Iridopsis socoromaensis sp. n., a geometrid moth (Lepidoptera, Geometridae) from the Andes of northern Chile.

Héctor Vargas

doi:10.3897/bdj.9.e61592

Abstract

BackgroundIridopsis Warren, 1894 (Lepidoptera: Geometridae: Ennominae: Boarmiini) is a New World moth genus mainly diversified in the Neotropical Region. It is represented in Chile by two described species, both from the Atacama Desert.New informationIridopsis socoromaensis sp. n. (Lepidoptera: Geometridae: Ennominae: Boarmiini) is described and illustrated from the western slopes of the Andes of northern Chile. Its larvae were found feeding on leaves of the Chilean endemic shrub Dalea pennellii (J.F. Macbr.) J.F. Macbr. var. chilensis Barneby (Fabaceae). Morphological differences of I. socoromaensis sp. n. with the two species of the genus previously known from Chile are discussed. A DNA barcode fragment of I. socoromaensis sp. n. showed 93.7-94.3% similarity with the Nearctic I. sanctissima (Barnes & McDunnough, 1917). However, the morphology of the genitalia suggests that these two species are distantly related. The discovery of I. socoromaensis sp. n. highlights the need for additional surveys in underexplored areas to understand better the taxonomic diversity and evolutionary relationships of the mainly Neotropical moth genus Iridopsis.

Highlights

The New World moth genus Iridopsis Warren, 1894 (Lepidoptera: Geometridae: Ennominae: Boarmiini) is mainly diversified in the Neotropical Region, from where 81 species have been described (Pitkin 2002, Vargas 2007), while 14 Nearctic representatives are known (Rindge 1966, Pitkin 2002)
The wet tropical Andes are recognised as the main global diversity hotspot of this family, based on studies undertaken in southern Ecuador (Brehm et al 2005, Brehm et al 2016)
Few species of Geometridae are known from the arid western slopes of the Andes of southern Peru and northern Chile

Summary

Background

Iridopsis Warren, 1894 (Lepidoptera: Geometridae: Ennominae: Boarmiini) is a New World moth genus mainly diversified in the Neotropical Region. It is represented in Chile by two described species, both from the Atacama Desert. N. (Lepidoptera: Geometridae: Ennominae: Boarmiini) is described and illustrated from the western slopes of the Andes of northern Chile. N. with the two species of the genus previously known from Chile are discussed. The morphology of the genitalia suggests that these two species are distantly related. N. highlights the need for additional surveys in underexplored areas to understand better the taxonomic diversity and evolutionary relationships of the mainly Neotropical moth genus Iridopsis Vargas H discovery of I. socoromaensis sp. n. highlights the need for additional surveys in underexplored areas to understand better the taxonomic diversity and evolutionary relationships of the mainly Neotropical moth genus Iridopsis

Introduction

Materials and methods

Findings

Discussion