Synargis undetermined

Dolibaina, Diego Rodrigo, Dias, Fernando Maia Silva, Mielke, Olaf Hermann Hendrik & Casagrande, Mirna Martins, 2013, Taxonomy of the ‘ Synargis axenus complex’ belonging to the ‘ Synargis regulus’ species group, with a phylogenetic reassessment of the genus Synargis Hübner, 1819 (Lepidoptera: Riodinidae: Nymphidiini), Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 168 (3), pp. 427-451 : 431-433

SYNARGIS RASQUEADA SP. NOV.

( FIGS 5–8 , 40–42 , 60, 61 , 72, 73 , 83 )

Emartugina axenus ab. ochrophlegma ; Seitz, 1932. Entomologische Rundschau 49, p. 240, fig. 5g; misidentification.

Diagnosis

Synargis rasqueada sp. nov. is the only species in the ‘ S. regulus ’ group (sensu Hall & Harvey, 2002) that has the marginal, postmedial, and medial bands strongly developed, larger in area than the black background ( Figs 5–8 ). Synargis rasqueada sp. nov. is further distinguished from S. axenus by its bright yellow colour ( Figs 5–8 ); postmedial and medial bands always continuous ( Figs 5–8 ); and males with last abdominal tergite dorsally bright yellow ( Fig. 5 ), rather than black as in S. axenus ( Figs 9, 13 ). Synargis rasqueada sp. nov. is distinguished from S. fandanga sp. nov. by the strongly developed marginal band ( Figs 5, 7 ), and males with the last two tergites yellow ( Fig. 5 ).

Description

Male: Head: similar in colour to S. fandanga sp. nov. Labial palpus ( Fig. 72 ) similar in size to S. fandanga sp. nov., but without black scaling on the second segment. Antenna extending to the proximal margin of the marginal spot of the forewing; segments black, with some white scaling in the base of each segment; tips orange.

Thorax: uniformly black dorsally; ventrally and laterally light yellow; legs light yellow.

Forewing, upperside ( Fig. 5 ): average length of 14.9 mm (14.0–16.0 mm) (N = 5); background colour black, with bright yellow bands. Marginal band with six spots in R 4+5 –M 1, M 1 –M 2, M 2 –M 3, M 3 –CuA 1, CuA 1 – CuA 2, and CuA 2 –2A, first to third spots rounded, fourth and sixth rectangular, fifth smaller than the others; postmedial band divided in two, first band between R 3 –M 3, and the second between CuA 1 and the inner margin, directed towards the outer margin from CuA 2. Medial band continuous from the radius to the inner margin, diagonally directed towards the wing base; medial band partially divided at the end of the discal cell, the proximal part in the middle of the discal cell, and the distal part in R 3 –R 4+5, and adjacent to M 3 –CuA 1. Fringe mostly black, with two white spots between M 3 –CuA 1 and CuA 2 –2A.

Forewing, underside ( Fig. 6 ): similar to the upperside, but bands and spots larger and paler. First postmedial band often connected to the medial band. Basal band present, from halfway along the costal margin to the inner margin, occupying half of the discal cell, always connected anterodistally to the medial band in the discal cell. Fringe on the outer margin mostly black, with two whitish spots between M 3 –CuA 1 and CuA 2 –2A.

Hindwing, upperside ( Fig. 5 ): marginal band with five spots between Rs–M 1, M 1 –M 2, M 2 –M 3, M 3 –CuA 1, and CuA 2 –2A, third and fifth spots larger and fourth spot smaller than the others; postmedial band continuous and irregular, from the costal margin to the inner margin; medial band wide and uniform, from the costal margin to the inner margin, projected distally from the end of the discal cell to CuA 2 –2A, and connected with the postmarginal band between 2A–3A and the inner margin.

Hindwing, underside ( Fig. 6 ): similar to the upperside, but bands and spots are paler and larger. Postmedial and medial bands connected between M 1 –M 3 and CuA 2 –2A. Basal band present along the costal margin.

Abdomen: dorsally mostly yellow ( Fig. 5 ); laterally and ventrally light yellow ( Fig. 6 ).

