Cladistic analysis of subtribe Pericopina and taxonomic revision Dysschema Hübner, 1818 (Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Arctiinae, Arctiini)

Author(s)

Simeão de Souza Moraes

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Biociências (IBIOC/SB)
• Defense date: 2014-04-01

Examining board members

Marcelo Duarte da Silva; Rafaela Lopes Falaschi; André Victor Lucci Freitas; Sergio Antonio Vanin

• Advisor: Marcelo Duarte da Silva

Abstract

Pericopina (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae: Arctiini) comprises 37 genera distributed exclusively in the Neotropical region. Studies on the taxonomy and phylogenetic relationships for the species included in this group are scarce. Among the genera enrolled in Pericopina, Dysschema Hübner, 1818 is the most specious genus. The genus is represented by 146 valid names and 88 species, Dysschema has 12 generic synonyms and there is no consensus on the number of species that compose it, as it is suspected by some authors (Watson & Goodger 1986; Lamas & Grados1996) based on that currently valid names for some species are, in fact, synonyms. Recently Becker (2013) introduced several synonyms and the genus currently has 59 species . The present study proposes, through a survey of morphological characters of adults, to analyze the phylogenetic relationships of Pericopina and of the species enrolled in Dysschema, to update the distribution of the species currently enrolled in this genus, and a better taxonomic delimitation. A cladistic analysis based on 156 morphological characters did not corroborate the monophyly of Pericopina. Scearctia Hering is morphologicaly associated to the Lithosiini and Pteroodes Butler is morphologicaly associated to the Phaegopterina. These genera are enrroled in the supra-generic groups which their share phylogenetics afinities as taxonomically incertae sedis. Aditionally, Seileria Dognin is a junior subjective synonym of Thyrgis Walker. The monophyly of Dysschema was supported only with the inclusion of the monotypic genera Sermyla Walker and Are Walker. Four new species are described in Dysschema, 14 new synonyms are established, nine species are revalidated, eight synonyms are revalidated and two new combinations are established. Additionally, Pericopis thyridia is a new name proposed to replace the Pericopis fenestrata Butler, 1872, a junior homonym of Coborisa fenestrata Walker, 1855. In order to assure the estability of the names enrroled in Dysschema 67 lectotypes were designated and 19 holotypes were fixed by evidence of monotypy (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 09/11161-0 - Cladistic analysis and taxonomic delimitation of the genus Dysschema Hübner, 1818 (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae, Arctiinae, Arctiini, Pericopina)
• Grantee: Simeão de Souza Moraes
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate