Jacqueline Y. Miller

Integration of DNA barcoding into an ongoing inventory of complex tropical biodiversity

Inventory of the caterpillars, their food plants and parasitoids began in 1978 for todays Area de Conservacion Guanacaste (ACG), in northwestern Costa Rica. This complex mosaic of 120 000 ha of conserved and regenerating dry, cloud and rain forest over 0–2000 m elevation contains at least 10 000 species of non‐leaf‐mining caterpillars used by more than 5000 species of parasitoids. Several hundred thousand specimens of ACG‐reared adult Lepidoptera and parasitoids have been intensively and extensively studied morphologically by many taxonomists, including most of the co‐authors. DNA barcoding — the use of a standardized short mitochondrial DNA sequence to identify specimens and flush out undisclosed species — was added to the taxonomic identification process in 2003. Barcoding has been found to be extremely accurate during the identification of about 100 000 specimens of about 3500 morphologically defined species of adult moths, butterflies, tachinid flies, and parasitoid wasps. Less than 1% of the species have such similar barcodes that a molecularly based taxonomic identification is impossible. No specimen with a full barcode was misidentified when its barcode was compared with the barcode library. Also as expected from early trials, barcoding a series from all morphologically defined species, and correlating the morphological, ecological and barcode traits, has revealed many hundreds of overlooked presumptive species. Many but not all of these cryptic species can now be distinguished by subtle morphological and/or ecological traits previously ascribed to ‘variation’ or thought to be insignificant for species‐level recognition. Adding DNA barcoding to the inventory has substantially improved the quality and depth of the inventory, and greatly multiplied the number of situations requiring further taxonomic work for resolution.

Causes of endemic radiation in the Caribbean: evidence from the historical biogeography and diversification of the butterfly genus Calisto (Nymphalidae: Satyrinae: Satyrini)

BackgroundCalisto is the largest butterfly genus in the West Indies but its systematics, historical biogeography and the causes of its diversification have not been previously rigorously evaluated. Several studies attempting to explain the wide-ranging diversity of Calisto gave different weights to vicariance, dispersal and adaptive radiation. We utilized molecular phylogenetic approaches and secondary calibrations points to estimate lineage ages. In addition, we used the dispersal-extinction-cladogenesis model and Caribbean paleogeographical information to reconstruct ancestral geographical distributions. We also evaluated different models of diversification to estimate the dynamics of lineage radiation within Calisto. By understanding the evolution of Calisto butterflies, we attempt to identify the main processes acting on insular insect diversity and the causes of its origin and its maintenance.ResultsThe crown age of Calisto was estimated to the early Oligocene (31 ± 5 Ma), and a single shift in diversification rate following a diversity-dependent speciation process was the best explanation for the present-day diversity found within the genus. A major increase in diversification rate was recovered at 14 Ma, following geological arrangements that favoured the availability of empty niches. Inferred ancestral distributional ranges suggested that the origin of extant Calisto is in agreement with a vicariant model and the origin of the Cuban lineage was likely the result of vicariance caused by the Cuba-Hispaniola split. A long-distance dispersal was the best explanation for the colonization of Jamaica and the Bahamas.ConclusionsThe ancestral geographical distribution of Calisto is in line with the paleogeographical model of Caribbean colonization, which favours island-to-island vicariance. Because the sister lineage of Calisto remains ambiguous, its arrival to the West Indies remains to be explained, although, given its age and historical biogeography, the hypothesized GAARlandia land bridge might have been a plausible introduction route from continental America. Intra-island radiation caused by ecological innovation and the abiotic creation of niche spaces was found to be the main force shaping Calisto diversity and island endemism in Hispaniola and Cuba.

The Butterflies of Pohnpei, Eastern Caroline Islands, Micronesia

Fourteen species of butterflies are recorded from Pohnpei, Micronesia, seven for the first time. None is endemic to the island; all are widely distributed in the western Pacific, including parts of Indo-Australia, with many extending into or beyond southeastern Asia. A long history of plant introductions and agricultural experimentation may have facilitated dispersal of butterflies to the island and provided a broad selection of host plants for those arriving otherwise unassisted. At least one, and possibly two or more, unidentified species apparently confined to deep forest habitats were seen but not collected during this study. Compared with the local odonate fauna, the butterflies of Pohnpei differ in reaching their greatest abundance and species diversity in the lowlands, in lacking endemic species, and probably in having a higher turnover rate.

