Hesperiidae of Rondonia, Brazil: "Antigonus" genus group (Pyrginae), with taxonomic comments and descriptions of new species from Brazil and Guatemala

28 Pages·2000·14.4 MB·English

by  George T Austin

Journal
of
The Lepidopterists' Society
Volume 54 2000 Number 1
JournaloftheLepidopterists'Society
54(1),2000,1-28
HESPERIIDAE OF RONDONIA, BRAZIL: "ANTIGONUS" GENUS GROUP
(PYRGINAE),WITH TAXONOMIC COMMENTS AND DESCRIPTIONS OF
NEWSPECIES FROM BRAZILAND GUATEMALA
GeorgeT. Austin
NevadaStateMuseumandHistoricalSociety,
700TwinLakesDrive,LasVegas,Nevada89107,USA
ABSTRACT. Somespeciesofthepyrgine(Hesperiidae)"Antigonus"group(sensu Evans 1953)occurringincentralRondonia,Brazil,are
discussed.ThesearesixspeciesoiMijlonGodman&Salvin, 1894,includingtwonewspeciesMylonsimplexandMylonargonautarum;four
speciesofCarrhenesGodman&Salvin, 1895,includingthenewspeciesCarrhenesrecurva;fourspeciesofClitoEvans, 1953,includingdie
newcombinationClitoclada,newstatus;onespeciesofXenophanes Godman& Salvin, 1895;threespeciesofAntigonus Hiibner[1819];and
onespecieseachofTimochreon Godman&Salvin, 1896,andAnisochoria Mabille [1877].Taxonomiccommentsandillustrations (including
maleandfemalegenitalia)areprovidedfortheseandforsomerelatedtaxafromelsewhere.TheidentitiesofLeucochitoneajason Ehrmann,
1907,andMylonozemavar.exstincta Mabille&Boullet, 1917,areclarified.AlectotypeisdesignatedforL.jason.TheholotypeofM. o. var.
exstinctaisidentifiedandM.exstincta,newstatus,israisedfromitscurrentsynonymywithM.jason.Myloncristata,newspecies,isdescribed
fromGuatemala.Carrheneschaeremon(Mabille, 1891),revisedstatus;Carrhenesleada(Butler,1870),revisedstatus;andCarrheneslilloiHay-
ward, 1947,revisedstatus,areraisedtospecificleveltaxafromtheircurrentsubspecificorsynonymicplacements.
Additionalkeywords:genitalia, Neotropics,phenology,variation.
Evans (1952, 1953) divided the Pyrginae (Hes- area, there is a pronounced seasonality ofprecipita-
periidae)intoseveralgroupsofgenera. Althoughthese tion. Adryseasonextends from Maythrough Septem-
groups maynotbe monophyleticandmaycontainmis- ber with practically no rainfall in June, July, and
placed species (e.g., de Jong 1975, Burns 1990), they August. The wettest months are usually January and
are convenient for discussions ofspecies richness and February.
taxonomyoflocalfaunas. Nearthe municipalityofCa- Forewinglengthwas measuredfromthebasetodie
caulandiaincentralRondonia, Brazil, anareaofongo- apex. "GTA"numbers associatedwith specimens refer
ing studies of the butterfly fauna (Emmel & Austin to genitalvialnumbers. Structures ofthe genitaliaare
1990), seven ofthe eleven genera ofthe "Antigonus" those usedbyAustin and Mielke (1998).
group have been found: Mylon Godman & Salvin,
1894; Carrhenes Godman &Salvin, 1895; Clito Evans, MylonGodman & Salvin, 1894
1953;Xenophanes Godman & Salvin, 1895;Antigonus Evans (1953) included eleven species andfoursub-
Hiibner, [1819]; Timochreon Godman & Salvin, 1896; species in this Neotropical genus which ranges from
andAnisochoria Mabille [1877]. In this paper, sixteen Mexico to Argentina. Six species, including one con-
species previously described in these genera are dis- sidered as a synonym byEvans (1953) and two unde-
cussed, four newspecies are described, anewcombi- scribed,were recordedincentral Rondonia. Theseare
nation is established, and a species considered by presentin smallnumbers throughouttheyear,but are
Evans (1953) tobe asynonym is identified. mostprevalent duringthe earlywet season (Figs. 107,
108). I propose that the species ofMylon be divided
StudyAreaand Methods
into three species groups based on wing pattern and
A detailed description of the study area near the morphologyofmale andfemale genitalia. I alsoil-
Cacaulandia is presented by Emmel and Austin lustrate the genitalia oftaxafrom other areas, and de-
(1990) and Emmel et al. (2000). In the Cacaulandia scribe anewspecies from Guatemala.
