BioProject

We propose a higher classification of the Lycaenidae hairstreak tribe Eumaeini - one of the youngest and most species-rich butterfly tribes - based on autosome, Lepidopteran Z sex chromosome, and mitochondrial protein-coding genes of 202 generic names. More...

We propose a higher classification of the Lycaenidae hairstreak tribe Eumaeini - one of the youngest and most species-rich butterfly tribes - based on autosome, Lepidopteran Z sex chromosome, and mitochondrial protein-coding genes of 202 generic names. Neolycaenina Korb, 1997 is a new synonym of Callophryidina Tutt, 1907, and Tmolusina Balint, 2014 is a new synonym of Strephonotina K. Johnson, Austin, Le Crom, & Salazar, 1997. Proposed names are Rhammina Prieto & Busby, new subtribe; Timaetina Busby & Prieto, new subtribe; Atlidina Martins & Duarte, new subtribe; Evenina Faynel & Grishin, new subtribe; Jantheclina Robbins & Faynel, new subtribe; Paiwarriina Lamas & Robbins, new subtribe; Cupatheclina Lamas & Grishin, new subtribe; Parrhasiina Busby & Robbins, new subtribe; Ipideclina Martins & Grishin, new subtribe; and Trichonidina Duarte & Faynel, new subtribe. Phylogenetic results from the autosome and Z sex chromosome analyses are highly congruent, suggesting that future analyses of datasets with hundreds of terminal taxa might be more practical timewise by focusing on the smaller number of sex chromosome sequences (2.7% of nuclear protein-coding sequences). The phylogenetic classification and biological summaries for each subtribe provide evidence that a variety of factors affected diversification of the Eumaeini. About a dozen kinds of male secondary sexual organs with frequent evolutionary gains and losses occur in the Atlidina, Evenina, and Jantheclina (141 species combined). Females have been shown to use these organs to discriminate between conspecific and non-conspecific co-occurring males, facilitating sympatric diversification. The Eumaeina, Rhammina, and Timaetina (140 species combined) are overwhelmingly montane with some evidence for a high incidence of sympatric diversification. Seven Neotropical lineages in five subtribes invaded the temperate parts of the Nearctic Region, but diversification increased only in the Callophryidina (262 species). North American Satyrium and Callophrys then invaded the Palearctic at least once each, with a major species-richness increase in Satyrium. The evolution of litter feeding detritivores within the Calycopidina (172 species) resulted in an increase in diversification rate compared with its flower-feeding sister lineage. The Atlidina, Strephonotina, Parrhasiina, and Strymonina (562 species combined) each contain a mixture of genera that specialize on one or two caterpillar food plant families and genera that are polyphagous. These would be appropriate subtribes to assess how the breadth of caterpillar food plants and the frequency of host shifts affected diversification. Less...