Butterflies (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea) of Arequipa, Peru: A checklist, with two new records from Peru

Se presenta una lista de 74 especies de mariposas diurnas registradas para el Departamento de Arequipa, Perú. Se reporta por primera vez para Perú las especies Strymon flavaria (Ureta 1956) e Hylephila herrerai MacNeill 2002, ambas descritas del norte de Chile. Se suministran datos de distribución local para cada una de las especies. Se brindan comentarios para aquellas especies citadas en la literatura para el Departamento de Arequipa y que fueron excluidas de la presente lista preliminar por errores de identificación y/o ubicación geográfica.A list of 74 butterfly species recorded until present at the Arequipa Department, Peru, is presented herein. Two new records from Peru of Strymon flavaria (Ureta 1956) and Hylephila herrerai MacNeill 2002 are reported herein, both described from northern Chile. Comments for species cited to Arequipa in the literature and that were excluded from this preliminary list are provided

Estatus taxonómico de Talides basistrigata Eaton, 1932 (Lepidoptera, Hesperiidae) y su reincorporación basados en una evaluación integrativa

Talides basistrigata Eaton, 1932, originalmente descrita de Perú, posteriormente fue transferida por Evans (1955) al género Hylephila Billberg, 1820, y considerada como una subespecie de H. phyleus (Drury, 1773), argumentando que basistrigata ocurre en ambientes más secos que los que habita phyleus. Actualmente se mantiene el rango taxonómico propuesto por Evans. El objetivo del presente trabajo es restituir el estatus taxonómico de especie válida para basistrigata con base en un análisis integrativo considerando aspectos morfológicos, ecológicos y genéticos. Se examinó las estructuras genitálicas en ejemplares de basistrigata y phyleus, se obtuvo secuencias del gen mitocondrial COI para ambas especies y se recopiló datos en campo para conocer su comportamiento de oviposición en los alrededores de Arequipa, suroeste de Perú. Como resultado del examen morfológico se halló diferencias notorias entre las estructuras genitálicas de ambas especies, principalmente en los procesos caudales de las valvas, la disposición de las pectinas y la forma del uncus en los machos. Con relación al análisis genético, se halló una distancia genética mayor a 3% entre ambas especies, apoyando así el estatus taxonómico de especie para basistrigata. Adicionalmente, desde una perspectiva ecológica, se registró que ambas especies utilizan distintos mecanismos de oviposición y diferentes plantas hospederas, exhibiendo además simpatría espacial y sincronía temporal en la vertiente occidental de los Andes en Perú. Se redescribe el macho y hembra adultos de basistrigata y se designa su lectotipo

Global urban environmental change drives adaptation in white clover

Urbanization transforms environments in ways that alter biological evolution. We examined whether urban environmental change drives parallel evolution by sampling 110,019 white clover plants from 6169 populations in 160 cities globally. Plants were assayed for a Mendelian antiherbivore defense that also affects tolerance to abiotic stressors. Urban-rural gradients were associated with the evolution of clines in defense in 47% of cities throughout the world. Variation in the strength of clines was explained by environmental changes in drought stress and vegetation cover that varied among cities. Sequencing 2074 genomes from 26 cities revealed that the evolution of urban-rural clines was best explained by adaptive evolution, but the degree of parallel adaptation varied among cities. Our results demonstrate that urbanization leads to adaptation at a global scale

A new species of Mathania Oberthür, 1890 from Peru (Lepidoptera, Pieridae)

Farfán, Jackie, Lamas, Gerardo, Cerdeña, José (2020): A new species of Mathania Oberthür, 1890 from Peru (Lepidoptera, Pieridae). Zootaxa 4758 (3): 589-595, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4758.3.1

Mathania hughesi Lamas, Farfan & Cerdena 2020, sp. n.

