Febraina: a new subtribe of Alticini with cladistic analysis based on morphology (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae)

A new subtribe Febraina subtr.n. is established with Febra Clark designated as the type genus. Cladistic analysis based on morphological characters is carried out to reveal the composition of a new subtribe and to test its monophyly. Subtribe includes the following genera: Chilocoristes Weise; Halticorcus Lea; Setsaltica Samuelson; Maaltica Samuelson; Axillofebra Samuelson; Profebra Samuelson. Bionomical features of the genera of the subtribe are summarised. The syndrome of hemisphery is recorded for the genera of the subtribe, and morphological transformation resulting in hemisphery is described and discussed. Correspondence between direction of morphological transformation, phylogenetic arrangement of genera, and distributional pattern is recorded and discussed.     

A review of the buprestid genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cochinchinula</Emphasis> Volk. With description of new taxa from Thailand,and notes on the composition and classification of the tribe Acmaeoderini (Coleoptera,Buprestidae, Polycestinae)

A review of the Oriental genus Cochinchinula Volk. (Coleoptera, Buprestidae, Polycestinae, Acmaeoderini) comprising three species is presented. The new species C. thailandica and C. bilyi spp. n. and the new genus Thaichinula gen. n. (type species T. ohmomoi sp. n.) from Thailand are described. A key to species of the genera Cochinchinula and Thaichinula is provided. The Nearctic genus Paracmaeoderoides Bellamy and Westcott is transferred from the subtribe Nothomorphina to the subtribe Acmaeoderoidina, and the South African genus Richtersveldia Bellamy is transferred from the subtribe Nothomorphina of Acmaeoderini to the tribe Ptosimini. The generic status is restored for another South African genus, Brachmaeodera Volkovitsh and Bellamy. The main evolutionary trends are discussed, and the taxonomic composition and classification of the tribe Acmaeoderini are clarified.     

Kauriphanes n. gen., a new genus of braconid parasitoid wasp (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Doryctinae) from New Zealand

A new genus belonging to the braconid wasp subfamily Doryctinae, Kauriphanes n. gen. (type species K. khalaimi n. sp.), is described from New Zealand. This genus is placed within the doryctine subtribe Caenophanina. The extent of this subtribe is discussed and the phylogenetic relationships of three of its genera were investigated using one mitochondrial and one nuclear DNA sequence markers. Similar to previous studies, the Bayesian analyses performed significantly support a clade with the included members of Caenophanina as a sister group of a clade with the examined species of Spathiini sensu stricto. The placement of the Caenophanini within Doryctini, however, is left pendant to further exhaustive phylogenetic studies. A key to genera and subgenera belonging to Caenophanina is given.     

Revision and phylogenetic assessment of the rove beetle genus Pseudohesperus Hayashi,with broad reference to the subtribe Philonthina (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Staphylinini)

This paper studies the phylogeny of the rove beetle subtribe Philonthina, to test its hypothetical monophyly and to unravel the evolutionary relationships of the subtribe and its included genus‐level taxa, with emphasis on the genus Pseudohesperus and its close‐allied relatives. The phylogenetic analyses are based on 105 adult morphological characters and 66 terminal taxa, i.e., all six members of Pseudohesperus, 51 species to represent 29 other genera of the subtribe Philonthina, seven species to represent the other six subtribes of Staphylinini, one species of the tribes Arrowinini, and one of the Platyprosopini. According to the phylogenetic results obtained, the genus Erichsonius should move out from the hitherto‐defined subtribe Philonthina and thus the monophyly of this taxon is challenged. The phylogenetic tree suggests that the genera Hesperus and Belonuchus might not be monophyletic, but the monophyly of Pseudohesperus and the sister relationship between it and Bisnius are well supported. The species‐level phylogenetic relationships of the genus Pseudohesperus reveal a clear pattern of species diversification that can be correlated well with the species' zoogeographical patterns. The paper also revises the taxonomy of Pseudohesperus and describes five new species from China: Pseudohesperus luteus Li & Zhou sp. nov. , Pseudohesperus pedatiformis Li & Zhou sp. nov. , Pseudohesperus tripartitus Li & Zhou sp. nov. , Pseudohesperus sparsipunctatus Li & Zhou sp. nov. , and Bisnius lubricus Li & Zhou sp. nov. An identification key to the species of Pseudohesperus is provided and their geographical distributions are mapped. © 2011 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2011, 163 , 679–722.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ammostigmus</Emphasis>, a new genus of digger wasps of the subtribe Ammoplanina (Hymenoptera,Crabronidae) from southwestern India

A new pemphredonine genus, Ammostigmus (Hymenoptera, Crabronidae), is described from southwestern India. The new genus differs from the other genera of the subtribe Ammoplanina in the quadridentate apical margin of the clypeus, non-bilobed labrum, the presence of postspiracular carina and omaulus, and the absence of episternal sulcus. Phylogenetically the new genus is most closely related to the genus Protostigmus Turner, 1918.     

