Molecular phylogeny of the Eichhorni group of Delias Hübner, 1819 (Lepidoptera: Pieridae)

Abstract

The eichhorni group lies within the genus Delias (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) which has markedly diversified aposematic wing markings. The phylogenetic relationships among all species of the eichhorni group, representatives of each of the other 21 species groups of Delias butterflies, and some related genera were analyzed based on nucleotide sequences of the mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 5 gene. A supplemental study using the nuclear elongation factor-1α (EF-1α) gene was also carried out. The results are compared with those of morphological studies. Our results confirm the monophyly of the eichhorni group and suggest the monophyly of the genus Delias. They also indicate phylogenetic intragroup relationships, particularly the division of the eichhorni complex into groups I and II. Moreover, they also indicate that the initial diversification of the eichhorni group involved separation of the D. catisa + D. toxopei clade, followed by the divergence of other species including the eichhorni complex. Based on these findings, it is supposed that this group first appeared close to or within the western mountain range of New Guinea Island (135°30 ′–140° E) where D. catisa, D. toxopei, and representatives of other species cohabit.