DNA barcodes uncover hidden taxonomic diversity behind the variable wing patterns in the Neotropical butterfly genus Zaretis (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Charaxinae)

Abstract

The leafwing butterflies of the genus Zaretis Hübner, [1819] are revised based on morphological and molecular data. Species were delimited using morphology and 396 ‘DNA barcode’ sequences. Intraspecific and interspecific genetic distances, along with neighbor-joining, maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference analyses, were used to infer putative species limits and monophyly. Additionally, a Poisson-tree-processes model was used to infer putative species boundaries based on the best-scoring maximum likelihood tree. Fifteen species are recognized, two of which are included in a new genus, Phantos Dias gen. nov., erected to include Phantos callidryas comb. nov. and Phantos opalina stat. rev., comb. nov. Zaretis strigosus is formally recognized as a valid species, and four new species, namely Zaretis hurin Dias sp. nov., Zaretis elianahenrichae Dias sp. nov., Zaretis mirandaenrichae Dias sp. nov. and Zaretis crawfordhilli Dias sp. nov., are described. In addition, nine lectotypes are designated, five new synonyms and two new combinations are proposed, and two preoccupied names, five infrasubspecific names and three nomina nuda are recognized. Species are critically discussed, and an identification key, distribution maps and illustrations of habitus and male and female genitalia for all species, where available for study, are provided.