Estatus taxonómico de Talides basistrigata Eaton, 1932 (Lepidoptera, Hesperiidae) y su reincorporación basados en una evaluación integrativa

Talides basistrigata Eaton, 1932, originalmente descrita de Perú, posteriormente fue transferida por Evans (1955) al género Hylephila Billberg, 1820, y considerada como una subespecie de H. phyleus (Drury, 1773), argumentando que basistrigata ocurre en ambientes más secos que los que habita phyleus. Actualmente se mantiene el rango taxonómico propuesto por Evans. El objetivo del presente trabajo es restituir el estatus taxonómico de especie válida para basistrigata con base en un análisis integrativo considerando aspectos morfológicos, ecológicos y genéticos. Se examinó las estructuras genitálicas en ejemplares de basistrigata y phyleus, se obtuvo secuencias del gen mitocondrial COI para ambas especies y se recopiló datos en campo para conocer su comportamiento de oviposición en los alrededores de Arequipa, suroeste de Perú. Como resultado del examen morfológico se halló diferencias notorias entre las estructuras genitálicas de ambas especies, principalmente en los procesos caudales de las valvas, la disposición de las pectinas y la forma del uncus en los machos. Con relación al análisis genético, se halló una distancia genética mayor a 3% entre ambas especies, apoyando así el estatus taxonómico de especie para basistrigata. Adicionalmente, desde una perspectiva ecológica, se registró que ambas especies utilizan distintos mecanismos de oviposición y diferentes plantas hospederas, exhibiendo además simpatría espacial y sincronía temporal en la vertiente occidental de los Andes en Perú. Se redescribe el macho y hembra adultos de basistrigata y se designa su lectotipo.

Talides basistrigata Eaton, 1932, originally described from Peru, was subsequently transferred to the genus Hylephila Billberg, 1820 by Evans (1955) and considered a subspecies of H. phyleus (Drury, 1773), arguing that basistrigata inhabits drier environments than phyleus. Currently, the taxonomic status proposed by Evans is retained. The aim of this study is to reinstate the taxonomic status of valid species for basistrigata based on an integrative analysis considering morphological, ecological, and genetic aspects. Genitalic structures were examined in specimens of both basistrigata and phyleus, mitochondrial COI gene sequences were obtained for both species, and field data were collected to understand their oviposition behaviour in the vicinity of Arequipa city, southwestern Peru. As a result of the morphological examination, notable differences were found between the male genitalia structures of both species, primarily in the caudal processes of the valvae, the arrangement of the pectines, and the shape of the uncus. Regarding the genetic analysis, a genetic distance of greater than 3% was observed between the two species, thus supporting the taxonomic status of species for basistrigata. Additionally, from an ecological perspective, it was recorded that both species employ distinct oviposition mechanisms and different host plants, exhibiting spatial sympatry and temporal synchrony on the western slope of the Andes in Peru. Male and female adults of basistrigata are redescribed, and a lectotype is designated.

An Endemic and Endangered New Species of the Lizard Liolaemus montanus Group from Southwestern Peru (Iguania: Liolaemidae), with a Key for the Species of the L. reichei Clade.

The southwestern Andes of Peru harbor a hidden taxonomic diversity of reptiles. We describe a new species of Liolaemus Wiegmann (Iguania: Liolaemidae) from xerophytic environments of the southwestern slopes of the Andes of Peru, 2,400-2,900 m asl. The new species, previously considered to be a population of L. insolitus Cei, exhibits unique diagnostic characters of morphology, scalation and color pattern, and molecular evidence that suggest that it belongs in the Liolaemus montanus species group and the L. reichei clade. Moreover, the species is endemic to the eastern slopes of La Caldera batholith in the Department of Arequipa, southern Peru. We also provide information on the conservation status of the species and suggest it be included in the IUCN red list of the threatened species as endangered (EN). A key for the species of the L. reichei clade is provided.

A new species of Podanotum Torres & Johnson, 1996 (Lepidoptera, Lycaenidae) from northern Peru / Una nueva especie de Podanotum Torres & Johnson, 1996 (Lepidoptera, Lycaenidae) en el norte de Perú

Abstract We describe a new species of the genus Podanotum Torres & Johnson, 1996, Podanotum pajaten Farfán, Cerdeña & Bálint sp. nov. from northern Peru, associated with the Andean treeline ecotone adjacent to cloud forest and wet grassland at 3200 m above sea level. Description of this new species is based on one female adult and is distinguishable from its congeners by the combination of the following morphological characters: dorsal wing pale blue, forewing discoidal line present on ventral side, hindwing tailed, and ostium bursae distally toothed. Podanotum pajaten sp. nov. is separated geographically from the closest spatial species, P. glorissimum Bálint & Wojtusiak, 2002, by approximately 100 km to the south, and represents the second species described for Peru. An identification key to all known species of Podanotum is provided, stating their distributions by country.

Resumen Se describe una nueva especie del género Podanotum Torres & Johnson, 1996, Podanotum pajaten Farfán, Cerdeña & Bálint sp. nov. del norte de Perú, asociada al ecotono andino entre bosque nublado y pastizal húmedo a 3,200 metros de altitud. La descripción de esta nueva especie está basada en una hembra adulta que se distingue de sus congéneres por la combinación de los siguientes caracteres morfológicos: vista dorsal de las alas de color azul pálido, línea postdiscal del ala anterior presente en vista ventral, cola corta en ala posterior, y parte distal del ostium bursae dentada. Podanotum pajaten sp. nov. está separada geográficamente de la especie espacialmente más cercana, P. glorissimum Bálint & Wojtusiak, 2002, por aproximadamente 100 km hacia el sur, y representa la segunda especie descrita de Perú. Una clave de identificación es presentada para todas las especies conocidas de Podanotum, con indicación de los países de ocurrencia.

Cryptic Diversity in the Monotypic Neotropical Micromoth Genus Angelabella (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) in the Peru-Chile Desert.

Angelabella (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae: Oecophyllembiinae) is considered a monotypic Neotropical genus of leaf miner micromoths known only from a few valleys of the arid environments of the Peru-Chile desert, particularly the southernmost part of Peru and northernmost part of Chile (type locality), where natural populations of its primary host plant occur. The geographic distribution of potential host plants provides a scenario for a wider range for this micromoth genus. The aims of this study were to explore the geographic range of Angelabella, determine the spatial distribution of mitochondrial lineages, and test lineage conspecificity hypotheses. The spatial distribution of genetic diversity indicated the presence of four spatial clusters, three of which are north of the previously known geographic range. Genetic distances were 0.2-0.8% and 3.6-8.3% (K2P) between haplotypes of the same and different spatial clusters, respectively. Phylogenetic relationships indicated reciprocal monophyly among the four spatial clusters, suggesting that allopatric differentiation processes have governed the recent history of Angelabella in these arid environments. These groups were defined as different species by four species delimitation methods, suggesting that Angelabella is not a monotypic genus, but harbors at least four morphologically cryptic allopatric species with restricted geographic ranges, including the type species and three candidate species.