Tribal assignment of the genus Eumera Staudinger, 1892, using multi-gene analysis, with description of a new species from Iran (Lepidoptera: Geometridae: Ennominae)

The geometrid moth genus Eumera Staudinger, 1892 consists of five yellow-orange-pinkish species distributed in the western Palearctic, with uncertain tribal classification within the geometrid subfamily Ennominae. In this study, we explored the phylogenetic position of the genus Eumera. Therefore, a concatenated dataset was analyzed, which includes one mitochondrial and up to ten protein-coding genetic markers per taxa. Moreover, we compared some external and internal morphological traits to other closely related genera. Our phylogenetic inference and comparative morphology suggested that Eumera should be included in the tribe Prosopolophini. In addition, a new species, Eumera rajaeii sp. nov. Wanke & Shirvani is described from southern Iran, and diagnosed by molecular data and morphological features. The distribution of the Iranian species is shown on a map. We illustrate external characters and male genitalia of three closely related Eumera species.Peer reviewe

An online taxonomic facility of Geometridae (Lepidoptera), with an overview of global species richness and systematics

We present a new, online, open access portal to the geometrid moths of the world (Lepidoptera: Geometridae). The portal provides access to the global database including data on classification, valid genera and species, synonyms and type localities, and to an online list of valid names. The value of this online facility, inter alia, is demonstrated by using the underlying data to update our understanding of the global and regional species richness of the family. We also review, clarify and list the family-group names (family, subfamily, tribe) of the Geometridae to provide users with a better understanding of the higher category framework when they access the database. Currently, the Geometridae database includes 34,897 available species-group names. Of these, 7,891 are considered synonyms (23% of available names), giving a total of 27,006 valid species-group names, which in turn comprise 23,872 species names and 3,134 subspecies names. The world fauna is classified into 2,019 genera, 92 tribes and 9 subfamilies. Our paper also includes an annotated list of all 202 subfamily, tribe and subtribe names in systematic order. One hundred family-group names (49.5%) are considered synonyms. Although most geometrid species were described in the 19th and 20th centuries, the average number of new species descriptions from 2000–2022 has been fairly constant at around 80 per year, implying there is still much more hidden geometrid diversity yet to be discovered.Peer reviewe

An effective method for the close up photography of insect genitalia during dissection: a case study on the Lepidoptera

Characters of male and female genitalia in insects in general, especially in Lepidoptera, are essential for species identification as they display extensive morphological variation. In embedded genitalia, due to the positioning of the genitalia and the pressure of the cover glass, the appearance of some diagnostic characters might be confusing. This potentially leads to taxonomic misinterpretation. Additionally, the photography of genitalia structures in ethanol is difficult, due to drift or hardening of genitalia. A method is presented here to fix the position of the genitalia in ethanol, which allows comparative close up photography. The advantage of the method is demonstrated by illustrating the sacculus projection of three Triphosa species

Integrative taxonomic review of the genus Synopsia Hübner, 1825 in the Middle East (Lepidoptera: Geometridae: Ennominae)

The geometrid genera Synopsia Hubner, 1825 and Synopsidia Djakonov, 1935 are revised, both being earlier validated at genus rank. Type specimens, original descriptions and additional specimens from different localities were examined. The revision is based on morphological characters, molecular data and distribution records. As a result, Synopsidia syn. nov. is regarded as junior synonym of the genus Synopsia. The synonymies of the species Scodonia tekkearia Christoph, 1883 and Synopsia znojkoi Djakonov, 1935 with Synopsia phasidaria phasidaria (Rogenhofer, 1873) comb. nov. are confirmed. Furthermore, Synopsidia phasidaria alvandi Wiltshire, 1966 syn. nov., Synopsidia phasidaria ardschira Brandt, 1938 syn. nov., Synopsidia phasidaria chiraza Brandt, 1938 syn. nov., Hashtaresia jodes Wehrli, 1936 syn. nov. and Synopsidia phasidaria mirabica Wehrli, 1941 syn. nov. are regarded as synonyms of Synopsia phasidaria phasidaria (Rogenhofer, 1873) comb. nov.. Synopsia phasidaria afghana (Wiltshire, 1966) comb. nov. is tentatively validated at subspecific rank. Synopsia centralis (Wiltshire, 1966) comb. nov., bona sp. is upgraded from subspecies to species level. Wing pattern, as well as male and female genitalia and diagnostic characters of examined genera and species are illustrated and analyzed. The distribution patterns of Synopsia phasidaria comb. nov. and Synopsia centralis bona sp., as well as the type localities of all discussed taxa, are provided. A complete checklist of the genus is given.Peer reviewe