Genitalia ( Figs 40–42 ): tegumen rectangular with rounded margins dorsally; triangular in lateral view. Tegumen ventrally fused to the saccus; anterior projection of the saccus short and rounded, with a small ventral protuberance. Uncus quadrifid, with two dorsal rounded projections and two lateral pointed projections; lateral projections of the uncus shorter than the dorsal; concave area between dorsal and lateral projection of the uncus developed. Gnathos ‘C’-shaped; dorsal and ventral parts close together and uniformly thick; ventral part thin and pointed dorsally; slightly shorter than the lateral projection of the uncus. Valva longer than tall, strongly concave dorsally; distally bifid, with the dorsal projection long, thin, and pointed dorsally; ventral projection short. Aedeagus one and a half times the size of the valva, curved and distally thin; without cornutus. Eighth sternite slightly smaller than the valva; irregular shaped when compared to other species of the ‘ S. axenus complex’; lateral projections long, two thirds of the length of the eighth sternite; lateral projections widely open, tips developed and strongly serrated.

Female: Head: general colour and antenna as in male. Labial palpus ( Fig. 73 ) as in female of S. fandanga sp. nov. ( Fig. 71 ).

Thorax: as in male.

Forewing, upperside and underside ( Figs 7, 8 ): average length 16.1 mm (15.5–17.0 mm) (N = 3), as in male, but wing shape rounder.

Hindwing, upperside and underside ( Figs 7, 8 ): as in male, but wing shape rounder; spots larger, and with an additional marginal spot in Sc + R 1 –Rs.

Abdomen: mostly black, with orange scales at the distal margin of the tergite; ventrally light yellow ( Fig. 8 ).

Genitalia ( Figs 60, 61 ): sterigma heavily sclerotized, with two rounded folds; proximal fold smaller and with the globular ostium at its centre. Bursa copulatrix membranous, seven times the length of the sterigma; first half thin, second half bulbous; two lateral, long, and thin signa at the beginning of the corpus bursae.

Distribution

This species occur in sympatry only with S. axenus , and is apparently restricted to the transitional area between the Pantanal and the Cerrado ( Fig. 83 ).

Taxonomic comments

The female specimen identified by Seitz (1932) as ‘ E. axenus ab. ochrophlegma ’ from Mato Grosso, Brazil ( Seitz, 1932: 240, fig. 5g) corresponds to this species. Similarly to S. fandanga sp. nov., this species probably failed to be recognized because of the variation in phenotype found in most species of the ‘ S. axenus complex’, although it is morphologically very similar to its closest relative, S. axenus . Nevertheless, there are enough differences in the wing pattern and the genitalia of both males and females to regard S. rasqueada sp. nov. as a distinct species. Synargis rasqueada sp. nov. is sympatric with S. axenus , but specimens of S. rasqueada sp. nov. are only known from a localized area in the north-west of the Cerrado, a transitional area between the Cerrado savannahs and shrublands and the Pantanal wetlands.

Etymology

The species is named after a folk musical genre and dance (‘Rasqueada’), traditional to the state of Mato Grosso, location of the type series .

Type material

Holotype male with the following labels: / HOLOTYPUS / Cáceres, M[a]T[o Grosso, Brazil], 18-XI-1984 Buzzi, Mielke, Elias, Casagrande leg. PROJ. POLONOROESTE/ DZ 20.567/ HOLOTYPUS Synargis rasqueada Dolibaina, Dias, Mielke & Casa- grande det. 2013/ ( DUZP); allotype female with the following labels :/ ALLOTYPUS / Cáceres, M[a]T[o Grosso, Brazil], 15-XI-1984 Buzzi, Mielke, Elias, Casagrande leg. PROJ. POLONOROESTE/ DZ 21.517/ ALLOTYPUS Synargis rasqueada Dolibaina, Dias, Mielke & Casagrande det. 2013/ ( DZUP) . PARA- TYPES: BRAZIL – Mato Grosso: Cáceres , 15.xi.1984, Buzzi, Mielke, Elias & Casagrande leg., 2 ♂ (DZUP 21.158, DZUP 21.482), 1 ♂ (DZUP 21.181), 18.xi.1984, Buzzi, Mielke, Elias & Casagrande leg., 2 ♂ (DZUP 20.567, DZUP 21.524), 19.xi.1984, Buzzi, Mielke, Elias & Casagrande leg., 1 ♀ (DZUP 21.587), 01–09.ii.1985, Elias leg., 1 ♀ (DZUP 20.173); Diamantino (Alto Rio Arinos ) 10.v.1990, Furtado leg., 1 ♀ ( USNM) , 25.xi.1991, Furtado leg., 1 ♂ ( USNM) .

