Eryphanis zolvizora isabelae Neild & De Sousa, 2014

Blandin, Patrick, Bristow, Roger, Neild, Andrew, Sousa, Juan Carlos De, Gareca, Yuvinka & Huertas, Blanca, 2014, Revisiting the Andean butterfly Eryphanis zolvizora group (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae): one or several species?, European Journal of Taxonomy 71, pp. 1-66 : 41-42

Eryphanis zolvizora isabelae Neild & De Sousa ssp. nov.

Figs 6C-D , 8B , 14D-F , 15M-O

Diagnosis

HW projection moderately developed. No orange mark between veins R5-M1. The androconial patch is on average longer (mean: 9 mm) than in all other subspecies and is pale greyish-brown ( Fig. 6C-D ). The violet iridescence on the FW is generally slightly stronger and distally more extensive than in E. z. reyi ssp. nov. The white patch in the VFW cell next to the base of Cu1-Cu2 is larger by 50%-100% than other subspecies ( Fig. 6C-D ). On the VFW, the white Cu2-Cu1 spot in the basalmost angle formed by the cubital vein and Cu2 is relatively large and always present ( Fig. 6C-D ). On the VFW, the black line at the base of cell M3-Cu1 is usually diffuse or poorly-defined in males ( Fig. 6C-D ), and diffuse or nearly absent in females ( Fig. 8B ), a difference with all other subspecies. The valva is regular, without swelling; the ridge bears a row of more than 6 spines, the size of which varies more or less regularly.

Etymology

We name this subspecies in honour of the memory of Isabel Montesino de Romero (1931-2008). The Romero family collected the vast majority of the type series of both the Venezuelan subspecies described herein. The late Isabel, and her children Francisco (“Paco”) and María de la Concepción (“Conchita”), very kindly helped us in many ways during our protracted research for this paper, and we use this opportunity to thank them profusely for their great kindness and generosity.

Type material (12 specimens)

Holotype

VENEZUELA: ♂, white label handwritten in black ink: // Choroní , 1450. [Vía Choroní 1450 m] [10°21’N 67°34’W] II-78 [Feb. 1978]. C. f. R. s. [collected by familia Romero ] // (R, to be donated to MIZA).

Paratypes

VENEZUELA: ♂, // Choroní (arbol). [Vía Choroní, Aragua] [10°21’N 67°34’W], 6-70. [Jun. 1970] C. f. R. // 111-JCSC // (R); ♂, // Choroní. 1450. [Vía Choroní, Aragua, 1450 m] [10°21’N 67°34’W], 9-71. [Sep. 1971] C. flia. Romero // 117-JCSC // (MIZA); ♂, // Choroní 15. [Vía Choroní, Aragua] [10°22’N 67°35’W], 10-72. [Oct. 1972] C. f. R. // 112-JCSC // (R); ♂, // Choroní, 1250. [Vía Choroní, Aragua, 1250 m] [10°22’N 67°35’W], 9-76. [Sep. 1976] C. f. R. // (R); ♀, // R. Grande. [Rancho Grande, Aragua, 1150 m] [10°20’N 67°40’W], 8-65. [Aug. 1965] C. Eduardo // 118-JCSC // (MIZA); ♀, // [Choroní 21. [Vía Choroní, Aragua] [10°21’N 67°34’W], 8-70. [Aug. 1970] C. f. R. 1550 m. // 113-JCSC // (R); ♀, // Choroní. 1.400 s. [Vía Choroní, Aragua, 1400 m] [10°22’N 67°35’W], V-79.[May 1979] C. f. R. // (R); ♀, // Choroní 28. [Vía Choroní, Aragua] [10°22’N 67°35’W], 28-9-76. [28 Sep. 1976] C. f. R. 1150 m. Cara Norte // 114-JCSC // (R); ♀, //La Llanada. 1.650 mts. [Parque Nacional el Avila, Distrito Federal] [10°33’N 66°56’W], 29 Oct. 1989 // (MNHN, PBB 2322); ♀, // Colonia Tovar. 2.100 mts. [10°24’N 67°19’W], IV-93. [Apr. 1993] C. F. R. Edo. Aragua // (R); ♀, // Col. Tovar, 2.100 m, via Capachal. [Aragua] [10°24’N 67°19’W], 02-04-2010 [2 Apr. 2010] // (MCC).

