RESUMO
Phalaena militta Stoll, [1781], currently in the combination Thyrgis militta, is transferred to the new combination Calodesma militta. Phalaena militta is the type species of Thyrgis Walker, 1854, and so Thyrgis is a junior synonym of Calodesma Hübner, [1820]. The reinstated genus Seileria Dognin, 1923 is the next available name for the genus previously known as Thyrgis, and the remaining eight species and their subspecies currently in Thyrgis are transferred to new combinations as species of Seileria: S. angustifascia (Hering, 1925), S. basipunctata (Hering, 1926), S. constrictifascia (Dognin, 1919), S. flavonigra (Dognin, 1910), S. investigatorum (Toulgoët, 1988), S. marginata (Butler, 1875), S. meres (Druce, 1911), S. phlegon (Druce, 1885), S. phlegon ruscia (Druce, 1895), S. tenuifascia (Hering, 1930) and S. tenuifascia daguana (Hering, 1930). Eucyanoides Toulgoët, 1988, currently a synonym of Thyrgis, is made a new subjective synonym of Seileria. Based on DNA barcodes, we recognise three very similar, sexually dimorphic and in two cases polymorphic South American species of Calodesma with some phenotypes in common but very similar male genitalia: C. militta (BOLD:AAK1660), C. sp. cf. collaris (BOLD:ABZ2392) and C. pseudocollaris Cock new species (BOLD:AEI2170). Calodesma militta is widespread in South America, with two male morphs (collaris and dioptis) and two female morphs with variable markings (white and orange morphs). Centronia plorator Kaye, [1923] and Thyrgis lacryma Dognin, 1919 are variants of the white female morph and are new synonyms of Calodesma militta. A third female morph with red markings was not sequenced and could not be allocated to a species. Calodesma sp. cf. collaris (BOLD:ABZ2392) occurs in southern South America with both male morphs but only a white female morph. Calodesma pseudocollaris new species (BOLD:AEI2170) is only known from Trinidad, with one male morph (collaris) and the white female morph. Although more than ten morphs relating to this complex have been described as species, they cannot be synonymised without more data on distribution of the different species or DNA barcodes from the type specimens. Collated life history information indicates species of this group are split between Malpighiaceae feeders and Bromeliaceae feeders, but more work is needed to define these differences. The morphism patterns observed are discussed in terms of Müllerian mimicry and mimicry rings, and we suggest that in Trinidad (and elsewhere) there is a loose mimicry ring of diurnal black species with white spots or transparent patches on the wings which are most conspicuous and frequently observed when feeding on white Asteraceae flowers.
Assuntos
Mimetismo Biológico , Mariposas , Feminino , Masculino , Animais , Trinidad e Tobago , Código de Barras de DNA Taxonômico , Mariposas/genéticaRESUMO
Understanding the causes and consequences of insect declines has become an important goal in ecology, particularly in the tropics, where most terrestrial diversity exists. Over the past 12 years, the ForestGEO Arthropod Initiative has systematically monitored multiple insect groups on Barro Colorado Island (BCI), Panama, providing baseline data for assessing long-term population trends. Here, we estimate the rates of change in abundance among 96 tiger moth species on BCI. Population trends of most species were stable (n = 20) or increasing (n = 62), with few (n = 14) declining species. Our analysis of morphological and climatic sensitivity traits associated with population trends shows that species-specific responses to climate were most strongly linked with trends. Specifically, tiger moth species that are more abundant in warmer and wetter years are more likely to show population increases. Our study contrasts with recent findings indicating insect decline in tropical and temperate regions. These results highlight the significant role of biotic responses to climate in determining long-term population trends and suggest that future climate changes are likely to impact tropical insect communities.
Assuntos
Mariposas , Clima Tropical , Animais , Mudança Climática , Colorado , Ecologia , Mariposas/fisiologia , ÁrvoresRESUMO
The following new species are described: Calonotos flemingi new species from Trinidad; Valvaminor jacerda new species from Trinidad and Venezuela. The following species are made subspecies new status: Calonotos tripunctata Druce, 1898 of C. aterrima (Sepp, 1847); Calonotos craneae Fleming, 1957 of Calonotos helymus (Cramer, 1775). The following subspecies is raised to species new status: Cosmosoma bolivarensis Klages, 1906 (formerly Cosmosoma achemon var. bolivarensis). The following are new combinations: Myrmecopsis kenedyae (Fleming, 1957) (Euchromiina) (formerly Pseudosphex kenedyae Ctenuchina); Valvaminor endoleuca (Druce, 1905) (formerly Mesothen endoleuca); Xanthyda beebei (Fleming, 1957) (formerly Pheia beebei); Eucerioides obliquifascia (Rothschild, 1912) (formerly Eucereon obliquifascia); Uranophora andrei (Rothschild, 1912) (formerly Ctenucha andrei). A lectotype is designated for Calonotos tiburtus trinidadensis Strand, 1915, which is a new synonym of Calonotos aterrima (Sepp, 1847). Aethria jacksoni Kaye 1925 is a new synonym of Aethria aner Hampson 1905.
