Metrocles Godman, 1900

Zhang, Jing, Cong, Qian, Shen, Jinhui & Grishin, Nick V., 2022, Taxonomic changes suggested by the genomic analysis of Hesperiidae (Lepidoptera), Insecta Mundi 2022 (921), pp. 1-135 : 45

Metrocles Godman, 1900 is a valid genus with Chalcone Evans, 1955 , Hansa Evans, 1955 , and Propertius Evans, 1955 as its junior subjective synonyms

Our genomic trees reveal that Metron Godman, 1900 (type species Pamphila chrysogastra Butler, 1870 ) is not monophyletic ( Fig. 11 ). Presently in Metron , Metrocles leucogaster Godman, 1900 , which is the type species of Metrocles Godman, 1900 clusters closely with Chalcone Evans, 1955 (type species Augiades chalcone Schaus, 1902 , which is a subspecies of Pamphila briquenydan Weeks, 1901 ), Hansa Evans, 1955 (type species Hesperia hyboma Plötz, 1886 ), and Propertius Evans, 1955 (type species Hesperia propertius Fabricius, 1793 ) in a clade different from Metron . Therefore, we reinstate Metrocles as a valid genus. We also find that neither Hansa nor Chalcone are monophyletic ( Fig. 11 ). Notably, the type species of Hansa is sister to Propertius . Due to genetic closeness of all these species and challenges to classify them correctly using phenotypic considerations, we propose that Chalcone Evans, 1955 Hansa Evans, 1955 and Propertius Evans, 1955 are junior subjective synonyms of Metrocles Godman, 1900 .

Metrocles argentea (Weeks, 1901) , Metrocles scitula (Hayward, 1951) and Metrocles schrottkyi (Giacomelli, 1911) , new combinations

Formerly placed in Paratrytone Godman, 1900 (type species Paratrytone rhexenor Godman, 1900 ), Pamphila argentea Weeks, 1901 (type locality Bolivia: near Cusilluni) is not monophyletic with it and instead originates within the newly expanded Metrocles Godman, 1900 (type species Metrocles leucogaster Godman, 1900 ), near species formerly placed in Chalcone Evans, 1955 (type species Augiades chalcone Schaus, 1902 , which is a subspecies of Pamphila briquenydan Weeks, 1901 ) ( Fig. 11 ). In the same clade, we find Niconiades scitula Hayward, 1951 (type locality Brazil: Mato Grosso), placed by Evans (1955) in Mucia Godman, 1900 (type species Mucia thyia Godman, 1900 , a junior subjective synonym of Hesperia zygia Plötz, 1886 ), which is in subtribe Moncina A. Warren, 2008 , and not in Hesperiina Latreille, 1809 as Metrocles ( Fig. 11 ). Phenotypically, these placements are reasonable due to similarities in ventral hindwing patterns: white irregular discal band separated into spots by veins is also present in Metrocles zisa (Plötz, 1882) (formerly in Chalcone ). Finally, inspection of the photographs of the holotype of Thymelicus (?) schrottkyi Giacomelli, 1911 (type locality Argentina: La Rioja), currently in Metron Godman, 1900 (type species Pamphila chrysogastra Butler, 1870 ), revealed very close similarity with M. scitula in wing patterns and stigma. For all these reasons, we propose Metrocles argentea (Weeks, 1901) , new combination, Metrocles scitula (Hayward, 1951) , new combination, and Metrocles schrottkyi (Giacomelli, 1911) , new combination.

Figures

Figure 11. Genomic tree of Hesperiina and relatives. See Fig. 1 legend for notations.