Phylogeny of the hyper‐diverse rove beetle subtribe Philonthina with implications for classification of the tribe Staphylinini (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae)

With 71 genera and over 2700 described species, Philonthina is the most speciose subtribe of rove beetle tribe Staphylinini and forms a major component of the largest remaining higher systematics challenge in Staphylinini, the ‘Staphylinini propria’ clade. A related systematics issue concerns the position of the genus Holisus (Hyptiomina), which was recovered within the Neotropical philonthine lineage in several recent analyses of morphology. With the aims of resolving the phylogeny of Philonthina and the position and, thus, validity of Hyptiomina, we performed phylogenetic analyses of the tribe Staphylinini based on molecular (six genes, 4471 bp) and morphological (113 characters) data including 138 taxa from all relevant lineages of Staphylinini. We found that ‘Staphylinini propria’ is a monophylum consisting of six lineages: current subtribes Anisolinina, Philonthina, Staphylinina and Xanthopygina; and two new subtribes, Algonina Schillhammer and Brunke and Philothalpina Chatzimanolis and Brunke. While the previously hypothesized Neotropical lineage of Philonthina was corroborated, Holisus was recovered as a separate subtribe, outside of Philonthina, within an informal ‘Southern Hemisphere clade’. Based on our analyses, we propose tentative new concepts of the polyphyletic genera Belonuchus and Philonthus. We propose the following taxonomic changes: synonymy of the subtribes Staphylinina Latreille (valid name) and Eucibdelina Sharp; resurrection of genera Barypalpus Cameron and Trapeziderus Motschulsky from synonymy with Rientis Sharp and Belonuchus Nordmann, respectively; transfer of 38 Belonuchus species, 16 Hesperus Fauvel species and one Philonthus Stephens species to Trapeziderus as new combinations; transfer of two Hesperus species to Eccoptolonthus Bernhauer as new combinations; transfer of one Belonuchus species to Paederomimus Sharp as a new combination; and transfer of Pridonius Blackwelder new status from its position as a subgenus of Quedius (subtribe Quediina) to Philonthina as a genus, and new combinations for its two described species.     

Pollen morphology of the subtribe Cuspariinae (Rutaceae)

The neotropical subtribe Cuspariinae (Rutaceae) comprises as many as 26 genera and over 125 species. Pollen grains from 111 collections representing 71 species and 24 genera were examined by LM, SEM, and TEM. The pollen morphology of this subtribe is very diverse. Grains are mostly 3–6-aperturate and colporate, rarely porate (Spiranthera) or pantocolporate (Almeidea). Exine sculpturing is most commonly reticulate, sometimes perforate, foveolate-perforate, foveolate, foveolate-reticulate, reticulate, striate-reticulate, echinate, clavate, or baculate. The exine structure is columellate and tectate-perforate, columellate and semitectate, or intectate and is stratified into ektexine and endexine. The exine ofLeptothyrsa is distinctive in that the ektexine of the mesocolpium is longitudinally deeply ridged. The pollen ofHortia, characterized by a psilate exine with rare perforations, a very thick foot-layer, and reduced columellae, is unlike that of any member of the Cuspariinae and offers no support for the transfer of this genus from the Toddalioideae. The pollen data correlate with macromorphological characters and are taxonomically useful.     