SYNARGIS AXENUS ( HEWITSON, 1876)

( FIGS 9–16 , 43–45 , 62, 63 , 74, 75 , 83 )

Lemonias axenus Hewitson, 1876 . Illustrations of new species of exotic butterflies, selected chiefly from the collections of W. Wilson Saunders and William C. Hewitson, vol. V, p. 82, [pl. XLIII] ( Limnas &c), described from a single male specimen; Mengel, 1905, A catalogue of the Erycinidae . A family of butterflies. With the synonymy brought down to July 1, 1904. p. 116.

Lemonias (?) axenus ; Godman, 1903, Transactions of the Entomological Society of London 1903, p. 545 (male).

Ematurgina axenus ; Stichel, 1910 Berliner Entomologische Zeitschrift 55, p. 74; Stichel, 1911. Genera Insectorum 112B, p. 283, pl. 27, fig. 73 (female dorsal and ventral); Seitz, 1932. Entomologische Rundschau 49, p. 240, fig. 5e (male dorsal), 5f (female dorsal), p. 241, fig. 6a (female dorsal), 6c (male dorsal).

Ematurgina axena [sic]; Stichel, 1930. Lepidopterorum Catalogus 41, p. 582; Brown & Mielke, 1967. Journal of the Lepidopterists‘ Society 21, p. 149; misspelling.

Emartugina acervata Seitz, 1932 . Entomologische Rundschau 49, p. 242.

Ematurgina ochrophlegma f. distincta Hayward, 1949. Acta zoologica Lilloana 8, p. 198–199. syn. nov.

Synargis axenus axenus ; Hall & Harvey, 2002. Cladistics 18, p. 555, fig. 6B (male genitalia), 7B (female genitalia); Callaghan & Lamas, 2004, Riodinidae, In : Lamas, G. (ed.). Checklist: Part 4A. Hesperioidea – Papilionoidea. In: Heppner, J. B. Atlas of Neotropical Lepidoptera 5A, p. 165, syn: acervata. Emery, Brown & Pinheiro, 2006. Revista Brasileira de Entomologia 50, p. 89; Casagrande, Dolibaina, Carneiro, Dias, Leite & Mielke, [2012]. Borboletas (Hesperioidea e Papilionoidea) de Jaguariaíva, Paraná, Brasil: Inventário em um enclave de Cerrado Meridional, In: Carpanezzi & Campos (ed.) Coletânea de Pesquisas: Parques estaduais de Vila Velha, Cerrado e Guartelá p. 300, p. 307, figs 197–200.

Synargis axenus ochrophlegma ; Núñez-Bustos, Favre, Bertolini, Turner & Sourakov, 2011. Tropical Lepidoptera Research 21, p. 39–40, fig. 9 (male dorsal); misidentification.

