Heteropsis mimetica Lees and Kremen, sp. nov.
Creators: name: C, Lees David
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2016
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Insecta
Lepidoptera
Nymphalidae
Heteropsis
Heteropsis mimetica

description: Heteropsis mimetica Lees and Kremen, sp. nov.
LSID: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:365D604C-EAE3-46D4-AAD7-B715062FE056
Prior references: “sp. 72” (Lees 1997: 56, Fig. 7 G, 7H).
Type material., Deposition BMNH: Holotype: ♂ (Fig. 2 A), Madagascar NE, Anjanaharibe Sud, 14.7502o S, 49.4998o E +/- 0.8 km, 95 +/- 5 m, 27/11/1995, 8:00–16:00, C. Kremen: CK513, DNA [DNA voucher], BMNH (E) 2008-69 [accession number], BMNH (E) 1717105 [QTR barcode].
Paratypes: Deposition BMNH (accession BMNH (E) 2008-69): ♂, data as HT but: CK510, DL 9676 [DNA voucher], BMAD 261-15 [DNA barcode voucher], BMNH (E) 1717106 [QTR barcode]; ♂, data as HT but CK528, BMNH (E) 1717107 [QTR barcode]; ♂, data as HT but CK511, DNA [DNA voucher], BMNH (E) 1717108 [QTR barcode]; ♂, data as HT but CK529, DCLW-0136 [wing prep.], 278 DL [genitalia voucher], BMNH (E) 1717109 [QTR barcode]; ♂, data as HT but CK559, DNA [DNA voucher; whole thorax used], BMNH (E) 1717110 [QTR barcode]; ♂, data as HT but CK512b, DL 9678 [DNA voucher, whole thorax and abdomen used], BMNH (E) 1717111 [QTR barcode]; ♂, data as HT but: CK512a, DL 9679 [DNA voucher]; BMNH (E) 1717112 [QTR barcode]; ♀ (Fig. 2 B), data as HT but: CK517, DNA [DNA voucher], BMNH (E) 1717113 [QTR barcode]; ♀, data as HT but CK518, DL 9677 [DNA voucher], BMNH (E) 1717114 [QTR barcode]; ♀, data as HT but CK519, 1 egg expressed [egg voucher], BMNH (E) 1717115 [QTR barcode].
Deposition MNHN: ♂, data as HT but 25/11/1995, 11:00–13:15, C. Kremen: CK474, IA309 [isotope voucher].
Deposition summary: BMNH (HT ♂, 7 PT ♂♂, 3 PT ♀♀), MNHN (PT ♂).
Type locality. Madagascar NE, Anjanaharibe Sud, 14.7502o S, 49.4998o E +/- 0.8 km, 95 m +/- 50 m.
Diagnosis. The combination in Ht. mimetica of the space-M3 as well as space-CuA1 ocellus expressed on the HWD and a white-translucent ocellus ring (hereafter ‘Orng’) extended close to the base of space M3 and CuA 1 in the FWD, forming a rectangle, as in some forms of Ht. turbans, is diagnostic for this species for both known populations. In the closely related allospecies Ht. cowani, the Orng is nearly circular for all known populations. This trait is consistent in all Ht. mimetica.
Description. Wings. Upperside uniform mid brown, except light brown in the area around the expressed ocelli of HWD where the ventral white area shows through. On FW, space-MI ocellus expressed as conspicuous white spot. Space-CuA1 ocellus has narrow whitish-orange ring set in a somewhat rectangular white-translucent area whose lower proximad corner extends close to the base of space-CuA1, as in Ht. sabas (Oberthür, 1923) (Fig. 2 E), rather than Ht. cowani (Fig. 2 C-D Fianarantsoa material). Only two ocelli are conspicuously expressed in HWD, that of space-M3 and space-CuA1, both subelliptic and surrounded by a similarly shaped light orange ring. HW margin has two conspicuous mid brown Smls (submarginal lines) following the somewhat crenate margin, slightly more crenate than typical in Ht. cowani. Ocellus expression on ventral surface similar but additional one in HW space-Rs of similar size to those of space-M3 and space-CuA1, and in each case surrounded by a pale orange and a wider light brown ring, the three set in a white-translucent and irregularly ‘X’-shaped area extending from the HW costa to mid space-CuA2, one outer arm of the ‘X’ petering out distad of ocellus space-M3. Basal area of HW mid brown, irrorated with areas of whitish scaling, and forming a right angle where the basal pattern meets vein M2. Two bands of light brown and whitish irroration are found in the basal area of the FW together with a large whitish blotch proximad of white spot in space-M1 and tapering towards the costa from around 2/3 along FW costa. Ht. cowani is almost identical in patterning on either surface except for the proximad extension of the whitish part of the Orng, which is fairly circular in Ht. cowani. Variation. Not much variation is evident between individuals of Ht. mimetica and there only one ♂ was dissected. Sexes similar, but ♀ larger, and may have more extensive white area near FW ventral apex.