A revised classification of subtribe Helianthinae (Asteraceae: Heliantheae) II. Derived lineages

Sequence data for internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and partial external transcribed spacer (ETS) regions were combined in a phylogenetic analysis with previously obtained plastid DNA restriction site data to provide a comprehensive molecular phylogenetic hypothesis for derived members of subtribe Helianthinae. Analyses of the two molecular datasets provided conflicting evidence on relationships among some groups, supporting the hypothesis that hybridization has played a significant role in the divergence of the subtribe. A revised generic‐level classification is presented that divides the approximately 350 species of the subtribe among 21 genera. The paraphyletic Viguiera is narrowed to embrace only the type species, V. dentata. Four newly described genera, Dendroviguiera, Gonzalezia, Heiseria and Sidneya, are composed of species formerly included in Viguiera. Aldama is expanded to include 118 species extending from southwestern North America and Mexico to South America. This requires 116 new combinations, including 58 that were recently transferred into Rhysolepis, which is a synonym of Aldama, based on molecular phylogenetic results. One species of Viguiera is transferred to Tithonia, and two combinations in Hymenostephium are validated. © 2011 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2011, 167 , 311–331.     

The cladistics and biology of the Callajoppa genus-group (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae, Ichneumoninae)

A cladistic analysis is presented for the genera of the former ichneumonine tribe Trogini. The tribe Heresiarchini is paraphyletic with respect to the Trogini, and so maintaining Trogini as a separate tribe is unsatisfactory. Within Heresiarchini, the following changes are made: (a) the subtribes Apatetorina and Heresiarchina are referred to as the Apatetor and Heresiarches genus‐groups, (b) the genera of the paraphyletic subtribe Protichneumonina are treated as incerta sedis within Heresiarchini, and (c) the Trogini are referred to as the Callajoppa genus‐group, with the former subtribe Trogina referred to as the Trogus subgroup. Thirty‐five genera are recognized as valid within the Callajoppa genus‐group. Catadelphops, Catadelphus, Cobunus, and Facydes are transferred to this group; Holojoppa is removed and is incertae sedis within Heresiarchini. Three new synonyms are proposed: Araeoscelis and Cryptopyge are junior synonyms of Macrojoppa, and Neamblyjoppa is a junior synonym of Catadelphops. Trogus latipennis Cresson is transferred to Pedinopelte from Macrojoppa, and Trogus mactator Tosquinet and its related species (T. bicolor Radoszkowski, T. heinrichi Uchida, and T. tricephalus Uchida) are transferred to Holcojoppa. Tricyphus is redefined and a neotype is designated for Tricyphus cuspidiger Kriechbaumer, the type‐species of the genus. Thirteen new genera are described (authorship of all is Wahl & Sime): Charmedia (type‐species: Charmedia chavarriai Wahl & Sime, sp. n.) , Daggoo (type‐species: Daggoo philoctetes Wahl & Sime, sp. n.), Dothenia (type‐species: Dothenia hansoni Wahl & Sime, sp. n.), Humbert (type‐species: Humbert humberti Wahl & Sime, sp. n.), Laderrica (type‐species: Laderrica feenyi Wahl & Sime, sp. n.), Mokajoppa (type‐species: Tricyphus respinozai Ward & Gauld), Metallichneumon (type‐species: Metallichneumon neurospastarchus Wahl & Sime, sp. n.), Myocious (type‐species: Myocious orientalis Wahl & Sime, sp. n.) , Quandrus (type‐species: Trogus pepsoides Smith, transferred from Callajoppa), Queequeg (type‐species: Gathetus flavibasalis Uchida, transferred from Neofacydes), Saranaca (type‐species: Trogus elegans Cresson; includes Trogus apicalis Cresson, Tricyphyus ater Hopper, and Tricyphus floridanus Heinrich), Tashtego (type‐species: Tashtego janzeni Wahl & Sime, sp. n.), and Xanthosomnium (type‐species: Xanthosomnium froesei Wahl & Sime, sp. n.). A key to the genera of the Callajoppa genus‐group is provided. The evolution of biological traits within the Callajoppa genus‐group is discussed with reference to the elucidated phylogeny. The groundplan biology is parasitism of Sphingidae, with oviposition into a host pupa/prepupa. There have been two transitions to butterfly parasitism within the Trogus subgroup: one a transition to Papilionidae (followed by a switch to Nymphalidae at Psilomastax) and the other to Nymphalidae (followed by a switch to Papilionidae within Macrojoppa). ©2002 The Linnean Society of London. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 134 , 1–56.     

