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A world classification of the Harmacloninae, a new subfamily of Tineidae (Lepidoptera: Tineoidea) / Donald R. Davis

Catalog Data

Author:
Davis, Donald R (Donald Ray)  Search this
Physical description:
iii, 81 p. : ill., maps ; 28 cm
Type:
Electronic resources
Date:
1998
Summary:
The systematics, phylogeny, morphology, and distribution are summarized for the newly proposed subfamily Harmacloninae. Synapomorphies distinguishing this subfamily from the sister group, Myrmecozelinae, include (1) unique wing coupling system consisting of raised scales along the ventral hindmargin of the forewing interlocking into similar scales along the dorsal subcostal area of the hindwing; (2) pretarsus without arolium and pseudempodial seta; (3) the presence of paired abdominal tympanic organs; (4) enlargement of the sternal apophyses on the second abdominal sternum; and (5) aedoeagus with a basal, midventral keel. Cladistic analysis of the 22 species, using the genus Gerontha of the Myrmecozelinae as an outgroup, resulted in the recognition of two monophyletic genera: Micrerethista, with 10 of the 11 recognized species concentrated in the Oriental/Australian regions and a single species from equatorial Africa, and Harmaclona, consisting of 11 pantropical species. The following taxa are described as new: Micrerethista africana, M. bifida, M. denticulata, M. dissacca, M. fasciola, M. fusca, M. nigrapex, M. resima, Harmaclona afrotephrantha, H. hexacantha, H. robinsoni, H. tetracantha, and H. triacantha. Distribution maps and keys are provided for all species. Diagnostic characters of all taxa are fully illustrated by line drawings and photographs.The vicariant distributions of certain Harmacloninae suggest a minimum age of more than 90 m.y. for the subfamily. If tympanic organs in Harmacloninae evolved primarily as a defense against insectivorous, echolocating bats, as has been proposed for other Lepidoptera, then this would indicate that echolocating bats must have appeared earlier than the Harmacloninae—at least by the beginning of the late Cretaceous.
Topic:
Tineidae--Classification  Search this
Call number:
QL561.T55 D26w 1998
Data Source:
Smithsonian Libraries
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_sil_534990