Mathania hughesi Lamas, Farfán & Cerdeña sp. n. Mathania agasicles (Hewitson): Hughes, 1956: 250. Hesperocharis (Mathania) agasicles ssp.: Lamas, 1977: 65. Mathania [n. sp.]: Lamas, 2004: 108. Mathania sp. n.: Farfán, 2018: 364. Type locality. Peru, Arequipa, Quequeña, 16º33’S, 71º28’W, 2480 m. Type material. HOLOTYPE ♂: PERU, AR[equipa], Quequeña, 2480m, 1633/7128 [16º33´S / 71º28´W], 28.iv.2012, G. Lamas [leg.]; deposited in MUSM. PARATYPES (56♂, 11♀) (all from Peru): 1♂, 1♀, same data as holotype (MUSM); 4♂, 3♀, same data, J. Cerdeña leg. (MUSM); 2♂, AY[acucho], Río Chilques, 22 km SE Puquio, 14º43’S, 74º44’W, 3450 m, 16.ii.1995, G. Lamas leg. (MUSM); 1♂, same locality, 15.ii.1995 (MUSM); 1♂, AR[equipa], Sabandia, 2400 m, 06.v.1984, L. Ve- lásquez leg. (MUSM); 1 ♂, AR[equipa], Mollebaya, 2500 m, 06.v.1984, L. Velásquez leg. (MUSM); 8♂, 1♀, Areq- uipa, Characato, 2350-2400 m, 10.xi.2017, T. Pyrcz leg. (CEP-MZUJ); 4♂, same data, 30.iv.2017 (CEP-MZUJ); 8♂, same data, 07.v.2017 (CEP-MZUJ); 5♂, same data, 29.x.2017 (CEP-MZUJ); 4♂, Arequipa, 1 Km NW Yura, 28.iv.2017, T. Pyrcz leg. (CEP-MZUJ); 3♂, 3♀, AR[equipa], Sogay, 2500 m, 20.v.2008, J. Farfán leg (MUSA); 1♂, 1♀, same data, 05.iii.2008 (MUSA); 3♂, AR[equipa], Cañón del Colca, 2650 m, 22.x.2008, J. Farfán leg. (MUSA); 2♂, AR[equipa], Yura, 2380 m, 18.vi.2008, J. Farfán leg. (MUSA); 3♂, AR[equipa], Yarabamba, 2400 m, 27.iv.2012, J. Farfán leg. (MUSA); 1♂, AR[equipa], Charcani, 3100m, 26-27.vi.2010, J. Farfán leg. (MUSA); 1♂, AR[equipa], Chachas, 3000 m, 27.vi.2013, J. Farfán leg. (MUSA); 1♀, AR[Arequipa], Sogay, 2500 m, 18.iii.2009, J. Farfán leg. (MUSA); 1♂, 1♀, TA[cna], Palca, 2900 m, 19.vii.2011, J. Farfán leg (MUSA); 1♂, TA[cna], Tarata, 3100 m, 11.xi.2011, J. Farfán leg. (MUSA). Additional specimen, excluded from the type series: 1♂, PERU, AP[urímac], Tapairihua, Río Antabamba, 14º12’S, 73º06’W, 2600 m, 17.vi.2013, E. Huamaní leg. (MUSM). Although undoubtedly belonging to this species, the specimen appears slightly divergent and may represent a separate subspecies. Diagnosis. Mathania hughesi sp. n. is easily distinguished from all the known congeneric species by having a black band at the distal end of the discal cell from costal margin to the base of cell M 3 -CuA 1 on the forewing upperside (Fig. 1), absent in the other species. The male genitalia of M. hughesi sp. n. (Fig. 2a, b) is similar in shape to other species of Mathania. However, there are differences in the shape of the valvae that can allow its separation, a somewhat slender uncus, basally broader and distally narrower valva, rounded valval process and basally narrower vesica. Male genitalia in most species of Mathania have a robust uncus and tegumen, and elongate valvae with prominent structures on the inner side (Fig. 3). FIG. 1. Adults. A. Mathania hughesi sp. n. male, HOLOTYPE, dorsal view; B. Mathania hughesi sp. n. male, HOLOTYPE, ventral view; C. Mathania hughesi sp. n. female, PARATYPE, dorsal view; D. Mathania hughesi sp. n. female, PARATYPE, ventral view. Scale bar: 2 cm. Description. Male (Figs. 1A, B): forewing length 22–26 mm (n=20). Head primarily black with brown eyes, hairy palpus with whitish brown hair-like scales, antenna dorsally brown and ventrally whitish brown. Body and abdomen black with white hair-like scales, abdomen ventrally light brown. Upperside of wings ground color white. DFW with black apex extending on outer margin to Cu 1 and a black band on distal end of discal cell from costal margin to base of cell M 3 -CuA 1. DHW white. VFW white with apex greenish yellow extending through outer margin to Cu 1, and a dilute black band on distal end of discal cell, similar to that on dorsum. VHW greenish yellow, with yellow costal margin from base to apex, one longitudinal yellow line from wing base through discal cell to outer margin in cell M 2 -M 3, and other longitudinal yellow lines in cells M 3 -CuA 