Description of a new genus for "Euptychia" peculiaris (Nymphalidae: Satyrinae): immature stages and systematic position

Based on distinct character states in life history and adult morphology, the monotypic genus, Taydebis, new genus with "Euptychia" peculiaris Butle r as the type species is described, Analysis of the morphological characters and comparisons with four nearby genera suggest that the genus is closely aligned to or should he placed near Taygetis Hiibner and Pseudodebis Forster. Additional key words: life history, Poaceae, Pseudodehis , Taydehis, Taygetis, Within the Neotropical Nymphalidae, the subf:lmily Satyrinae is one of the most poorly understood groups, with many systematic problems and undescribed species, a f~lCt often noted in the literature (Forster 1964, Miller 1968, DeVries 1987:257, Freitas 2002). Adult characters have been useful for understanding relationships in some cases (Forster 1964, Miller 1968), but have been insufficient to resolve some systematic problems in the subLlmily. Since M iiller (1886) early stages have been shown as a useful source of characters in butterfly systematics (Kitching 1985, Brmvn & Freitas 1994, Freitas et a1. 1997, Penz 1999) including for the Satyrinae (Singer et al. 1983, DeVries et a1. 1985, Freitas 2002, Freitas et al. 2002). "Euptychia" peculiaris Butler 1874 is a prohlem species from southeastern Brazil. This species occurs at moderate elevations (800-1700 m) and is known from only a few localities along the Mantiqueira mountains and the Serra do Mar in the states of Sao Paulo and Santa Catarina (Campo Alegre and Lages) (see list below). The record of Hayward (1973:256) from Misiones, Argentina, requires further confirmation. The present paper illustratcs and describes the critical morphological characters that distinguish this taxon, such as the wing venation and male genitalia. For the first time, the early stages are illustrated and described in detail. A comparative discussion of systematic relationships of "E. " peculiaris within the Satyrinae is presented and a new genus, Taydebis, is described. MATERIALS AND M ETHODS Adults and immatures of "E. " peculiaris were studied at six different localities in Sao Paulo State, SE Brazil: banks of the Rio Tiete (Mogi das CnlZes, 700-800 m), Morro Grande Forest Reserve (Cotia, 8.50-950 m) , Nlicleo Santa VirgInia (Sao Luis do Paraitinga, 900-UOO m), Campos do Jordao State Park (Campos do Jordao, 1500-1700 m), Intel-vales Park (Capao Bonito, 900-UOO m) and Grota Funda Municipal Park (Atibaia, 9001000 m). Fertile eggs were obtained from wild-captured females that were confined in plastic bags. Larvae were reared in plastic containers cleaned daily, with fresh plant material provided every two or three days (following Freitas 1991). Observations and data were recorded on behavior and development times for all stages . Dry head capsules and pupal castings were retained in small glass vials. When there was sufficient material, immatures were fixed in Kahle solution (AVLF collection). All measurements were made using a microscope fitted with a calibrated rnicrometric ocular. Egg size is presented as length and diameter, and head capsule size is the distance between the most external ocelli (as in Freitas 1991 ). Taxonomic nomenclature follows Miller (1968) as modified by Harvey (1991), who treated the group as a subfamily, downranking Miller's subfamilies and tribes to tribes and subtribes, respectively. Nomenclature of wing veins follows Miller (1969) , and ofbody setae follows Hinton (1946). Taydebis Freitas, new genus (Figs. 1, 2, Table 1) Type species: Euptychia peculiaris Butler, 1874. Diagnosis. Eyes hairy, reddish brown. Labial palpus one and a half times as long as head, brown with light brown hairs. Antenna (8.59.5 mm ) up to 0.4 times the length of the costa; shaft dark brown dorsally, orange brown ventrally, sparse scaled dorsally; club not conspicuously developed, including eleven segments , vvith apical portion (last five segments) dark brown. Wing venation vely similar to Pseudodebis and Taygetis (Fig. 2). Both wings extremely rounded apically (Figs. 1,2). Description of adults. Male. Forewing length 20-23 mm, hjndwing length 1618 mm (n = IS). Body dark brown , abdomen ventrally light brown. U pperside ground color of wings medium brown, without marks, except felf a dark brown zigzag sub marginal line on both wings, and a light marginal line on the hindwing. Underside ground color lighter brown, three-tone: forewing discal area darker, hindwing distal halflighter. Two prominent scalloped brown lines crossing both wings 3.5% and 60% ont from base; sub marginal regIOn of foreWin g with a diffuse darker brown area with four VOLUME 57, NUMBER 2 101 FIG J. Adult male (top) and female (bottom) of Taydebis peculiaris from Parque Estadual de Campos do Jordiio, SP. minute light blue centered black ocelli bordered with orange in spacP' R.5-Ml , MI-M2, M2-M:3 and M3-Cul ; sub marginal area of hind wing with two prominent light blue centered black ocelli with orang,e margins in 'pac,"s Rs-Ml and M I M2, minute similar ocelli in spaces M2-M3 and M3-Cul, somewhat larger in Cul-Cu2 and Cu2--] A. A dark brown zigzag sub Illarginalline and a light Illarginal line are present on botl, wings. Male genitalia (Fig. 2) with an elongated saccus, well developcd tegulll en and long pOinted unCllS. The gnathos appears as two long pointed processes. Valvae trapezoidal ending with a single well developed point. Aedeagus with one large cornutus. Additionallllorphological characters (legs amI labial palpus) are shown in Fig. 2. Female. Forewing length 2224 mm, hindwing length 17-22 mm (n = 6). Body dark hrown , ventral abdomen light brown. General color and pattern very similar to but in general lighter than that of males. Wings more rounded than in Illales. Variation. Variation in the dorsal wing surfaces is very low, with IllOSt variation being recorded on the underside. The size of the ocelli is variable in both sexes, and in some individuals only the two prolllinent ocelli of the hindwillg can be seen without magnification . Th" wing pattern is also variable, being weakly marked in some few individuals hom Campos do Jordao. Some females have the underside ground color much more yellowish, especially in the sub Illarginal and anal areas. 102 JOURNAL OF THE LEPIDOPTERISTS ' SOCIETY