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

Abstract

The Transandean-Andean genus Johnsonita Salazar & Constantino, 1995 is revised on the basis of wing and genitalia morphology. Apart from eight species formerly placed in Johnsonita (Thecla assula Draudt, 1919; Thecla auda Hewitson, 1867; Thecla catadupa Hewitson, 1869; Thecla chaluma Schaus, 1902, Thecla chlamydem Druce, 1907; Thecla pardoa d’Abrera, 1995; Johnsonita johnsoni Salazar & Constantino, 1995 and Johnsonita johnbanksi Bálint, 2003), seven new species are described: Johnsonita carpia Bálint, Boyer & Pyrcz, sp. n. (Ecuador), Johnsonita iacinta Bálint, Boyer & Pyrcz, sp. n. (Peru), Johnsonita ianusca Bálint, Lorenc–Brudecka & Pyrcz, sp. n. (Ecuador), Johnsonita oxalida Bálint, Boyer & Pyrcz, sp. n. (Peru), Johnsonita subcunicula Bálint, Cerdeña & Pyrcz, sp. n. (Peru), Johnsonita turquisca Bálint, Boyer & Pyrcz, sp. n. (Ecuador) and Johnsonita zubkova Bálint, Boyer & Lorenc–Brudecka, sp. n. (Peru). One species, erroneously recorded from Bolivia under the name Thecla chaluma Schaus, 1902, is not formally described due to insufficient material. An identification key, type material revision, descriptions or redescriptions, and diagnosis for all the taxa recognized are given. Lectotypes for the nominal species Thecla assula Draudt, 1919 and Thecla chlamydem Druce, 1907 are designated. Male secondary wing characters are tabulated. A brief discussion on classification, life-history and male secondary characters of Johnsonita is presented.

Genomics‐based higher classification of the species‐rich hairstreaks (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae: Eumaeini)

“…Rhammina contains a variety of male secondary sexual organs on the wings. Unique organs occur on the wings of Lathecla and Johnsonita (Bálint et al, 2021; Robbins & Busby, 2015). Podanotum lacks male secondary sexual organs (Busby, Faynel, Moser, & Robbins, 2017).…”

“…Johnsonita was reported from Panama (Draudt, 1919–1920), but there are no vouchers. A photograph taken in Ecuador was incorrectly attributed to Panama (Bálint et al, 2021). Efforts to sample high elevation habitats more broadly have improved the ability to assess intraspecific geographic variation in Rhamma (Prieto, Núñez, & Hausmann, 2018; Prieto & Vargas, 2016).…”

“…Johnsonita was reported from Panama (Draudt, 1919(Draudt, -1920, but there are no vouchers. A photograph taken in Ecuador was incorrectly attributed to Panama (Bálint et al, 2021).…”