under a strong purifying selection, the entire nad gene family (especially nad6) exhibits somewhat relaxed purifying selection, and atp8, evolving under a highly relaxed selection, is an outlier in the family Hesperiidae. Several different approaches relatively consistently indicated that nad6, atp8 and nad4 are comparatively fast-evolving genes in this family, which may have implications for future phylogenetic, population genetics and species diagnostics studies. For phylogenetic analyses of Hesperiidae, we tested a few datasets, and found that the one comprising all 37 genes produced the highest node support, indicating that the inclusion of RNAs improves the phylogenetic signal. Results indicate that subfamilies Euschemoninae, Heteropterinae, and Coeliadinae are monophyletic with strong nodal support, but Pyrginae and Eudaminae are paraphyletic. Finally, we confirm that A. jama and I. lamprospilus are close relatives.

Climate is a strong predictor of near-infrared reflectance but a poor predictor of colour in butterflies

Colour variation across climatic gradients is a common ecogeographical pattern; yet there is long-standing contention over underlying causes, particularly selection for thermal benefits. We tested the evolutionary association between climate gradients and reflectance of near-infrared (NIR) wavelengths, which influence heat gain but are not visible to animals. We measured ultraviolet (UVA), visible (Vis) and NIR reflectance from calibrated images of 372 butterfly specimens from 60 populations (49 species, five families) spanning the Australian continent. Consistent with selection for thermal benefits, the association between climate and reflectance was stronger for NIR than UVA-Vis wavelengths. Furthermore, climate predicted reflectance of the thorax and basal wing, which are critical to thermoregulation; but it did not predict reflectance of the entire wing, which has a variable role in thermoregulation depending on basking behaviour. These results provide evidence that selection for thermal benefits has shaped the reflectance properties of butterflies.

Linking karyotypes with DNA barcodes: proposal for a new standard in chromosomal analysis with an example based on the study of Neotropical Nymphalidae (Lepidoptera)

Chromosomal data are important for taxonomists, cytogeneticists and evolutionary biologists; however, the value of these data decreases sharply if they are obtained for individuals with inaccurate species identification or unclear species identity. To avoid this problem, here we suggest linking each karyotyped sample with its DNA barcode, photograph and precise geographic data, providing an opportunity for unambiguous identification of described taxa and for delimitation of undescribed species. Using this approach, we present new data on chromosome number diversity in neotropical butterflies of the subfamily Biblidinae (genus Vila Kirby, 1871) and the tribe Ithomiini (genera Oleria Hübner, 1816, Ithomia Hübner, 1816, Godyris Boisduval, 1870, Hypothyris Hübner, 1821, Napeogenes Bates, 1862, Pseudoscada Godman et Salvin, 1879 and Hyposcada Godman et Salvin, 1879). Combining new and previously published data we show that the species complex Oleria onega (Hewitson, [1852]) includes three discrete chromosomal clusters (with haploid chromosome numbers n = 15, n = 22 and n = 30) and at least four DNA barcode clusters. Then we discuss how the incomplete connection between these chromosomal and molecular data (karyotypes and DNA barcodes were obtained for different sets of individuals) complicates the taxonomic interpretation of the discovered clusters.

The complete mitochondrial genomes of two skipper genera (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae) and their associated phylogenetic analysis

The systematic positions of two hesperiid genera, Apostictopterus and Barca (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae), remain ambiguous. We sequenced and annotated the two mitogenomes of Apostictopterus fuliginosus and Barca bicolor and inferred the phylogenetic positions of the two genera within the Hesperiidae based on the available mitogenomes. The lengths of the two circular mitogenomes of A. fuliginosus and B. bicolor are 15,417 and 15,574 base pairs (bp), respectively. These two mitogenomes show similar AT skew, GC skew, codon usage and nucleotide bias of AT: the GC skew of the two species is negative, and the AT skew of A. fuliginosus is negative, while the AT skew of B. bicolor is slightly positive. The largest intergenic spacer is located at the same position between trnQ and ND2 in A. fuliginosus (73 bp) and B. bicolor (72 bp). Thirteen protein-coding genes (PCGs) start with ATN codons except for COI, which starts with CGA. The control regions of both mitogenomes possess a long tandem repeat, which is 30 bp long in A. fuliginosus, and 18 bp in B. bicolor. Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood methods were employed to infer the phylogenetic relationships, which suggested that A. fuliginosus and B. bicolor belong in the subfamily Hesperiinae.

A simple method for data partitioning based on relative evolutionary rates

BACKGROUND

Multiple studies have demonstrated that partitioning of molecular datasets is important in model-based phylogenetic analyses. Commonly, partitioning is done a priori based on some known properties of sequence evolution, e.g. differences in rate of evolution among codon positions of a protein-coding gene. Here we propose a new method for data partitioning based on relative evolutionary rates of the sites in the alignment of the dataset being analysed. The rates are inferred using the previously published Tree Independent Generation of Evolutionary Rates (TIGER), and the partitioning is conducted using our novel python script RatePartitions. We conducted simulations to assess the performance of our new method, and we applied it to eight published multi-locus phylogenetic datasets, representing different taxonomic ranks within the insect order Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) and one phylogenomic dataset, which included ultra-conserved elements as well as introns.

METHODS

We used TIGER-rates to generate relative evolutionary rates for all sites in the alignments. Then, using RatePartitions, we partitioned the data into partitions based on their relative evolutionary rate. RatePartitions applies a simple formula that ensures a distribution of sites into partitions following the distribution of rates of the characters from the full dataset. This ensures that the invariable sites are placed in a partition with slowly evolving sites, avoiding the pitfalls of previously used methods, such as k-means. Different partitioning strategies were evaluated using BIC scores as calculated by PartitionFinder.