Updates on the Fixator-Facilitating the investigation, mounting, and photography of structures and specimens in liquid

Wanke, Dominic, Wendt, Ingo, Rajaei, Hossein (2021): Updates on the Fixator-Facilitating the investigation, mounting, and photography of structures and specimens in liquid. Zootaxa 4999 (4): 397-400, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4999.4.

An integrative taxonomic revision of the genus Triphosa Stephens, 1829 (Geometridae: Larentiinae) in the Middle East and Central Asia, with description of two new species

Wanke, Dominic, Hausmann, Axel, Rajaei, Hossein (2019): An integrative taxonomic revision of the genus Triphosa Stephens, 1829 (Geometridae: Larentiinae) in the Middle East and Central Asia, with description of two new species. Zootaxa 4603 (1): 39-65, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4603.1.

Systematics of Problepsis wiltshirei (Prout, 1938), comb. nov. (Lepidoptera, Geometridae, Sterrhinae) – an endemic species to the Zagros Mountains in the Middle East

Within Iran, the Zagros Mountains show high biodiversity, with a wealth of endemic species. One of these is the geometrid moth Somatina wiltshirei Prout, 1938, originally described from Iran and Iraq. In the present study, one mitochondrial and up to nine protein-coding nuclear gene regions were used along with a comparative morphological examination to investigate the systematic position of this species. The results support the reclassification of this species as Problepsis wiltshirei comb. nov. Since the original species description is superficial, we provide a re-description supported by rich illustrations of morphological characters and distribution. In addition, Problepsis wiltshirei comb. nov. is reported as a new species for the fauna of Turkey. The importance of the habitat for the conservation of this species is discussed.Peer reviewe

FIGURES 6-10 in An integrative taxonomic revision of the genus Triphosa Stephens, 1829 (Geometridae: Larentiinae) in the Middle East and Central Asia, with description of two new species

FIGURES 6-10. Terminology of male genitalia used in this paper. 6: genitalia capsule. 7: subscaphium and socii. 8: labides. 9: aedeagus. 10: microcornuti on vesica. Abbreviations as follows (after Schmidt 2017): cos—costa of valva, jux—juxta, lablabides, sac—sacculus projection, soc—socii, sub—subscaphium, unc—uncus. (Photos of Triphosa lecerfi sp. n.

Taxonomic revision of the genus Nychiodes Lederer, 1853 (Geometridae: Ennominae: Boarmiini) with description of three new species-an integrative approach

Wanke, Dominic, Hausmann, Axel, Krogmann, Lars, Petrányi, Gergely, Rajaei, Hossein (2020): Taxonomic revision of the genus Nychiodes Lederer, 1853 (Geometridae: Ennominae: Boarmiini) with description of three new species-an integrative approach. Zootaxa 4812 (1): 1-61, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4812.1.

PLATE 14 in Systematics and integrative taxonomic revision of the tribe Scopulini Duponchel, 1845 in Iran (Lepidoptera: Geometridae: Sterrhinae)

PLATE 14: Figures 1–3. Male genitalia of Scopula species. 1: S. ornata enzela (N-Iran, Bandar Pahlavi, g. prep. 0797/2020 D. Wanke); 2: S. orientalis (Iran, Elburz, g. prep. 1192/2022 D. Wanke); 3: S. decorata (W Iran, Kordestan, Strasse Zandjan-Bijar, g. prep. 0792/2020 D. Wanke). a = genitalia capsule; b = aedeagus; c = 8th sternite. Scale-bar 1 mm.Published as part of <i>Wanke, Dominic, Hausmann, Axel, Lee, Kyung Min, Murillo-Ramos, Leidys, Sihvonen, Pasi & Rajaei, Hossein, 2023, Systematics and integrative taxonomic revision of the tribe Scopulini Duponchel, 1845 in Iran (Lepidoptera: Geometridae: Sterrhinae), pp. 1-96 in Zootaxa 5359 (1)</i> on page 61, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5359.1.1, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/10147920">http://zenodo.org/record/10147920</a&gt