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Type: Article
Published: 2026-07-13
Page range: 295-300
Abstract views: 308
PDF downloaded: 326

An interactive key (Lucid) for identification of the Western Palearctic butterflies in the genus Pseudochazara (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Satyrinae)

Via Calchi 11; 27100 Pavia (PV); Italy
Dipartimento di Biologia; Università Degli Studi di Padova; Via U. Bassi; n. 58/B; 35131 Padova; Italy
Lepidoptera Brush-footed butterflies electronic key digital identification

Abstract

This study presents a digital taxonomic monograph of the genus Pseudochazara de Lesse, 1951, focusing on 23 species occurring in the western part of the Palaearctic region, from North Africa and the Iberian Peninsula to the Caucasus and the Kopet Dagh Mountains. The system integrates an interactive multi-entry identification key developed using the Lucid platform, extensive comparative photographic material, and taxonomic pages for each species, including nomenclatural history, distribution data, and taxonomic notes. Identification within Pseudochazara is often challenging due to considerable intraspecific variation, overlap among external morphological characters, and pronounced sexual dimorphism. The multi-entry structure allows flexible selection of characters and supports identification based on photographic material. While primarily designed for species-level identification, the system also provides a framework for exploring morphological variability within taxa. The tool is intended as a practical resource for identification and comparative study, rather than as a formal taxonomic revision.

References

  1. Brown, J. (1976) A review of the genus Pseudochazara de Lesse, 1951 (Lepidoptera: Satyridae) in Greece. Entomologist’s Gazette, 27, 85–90.
  2. Bogdanov, P.V. (2001) Classification of the Satyrid butterflies of the genus Pseudochazara de Lesse, 1951 (Lepidoptera, Satyridae) of Central and Middle Asia. Works of the State Darwin Museum, Moscow, 88–181. [in Russian]
  3. Bogdanov, P.V. (2006) Classification of the Satyrid butterflies of the genus Pseudochazara de Lesse, 1951 (Lepidoptera, Satyridae) of Europe, Northern Africa and Asia Minor. Works of the State Darwin Museum, Moscow, 136–205. [in Russian]
  4. Gross, F.J. (1978) Beitrag zur Systematik von Pseudochazara-Arten (Lep., Satyridae). Atalanta, 9, 41–103.
  5. Verovnik, R. & Wiemers, M. (2016) Species delimitation in the Grayling genus Pseudochazara (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae, Satyrinae) supported by DNA barcodes. ZooKeys, 600, 134–154. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.600.7798
  6. Wakeham-Dawson, A. (1996) How useful are male genitalia as taxonomic characters in the genus Pseudochazara de Lesse, 1951 (Lepidoptera: Satyridae)? Entomologist’s Gazette, 47, 227–237.
  7. Wakeham-Dawson, A. (1997) Discriminant analysis of androconia in the genus Pseudochazara de Lesse, 1951 (Lepidoptera: Satyridae). Entomologist’s Gazette, 48, 37–46.

How to Cite

Fantoni, F. & Nazari, V. (2026) An interactive key (Lucid) for identification of the Western Palearctic butterflies in the genus Pseudochazara (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Satyrinae). Zootaxa, 5849 (2), 295–300. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5849.2.13