1, CuA 1 -CuA 2 and CuA 2 -A1. Male Genitalia (Fig. 2a,b,c): Saccus short and straight, tegumen well developed, uncus short with dorsolateral protuberances at base, valvae with weak dorsal concavity and prominent structures on the inner side (valval process), aedeagus curved downward as shown in Fig. 2c. Female (Fig. 1C, D): forewing length 24-25 mm (n=7), color and pattern very similar to that of male, but with slightly darker wings and with black outer wing margin broader at distal end of cell M 3 -CuA 1 on DFW. Female genitalia (Fig.2d,e,f): Papillae anales hairy rounded in lateral view, with slightly elongated lobes in apical segment in dorsal view (Fig. 2e); posterior apophyses longer, ~ 2× length of anterior apophyses; ductus bursae cylindrical, membranous; corpus bursae membranous, subspherical with sclerotized elliptical dentate signum as shown in Fig. 2f, and with a larger accessory pouch; ductus seminalis inserted at the base of the ductus bursae. FIG. 2. Mathania hughesi sp. n. genital morphology: (a) male genitalia in lateral view, aedeagus removed; (b) dorsal view; (c) aedeagus in lateral view; (d) female genitalia in lateral view; (e) ventral view; (f) detail of female signum. Scale bars: 1 mm. Etymology. This new species is dedicated to Robert (“Robin”) A. Hughes (1934-1991), in recognition of his valuable observations on the butterflies of the Department of Arequipa and southern Peru, being the first to report this species from the surroundings of Arequipa in the 1950s. Sadly, Hughes` personal collection of Lepidoptera was lost in the late 1960s in Arequipa (Hughes, in litt. to GL) FIG. 3. Male genitalia (in lateral view). A. M. leucothea, locality Valparaiso, Chile, PBF collection. B. M. carrizoi, locality Purmamarca, Argentina, PBF collection. C. M. agasicles, locality Gualaceo, Ecuador, PBF collection. D. M. aureomaculata, locality Molinopampa, Peru, PBF collection. Scale bar: 1 mm. Distribution. Mathania hughesi sp. n. is known from the western slope of the Andes in Peru, from the Department of Ayacucho in the north, south to the Department of Tacna, between 2300 and 3500 m elevation (Fig. 4). Host plant. Ligaria cuneifolia (R.et P.) Tiegh. (Loranthaceae). Bionomics. Adults are frequently found in xerophytic-shrub habitats above 2000 m, close to rivers or brooks where the host plant is located, the adults fly around the canopy of trees supporting the hemiparasitic host plant Ligaria cuneifolia, which in Arequipa grows on Schinus molle L. (Anacardiaceae), rarely adults fly at ground level. Oviposition behavior of M. hughesi is very similar to that described by Courtney (1986) for M. leucothea in Chile: « … Egg-laying is brief when it occurs: the wings fully closed (always open during “testing” contacts), the abdomen bent under, and one to several eggs rapidly deposited. …». Larvae of M. hughesi were found feeding close to the shoot tips on the underside of leaves of L. cuneifolia,; the larvae are solitary, cryptic and difficult to find on the host plant. The immature stages (Bravo et al. unpublished data) are similar to those of M. leucothea (Braby & Nishida 2007). Mathania hughesi around Arequipa appears to be univoltine, with abundant adults flying between June and August, and very few individuals between December and April. The latter period swith when immatures were found (March), which suggests that M. hughesi take advantage of rainy season of the southwestern slopes of the Andes (November to March) for development its, presumably due to food availability, because several dried plants of L. cuneifolia were observed during dry season.Published as part of Farfán, Jackie, Lamas, Gerardo & Cerdeña, José, 2020, A new species of Mathania Oberthür, 1890 from Peru (Lepidoptera, Pieridae), pp. 589-595 in Zootaxa 4758 (3) on pages 590-593, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4758.3.11, http://zenodo.org/record/373465