Description of a new species and phylogenetic analysis of the subtribe Cynopoecilina,including continuous characters without discretization (Cyprinodontiformes: Rivulidae)

A new species of the subtribe Cynopoecilina is described from the rio Gravataí basin, laguna dos Patos system, southern Brazil. The relationships of the new species among taxa of the subtribe Cynopoecilina is discussed based on two analyses: one using 71 discrete characters and other with the addition of six continuous characters analyzed without discretization. The addition of the continuous characters resulted in the first fully resolved phylogenies for Cynopoecilus and Leptolebias species, not obtained in the analysis including only discrete characters. The new species is assigned to Cynopoecilus as sister group to the remaining species of the genus. A new diagnosis is proposed for Cynopoecilus to accommodate the new species. The resulting phylogeny indicates that the occupation of the grasslands of the Pampa biome by the species of Cynopoecilus occurred along the evolution of the genus and that this event was significant for the diversification of the genus. © 2014 The Linnean Society of London     

Flower anatomy of the subtribe Hyptidinae (Labiatae)

Flowers of 34 species, representing 4 of the 6 genera of the morphologically diverse South American subtribe Hyptidinae and including members of many of the sections of the genus Hyptis are investigated. Floral anatomy is basically uniform, with some minor variations which are mainly related to differences in flower size. Marsypianthes differs from the other genera in that the style is fused to the ovary, the hypogynous disc is relatively massive, and there are 12 or 13 calyx traces rather than the usual number of 10. The stylopodium, which is characteristic of Eriope and certain sections of Hyptis, is a fold of stylar tissue which develops in the bud prior to opening of the flower and is probably an abscission layer.     

Molecular phylogenetics of subtribe Aeridinae (Orchidaceae): insights from plastid matK and nuclear ribosomal ITS sequences

We conducted phylogenetic analyses using two DNA sequence data sets derived from matK, the maturase-coding gene located in an intron of the plastid gene trnK, and the internal transcribed spacer region of 18S–26S nuclear ribosomal DNA to examine relationships in subtribe Aeridinae (Orchidaceae). Specifically, we investigated (1) phylogenetic relationships among genera in the subtribe, (2) the congruence between previous classifications of the subtribe and the phylogenetic relationships inferred from the molecular data, and (3) evolutionary trends of taxonomically important characters of the subtribe, such as pollinia, a spurred lip, and a column foot. In all, 75 species representing 62 genera in subtribe Aeridinae were examined. Our analyses provided the following insights: (1) monophyly of subtribe Aeridinae was tentatively supported in which 14 subclades reflecting phylogenetic relationships can be recognized, (2) results are inconsistent with previous classifications of the subtribe, and (3) repeated evolution of previously emphasized characters such as pollinia number and apertures, length of spur, and column foot was confirmed. It was found that the inconsistencies are mainly caused by homoplasy of these characters. At the genus level, Phalaenopsis, Cleisostoma, and Sarcochilus are shown to be non-monophyletic.     

Pythiopina,an enigmatic subtribe of darkling beetles (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Pedinini): taxonomic revision,microtomography, ecological niche models and phylogenetic position

Morphological, anatomical, and distributional data concerning the S outh A frican endemic beetle subtribe P ythiopina (T enebrionidae: P edinini) are revised. Five species, representing two genera, are recognized. Included in this total is one new species (Meglyphus mariae K amiński sp.n. ). The following species are placed in synonymy: Meglyphus ciliatipes [=Meglyphus calitzensis syn.n. ]; Meglyphus laenoides [=Meglyphus andreaei syn.n. ; =Meglyphus namaqua syn.n. ]. Microtomographic models for all valid P ythiopina species, including the holotype of the newly described species, are presented and analysed. Endoskeleton morphology (specifically characters of the tentorium and metendosternite) proved to be informative at the specific and generic levels. An identification key is provided to all known species of the subtribe. Environmental niche models are presented for the majority of species. A molecular phylogeny of P edinini based on six genetic loci (28S : D 1–D 3 region; 28S : D 4–D 5 region, COII , A rgK , CAD 2, wg) was also produced to explore the phylogenetic position of P ythiopina. This analysis is the first to include representatives of all seven subtribes of P edinini, and supports a sister relationship between P ythiopina and the P alaearctic subtribe D endarina. Results also suggest the existence of a second pair of sister taxa within P edinini (in addition to M elambiina) with an amphitropical A frican distribution. This published work has been registered in ZooBank, http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:285AD87A‐46B1‐4FE9‐BC57‐949EA1F70D49 .     