Journalofthe Lepidopterists' Society
"lassia" Group are similar to those ofM. lassia, but have a narrower
Three species groups appearwithinMylon, the first sterigma; the tubularductus bursae leadsto an oblong
proposed being the "lassia" group including, in addi- corpus bursae.
tion to the species discussed below, Mylon zephus
Mylon anderanderEvans, 1953
(Butler, 1870) and Mylon salvia Evans, 1953. This
(Figs. 7, 59)
groupis characterizedbyhyaline subapicalmacules on
the forewing, a tibial tuft on the hindleg entering a M. ander is known from Colombia to Bolivia and
thoracicpouch abroadlytriangulargnathosinventral southern Brazil (Evans 1953). It is rare in the Ca-
,
view, nostyle fromthe ampulla, one ortwoprominent caulandiaareawithonerecordinOctoberandthreein
spines on the aedeagus, andamembranous sac on the November (Fig. 108). The male genitalia (Fig. 59) ap-
ventral side ofthephallobase. pearas illustratedbyEvans (1953).
"menippus" Group
Mijlon lassia (Hewitson, 1868)
(Figs. 1, 2, 55, 87) The two species ofthe here proposed "menippus"
M. lassia is known from Mexico to northern South group, discussed below, differ from the "lassia" group
America (Evans 1953). Males from Costa Rica have by the lack ofhyaline subapical macules on the fore-
genitalia (Fig. 55) as illustratedbyGodmanand Salvin wing, no tibial tuft, a narrower gnathos, a short and
(1879-1901) and Evans (1953). The female genitalia bluntstylecaudadfromtheampulla, andno spines and
(Fig. 87) have a narrowlamellapostvaginalis which is agenerallysmallersack-like structure onthe aedeagus.
shallowly notched centrally on its caudal edge and a Theydo, however,haveadorsalprocessfromtheharpe
lamellaantevaginaliswithbroadlateralplates. asdoesdie"lassia"group, similarlylongarmsoftheun-
cus (verylongonM. cajus), andaverybroadvinculum.
Mylon illineatus illineatus Mabille & Boullet, 1917
Mylon menippus (Fabricius, 1777)
(Figs. 3, 56)
(Figs. 9, 10, 60, 89)
The nominotypical subspecies of M. illineatus
ranges from Ecuadorto Peru. The genitalia ofa male M. menippus is the most common Mylon in central
from Ecuador is illustrated here (Fig. 56) in more de- Rondonia with records for every month and a peak
tail than by either Hayward (1947, 1948) or Evans flightintheearlywetseason (Fig. 107). Themalegen-
italia (Fig. 60) are as illustratedbyGodmanand Salvin
(1953).
(1879-1901) and Hayward (1933, 1947, 1948) as My-
Mylon orsa Evans, 1953 lon melander (Cramer [1780]) and by Evans (1953).
(Figs. 4, 57) There appears to be novariation in the genitalia over
M. orsa was known from the male and two females the species' broad distribution (Mexico to Argentina),
of Evans' (1953) original description of this species but there is some individual variation in the shape of
from Costa Rica. The genitalia ofan additional male the harpe. The female genitalia (Fig. 89) have a rela-
from Costa Rica is illustrated here (Fig. 57) in more tivelybroad lamellapostvaginalis (broaderthan on M.
detailthanpreviously. lassia and M. mestor), a lamella antevaginalis with
broadlaterallobes, alongandthinductus bursae, and
Mylon mestorEvans, 1953 anoblongcorpusbursae. Thereis someindividual (but
(Figs. 5, 6, 58, 88) not seasonal) variation in the extent and intensity of
M. mestor was known only from the unique type markings on the dorsal wings. Some individuals from
from Ecuador (Evans 1953). An additional male and a Rondonia lack the pale-centered darkbarin the mid-
female from Ecuador are illustrated here. The male discal cell ofthe forewing, the key character used by
genitalia are also shown (Fig. 58) and in more detail Evans (1953) to distinguish M. menippus fromthefol-
than by Evans (1953). The female genitalia (Fig. 88) lowingspecies.