A high mountain lizard from Peru: The world’s highest-altitude reptile

Life at high altitudes is particularly challenging for ectothermic animals like reptiles and involves the evolution of specialised adaptations to deal with low temperatures, hypoxia and intense UV radiation. As a result, only very few reptile taxa are able to survive above 5,000 m elevation and herpetological observations from these altitudes are exceedingly rare. We report here an exceptional observation of a lizard population (Liolaemus aff. tacnae; Reptilia, Squamata) from the high Andes of Peru. During an ascent of Chachani mountain (6,054 m, 16°11'S, 71°32'W), we observed and documented photographically this species living between 5,000 and 5,400 m above sea level. Following a review of literature, we show that this is the highest known record of a reptile species

A new high-altitude species of Penaincisalia Johnson, 1990 (Lepidoptera, Lycaenidae) from the Peruvian Andes

Bálint, Zsolt, Boyer, Pierre, Farfán, Jackie, Cerdeña, José, Pyrcz, Tomasz W. (2022): A new high-altitude species of Penaincisalia Johnson, 1990 (Lepidoptera, Lycaenidae) from the Peruvian Andes. Zootaxa 5154 (1): 49-59, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5154.1.

Contributions to the knowledge of Neotropical Lycaenidae : taxonomy of "Johnsonita" Salazar & Constantino, 1995 with descriptions of seven new species (Theclinae: Eumaeini)

FIGURE 26. Thecla auda Hewitson, 1867. NHMUK lectotype specimen and labels (scale bar: 10 mm).Published as part of Bálint, Zsolt, Boyer, Pierre, Cerdeña, José, Larico, Jackie Farfán, Brudecka, Jadwiga Lorenc-, Prieto, Carlos & Pyrcz, Tomasz W., 2021, Contributions to the knowledge of Neotropical Lycaenidae: taxonomy of Johnsonita Salazar & Constantino, 1995 with descriptions of seven new species (Theclinae Eumaeini), pp. 11-57 in Zootaxa 4963 (1) on page 46, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4963.1.2, http://zenodo.org/record/471124

Johnsonita zubkova Balint, Boyer & Lorenc-Brudecka 2021, sp. n.

Johnsonita zubkova Bálint, Boyer & Lorenc –Brudecka sp. n. (Figs 15, 19G–H, 22J–L, 23H, 31) Type material. Holotype male in perfect condition, set dorsally, with data: PERU, Dept. Cuczo, Paucartambo, Abra Acjanacovers Pillcopata km 10, 3000-3100 m, 24.II.2005, P. Boyer. (dissected: gen. prep. 6301/ J. Lorenc) (CB; will be deposited in MUSM). Paratypes (n=2), all from Peru: Dept. Puno, Vallée de Limbani, Carcel Punco, 8km nord de Limbani, 2600–2700 m, V.2005, J. Böttger (CB: female); Dept. Cuzco, Puente Huayllayoc, via Marcapata vers Ocongate, km 4, 3100 m, 8.X.2009, P. Boyer (CB: female). Description. Wings. FW costa length: 14 mm (n=3), apical area of costa and outer margin is straight resulting in a somewhat pointed shape; dorsal wing surface colouration pale violet blue, black border inner margin reaching the erection of vein M3; HW dorsal surface discal area structurally coloured; tornal area pale brown; ventral FW submedial and medial pattern running parallel, submarginal area conspicuously lighter than medial and basal regions, antemargin area lighter brown; HW medial pattern composed by ruptive band brown coloured bordered basally by a thin white line, submarginal area not lighter than medial and basal regions, antemargin area brown. Genitalia. Male valva thin and narrow with rounded costal margin flip, valval terminus extremely pointed and very long. Female ductus thin with divergent edges, no lower plate, upper plate symmetric and large, frame sclerotized with delicate dentation.Androconia present in ventral FW along Cubital 2 vein as a wide black streak in the median- and postmedian area. Diagnosis. On the basis of the ventral HW pattern and presence of androconia in the FW ventral surface it is only confusable with J. pardoa, which has a deeper blue dorsal wing surface colouration and the HW ventral surface pattern is far more contrasted. The male genitalia valva possesses the longest apical process in the genus. Distribution. Geographical: PERU (Cuzco, Puno) (Fig. 31); spatial: recorded between 2600–3100 m a.s.l; temporal: recorded in January, May and October. Etymology. The species is named after Anna Zubek (Nature Education Centre, Jagiellonian University, Krakow), entomologist and molecular genetist, good friend and colleague of the authors. The species name “zubkova” is freely formed by Latinising the word “zubek” and treating it as a female noun in apposition.Published as part of Bálint, Zsolt, Boyer, Pierre, Cerdeña, José, Larico, Jackie Farfán, Brudecka, Jadwiga Lorenc-, Prieto, Carlos & Pyrcz, Tomasz W., 2021, Contributions to the knowledge of Neotropical Lycaenidae: taxonomy of Johnsonita Salazar & Constantino, 1995 with descriptions of seven new species (Theclinae Eumaeini), pp. 11-57 in Zootaxa 4963 (1) on pages 35-36, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4963.1.2, http://zenodo.org/record/471124

