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Three new species of Hagnagora Druce, 1885 (Lepidoptera, Geometridae, Larentiinae) from Ecuador and Costa Rica and a concise revision of the genus
expand article infoGunnar Brehm
‡ Universität Jena, Jena, Germany
Open Access

Abstract

Three new Hagnagora Druce species (Geometridae, Larentiinae) are described: Hagnagora richardi Brehm, sp. n. from Ecuador, H. hedwigae Brehm, sp. n. from Ecuador, and H. mirandahenrichae Brehm, sp. n. from Costa Rica. A checklist of taxa assigned to Hagnagora is provided. Hagnagora is provisionally divided into six clades: the anicata clade (6 species), the buckleyi clade (3 species), the croceitincta clade (3 species), the ephestris clade (3 species), the mortipax clade (4 species) and H. subrosea (1 species). Two taxa are revived from synonymy: H. catagrammina Druce, stat. rev. and H. luteoradiata Thierry-Mieg, stat. rev. Two taxa are reinstated from subspecies to species level: H. acothysta Schaus, stat. rev. and H. jamaicensis Schaus, stat. rev. Four taxa are provisionally removed from Hagnagora: Hagnagoraignipennis, Hagnagoramesenata, Hagnagoravittata, and Hagnagoraceraria. After these changes, the genus Hagnagora now comprises 20 valid species.

Keywords

Taxonomy, Hagnagora , Costa Rica, Ecuador

Introduction

The Neotropical genus Hagnagora was invented by Druce (1885a) and described by Druce (1885b). So far, it comprised 23 described taxa, with 16 valid species (Parsons et al. 1999, Brehm and Sullivan 2005, Sullivan 2011). One species, H. mortipax Butler, was subdivided into three subspecies. Eighty-three percent of all taxa had been described by 1913, followed by one taxon described in 1927 and three over the last decade. This pattern appears typical for Neotropical geometrid genera (Brehm et al. 2011). The assignment of taxa to Hagnagora is largely based on the Lepidoptera card index of the Natural History Museum in London (NHM), and subsequently from the catalogue of geometrid moths (Parsons et al. 1999). During identification work on Ecuadorian and Costa Rican geometrid moths, it became obvious that Hagnagora – like most Neotropical geometrid genera – requires revision. In this paper, I attempt to solve some of the most urgent taxonomic problems of the genus. I describe three new species, revive two species from synonymy, transfer two species from subspecies to species level, and provisionally exclude four taxa from the genus. With one exception, all known taxa assigned to Hagnagora are illustrated. I also include available molecular genetic data (COI gene) in order to aid species identification. This consice revision will be a basis of future taxonomic work that will be required, e.g. with regard to the question whether Hagnagora is monophyletic or consists of two separate lineages.

Species identities and Barcode of Life Data Systems

Species delimitation and description of Lepidoptera has traditionally focused on their external morphology, mostly wing patterns. These formed the basis of all original descriptions of taxa assigned to Hagnagora in past centuries. The latest three species descriptions additionally contain not only colour plates, but also illustrations of male and female genitalia (Brehm and Sullivan 2005, Sullivan 2011). Additionally, molecular genetic information is available for these three taxa in the form of sequence data for the 658 bp fragment of the mitochondrial Cytochrome Oxidase I gene (“COI-barcodes”). A system of unique Barcode Index Numbers (BINs) has been established by Barcode of Life Data Systems (www.boldsystems.org) (Ratnasingham and Hebert 2013). It usually allows a quick and reliable assignment of specimens to other specimens in the system, whether identified to species or higher taxonomic level. Barcoding of all type specimens is an ultimate goal that would greatly increase the reliability of identifications, particularly in poorly studied tropical regions, and in cryptic and ‘difficult’ arthropod taxa. However, while barcoding of old type specimens is possible and relatively cheap (Strutzenberger et al. 2012), financial and bureaucratic constraints are still impeding a large-scale molecular analysis of type specimens in museums. In this paper, assignment of barcodes to described species was therefore performed by careful comparison of type material with freshly collected material, and all respective specimens are illustrated. The assignments are working hypotheses until original types are eventually barcoded. Twelve different BINs are assigned to different Hagnagora species in this paper, thus covering a substantial part of the known taxa. In one case, one BIN has been assigned to two taxa that nonetheless are treated as morphologically separate species.