RESULTS

Simulations did not highlight any misbehaviour of our partitioning approach, even under difficult parameter conditions or missing data. In all eight phylogenetic datasets, partitioning using TIGER-rates and RatePartitions was significantly better as measured by the BIC scores than other partitioning strategies, such as the commonly used partitioning by gene and codon position. We compared the resulting topologies and node support for these eight datasets as well as for the phylogenomic dataset.

DISCUSSION

We developed a new method of partitioning phylogenetic datasets without using any prior knowledge (e.g. DNA sequence evolution). This method is entirely based on the properties of the data being analysed and can be applied to DNA sequences (protein-coding, introns, ultra-conserved elements), protein sequences, as well as morphological characters. A likely explanation for why our method performs better than other tested partitioning strategies is that it accounts for the heterogeneity in the data to a much greater extent than when data are simply subdivided based on prior knowledge.

Anchored phylogenomics illuminates the skipper butterfly tree of life

BACKGROUND

Butterflies (Papilionoidea) are perhaps the most charismatic insect lineage, yet phylogenetic relationships among them remain incompletely studied and controversial. This is especially true for skippers (Hesperiidae), one of the most species-rich and poorly studied butterfly families.

METHODS

To infer a robust phylogenomic hypothesis for Hesperiidae, we sequenced nearly 400 loci using Anchored Hybrid Enrichment and sampled all tribes and more than 120 genera of skippers. Molecular datasets were analyzed using maximum-likelihood, parsimony and coalescent multi-species phylogenetic methods.

RESULTS

All analyses converged on a novel, robust phylogenetic hypothesis for skippers. Different optimality criteria and methodologies recovered almost identical phylogenetic trees with strong nodal support at nearly all nodes and all taxonomic levels. Our results support Coeliadinae as the sister group to the remaining skippers, the monotypic Euschemoninae as the sister group to all other subfamilies but Coeliadinae, and the monophyly of Eudaminae plus Pyrginae. Within Pyrginae, Celaenorrhinini and Tagiadini are sister groups, the Neotropical firetips, Pyrrhopygini, are sister to all other tribes but Celaenorrhinini and Tagiadini. Achlyodini is recovered as the sister group to Carcharodini, and Erynnini as sister group to Pyrgini. Within the grass skippers (Hesperiinae), there is strong support for the monophyly of Aeromachini plus remaining Hesperiinae. The giant skippers (Agathymus and Megathymus) once classified as a subfamily, are recovered as monophyletic with strong support, but are deeply nested within Hesperiinae.

CONCLUSIONS

Anchored Hybrid Enrichment sequencing resulted in a large amount of data that built the foundation for a new, robust evolutionary tree of skippers. The newly inferred phylogenetic tree resolves long-standing systematic issues and changes our understanding of the skipper tree of life. These resultsenhance understanding of the evolution of one of the most species-rich butterfly families.

Hostplant change and paleoclimatic events explain diversification shifts in skipper butterflies (Family: Hesperiidae)

BACKGROUND

Skippers (Family: Hesperiidae) are a large group of butterflies with ca. 4000 species under 567 genera. The lack of a time-calibrated higher-level phylogeny of the group has precluded understanding of its evolutionary past. We here use a 10-gene dataset to reconstruct the most comprehensive time-calibrated phylogeny of the group, and explore factors that affected the diversification of these butterflies.

RESULTS

Ancestral state reconstructions show that the early hesperiid lineages utilized dicots as larval hostplants. The ability to feed on monocots evolved once at the K-Pg boundary (ca. 65 million years ago (Mya)), and allowed monocot-feeders to diversify much faster on average than dicot-feeders. The increased diversification rate of the monocot-feeding clade is specifically attributed to rate shifts in two of its descendant lineages. The first rate shift, a four-fold increase compared to background rates, happened ca. 50 Mya, soon after the Paleocene-Eocene thermal maximum, in a lineage of the subfamily Hesperiinae that mostly fed on forest monocots. The second rate shift happened ca. 40 Mya in a grass-feeding lineage of Hesperiinae when open-habitat grasslands appeared in the Neotropics owing to gradual cooling of the atmospheric temperature.

CONCLUSIONS

The evolution of monocot feeding strongly influenced diversification of skippers. We hypothesize that although monocot feeding was an intrinsic trait that allowed exploration of novel niches, the lack of extensive availability of monocots comprised an extrinsic limitation for niche exploration. The shifts in diversification rate coincided with paleoclimatic events during which grasses and forest monocots were diversified.

The complete mitochondrial genome of a skipper Burara striata (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae)

We assembled a complete mitogenome of an Asian skipper butterfly Burara striata (Hesperiidae, Coeliadinae), the first representative of the genus Burara, from next generation sequencing reads. The 15327 bp mitogenome covers 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA genes (tRNAs), 2 ribosomal RNA genes (rRNAs), and an A + T rich region. Its gene order is typical for mitogenomes of Lepidoptera. Phylogenetic analysis places Burara striata as a sister to Hasora, and Choaspes as a sister to both of these genera.

The complete mitogenome of Euschemon rafflesia (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae)

We assembled a complete mitochondrial genome of a unique Australian skipper butterfly Euschemon rafflesia (Hesperiidae) from next generation sequencing reads. The 15,447 bp mitogenome covers 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA genes (tRNAs), 2 ribosomal RNA genes (rRNAs), and an A + T-rich region. Its gene order is typical for mitogenomes of Lepidoptera. Phylogenetic analysis places Euschemon rafflesia as a sister to the rest of Hesperiidae except Coeliadinae.