A review on the phylogeny of Nymphalidae (Lep...

A review on the phylogeny of Nymphalidae (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea)

Author Name : Panchali Sengupta

ABSTRACT

Nymphalidae are recognised as pioneer taxa in studies on insect-plant coevolutionary interaction. Such investigation on nymphalid phylogeny revealed the existence of three principal clades (i.e. Danaoid, Nymphaloid and Satyroid). Nymphalids are said to have appeared and diversified during the late Cretaceous period along with radiation of angiospermic plant community. Evidence indicated a shift in feeding preferences of Satyrinae from ancient “palm feeders” to modern “grass feeding” species. Further investigation also revealed a probable radiating event in the Heliconiinae and also the existence of two tribes and four subtribes within Danainae: Euploeini (Euploeina and Itunina) and Danaini (Danaina and Amaurina). Significantly, Nymphalini, Coeini, Kallimini and Melitaeini constituted a single monophyletic group, including Coeini as a sister group to nymphalinae. Observation revealed either Vanessa or Vanessa and Hypanartia being more related to the Nymphalis group as compared to other genera in Nymphalini. The ancestors of the clade encompassing Nymphalis-Polygonia group were most probably considered to be specialised “urticalean rosids”. Limenitidinae represented worldwide distribution across several biogeographical regions with Parthenini being restricted to Oriental  and Australasian region, Neotini and Adoliadini distributed across the Old World tropical region while Limenitidini limited to the Palaearctic and New World areas.

Keywords: Nymphalidae, Danaini, Heliconiinae, Limenitidinae, Satyrinae, phylogeny