Phylogeny of Amathusiini butterflies based on adult morphology (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae, Satyrinae).

Abstract

Based on comparative morphology of adults, a phylogeny is proposed for the butterfly tribe Amathusiini (Nymphalidae, Satyrinae). The dataset includes 92 characters scored for 45 species in 12 genera, representing the most comprehensive phylogenetic analysis for this group. Parsimony analyses produced a well-resolved strict consensus tree where genera were divided in three main groups: (clade 1) Stichophthalma; (clade 2) Aemona, Faunis, Melanocyma and Taenaris; (clade 3) Enispe, Discophora, Thaumantis, Thauria, Amathusia, Amathuxidia, and Zeuxidia. While genera in clades 1 and 2 were found to be morphologically homogeneous, clade 3 showed remarkable morphological divergence between and within genera. The monophyly of most genera was recovered with variable levels of support, but Melanocyma and Taenaris nested within Faunis. Therefore, here Melanocyma NEW SYN. is subsumed within Faunis, and Taenaris STAT. REV. is regarded as a subgenus of Faunis. Mimicry likely evolved a single time within the Faunis-Taenaris assemblage, as species of Taenaris formed a monophyletic group. Results are compared to early classifications and recent DNA-based analyses, and points of agreement and conflicts are discussed.