The Genus Heterogynis Rambur, 1866 (Heterogynidae, Lepidoptera): Congruence of Molecular, Morphological and Morphometric Evidence Reveal New Species in Serbia

The Heterogynidae are a small family of moths consisting of a single genus <i>Heterogynis</i> and sixteen described species distributed in the Mediterranean region. A species new to science, <i>Heterogynis serbica</i> sp. nov., is described from the locality of Srebrenac, Mt....

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Dejan V. Stojanović, Vladislava Galović, Tomislav Terzin, Jelena Ačanski, Marija Vidović, Saša Orlović
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-05-01
Series:Insects
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/14/5/455
Description
Summary:The Heterogynidae are a small family of moths consisting of a single genus <i>Heterogynis</i> and sixteen described species distributed in the Mediterranean region. A species new to science, <i>Heterogynis serbica</i> sp. nov., is described from the locality of Srebrenac, Mt. Kopaonik, Republic of Serbia, Balkan Peninsula, by applying an integrative taxonomic approach using morpho-anatomical characteristics, wing morphometics and DNA barcoding. Male genitalia, scanning electron micrographs of adult male head anatomy, abdominal tergites/sternites, cocoons and habitats of the closely related species <i>H. serbica</i> sp. nov. and <i>H. zikici</i> are discussed and illustrated. Photographs of adult males and females, cocoons, plants in which the cocoons were found and habitats are shown. Importantly, marked differences in genital structure and other morphological characters were noted. These differences were confirmed with forewing morphometrics and COI-based DNA barcoding results. Additionally, DNA barcodes for <i>H. serbica</i> sp. nov. and <i>H. zikici</i> were compared against previously available data for the genus to evaluate the phylogenetic relationships. We conclude that deep, previously unknown and unexpected intrageneric morphological diversity exists in the genus <i>Heterogynis</i>.
ISSN:2075-4450