BEHAVIOR IN BUTTERFLIES AS A MEANS OF CONSERVATION: COMPARISON OF INSULAR AND CONTINENTAL FAUNA

Behavior is one of the major components affecting the survival of butterfly species. Certain physiological requirements, such as regulation of body temperature, search for nutrients and partitioning of other resources must be met, but the ability to meet them can be enhanced through behavior. Insular and continental butterfly species may display similar perching and flight behavior based on familial relationships. Reduction in species diversity and population numbers can most often be attributed to variation in climate and weather patterns and changes in land use, especially those changes that result in habitat fragmentation or loss. Chemical pesticides and possible extirpation of species through predation and over-collection are secondary causes of reductions in most cases. Through the critical examination of butterfly behavior in both insular and continental species, we can derive a more complete picture of the requirements necessary to sustain populations and can further enhance conservation and management efforts.

Revision of the Neotropical genus Yagra Oiticica (Lepidoptera: Castniidae)

The Castniidae, or butterfly moths, are characteristically colourful diurnal moths, distributed throughout the tropics except in Africa. The Neotropical representatives forage almost exclusively on monocotyledonous plants and many species are crop pests with more than 60% of the Neotropical castniids found or endemic in Brazil. Research studies that focus on taxonomy, systematics, and morphology of this group are scarce. In this study, Yagra Oiticica, a small genus restricted to south-eastern South America, is revised and the diagnostic morphological characters of male and female genitalia are illustrated. This research is part of long-term study on the Castniidae for future phylogenetic analysis.

Planning for Tomorrow: The Future of Entomological Investments

The Florida Entomological Society Pioneer Lecture honored William and Nadine McGuire during the Annual FES Meetings, Jul 16-19, 2007 for their accomplishments and contributions to science, culture, and the world at large. It is indeed fitting that we recognize them for their remarkable detailed scientific research contributions on the life histories and taxonomic relationships of the poorly known skipper butterflies (Hesperioidea), especially the genus Hesperia and the subfamily Megathyminae, which are exceedingly difficult groups. In addition, the McGuires have provided a leadership role in emphasizing the need for entomological and other collections of organisms as biological research resources for scientific investigation and for educating the general public at large about natural history. The McGuires (Fig. 1) have a keen interest in endangered species, biodiversity, conservation and the environment, and the major role that entomological collections, especially Lepidoptera as bioindicator species can play in documenting species diversity over time. Finally and not in the least, we wish to honor and recognize them for their extraordinary philanthropy in founding the McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity at the Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, and their continued support for training of graduate and undergraduate students at the University of Florida and elsewhere throughout the U.S.A.

Notes on the Genus Euphyes, with Description of a New Subspecies (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae)

A new subspecies of Euphyes pilatka (W. H. Edwards) is described from the Florida Keys and compared with the nominate subspecies. The subspecies of Euphyes conspicua (W. H. Edwards) are discussed, and the name orono (Scudder) is resurrected for the east coast subspecies.

Two new species of Megalota from the Bahamas (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae: Olethruetinae)

Two new species of Megalota Diakonoff, 1966 are described and illustrated from the Bahamas: M. bahamana Brown Matthews, new species, and M. insularis Brown and Matthews, new species. The two are among the 65 or so species of Tortricidae recorded from the Bahamas during an inventory of the Lepidoptera of the archipelago initiated in 2010.

Two new species of Eucosmini from the Bahamas (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

Recent surveys to document the poorly known moth fauna of the Bahamas have resulted in the collection of more than 60 morphospecies of Tortricidae. Among these are several Eucosmini, including undescribed representatives of Eucosma and Pelochrista that are similar to several species present in the southeastern United States. Eucosma bahamae, sp.n., a member of the E. refusana group, and Pelochrista wrighti, sp.n., a member of the P. canana group, are described and illustrated.

A new species of Cyllopsis R. Felder, 1869 from the highlands of Chiapas, Mexico (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Satyrinae)

A new species of Cyllopsis R. Felder, 1869, is described and illustrated from the highlands of Chiapas, Mexico. Cyllopsis tomemmeli A. Warren Nakahara, sp. nov., is currently known from 13 specimens (9 males and 4 females) collected on March 26-28, 1959, southeast of San Cristóbal de Las Casas. Despite extensive studies on the butterfly fauna of this region, this species has not since been encountered. We discuss possible relationships between this new species and other species of Cyllopsis.