Figs. 1-8.Mylon(dorsalsurfaceonleft,ventralsurfaceonrigWht). 1.M. lassiamale,COSTARICA: SanJoseProv.;FincaElRodeo,25Mar.
1989;2.M. lassiafemale,COSTARICA:AlajuelaProv.;6.8km ofAtenas,22Dec. 1984;3.M. illineatusmale, ECUADOR: PastazaProv.;
25 km NE Puyo, 28June 1980; 4. M. orsa male, COSTA RICA: Alajuela Prov.; 2.8 km S ofCinchona, 27 Sept. 1987; 5. M. mestormale,
ECUADOR: PichinchaProv.;HotelTinalandia,2July1980;6.M.mestorfemale,ECUADOR:PichinchaProv.;47kmEofSantaDomingode
losColorados, 12May1988;7.M.andermale,BRAZIL:Rondonia;5kmSofCacaulandia, 11 Nov. 1995;8.M.cajusheramale,COSTARICA:
SanJoseProv.;cerrowestofPatarra, 11 Oct. 1987.
Volume 54, Number 1
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Journalofthe Lepidofterists' Society
Figs. 9-16.Mylon (dorsalsurfaceonleft,ventralsurfaceonright). 9. M. menippusmale, BRAZIL: Rondonia;5kmSofCacaulandia, 11
Nov 1995- 10.M menippusfemale,BRAZIL:Rondonia;FazendaRanchoGrande,20Oct. 1989;11.M.pelopidasmale,GUATEMALA:Peten;
ParqueNacionalTikal 4Feb. 1992; 12.M.pelopidasfemale,MEXICO:Pueblo;nr.IzucardeMatamoros, 11Aug. 1962; 13.M.jasonmalelec-
totype; 14.M.jasonfemaleparalectotype; 15.M.exstinctamale,BRAZIL:Rondonia;LinhaC-20,offB-65atRioCanaa, 15Nov. 1994; 16.M.
exstinctafemaleholotype.
Volume 54, Number 1
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20
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Figs. 17-21.Mylon (dorsalsurfaceonleft,ventralsurfaceon right). 17.M. argonautarum maleholotype; 18.M. argonautarumfemale,
BRAZIL: Rondonia;5km SofCacaulandia, 18June 1994; 19.M. cristatamaleholotype;20.M. cristatafemale,GUATEMALA:Peten;Par-
queNacionalTikal,31 May1993;21.M. simplexmaleholotype.
Mylon cajushera Evans, 1953 male genitalia extending conspicuously dorsad to en-
(Figs. 8, 61) velop most ofthe tegumen, being supportedbyapair
This subspeciesofMyloncajus (Plotz, 1884)wasde- offlaps recurvingoutwardfromnearthecaudalendof
scribed from Panama and is known also from the tegumen. The group is also distinguished from
GuatemalaandCostaRica (Evans 1953). A male from otherMylonbytheshortarmsoftheuncus, acompar-
Costa Rica is illustrated along with its genitalia (Fig. atively narrow vinculum, an elongate style from the
61) in more detailthan byEvans (1953). ampulla, the lackofadorsalprocess on the harpe (ex-
cept for M. pelopidas), and a dextral hook near the
caudalendofthe aedeagusindorsalview.Thegnathos
"pelopidas" Group ofthe "pelopidas" groupis narrow, there are no spines
The "pelopidas" species group, herein designated or a sac-like structure on the aedeagus, and, as on the
within Mylon, is characterizedbythe vinculum ofthe "nienippus"group,therearenohyalinesubapicalmac-
Journalofthe Lepidopterists' Society
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27
Figs.22-29. Carrhenes;allfrom BRAZIL: Rondonia(dorsalsurfaceonleft,ventralsurfaceonright). 22. C. chaeremon male,3km Eof
FazendaRanchoGrande, 18Nov. 1992;23.C. chaeremon female,5kmSofCacaulandia, 10May1995;24.C. bambamale,FazendaRancho
Grande, 12Nov. 1994;25.C.bambafemale,5kmSofCacaulandia,7Apr. 1995;26.C. leadamale,FazendaRanchoGrande,7Nov. 1991;27.
