Nymphalites obscurum

Jong, Rienk De, 2017, Fossil butterflies, calibration points and the molecular clock (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea), Zootaxa 4270 (1), pp. 1-63 : 33

obscurum . Nymphalites obscurum Scudder, 1889

Nymphalidae .

USA, Colorado , Teller County, Florissant; late Priabonian , late Eocene. Depository: MCZH (holotype, no. 7768).

Published figures: Emmel et al. (1992: Fig. 1 /8); Scudder (1889: Pl. LIII Figs 1 0–13). A badly preserved fossil with a stout body. Possibly a male, as parts of the uncus (“curving sides of the tapering hook of the upper organ”) seem to be present. According to the original description the “ordinary form of superior apical branching seen in the subcostal vein [now considered to be the radius] of the fore wings of Nymphalinae appears also here.” This is a rather cryptic description, and not supported by Scudder’s own figure, where few venational details are discernible. Moreover, the usual radial arrangement in Nymphalidae , the formula 1, 2, 3+(4+5), apparently is plesiomorphic. Forelegs reduced, terminal tarsal joint with short slender spines instead of the normal claw. This is an apomorphy of Nymphalidae and Lycaenidae (males only). Because of the size of the insect (wing span is estimated at 63 mm), it is unlikely that it belongs to the Lycaenidae , the Nymphalidae thus being the most likely family. Nothing more can be said about the systematic position of the fossil. It is not clear on which evidence Emmel et al. ’s (1992) remark is based that “its closest affinities seem to be with Marpesia and Anaea from Mexico and Central America” which, according Freitas & Brown (2004), based on morphology, and Wahlberg et al. 2009, based on molecular analysis, are in separate subfamilies of Nymphalidae ; Marpesia is in Cyrestinae , Anaea in Charaxinae ).

Figures

FIGURE 1. Localities of fossil butterflies plotted ion a modern map. See Table 1 for further, complementary information.