Diagnosis

Labial palpus and antenna similar in size and colour to S. rasqueada sp. nov. and S. fandanga sp. nov. Both wings mostly black, with marginal, postmedial, and medial bands, bright orange (N = 27) or yellowish (N = 1); bands narrower ( Figs 9–16 ) when compared to other species of the ‘ S. axenus complex’, often vestigial. Forewing marginal band with six spots, similar to S. rasqueada sp. nov. ( Figs 9, 11, 13, 15 ); postmedial band similar to S. rasqueada sp. nov. and S. fandanga sp. nov., but narrower ( Figs 9, 11, 13, 15 ); medial band continuous ( Figs 9, 11 ) (N = 22) or broken ( Figs 13, 15 ) (N = 6). Hindwing pattern similar to S. rasqueada sp. nov. and S. fandanga sp. nov.; but marginal band with five spots ( Figs 9, 11, 13, 15 ); postmedial band irregular and interrupted in M 3 –CuA 1 ( Figs 9, 11, 13, 15 ) (N = 23). Female larger, with rounded wings ( Figs 11, 15 ); bands larger and more uniform ( Figs 11, 12, 15, 16 ). Male with abdomen dorsally and laterally bright yellow in tergites III–VII ( Figs 9, 13 ); ventrally light yellow ( Figs 10, 14 ). Female with abdomen dorsally and laterally black ( Figs 11, 15 ); ventrally light yellow ( Figs 12, 16 ). Male genitalia and eighth sternite similar to S. rasqueada sp. nov. and S. fandanga sp. nov. ( Fig. 45 ); however, distal projection of the valva strongly developed, reaching the insertion of the gnathos on the tegumen ( Fig 43 ). Female genitalia with sterigma similar to S. rasqueada sp. nov., but with more developed signa ( Figs 62–63 ); first two thirds of the bursa copulatrix thin, last third rounded ( Fig. 63 ).

Distribution

This species is known to occur only in the Cerrado, with records in the central plateau of Brazil in the states of Rondônia, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Distrito Federal, Goiás, and Minas Gerais; and Cerrado relicts further south, in the states of São Paulo, Paraná, and northern Argentina ( Fig. 83 ) .

Taxonomic comments

Synargis axenus is a widespread species, with marked intraspecific variation in the pattern of the wings, particularly the development of the spots, which are occasionally absent in melanic specimens ( Figs 13–16 ). However, the genital morphology of both males and females is stable within its range. Seitz (1932) believed that the specimens figured and cited as S. axenus and S. axena by Stichel (1910, 1930) were not the same species described by Hewitson (1876). Seitz (1932) proposed the new name Emartugina acervata Seitz, 1932 for that specimen, collected by Garbe in Casa Branca, São Paulo, Brazil. The specimen was illustrated by Stichel (1910: pl. 27, fig. 73), and is an example of the intraspecific variation of S. axenus . Lectotypes of Lemonias axenus and Emartugina acervata are here designated to ensure future taxonomic stability ( ICZN, 1999: Art. 74.7).

Type material

The male lectotype of Lemonias axenus , here designated, has the following labels: / LECTOTYPUS /Type/ Type/ Type Ex. Grose Smith, 1910/ Joicey Bequest. Brit. Mus. 1934-120./ Axenus. Hew. Bolivia. Type./ LECTOTYPE Lemonias axenus Hewitson, 1876 Dolibaina, Dias, Mielke & Casagrande det. 2013/ ( BMNH). The characteristic lectotype label will be sent to the curator of the collection.

The female lectotype of Emartugina acervata , here designated, has the following labels: / LECTOTYPUS / Casa. Br[anca, São Paulo, Brazil]. Garbe [leg.]/ Coll. Staudinger/ Ematurgina axenus Hew. ♀ / LECTO- TYPE ♀ Ematurgina axenus f. acervata Seitz, 1932 By G. Lamas 2000 [unpublished]/ LECTOTYPE Emartugina acervata Seitz, 1932 Dolibaina, Dias, Mielke & Casagrande det. 2013/ ( ZMHB). The characteristic lectotype label will be sent to the curator of the collection.

The male holotype of Ematurgina ochrophlegma f. distincta has the following labels: / Ematurgina ochrophlegma fa. distincta Hayw. K. J. HAYWARD DET./ Type/ Argentina: Misione[s], March 1928. A. E. A. Gosiling. B. M. 1928–268./ ( BMNH).

