Male secondary sexual structures and the systematics of the Thereus
oppia species group (Lepidoptera,Lycaenidae, Eumaeini) |
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Authors: | Robert K Robbins María Dolores Heredia Robert C Busby |
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Institution: | 1.Department of Entomology, PO Box 37012, NHB Stop 105, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC 20013-7012 USA;2.Cra 76A, 9A-34, Apto. 404. Cali, Colombia;3.7 Countryside Way, Andover, MA 01810-6041 USA |
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Abstract: | The Thereus
oppia species group includes species with and without a scent pad, which is a histologically and morphologically characterized male secondary sexual structure on the dorsal surface of the forewing. To assess the hypothesis that these structures are lost evolutionarily, but not regained (Dollo’s Law), the taxonomy of this species group is revised. Thereus
lomalarga
sp. n., and Thereus
brocki
sp. n., are described. Diagnostic traits, especially male secondary structures, within the Thereus
oppia species group are illustrated. Distributional and biological information is summarized for each species. Three species have been reared, and the caterpillars eat Loranthaceae. An inferred phylogeny is consistent with the hypothesis that scent pads in the Thereus
oppia species group have been lost evolutionarily twice (in allopatry), and not re-gained. |
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Keywords: | Dollo’ s Law Loranthaceae" target="_blank">Loranthaceae Scent pads Thereus
brocki" target="_blank">Thereus
brocki Thereus
lomalarga" target="_blank">Thereus
lomalarga Thereus
orasus" target="_blank">Thereus
orasus |
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