Systematics of the Ogyris aenone (Waterhouse, 1902) complex (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae): threatened Australian butterflies of national conservation significance
Ethan P. Beaver
A B * , Michael F. Braby A B and Alexander S. Mikheyev A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Division of Ecology and Evolution, Research School of Biology, RN Robertson Building, 46 Sullivans Creek Road, The Australian National University, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia.
B Australian National Insect Collection, GPO Box 1700, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia.
Invertebrate Systematics 37(7) 457-497 https://doi.org/10.1071/IS23003
Submitted: 12 January 2023 Accepted: 26 May 2023 Published: 10 July 2023
© 2023 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing.
Abstract
The butterfly genus Ogyris Angas, 1847 consists of several striking but poorly resolved complexes endemic to Australia and New Guinea, many of which have an obligate association with ants. Here, we revise the systematics of the Ogyris aenone (Waterhouse, 1902) complex through an integrative taxonomic approach based on molecular phylogenetic analysis, morphological examination, life histories and ecology. Mitochondrial sequence data based on concatenated cytochrome oxidase I (COI) and cytochrome b (cytb) (total of 1203 bp) for 36 ingroup samples were generated and combined with sequences available on NCBI GenBank for Ogyris. Phylogenetic analysis inferred by maximum likelihood methods resolved five taxa within this group, with one taxon, Ogyris caelestia Beaver & Braby sp. nov., described as a new species and another, O. doddi stat. rev., raised to full species. Phylogenetic relationships among the five taxa are as follows: (O. caelestia + O. aenone) + (O. ianthis + (O. iphis + O. doddi)). This revision brings the number of recognised Ogyris species to 16 and for the tribe Ogyrini to 18. This group of butterflies was found to be scarce – field samples of host trees that had the co-occurrence of both mistletoe and the appropriate attendant ant at 12 locations in eastern and northern Australia revealed low rates of occupancy (<50%, with an overall average of 17%) based on the presence of immature stages of the five butterfly species. The complete life histories, general biology and ecology of all members of this species-group are illustrated and diagnosed for the first time and confusing aspects of the literature are clarified. Several taxa are of conservation significance, including the new species, and future directions are discussed in relation to this.
ZooBank: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:FC258ED6-AA1F-4E11-BFE1-D0A612E4F166
Keywords: conservation status, dolichoderine ants, Endangered, IUCN Red List Criteria, Loranthaceae, molecular phylogeny, taxonomy, threatened species, Vulnerable.
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