Wingspan/fwl: range 38–43.5 (n=5 ♂♂)/ 20.3–24.3 mm (n=7 ♂♂); mean= 40.5 +/- 2.2 SD (n=6 ♂♂)/22.6 +/- 1.3 SD mm (n=8 ♂♂), including referred specimen and HT ♂, 43.5/ 23.5 mm. Range 43–47/ 24.2–25.4 mm (n=3, ♀♀); mean = 44.7 +/- 2.08 SD/ 24.7 +/- 0.62 mm (n=3 ♀♀).
Androconia: simple mid brown discocellular brush extending only slightly beyond the fork of Rs and M1, underlying patch light ochreous grey and ‘bullet’-shaped (distally truncate to barely beyond the fork), surrounded by glossy dark scales which extend half way to costa and a similar extent in the other direction, as in Ht. cowani.
Palps: from LV, light brown stripe in middle, bordered by two white stripes, and dark brown striped fringes of scales to edges, the edge potentially brushing the interommatidial setae consisting of longer scales.
♂ genitalia: 278DL, PT (Fig. 5 A, LV, DV). Tegumen with fairly straight dorsal profile from LV, where it is relatively quadrate (slight proximad notch from DV). Gnathos narrow with small rounded projection distad at base arising almost perpendicular to base of uncus in its porrect position and curving strongly towards its forwardprojecting and pointed tips (from DV gnathos bends in and out strongly from its stout base). Vinculum strongly arched proximad with moderate constriction with tegumen. Valves with strongly rounded ‘shoulder’ at base, broad throughout with valve arm not much less broad than valve base, fairly parallel sided and spatulate, tips extending further than maximum extension of uncus, with an area of spinoid setae on inner face of tip (not as extensive as in Ht. cowani and Ht. exocellata; Lees, 1997: 104) and with tip incurved from DV. Saccus fairly long (longer than in Ht. cowani and Ht. exocellata) and inflated towards tip, while juxta is quite broad and down-lipped proximad. Aedeagus narrowly cupped beyond ostium and quite recurved away from body, fairly thin and parallel-sided.
Etymology. Refers to the seemingly dual mimetic colour pattern (Fig. 2), on the upperside to Ht. sabas (Fig. 2 E), and on the underside to some forms of Ht. antahala (Ward, 1872) (Fig. 2 F); some Strabena species such as S. consobrina Oberthür 1916 and S. nepos Oberthür 1916 exhibit similar HWV patterns (see e.g. d’Abrera, 1997). In these butterflies, there is a similar configuration on the underside of ocelli set in a mainly white area. Unlike in most of the Ht. strigula group, but as in others of the Ht. exocellata group, and in some other more early diverging clades of Heteropsis, the HW space-M3 ocellus is expressed.