Taxonomic study of the subtribe Pemphredonina Dahlbom, 1835 (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae) with a new species and six new records from China

In this revision of the subtribe Pemphredonina (Crabronidae: Pemphredoninae: Pemphredonini) from China, we reported several species present in respected subtribe, out of which one species is new to science Passaloecus frontirugatus Bashir and Ma, sp. nov., and six species are recorded for the first time from China, including Polemistus palawanensis Tsuneki, Diodontus insidiosus Spooner, Diodontus handlirschi Kohl, Diodontus tiemudzhin Tsuneki, Diodontus spinicerus Kazenas, and Diodontus kuroo Tsuneki. A key to genera and the species of Diodontus and Passaloecus from China is also provided. Distributional records from China of each genus are also given.     

A phylogenetic analysis of the palm subtribe Oncospermatinae (Arecaceae) based on morphological characters

Subtribe Oncospermatinae (Arecaceae: Arecoideae: Areceae) is a diverse group of spiny Old World palms. The subtribe includesOncosperma, a widespread Asian genus of five species, along with seven monotypic genera, all endemic to the Seychelles and Mascarene Islands of the western Indian Ocean. A phylogenetic analysis was conducted in order to test the monophyly of subtribe Oncospermatinae with respect to other Old World genera of tribe Areceae. A matrix of 38 morphological characters was scored for 29 taxa, including 11 species of the Oncospermatinae. A single most parsimonious tree was found, resolving the subtribe as a polyphyletic group of two distinct clades. One clade containingAcanthophoenix, Deckenia, Oncosperma, andTectiphiala was placed as sister to a large group that includes members of subtribes Archontophoenicinae, Arecinae, Iguanurinae, and Ptychospermatinae. The other clade of Oncospermatinae, including the Seychelles endemic generaNephrosperma, Phoenicophorium, Roscheria, andVerschaffeltia, was resolved as sister to the Madagascar endemic subtribe Masoalinae, and may have arisen in the western Indian Ocean region.     

A phylogenetic analysis of subtribe Pleurothallidinae (Orchidaceae)

A cladistic analysis of subtribe, Pleurothallidinae (Orchidaceae) is based on 45 anatomical/ morphological characters. The ingroup members comprise 24 genera; the large genus Pleurothallis consists of two subgenera and ten species complexes. Three taxa representing subtribes Laeliinae and Arpophyllinae are designated as outgroup. Eight most parsimonious trees were discovered using computer assisted software (length = 230; CI = 0.27). The hypothesis that subtribe Pleurothallidinae has undergone a unilinear reduction in the number of pollinia is not supported by this study. Although the eight-pollinia state as represented by Octomeria apparently is plesiomorphic, the two-pollinia and four-pollinia states arose early in the phylogeny of the subtribe. Both two-and four-pollinia states subsequently reappeared as parallelisms. The six-pollinia state exhibited in Brachionidium is autapomorphic. This cladistic analysis suggests that Pleurothallis is not a natural genus and, perhaps may be divided into several discrete genera.     

A phylogenetic analysis of subtribe Pleurothallidinae (Orchidaceae)

A cladistic analysis of subtribe, Pleurothallidinae (Orchidaceae) is based on 45 anatomical/ morphological characters. The ingroup members comprise 24 genera; the large genus Pkurothallis consists of two subgenera and ten species complexes. Three taxa representing subtribes Laeliinae and ArpophyUinae are designated as outgroup. Eight most parsimonious trees were discovered using computer assisted software (length = 230; CI = 0.27). The hypothesis that subtribe Pleurothallidinae has undergone a unilinear reduction in the number of pollinia is not supported by this study. Although the eight-pollinia state as represented by Octomeria apparently is plesiomorphic, the two-pollinia and four-pollinia states arose early in the phytogeny of the subtribe. Both two-and four-pollinia states subsequently reappeared as parallelisms. The six-pollinia state exhibited in Brachionidium is autapomorphic. This cladistic analysis suggests that Pkurothallis is not a natural genus and, perhaps may be divided into several discrete genera.     

