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Issue: Vol. 1923 No. 1: 5 Nov. 2008
Type: Article
Published: 2008-11-05
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.1923.1.2
Page range: 18–36
Abstract views: 180
PDF downloaded: 153

Morphology and DNA barcoding reveal three cryptic species within the Xylophanes neoptolemus and loelia species-groups (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae)

Research Associate, Insectarium de Montréal, 287 62ème Avenue, Chomedey, Québec, H7V 2G4, Canada
Research Associate, Insectarium de Montréal, 287 62ème Avenue, Chomedey, Québec, H7V 2G4, Canada Honorary Attaché, Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle de Paris, Le Roc, F-47310 Laplume, France
Department of Entomology, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, UK
Biodiversity Institute of Ontario, University of Guelph, 579 Gordon Street, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada
Biodiversity Institute of Ontario, University of Guelph, 579 Gordon Street, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada
Lepidoptera COI DNA barcodes new species South America Central America

Abstract

Two species complexes within the genus Xylophanes are addressed using a combination of morphological study and analysis of DNA barcode sequences. The existence of two and three cryptic species respectively within the X. loelia and X. neoptolemus complexes is revealed following consideration of both adult habitus and genital morphology, and the results of a phylogenetic analysis of partial COI sequences—DNA barcodes—for 38 specimens. The taxonomic status of the available names is discussed and to clarify and stabilize the confused nomenclature of this group, a neotype for Sphinx neoptolemus Cramer, 1780, and lectotypes for Choerocampa loelia Druce, 1878 and Chaerocampa trilineata Walker, [1865], are designated. We describe three new species: X. lolita n. sp. Vaglia and Haxaire; X. balcazari n. sp. Haxaire and Vaglia; and X. cthulhu n. sp. Haxaire and Vaglia. The first is endemic to southeastern Brazil and closely allied to X. loelia; the second two are relatives of X. neoptolemus, of which the first is known only from Guerrero and Michoacán states in Mexico while the second is widely distributed in lowland forests of Central America.

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