Examined material

BRAZIL – Rondônia: Vilhena , 10.vii.1972, Mielke leg. , 1 ♂ (DZUP 20.035). Mato Grosso: Chapada dos Guimarães ( Colégio Buriti ), 23.v.1969, Nicolay leg. , 2 ♂ ( USNM), 27.v.1969, Nicolay leg. 2 ♂ and 2 ♀ ( USNM), (Chapada dos Guimarães ), 25.v.1989, V. Becker leg. , 1 ♂ (OM 34.352) and 2 ♀ (OM 34.346, OM 34.340); Diamantino (Alto Rio Arinos ), 16.i.1978, Mielke & Furtado leg. , 1 ♂ (DZUP 21.545), 24.xii.1989, Furtado leg., 1 ♂ ( USNM), 2.xi.1990, Furtado leg. , 8 ♂ ( USNM), 21.i.1991, Furtado leg. , 1 ♂ ( USNM), 10.xi.1991, Furtado leg. , 1 ♂ ( USNM), 15.xi.1991, Furtado leg. , 1 ♂ ( USNM), 17.xi.1991, Furtado leg. , 1 ♂ ( USNM), 22.xi.1991, Furtado leg. , 1 ♂ ( USNM), 25.xi.1991, Furtado leg. , 2 ♂ ( USNM), 5.xii.1991, Furtado leg. , 1 ♂ ( USNM), 8.iii.1992, Furtado leg. , 1 ♂ ( USNM), 350 m, 7–13.xi.1996, Furtado & Moser leg. , 3 ♂ and 3 ♀ (MO 348, MO 349), ( Fazenda São João ) , 21.xi.1984, Mielke & Casagrande leg. 1 ♀ (DZUP 21.167); Nova Xavantina , 24.iv.1978, Gifford leg. , 2 ♂ (DZUP 20.265, DZUP 20.464); Torixoréu , 26.iv.1978, Gifford leg. , 1 ♀ (DZUP 21.454). Goiás: Cocalzinho ( Serra de Pirenópolis ), 1300 m, 2.vi.2011, A. Moser leg. , 1 ♀ (MO); Cristalina (50 km east), 10–16.xii.1993, C. Mielke leg. , 1 ♂ (OM 60.207) and 1 ♀ (OM 60.200); Goiás Velho , xi.1976, Gifford leg. , 1 ♂ (DZUP 21.594), 12.v.1977, Gifford leg., 1 ♂ (DZUP 19.409), 10.vi.1977, Gifford leg., 2 ♀ (DZUP 19.604, 21.629); Lagoa Santa , 18.vii.1976, Gifford leg. , 1 ♂ (DZUP 21.566); Leopoldo de Bulhões , x.1937, R. Spitz leg. , 1 ♂ ( MZUSP),. xi.1937, R. Spitz leg. , 1 ♀ ( MZUSP), xii.1937, R. Spitz leg. , 1 ♂ ( MZUSP), iii.1938, R. Spitz leg. , 17 ♂ and 5 ♀ ( MZUSP); Pirenópolis , 2.v.1991, Robbins & Becker leg. , 1 ♂ ( USNM); Planaltina , 1000 m, 4.xii.1982, Mielke & Becker leg. , 2 ♀ (DZUP 19.331, DZUP 21.398), 30.iv.1991, Robbins & Becker leg., 2 ♀ ( USNM) , Distrito Federal: Brasília , 15.xi.1977, Gifford leg. , 1 ♂ (DZUP 21.538), xii.1971, Stawiarsky leg., 1 ♂ (DZUP 21.150), vi.2011, no collector, 1 ♂ ( ZUEC-LEP), ( Fazenda Água Limpa ), 17.v.1978, Gifford leg. , 2 ♂ (DZUP 21.153, DZUP 21.160) and 1 ♀ (DZUP 21.279), 3.v.1979, Gifford leg., 1 ♀ (DZUP 21.223), 10.v.1979, Gifford leg., 1 ♂ (DZUP 21.608), 15.ii.1980, Gifford leg., 1 ♂ (DZUP 21.552); ( Brasília Country Club ) , 15.v.1969, Nicolay leg., 1 ♂ (DZUP 21.503), 16.v.1969, Nicolay leg., 1 ♂ and 1 ♀ ( USNM), 1200 m, 18.vi.1972, Mielke & Brown leg. , 1 ♂ (DZUP 21.461), ( Estação Ecológica Águas Emendadas ) , 1130 m, 4.vi.2011, A. Moser leg., 2 ♂ (MO 347). Minas Gerais: Conceição do Mato Dentro, ( Serra do Cipó ), 17.iv.1991, Robbins & Becker leg. , 1 ♂ ( USNM); Corinto , 10.v.1979, C. Elias leg. , 1 ♂ (DZUP 21.251), vii.1979, C. Elias leg., 1 ♂ (DZUP 21.433), xii.1979, C. Elias leg., 1 ♂ (DZUP 21.550); Diamantina, (Parque Nacional das Sempre Vivas), no date, no collector, 1 ♀ ( ZUEC-LEP); Conceição do Mato Dentro, ( Serra do Cipó ), 1100 m, 6.i.2002, O.-C. Mielke leg. , 1 ♂ (OM 55.407). Mato Grosso do Sul: Porto Murtinho , xi.1929, R. Spitz leg. , 1 ♂ and 2 ♀ ( MZUSP) . São Paulo: Brotas, Campo Alegre , 2.v.1965, H & K Ebert leg. , 1 ♂ ( USNM); Itapetininga, ( Estação Experimental ), 656 m, 23.iii.2001, K. Brown & G. Schwantz leg. , 3 ♂ ( ZUEC-LEP); Santa Rita do Passa Quatro, ( Parque Estadual de Vassununga ), 1–3.v.2003, R. Alonso leg. , 3 ♀ ( ZUEC-LEP), (ARIE Pé de Gigante ), 14.xi.2002, R. Alonso leg. , 1 ♀ (ZUEC- LEP), 26.xi.2002, R. Alonso leg., 1 ♀ ( ZUEC-LEP), 28.iii.2003, R. Alonso leg. , 1 ♂ and 1 ♀ ( ZUEC-LEP) . Paraná: Jaguariaíva , 20.xii.1977, Mielke leg. , 2 ♂ (DZUP 21.447, DZUP 21.559), 25.xi.1986, Mielke & Casagrande leg., 1 ♂ (DZUP 21.405), ( Parque Estadual do Cerrado ) , 21.xi.2009, Mielke, Carneiro, Dias, Ribeiro & Dolibaina leg., 1 ♀ (DZUP 21.321); Ponta Grossa ( Parque Estadual de Vila Velha ), 900 m, 18.iii.1973, Mielke leg. , 1 ♀ (DZUP 21.412).