Other material examined

Included in the measurements but excluded from the type series: ♂, // Mexico // Druce Coll. ex Kaden Coll. // Eryphanis zolvizora Hew. Godman-Salvin Coll. 1919 .-6. // BMNH (E) #808093 // (BMNH).

Description

Male

The FWL varies from 57 to 66 mm (mean: 63.3 mm; n = 6). The holotype FWL is 60 mm. The hindwing projection is developed to an average degree (P = 4.1; n = 5; cf. Table 3 ), similar to specimens from Colombia. There is no orange mark between veins R5-M1 ( Fig. 6C-D ). The holotype ( Fig. 6C ) and some of the paratypes have five submarginal orange spots which meet at the veins (but these are separated from each other by the vein itself, which is dark brown); however, although the form and size of these spots are variable, they are well-developed in all but one of the known specimens; therefore, it is likely that this character falls into the variation observed in populations from the Northern Andes and northern Peru. The violet iridescence on the DFW is generally slightly stronger and distally more extensive than in E. z. reyi ssp. nov. and E. z. opimus . The length of the DHW androconial patch is on average longer than in all other subspecies, with a mean of 9.0 mm (n = 6; cf. Table 4 ), and the patch is pale greyish-brown ( Fig. 6C-D ), while it is a bright creamy white in all other subspecies, except in some rare individuals. Ground colour of the ventral surface as in other subspecies of the Northern Andes (except some darker specimens in E. z. greeneyi ). The white patch on the FWV cell next to the base of Cu1-Cu2 is roughly subtriangular or in the form of an inverted heart-shape; it is distinctly larger (50%-100%) than in any other subspecies ( Fig. 6C-D ). On the VFW, the white Cu2-Cu1 spot in the basalmost angle formed by the cubital vein and Cu2 is relatively large and always present ( Fig. 6C-D ). On the VFW, the black line at the base of cell M3-Cu1 is usually diffuse or poorly defined in males (it is narrow, but well defined, in all other subspecies). On the VFW, the white vertical stripes in cell Cu2-2A are generally connected by a thin black horizontal line ( Fig. 6C-D ). On the VHW, the black designs in the cell and the curved line anterior to the Cu1-Cu2 ocellus are fainter than in E. z. opimus , but almost similar to those of E. z. reyi ssp. nov. In most specimens, the anterior VHW ocellus is encircled by an outer pale/ off-white circle, contrasting with the background more than in E. z. opimus ; the black ring is complete ( Fig. 6C-D ), being dissimilar to E. z. reyi ssp. nov. in which it is usually broken at the costal margin. On average, the VHW Cu1-Cu2 ocellus (Φ average value: 8.7 mm; n = 5; cf. Table 5 ) is probably similar to that of E. z. reyi ssp. nov. and perhaps of E. z. greeneyi , but smaller than in all other subspecies. The valva is regular, without swelling; the ridge bears a row of more than 6 spines, the size of which varies more or less regularly ( Fig. 14D-F ); the gnathos is generally slightly smaller than in E. z. opimus ; there is no noticeable difference with E. z. reyi ssp. nov.

Female

Female FWL length varies from 63 mm to 68.5 mm (n = 6). The dorsal and ventral surfaces show the same diagnostic features as in the male. The violet-blue dorsal iridescence on both the FW and HW is usually a more extensive, lighter and bluer tint than the one observed on E. z. reyi ssp. nov. ( Fig. 8B ). The inward projections of the sterigma are narrower than in E. z. opimus and E. z. reyi ssp. nov. and the bases of the dorsal branches are widely separated from the internal side of the arch ( Fig. 15M-O ); nevertheless, the extremities of these branches are close to it and clearly cross in 3 of the 4 dissected specimens; in this way, E. z. isabelae ssp. nov. possibly differs from other subspecies.