Discussion. This species was first recognized in the field by Claire Kremen at Anjanaharibe Sud in November 1995 (Lees 1997: 65). All specimens including the one referred specimen from Makira show the same wing pattern morphology, with no tendency to variation towards all known specimens of Ht. cowani in BMNH and MNHN from Fianarantsoa (Fig. 2 C-D), Ranomafana, Andrambovato or other collected localities of author or others (Vohiparara/ Sahavondronina, Ambondrombe, Anjozorobe). In Ht. cowani, the shape of the space-CuA1 ocellus is always with a near-concentric orange ocellus ring. All relevant types were examined. The LT ♂ of Pseudonympha cowani Butler, 1880 is here designated as the specimen (Fig. 2 C) bearing labels “ Lectotype | Type /♂ Pseudonympha cowani Butl. |Male Fianarantsoa Madagascar, Coll. & pres. By W. D. Cowan 8-23.|B.M. TYPE No. Rh 3070 Pseudonympha cowani, Butl. ♂/ Pseudonympha Cowani Butler Type ”; the PLT becomes the ♀ with the same locality data that was photographed by B. d’Abrera 77/78 (d’Abrera 1980: 183). The two syntypes of Culapa houlbertiana Oberthür, 1923:127, pl. 569, figs 4909, 4910 from ‘Fianarantsoa’, were also examined; the ♂ specimen, that is here designated the lectotype (Fig. 2 D), bears the data “ Lectotype | Madagascar Fianarantsoa ex Lamberton, 1922|A servi de modele a J. Culot, pour le No. 4909 de la Pl. DLXIX Vol. XXI. Etudes de Lepidopterologie comparee|Ex Oberthür Coll. Brit. Mus. 1927-3.”. Automatically PLTs become two ♀♀ bearing labels “ Madagascar Fianarantsoa ex Lamberton, 1922|Ex Oberthür Coll. Brit. Mus. 1927-3.”. The nominal species C. houlbertiana is clearly synonymous with Ht. cowani (Lees, 1997: 60–61; Lees et al., 2003: note 31).
Additional information. DNA divergences: COI-5P cluster number BOLD:ACW4993 (BMAD261-15, CK510) is shared with and 0.052% divergent to that of Ht. cowani (BMAD122-15, DL14Z-050, Anjozorobe), whereas about 10% divergent to Ht. exocellata (FJ666704, 549 bp compared). There is limited evidence so far of haplotype fixation. Where in the 434th and 439th nucleotide position of the DNA barcode, Ht. cowani has a G and a C (as in Ht. exocellata), Ht. mimetica has an A and a C (n= 2 in both cases). This is then a case of virtual barcode sharing with morphological divergence. More detailed genetic studies are required to investigate further this species pair.
Phylogeny/sister species: sister species is Ht. cowani.
Ecology and distribution.
Habitat: found in Makira in a rather open forest structure dominated by Uapaca Baill. (Phyllanthaceae) growing on quartzite substrate, next to a stream (pers. obs.). Similar habitat on quartzite exists in Anjanaharibe Sud, and it is possible that such forest on poor substrates has an unusually light-penetrating nature.
Behaviour: flies low, apparently mimetic of Ht. sabas in flight, as first noted by Claire Kremen (pers. comm.). All individuals were caught low down along or near the path; Ht. mimetica, like Ht. cowani, seems reluctant to come to fruit bait. The key functional aspect of this whitening seems to be translucence, which in sunspots seems to make the space-CuA1 ocellus stand out in a more (frightening?) way. Translucence may also be an aspect to the wing pattern convergence for the HW, considering the HWV pattern is visible on the upperside.
Hostplant: unknown, but presumed to be grasses (rather than bamboos), which are also frequented by Ht. cowani.
Early stages: unknown, apart from one expressed egg (not described here).
Distribution: replacement species of Ht. cowani endemic to the rainforest of northeast Madagascar and apparently extremely localized, known from only two very localised sites (Fig. 30 A, yellow dots). The species was searched for in its type locality in November 2014, at a similar date to the HT specimen, without success.
Conservation: highly range restricted, but the species is currently protected by two parks.
Elevational range: 775–950 m (n=18 incl. observations).
Referred specimens. ♂, NE Madagascar, Ankiatomboka-Vohibola, descending to river from O3, c 760 m, 15.1726o S, 49.3913o E +/- 1.5 km, 775 +/- 5 m 10/12/2001, 09:46, D.C. Lees: DL 01-175, 267 [= DL 0267, DNA extract number; cytochrome b], BMNH (E) 697383, KA561 [=KA-P561, DNA extract number]; ♀, data as HT but 22/3/1996, H. Raharitsimba: TR 617; ♀, data as HT but CK520.
description: Published as part of C, Lees David, 2016, Heteropsis (Nymphalidae: Satyrinae: Satyrini: Mycalesina): 19 new species from Madagascar and interim revision, pp. 1-97 in Zootaxa 4118 (1) on pages 11-14, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4118.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/264597