Vazrick Nazari

Molecular systematics and phylogeny of the 'Marbled Whites' (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae, Satyrinae, Melanargia Meigen).

Abstract. We investigated genetic divergence and phylogenetic relationships amongst all known species of Palaearctic butterflies of the genus Melanargia using sequence information from three genes [mitochondrial cox1 barcode region (658 bp), ribosomal 16S rRNA (c. 518 bp), and nuclear wg (404 bp)]. Results show a lack of DNA divergence among several poorly characterized taxa, as well as deep divergences within and between others. We corroborated the molecular information with morphological and genitalic characters as well as with geographic data. We revise the taxonomy of Melanargia, and propose a new systematic scheme for the group. We revive some previous synonymies (M. lucasi meadwaldoistat. rev., M. ines fathmestat. rev., M. ines jahandiezistat. rev., M. meridionalis tapaishanensisstat. rev.), revise the status of some subspecies into species (M. transcaspicastat. nov., M. lucidastat. nov., M. wiskottistat. nov.) and of several species into subspecies of other taxa (M. evartianae sadjadiistat. nov., M. larissa hylatastat. nov., M. larissa grumistat. nov., M. larissa syriacastat. nov., M. larissa titeastat. nov., M. lugens montanastat. nov., M. epimede ganymedesstat. nov.), revise the status of subspecies and transfer them to other species (M. larissa lorestanensisstat. nov., M. larissa iranicastat. nov., M. larissa karabagistat. rev., M. larissa kocakistat. nov., M. transcaspica ebertistat. nov.), and propose new synonymies (M. larissa titea = M. titea standfussisyn. nov. = M. titea titaniasyn. nov., M. leda leda = M. leda yunnanasyn. nov., M. lugens lugens = M. lugens ahyouisyn. nov., M. lugens hengshanensis = M. lugens hoeneisyn. nov., M. halimede halimede = M. halimede gratianisyn. nov., M. asiatica asiatica = M. asiatica dejeanisyn. nov., = M. asiatica elisasyn. nov., = M. asiatica sigbertisyn. nov.).

Chasing Butterflies in Medieval Europe

ABSTRACT. A survey of illuminated medieval manuscripts from Europe reveals depictions of several different methods used in the Middle Ages for catching butterflies. A discussion on the meaning and iconography of lepidopteran imagery in these manuscripts is presented.

Review of Neopalpa Povolný, 1998 with description of a new species from California and Baja California, Mexico (Lepidoptera, Gelechiidae)

Abstract The monotypic genus Neopalpa was described in 1998 by Czech entomologist Dalibor Povolný based on two male specimens from Santa Catalina Island, California, which he named Neopalpa neonata. The female of this species was discovered recently based on a DNA barcode match and is described. In addition, a new species with marked differences in morphology and DNA barcodes from southern California and Baja California Mexico is described as Neopalpa donaldtrumpi sp. n. Adults and genitalia of both species are illustrated, new diagnosis for the genus Neopalpa is provided, and its position within Gelechiidae is briefly discussed.

Three New Species of Leaf-Mining Gelechiidae (Lepidoptera) from Canada and Northeastern United States

ABSTRACT. Three new species of leaf-mining Gelechiidae are described: Xenolechia ceanothiae Priest, whose larvae feed on Ceanothus americanus L. (Rhamnaceae); Gnorimoschema shepherdiae Priest, on Shepherdia canadensis (L.) Nutt. (Elaeagnaceae); and Scrobipalpula manierreorum Priest, on Eurybia (Aster) macrophylla (L.) Cassini (Asteraceae). Their leaf mines were initially discovered in the understory in Michigan forests. Barcoding revealed additional records for two of these species from several regions of Canada. Photographs of the imagos and illustrations of the male and female genitalia, larval and pupal chaetotaxal maps are provided. Scanning electron micrographs of selected features of the larva for each species supplement illustrations. Comparative diagnoses of adult morphological characters are presented to distinguish the new species from other North American congeners. Photographs of the leaf-mines for each species are also included. DNA barcodes for each species are shown to be distinct from related North American congeners. The first occurrence of Gnorimoschema vibeiWolff in North America is confirmed by barcoded specimens from Kuujjuarapik in northern Quebec, Canada.

Century-Old DNA Barcodes Reveal Phylogenetic Placement of the Extinct Jamaican Sunset Moth, Urania sloanus Cramer (Lepidoptera: Uraniidae).

Analysis of the DNA barcode region of the cytochrome c oxidase 1 gene from a specimen of the extinct Jamaican sunset moth, Urania sloanus, places this species as a sister to the Central American U. fulgens. We found that all Urania F. species were closely related (<2.8% maximum divergence at COI), with the Cuban endemic U. boisduvalii appearing as sister to the rest. The low divergence in DNA barcodes and genitalic structures indicate that the Cuban U. poeyi and eastern Brazilian U. brasiliensis are geographic segregates of U. fulgens and U. leilus respectively, so the former two taxa are accordingly recognized as subspecies.