C. leadafemale,FazendaRanchoGrande, 13June 1993;28.C recurvamaleholotype;29.C. recuroafemale,B-65, 1kmNofCacaulandia,5
Nov. 1990.
Volume 54, Number 1
ules on the forewingortibial tuft. The sterigmaofthe Fabricius, 1793, but was apparently unaware of
female genitaliais oval in shape andthe lamella ante- Ehrmann's (1907) name. Holland (1927), in corre-
vaginalis has a central process extending cephalad spondence with Lindsey resolved that two superfi-
which divides a translucent area ("windows") defined cially similar taxawith very different genitalia existed
caudad and lateradbyits lateral lobes. The shape and and that M.jason applied to the unplaced phenotype
size ofthese "windows" and the shape ofand the pat- ofLindsey (1925). Holland (1927) went on to repro-
ternofspiculationonthecentralprocessofthelamella duce Lindseys (1925) illustrationofthegenitaliaofM.
antevaginalis are veryuseful for determining species. jason, as well as the Godman and Salvin (1895) figure
The anterior one-halfto two-thirds ofthe sterigmais ofM. ozema,buttook"thelibertyofaddingthetermi-
coveredventrallybya largelytransparent membrane. nal tuft ofbristles, which we have found to be highly
The ductus bursae is long andvery slender and leads characteristic andto occurin everyone ofthe numer-
to a globular corpus bursae. The group includes M. ous specimens which we have microscopically exam-
pelopidas, M. jason, M. exstincta (raised from syn- ined . . ."to Lindseys figure. The "bristles" refer to
onymybelow), andthree newspecies, all ofwhich are those atthecaudalendoftheharpe. Liberty, however,
discussed in the following. M. pelopidas, M. exstincta, is not always a good thing. The "type" ofL.jason is a
andtwoofthenewspecieswereencounterednearCa- male and, although the genitalia had not been dis-
caulandia. sected, the harpes were observable beyond the ab-
dominalintegumentandwere clearlywidioutbristles.
Mylon pelopidas (Fabricius, 1793) Apparently, these were not examined by Holland
(Figs. 11,12,62,90) (1927) although Lindsey (1925) may have seen this
M. pelopidas is a familar and widespread species species ashis figureshowednoterminalbristlesonthe
(male forewinglength = 19.9 mm [19.0-20.3, N = 5]; harpe. Lindsey, subsequently, alsosawspecimenswith
mm
female forewing length = 21.4 [N = 1]; samples these bristles as noted in correspondence to Holland
from Rondonia) occurring from Mexico south to (Holland 1927), the latter apparently misled Lindsey
Paraguayand southern Brazil (Evans 1953). Although on the concept ofM.jason, andthus aconfusion con-
there is acertain amount ofindividualvariation in the cerningthe identityofM.jasonwas initiated.
intensityofdorsal markings (some ofthis mediatedby NeitherLindsey(1925) norHolland (1927) seemed
wear), there appears to be no geographical variation aware that in die years between the description ofM.
and the male genitalia (Fig. 62) are constant as more jason andtheirstudies, Mabille andBoullet (1917) de-
orless illustrated by Godman and Salvin (1895), Hol- scribed another taxon, Mylon ozema var. exstincta
land (1927), and Hayward (1933), all as Mylon ozema which also had direct bearing on die problem in die
(Butler, 1870), andbyEvans (1953). The female geni- identification of M. jason. That taxon was described
talia (Fig. 90) have a lamella postvaginalis with a from asinglefemalefrom "Amazonesup."indie Boul-
straight caudal end divided by a V-shaped central let Collection at the Paris Museum. To complete this
notch. The lamella antevaginalis is represented by history, Hayward (1947, 1948) illustrated genitalia of
broad lateral lobes extending nearly as far caudad as Mylon "jason" showing bristles on the harpe and
the caudal edge ofthe lamellapostvaginalis and has a Evans (1953) synonymized M. exstincta with M.jason
broad central process flared at its cephalad edge and andillustratedgenitaliawithoutbristles.