Johnsonita oxalida Balint, Boyer & Pyrcz 2021, sp. n.

Johnsonita oxalida Bálint, Boyer & Pyrcz, sp. n. (Figs 11, 19E–F, 22G–I, 30) Type material. CB holotype male (will be deposited in CEP – MZUJ) in good condition, labelled as “ 2200- 2500 m, [//] la Antena, [//] SE Oxapampa (Pasco) [//] Pérou 20-10-2009 ” (dissected. gen. prep. 893/ J. Lorenc). Paratype: Peru, Huánuco, Paso Carpish 2800-3000 m, 2003.II.19. (CB: female; dissected; gen. prep. 894/ J. Lorenc). Description. Wings. FW costa length: 14–15 mm (n=2), apical area of costa and outer margin is not straight resulting in a somewhat rounded shape; dorsal wing surface colouration pale violet blue, black border inner margin reaching the erection of vein M3; HW dorsal surface discal area structurally coloured; ventral FW submedial and medial pattern running parallel, submarginal area conspicuously lighter than medial and basal regions, antemargin area brown; HW medial pattern composed by ruptive band brown coloured bordered basally by a thin white line, submarginal area conspicuously lighter than medial and basal regions, antemargin area brown. Genitalia. Male valva thin with rounded costal margin flip and extremely pointed valval terminus (with valval length) and strong saccus. Female ductus thin with parallel edges but at 2/3 length divergent, no lower plate, upper plate symmetric and large with thinly sclerotized frame with a single spine. Androconia present in FW ventral surface basal are with cubital scent patch and HW dorsal wing surface medial area with black fur. Diagnosis. On the basis of the dorsal HW surface “fur” and the ventral HW surface zigzagged pattern contrasted it is easy to distinguish the species from the congeners. The similar species J. johnbanksi is more vivid blue dorsally, the ventral wing surface submarginal areas are not so light, the medial zigzagged pattern is more ruptive and the submedian and basal area have a gleaming white scales suffusion. Distribution. Geographical: PERU (Huánuco, Pasco) (Fig. 30); spatial: recorded between 2200–3000 m a.s.l; temporal: recorded in February and October. Etymology. The name “oxalida” is used to emphasize the type locality “Oxapampa” and the observation that the species is lighter (= “pallida” in Latin) than the putative sister species J. johnbanksi. The species name “oxalida” is freely formed Latin name and is treated as a female noun in apposition.Published as part of Bálint, Zsolt, Boyer, Pierre, Cerdeña, José, Larico, Jackie Farfán, Brudecka, Jadwiga Lorenc-, Prieto, Carlos & Pyrcz, Tomasz W., 2021, Contributions to the knowledge of Neotropical Lycaenidae: taxonomy of Johnsonita Salazar & Constantino, 1995 with descriptions of seven new species (Theclinae Eumaeini), pp. 11-57 in Zootaxa 4963 (1) on page 30, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4963.1.2, http://zenodo.org/record/471124