Systematics of the Ogyris aenone (Waterhouse, 1902) complex (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae): threatened Australian butterflies of national conservation significance

Abstract

The butterfly genus Ogyris Angas, 1847 consists of several striking but poorly resolved complexes endemic to Australia and New Guinea, many of which have an obligate association with ants. Here, we revise the systematics of the Ogyris aenone (Waterhouse, 1902) complex through an integrative taxonomic approach based on molecular phylogenetic analysis, morphological examination, life histories and ecology. Mitochondrial sequence data based on concatenated cytochrome oxidase I (COI) and cytochrome b (cytb) (total of 1203 bp) for 36 ingroup samples were generated and combined with sequences available on NCBI GenBank for Ogyris. Phylogenetic analysis inferred by maximum likelihood methods resolved five taxa within this group, with one taxon, Ogyris caelestia Beaver & Braby sp. nov., described as a new species and another, O. doddi stat. rev., raised to full species. Phylogenetic relationships among the five taxa are as follows: (O. caelestia + O. aenone) + (O. ianthis + (O. iphis + O. doddi)). This revision brings the number of recognised Ogyris species to 16 and for the tribe Ogyrini to 18. This group of butterflies was found to be scarce – field samples of host trees that had the co-occurrence of both mistletoe and the appropriate attendant ant at 12 locations in eastern and northern Australia revealed low rates of occupancy (<50%, with an overall average of 17%) based on the presence of immature stages of the five butterfly species. The complete life histories, general biology and ecology of all members of this species-group are illustrated and diagnosed for the first time and confusing aspects of the literature are clarified. Several taxa are of conservation significance, including the new species, and future directions are discussed in relation to this. ZooBank: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:FC258ED6-AA1F-4E11-BFE1-D0A612E4F166