Assuntos
Mariposas , Animais , Mariposas/classificação , Trinidad e TobagoRESUMO
In preparation for a general account of the Trinidad and Tobago Arctiini, the following taxonomic changes are made and justification provided. A lectotype is designated for Castrica sordidior Rothschild, 1909. Castrica oweni Schaus, 1896, stat rev. is returned to species rank. The following new synonyms are established: Castrica sordidior Rothschild, 1909 syn. nov. of Castrica oweni Schaus, 1896; Automolis nigroapicalis Gaede, 1923, Automolis semicostalis Rothschild, 1909, Automolis alboatra Rothschild, 1909, Automolis alboatra borussica Seitz, 1922, Sallaea unifascia Druce, 1899, Automolis hamifera Dognin, 1907, and Automolis apicata Schaus, 1905 syn. nov. of Pryteria costata Mschler, 1883; and Sphinx Adfeit. psamas Cramer, [1779] syn. nov. of Phalaena Noctua onytes Cramer, [1777]. Virbia birchi Druce, 1911 is confirmed to be a synonym of Phalaena medarda Stoll, [1781]. Pryteria tenuis (Rothschild, 1935) stat. nov. and P. intensa (Rothschild, 1935) stat. nov. are raised to species level pending clarification of the genus Pryteria in Central America.
Assuntos
Mariposas , Animais , Trinidad e TobagoRESUMO
The genus Robinsonia Grote, 1866 is partially reviewed following a large DNA barcode campaign. In the Robinsonia praphoea Dognin, 1906 group three new species are described: R. simulans sp. n. from French Guiana, up to now confused with R. praphoea itself and then R. decaensi sp. n. and R. maranhensis sp. n. both from the lower Amazon. R. drechseli sp. n. is described from Paraguay and R. inexpectata sp. n., a species close to R. mera (Schaus, 1910) from Costa Rica, is described as new from Peru and Bolivia. Finally the full species status is confirmed for R. flavicorpus Dognin, 1910 which is found to be differentiable from R. marginata Rothschild, 1909. All types are figured along with the male genitalia for most and some female genitalia for all studied species.
Assuntos
Mariposas/classificação , Animais , América Central , Feminino , Genitália , Masculino , Mariposas/anatomia & histologia , América do SulRESUMO
The morphological species delimitations (i.e. morphospecies) have long been the best way to avoid the taxonomic impediment and compare insect taxa biodiversity in highly diverse tropical and subtropical regions. The development of DNA barcoding, however, has shown great potential to replace (or at least complement) the morphospecies approach, with the advantage of relying on automated methods implemented in computer programs or even online rather than in often subjective morphological features. We sampled moths extensively for two years using light traps in a patch of the highly endangered Atlantic Forest of Brazil to produce a nearly complete census of arctiines (Noctuoidea: Erebidae), whose species richness was compared using different morphological and molecular approaches (DNA barcoding). A total of 1,075 barcode sequences of 286 morphospecies were analyzed. Based on the clustering method Barcode Index Number (BIN) we found a taxonomic bias of approximately 30% in our initial morphological assessment. However, a morphological reassessment revealed that the correspondence between morphospecies and molecular operational taxonomic units (MOTUs) can be up to 94% if differences in genitalia morphology are evaluated in individuals of different MOTUs originated from the same morphospecies (putative cases of cryptic species), and by recording if individuals of different genders in different morphospecies merge together in the same MOTU (putative cases of sexual dimorphism). The results of two other clustering methods (i.e. Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery and 2% threshold) were very similar to those of the BIN approach. Using empirical data we have shown that DNA barcoding performed substantially better than the morphospecies approach, based on superficial morphology, to delimit species of a highly diverse moth taxon, and thus should be used in species inventories.