New and little known weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea) from the Paleogene and Neogene

A new tribe, Palaeorhopalotriini Legalov, n. tribe, new genera, Electranthribus Legalov, n. gen. (type species: Electranthribus zherikhini n. sp.), Palaeorhopalotria Legalov, n. gen. (type species: Palaeorhopalotria neli n. sp.), Eoceneithycerus Legalov, n. gen. (type species: Eoceneithycerus carpenteri n. sp.), Succinorhynchites Legalov, n. gen. (type species: S. alberti n. sp.), Palaeophelypera Legalov, n. gen. (type species: Palaeophelypera kuscheli n. sp.) and Archaeocallirhopalus Legalov, n. gen. (type species: A. larssoni n. sp.) and new species, Electranthribus zherikhini Legalov, n. sp. (Anthribidae: Anthribinae: Zygaenodini) from Baltic amber, Succinometrioxena bachofeni Legalov, n. sp. from Baltic amber, Palaeorhopalotria neli Legalov, n. sp. (Belidae: Oxycoryninae: Allocorynitae) from Alès-Monteils, Upper Eocene, Eoceneithycerus carpenteri Legalov, n. sp. (Ithyceridae: Ithycerinae) from USA Lower Eocene, Succinorhynchites alberti Legalov, n. sp. (Rhynchitidae: Rhynchitini: Perrhynchitina) from Baltic amber, Ceutorhynchus succinus Legalov, n. sp. (Curculionidae: Baridinae: Ceutorhynchini) from Baltic amber, Palaeophelypera kuscheli Legalov, n. sp. (Entiminae: Hyperini: Cepurina) from Baltic amber, and A. larssoni Legalov, n. sp. (Entiminae: Cneorhinini alaeophelypera) from Baltic amber are described. Isotheinae Scudder 1893, n. syn. is synonymised to the tribe Rhynchitini Gistel, 1848. Trichapiina Alonso-Zarazaga 1990, n. syn. is synonymised to the subtribe Toxorhynchina Scudder 1893. Phialodes durus (Heer 1865), n. placem. and n. comb. is transferred from the genus Attelabus Linnaeus, 1758 to the genus Phialodes Roelofs, 1874.     

Phylogenetic relationships of Thlaspi s.l. (subtribe Thlaspidinae, Lepidieae) and allied genera based on chloroplast DNA restriction-site variation

Chloroplast DNA restriction-site variation was analyzed in 30 accessions representing 20 species from the major lineages in Thlaspi s.l. (previously described as genera by Meyer 1973, 1979) and allied genera from the subtribe Thlaspidinae (Peltaria, Teesdalia, Cochlearia, Ionopsidium, Aethionema). A total of 161 variable restriction sites were detected. Phylogenetic analyses indicated a division of Thlaspi s.l. into three groups consistent with Meyer's genera Thlaspi s. str., Microthlaspi and Noccaea/Raparia. The genus Thlaspi s.l. as currently described proved to be paraphyletic because one of its major lineages, i.e. Thlaspi s. str., appeared to be more closely related to other genera (Peltaria, Teesdalia) than to the remaining lineages of Thlaspi s.l., i.e. Noccaea/Raparia and Microthlaspi. Sequence divergence values (100 x p) between the Thlaspi s.l. lineages were similar to values between these groups and related genera (Teesdalia, Peltaria), respectively. Chloroplast DNA variation was also used to assess subtribal classification of the genera studied. The cpDNA data were inconsistent with the controversial taxonomic classifications based on morphology. The molecular data would suggest that (1) the subtribe Thlaspidinae, as traditionally described, is not monophyletic; (2) the Thlaspidinae should be reduced to a group consisting of Thlaspi s. str., Peltaria, Teesdalia, Microthlaspi, Noccaea/Raparia, and that Aethionema should be excluded from the Thlaspidinae; and (3) Cochlearia and Ionopsidium represent the subtribe Cochleariinae.     

Phylogenetics and biogeography of a spectacular Old World radiation of butterflies: the subtribe Mycalesina (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Satyrini)

Background  

Butterflies of the subtribe Mycalesina (Nymphalidae: Satyrinae) are important model organisms in ecology and evolution. This group has radiated spectacularly in the Old World tropics and presents an exciting opportunity to better understand processes of invertebrate rapid radiations. However, the generic-level taxonomy of the subtribe has been in a constant state of flux, and relationships among genera are unknown. There are six currently recognized genera in the group. Mycalesis, Lohora and Nirvanopsis are found in the Oriental region, the first of which is the most speciose genus among mycalesines, and extends into the Australasian region. Hallelesis and Bicyclus are found in mainland Africa, while Heteropsis is primarily Madagascan, with a few species in Africa. We infer the phylogeny of the group with data from three genes (total of 3139 bp) and use these data to reconstruct events in the biogeographic history of the group.