Figures

Figure 83. Distribution map of Synargis species belonging to the ‘Synargis axenus complex’, plotted over the major biomes. Asterisk indicates probable location.

Figures 1–16. Species belonging to the ‘Synargis axenus complex’, dorsal and ventral views. 1–4, Synargis fandanga sp. nov., holotype and allotype. 5–8, Synargis rasqueada sp. nov., holotype and allotype. 9–16, variation of Synargis axenus: 9–12, male from Xavantina, Mato Grosso, Brazil, and female from Vilhena, Rôndonia, Brazil, 13–16, male from Goiás Velho, Goiás, Brazil, and female from Planaltina, Distrito Federal, Brazil. Scale bar = 1 cm. Sex indicated in the figure.

Figures 37–45. Male genitalia of Synargis species belonging to the ‘Synargis axenus complex’. Lateral view; tegumen and uncus in dorsal view, and eighth sternite. 37–39, Synargis fandanga sp. nov., paratype. 40–42, Synargis rasqueada sp. nov., paratype. 43–45, Synargis axenus. Scale bar = 0.25 mm.

Figures 58–69. Female genitalia of the ‘Synargis axenus complex’. Sterigma and bursa copulatrix in ventral view. 58, 59, Synargis fandanga sp. nov. 60, 61, Synargis rasqueada sp. nov. 62, 63, Synargis axenus. 64, 65, Synargis ochrophlegma stat. nov. 66, 67, Synargis bifasciata. 68, 69, Synargis perrupta stat. rev. Scale bars: Figures 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68 = 0.25 mm; Figures 59, 61, 63, 65, 67, 69 = 0.5 mm.

Figures 70–82. Heads of the ‘Synargis axenus complex’ in lateral view showing labial palpi. 70, 71, Synargis fandanga sp. nov., paratypes. 72, 73, Synargis rasqueada sp. nov., paratype and allotype. 74, 75, Synargis axenus. 76, 77, Synargis ochrophlegma stat. nov. 78, 79, Synargis bifasciata. 80, 81, Synargis perrupta stat. rev. 82, Synargis gorpa sp. nov., paratype. Sex indicated in the figure.