A new genus and species of Moncini from Jamaica, West Indies (Lepidoptera, Hesperiidae, Hesperiinae).

Authors

  • V. A. Turland
  • A. D. Warren
  • D. S. Lewis

Keywords:

Butterfly, Cockpit Country, Cytochrome Oxidase Subunit I (COI), genitalia, morphology, skipper

Abstract

A remarkable new genus and species of skipper butterfly is described from the Cockpit Country of west central Jamaica, West Indies. This new species, a member of the tribe Moncini, differs from all other genera in the tribe in its external morphology, being the only member of the tribe to lack prominent wing markings, save a narrow, pale-yellow, transverse hindwing band. Examination of the genitalia and a COI sequence places this new skipper close to continental species of Vettius, which possess substantially different external morphological characters. Features of the female genitalia of Moncini are discussed, and the elongated, sclerotized antrum found in this new taxon and apparent relatives is proposed as a potentially informative character for grouping related members of Moncini.

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Published

2012-12-01