Abstract
Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany, one of the African biodiversity hotspots, is defined by a high diversity of its fauna and flora. Despite numerous studies published about the Lepidoptera of this region, our knowledge of diversity and distributional patterns of moths still remains inadequate. Our study evaluates the tussock moth richness and endemism of the wider Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany region. We describe for the first time the variety of the tussock moth fauna of Mozambique, with seven newly recorded genera (EuproctoidesBethune-Baker, 1911;HeteronygmiaHolland, 1893;LeucomaHübner, 1822;OgoaWalker, 1856;ParaproctisBethune-Baker, 1911;PolymonaWalker, 1855;TamsitaKiriakoff, 1954).
Highlights
Biodiversity hotspots are defined as highly threatened biogeographic regions with the occurrence of endemic species of animals and plants (Myers 1988)
We describe for the first time the variety of the tussock moth fauna of Mozambique, with seven newly recorded genera (Euproctoides Bethune-Baker, 1911; Heteronygmia Holland, 1893; Leucoma Hübner, 1822; Ogoa Walker, 1856; Paraproctis Bethune-Baker, 1911; Polymona Walker, 1855; Tamsita Kiriakoff, 1954)
We reported altogether 168 species of tussock moths belonging to 43 genera currently occurring in the Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany biodiversity hotspot
Summary
Biodiversity hotspots are defined as highly threatened biogeographic regions with the occurrence of endemic species of animals and plants (Myers 1988). Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany is one of the three recently recognized biodiversity hotspots in the region of southern Africa (Fig. 1). Diversity and endemism are focused in the three major units: Maputaland in the north, Pondoland in the south and Albany in the south-west, comprising fauna and flora of South Africa, Eswatini (Swaziland) and Mozambique (Perera et al.2011). Despite the uniqueness of this area serving as a meeting point for six of the eight southern African biomes, only 25% of the original extent of the natural habitat remains preserved (Mittermeier et al 2004)
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