denselyspiculose on its lateral edges. The "windows" As ifthe complications in die identification andtax-
arebroadandrectangular. onomyofM.jason perpetuatedthroughtimewerenot
M. pelopidas is uncommonin central Rondoniaand enough, three species ofMylon with this general su-
is represented by records for January through May, perficial phenotype were found among material from
July, and Octoberthrough December (Fig. 108). central Rondonia, two without bristles on the harpe
and one with. It thus became critical to examine the
Mylonjason (Ehrmann, 1907) types ofthe two applicable taxa for which names are
(Figs. 13, 14, 63, 91) available to establish their identity. As noted, the
The concept of M. jason has been plagued with "type" ofM.jason has no brisdes onthe caudal endof
problems. The species was described by Ehrmann the harpe. Dissection ofits genitalia revealeddiat the
(1907) as Leucochitoneajason from specimens taken terminalendoftheharpeisveryrobust, evenindorsal
inVenezuela. Lindsey(1925) commentedonandillus- view, and completely unlike any ofdie three pheno-
trated the genitaliaofaphenotype from South Amer- types from Rondonia. The two female "paratypes" of
ica which resembled Mylon ozema (Butler, 1870), a M. jason which exist (Holland 1927) were also dis-
name now synonymized with Hesperia pelopidas sected and proved to be oftwo species as thought by
Journalofthe Lepidopterists' Society
Figs. 30-37. Carrhenes,Xenophanes,andAntigonus (dorsalsurfaceonleft,ventralsurfaceon right). 30. C. lilloi male,ECUADOR: Rio
Napo,Limoncocha, 10July1983;31.C. canescensmale(grayphenotype),GUATEMALA:Peten;ElRemate,CerroCahul,28Sept. 1994;32.
C.canescensmale(brownphenotype),MEXICO:SanLuisPotosi;Cd.Valles,12July1972;33.C.canescensfemale(brownphenotype),MEX-
ICO: San LuisPotosi;Cd.Valles, 12July1972;34.X. tryxusmale, BRAZIL: Rondonia;5km SofCacaulandia,8July 1996;35.X. tryxusfe-
male,BRAZIL: Rondonia;5kmSofCacaulandia, 14July1995;36.A. liboriusmale,BRAZIL: Rondonia;5kmSofCacaulandia, 15July1995;
37.A. liboriusfemale, BRAZIL: Rondonia;5kmSofCacaulandia,28May1994.
Volume 54, Number 1
Holland (1927). That femalewhichhe associatedwith pelopidas, but the ground color has more sheen, the
M.jason (his Plate 1, fig. 2) matcheswellinthe details postmedian line of the hindwing is less prominent
ofthe superficial characters ofthe "type" male. The than usual on M. pelopidas, and there is less gray-
second female is a M. pelopidas. The "type" ofM. o. brown scalingbetween this andthe margin. The end
var. exstincta likewise had not been dissected. Its gen- ofthe forewing discal cell, represented by darkened
italia are different from those ofboth the "paratype" cross veins, is more or less parallel to the termen on
considered above as the female ofM.jason and those M.jason and thus is directed towards the proximal
oftheassociatedfemaleofM. pelopidas. Similarly, de- edge ofthe postmedian macule in CuA -2Awhereas
2
tails of the superficial markings of the M. o. var. the end of the discal cell on M. pelopidas is more
exstincta "type" differed from those exhibitedbyeach erect and directed towards the distal edge of this
of those females. These markings, however, were macule; this character was the one superficial char-
nearlyidenticaltothoseofmales ofone ofthe Rondo- acter used by Evans (1953) to distinguish the two
niaphenotypes,thisalsowithoutcaudalbristles onthe species.
harpe (seebelow). The genitalia illustrated by Lindsey (1925) are
To firmlyestablishthe identityofLeucochitoneaja- probably of M. jason, those illustrated by Holland
son Ehrmann, 1907, the male "true type" (Holland (1927) represent a mixed drawing ofM.jason (after
1927) is here firmly established as the lectotype, the the figure by Lindsey 1925) with bristles ofan unde-
female with similar superficial markings alluded to scribed species added, those represented by Evans
above is designated the paralectotype, and the wings (1953) may be ofM. jason, but appear to be of M.