To accelarate the taxonomic progress and following a recently reached consensus amongst geometrid taxonomists (Forum Herbulot 2014), this study focuses not on extensive species descriptions, but on diagnostic characters and the synthesis of illustrated external characters, genitalia structures and COI barcodes.

Methods

Moths were pinned and dissected following established techniques (Lafontaine 2004, Hünefeld et al. 2011). Genitalia slides were embedded in Euparal, stained with Chlorazol Black, and digitised using an Olympus dotSlide system with 10x magnification. Adult moths were photographed in raw format using a 60 mm Nikkor macro lens mounted on a Nikon D700 camera. Photos were adjusted and colour plates were mounted using Photoshop and InDesign software (Adobe Systems, San José, USA).

Sequencing of the barcode fragment of the COI gene was carried out at the Canadian Center for DNA barcoding in Guelph, Ontario. Barcode sequences were compared by nearest neighbour analyses (Kimura 2 parameter), as implemented on the Barcode of Life Data Systems website (Ratnasingham and Hebert 2007). The resulting trees represent preliminary hypotheses of taxa groupings and can form the basis of future phylogenetic work. Fig. 1 shows a summary tree of all available taxa with barcode data. It visualizes similarities and differences in the COI gene between the different taxa and it was instrumental in differentiating four of the six provisional larger clades indentified within Hagnagora.

Figure 1. 

Summary tree of the available molecular genetic data based on genetic COI ‘barcodes’ using the Kimura 2 parameter implemented in BOLD systems. Four out of six clades are represented by the barcode data; no data were available for the buckleyi clade and for H. subrosea. Hagnagoramesenata groups outside Hagnagora sensu stricto. The species name is followed by the individual identification number and the Barcode Index Number (BIN). HT: Holotype, PT: Paratype.

The following acronyms are used for institutions in which the specimens are deposited:

CISEC Colección de Invertebrados del Sur del Ecuador, Universidad Tecnica Particular Loja, Ecuador

NHM Natural History Museum, London, UK

PMJ Phyletisches Museum, Jena, Germany

RCGB Research Collection Gunnar Brehm, Jena, Germany

SMF Senckenberg Museum, Frankfurt a. M., Germany

SMNS Staatliches Museum für Naturkunde, Stuttgart, Germany

USNM National Museum of Natural History [formerly United States National Museum], Washington D.C., USA

ZSM Zoologische Staatssammlung, München, Germany

Results and Discussion

Distribution and Biology

Species previously assigned to Hagnagora were described from a wide range of Central and South American countries ranging from Mexico and Jamaica (17–18° N) to Chile (Valdivia province, ca. 39° S). Table 1 provides an overview of all taxa. The southernmost type locality of any Hagnagora species considered in this paper is Valparaíso in Chile (33° S) for H. discordata, but this record needs confirmation. Judging from their type localities, most species have a predominantly montane distribution. This includes the three recently described Costa Rican species (Brehm and Sullivan 2005, Sullivan 2011), as well as species described from the Colombian, Ecuadorian, Peruvian and Chilean Andes and mountains in SE Brazil.

Table 1.

Overview of taxa assigned to Hagnagora and excluded from the genus, sorted according to six provisional clades, ordered alphabetically. LT Lectotype, HT Holotype, ST Syntypes.