Flight periods

Specimens have been collected in February, April, May, and June, but the majority were taken in August, September and October. With the exception of February, which is usually (but not always!) dry, these months fall within the rainy season.

Distribution

Venezuela. This taxon appears to be endemic to the Cordillera de la Costa in northern Venezuela, where it has been recorded from approximately 1150 m to at least 2100 m.

Figures

Fig. 6. Habitus of males. Red spot: holotype (HT). Yellow spot: paratype (PT). A. Eryphanis zolvizora reyi ssp. nov., HT (La Chimenea, Barinas, Venezuela; MIZA). B. E. z. reyi ssp. nov., PT (Charalá, Colombia; MNHN, PBB 2321). C. Eryphanis zolvizora isabelae ssp. nov., HT (Choroní, Aragua, Venezuela; R, to be donated to MIZA). D. E. z. isabelae ssp. nov., PT; specimen with reduced forewing spots (Choroní, Aragua, Venezuela; R).

Fig. 8. Habitus of females. Yellow spot: paratype (PT). A. Eryphanis zolvizora reyi ssp. nov., PT (La Chimenea, Barinas, Colombia; MIZA). B. Eryphanis zolvizora isabelae ssp. nov., PT (Colonia Tovar, Aragua, Venezuela; MCC).

Fig. 14. A-C. Male genitalia of Eryphanis zolvizora reyi ssp. nov. A. PT from La Mina, Barinas, Venezuela (R, 115-JCSC). B. PT from San Isidro, Barinas, Venezuela (MNHN, PBB 2324). C. PT from Charalá, Santander, Colombia (MNHN, PBB 2321). D-F. Male genitalia of Eryphanis zolvizora isabelae ssp. nov. D. PT from Choroní, Aragua, Venezuela (R, 112-JCSC). E. PT from Choroní, Aragua, Venezuela (MIZA, 117-JCSC). F. PT from Choroní, Aragua, Venezuela (R, 111-JCSC).

Fig. 15. Female sterigma. A. Eryphanis zolvizora zolvizora (Hewitson, 1877) (Bolivia; MNHN, CG). B-H. Eryphanis zolvizora chachapoya ssp. nov. B. PT from Cushi, Pasco, Peru (BMNH 8226). C. PT from Carpish, Huánuco, Peru (MNHN, PBB 2285). D. Specimen from Mallqui, Huánuco, Peru (MNHN, PBB 2327). E. PT from San José de Molinopampa, Amazonas, Peru (MNHN, PBGL 198). F. PT from Nieva, Amazonas, Peru (MNHN, PBGL 596). G. PT from Alto Nieva, Amazonas, Peru (MNHN, PBGL 519). H. Specimen from Alto Nieva, Amazonas, Peru (MNHN, PBGL 520). I. Eryphanis zolvizora greeneyi Penz & DeVries, 2008, stat. rev., specimen fromValladolid, Zamora-Chinchipe, Ecuador (MNHN, PBB 2288). J. Eryphanis zolvizora casagrande ssp. nov., PT from La Planada, Nariño, Colombia (IAvH; drawing by Jean-François Le Crom, JFL 337). K. E. zolvizora opimus (Staudinger, 1887), specimen from ‘Colombie’ (MNHN, CG). L. Eryphanis zolvizora reyi ssp. nov., PT from La Mina, Barinas, Venezuela (R, 116-JCSC). M-O. E. zolvizora isabelae ssp. nov. M. PT from Choroní, Aragua, Venezuela (R, 114-JCSC). N. PT from Rancho Grande, Aragua, Venezuela (MIZA, 118-JCSC). O. PT from La Llanada, Distrito Federal, Venezuela (MNHN, PBB 2322).