and genitaliaofboth are illustratedherein. The lecto- exstincta or ofan undescribed species. The genitalia
type (forewinglength = 21.7mm)haslabels as follows: representedasM.jason byHayward (1948) have cau-
red, handprinted - TYPE; white, printed - Ehrman dalbristles on the harpe andare obviouslynot ofthat
[sic] Coll./Cam. Mus./Ace. 7815;white,handprinted species. The female genitalia of M. jason have a
- Ann. Cam. Mus. /vol. [not given] 1927. / Pi. xxviii, curved caudal edge to the lamella postvaginalis di-
fig. 1. 6;white, handwritten - L.jason Ehrmann/Type vided by a relatively broad V-shaped central notch
No. 555 / E. A. Klages C oil. / Suapure 10/28. 1899 / and a lamella antevaginalis with wide and lobate lat-
Venezuela;white, printedandhandprinted - Genitalia eral lobes and amoderatelywide centralprocesswith
Vial/GTA- 7307,withthe followinglabeladded: red, aslightlybroadenedandconvexcephaladendandlat-
printed - LECTOTYPE / Leucochitonea jason I eral spicules. The "windows" are narrow and nearly
Ehrmann, 1907 / designated by / G. T Austin 1997. round.
The paralectotype female (forewing length = 21.8 Threeadditionalfemales ofM.jasonwereexamined
mm) has labels as follows: red, printed - Paratype; (forewing length = 20.6 mm [20.2-21.3]), all from
white, printed - Ehrman [sic] Coll. /Cam. Mus. /Ace. Guatemala: Peten; Parque Nacional Tikal, 3-4 Feb.
7815;white, handprinted-Ann. Cam. Mus./vol. [not 1992 (GTA #7318, 7332, 7337). Thus its distribution
given] 1927./Pi. xxviii, fig. 2. 9;white,handwritten- L. extends at least from Guatemala to Venezuela.
jason Ehr. /Type No. 555/Edw A. Klages Col./Sua- Records ofM.jason in the literature must be treated
pure 1/18/1900/Venezuela; white, printed and hand- as suspect until the specimens uponwhich theywere
printed - GenitaliaVial/GTA - 7309, with the follow- basedare criticallyreexamined.
Linegucloacbhelitaodndeeadj:asroedn,IpErhirntmeadnn-,P1A9R0A7L/EdeCsTiOgnTaYtePdEby/ Mylon exstincta Mabille & Boullet, 1917, new status
/G. TAustin 1997. Asnotedabove, the secondfemale (Figs. 15, 16, 64, 92)
"paratype" is aM. pelopidas with the followinglabels: Mylonozema (Butler, 1870)var.exstincta Mabille&Boullet, 1917.
red, handprinted - ParaType; white, handwritten - L. Mylonjason Ehrmann, 1907: Evans, 1953.
jason Ehr. /Type No. 555 / E. A. Klages Coll. / Siia- The identity and "type" of M. exstincta were dis-
pure 1/9. 1900/Venezuela; white, printed - Ehrman - cussed above. This female type (called a male by
[sic] Coll./Cam. Mus./Ace. 7815;white, handwritten Evans 1953, forewinglength = 21.8 mm) with the fol-
- E. ozema Butl. / 9. Fixed by Holland, cf. / Ann. C. lowinglabels: red, printed - TYPE;white, printedand
M., VolXXII /Art. [not given], p. [not given].; white, handprinted - Amazone / Superieur / 1905 / O.
handprinted-Ann. Cam. Mus./vol. [notgiven] 1927. Staudinger/COLL BOULLET (in red letters onleft
/Pi. XXVIII, fig. 7.9white, printed and handprinted - side)/MUSEUM PARIS (inredletters on rightside);
GenitaliaVial/GTA - 7308. green, handwritten - M. ozema, / var. Extincta [sic] I
Superficially, M.jason is similar to M. pelopidas, Mab. & Boull.; white, handwritten - Mylon / ozema
but is larger. The mottling ofthe wings is as on M. var. / Exstincta Mab. Boull. / Bull. Soc. ent. France,
10 Journalofthe Lepidopterists' Society