Taxon Author Year Described in Country Type Locality BIN Museum Types
1 buckleyi clade (3 sp)
buckleyi Druce 1885 Hagnagora Ecuador (north) [Imbabura, Intag] Intaj no NHM ST
catagrammina stat. rev. Druce 1885 Hagnagora Nicaragua, Panama Nicaragua: Chontales; Panama: Volcán de Chiriqui; Bugaba, 800–1500 ft no NHM ST
lex Druce 1885 Hagnagora Ecuador (east) [Pastaza] Sarayacu no NHM ST?
2 anicata clade (6 sp)
anicata Felder & Rogenhofer 1875 Heterusia [Colombia] Bogotá assigned: BOLD:AAA7285 NHM LT
elianne Sullivan 2011 Hagnagora Costa Rica Alajuela Province: Volcan Poás, Alajuela Province BOLD:AAA7283 USNM HT
hedwigae sp. n. Brehm this paper Hagnagora Ecuador Zamora-Chinchipe BOLD:AAI1951 PMJ HT
marionae Brehm & Sullivan 2005 Hagnagora Costa Rica Heredia, Braulio Carrillo BOLD:AAE6775 SMNS HT
richardi sp. n. Brehm this paper Hagnagora Ecuador Zamora-Chinchipe BOLD:AAI1950 PMJ HT
unnia Sullivan 2011 Hagnagora Costa Rica Tapantí National Park, Cartago Province, 1275m; Volcan Poás, Alajuela Province, 2500m, Villa Mills, Cartago Province, 2841m BOLD:AAA7284 USNM HT
3 croceitincta clade (3 sp)
croceitincta Dognin 1892 Polythrena [Ecador, (south)] Loja (surroundings) assigned: BOLD:AAI6476 USNM HT
epimena Bastelberger 1908 Heterusia Peru (east) Cuschi [Cushi] SMF ST
clustimena Druce 1893 Heterusia Mexico, Panama Mexico: Coatepec; Panama: Chiriqui assigned: BOLD:AAE6774 NHM ST
mirandahenrichae sp. n. Brehm this paper Costa Rica Guanacaste BOLD:AAF7723 PMJ HT
4 mortipax clade (4 sp)
mortipax Butler 1872 Scordylia Costa Rica ? assigned: BOLD:AAA0650 NHM ST?
flavipectus Warren 1897 Heterusia [Colombia] Bogotá (no) NHM HT
jamaicensis stat. rev. Schaus 1901 Heterusia Jamaica ? no USNM ST?
acothysta stat. rev. Schaus 1901 Heterusia [Brazil] Parana, Castro no USNM ST?
guatica Schaus 1927 Scordylia Guatemala Volcan Sta. Maria no USNM ST?
5 ephestris clade (3 sp)
ephestris Felder & Rogenhofer 1875 Heterusia? [Colombia] Bogota no NHM ST?
discordata Guenée in Boisduval & Guenée [1858] Scordylia [Chile] Valparaíso assigned: BOLD:AAA7267 NHM ST
luteoradiata stat. rev. Thierry-Mieg 1892 Heterusia Costa Rica, Bolivia ? assigned:
BOLD:AAA7267
USNM ST
6 subrosea
subrosea Warren 1909 Cophocerotis Peru (south east) Carabaya, Oconeque, 7000 ft no NHM ST?
Species provisionally removed from the genus: Hagnagora
ignipennis Dognin 1913 Heterusia Colombia Bogotá, 2800–3200 m no USNM ST
mesenata Felder & Rogenhofer 1875 Heterusia Chile ? assigned: BOLD:AAH4713 NHM ST
vittata Philippi 1859 Euclidia Chile Provincia de Valdivia 380 bp fragment ? ST
ceraria Molina 1782 Phalaena Chile ? no ? ST

Caterpillars of Hagnagora are only known for H. mortipax and H. luteoradiata from NW Costa Rica (Janzen and Hallwachs 2014; http://janzen.bio.upenn.edu/caterpillars/database.lasso). Both species’ caterpilars were recorded on Clethra mexicana DC. (Ericales, Clethraceae) (Figs 42, 43). One species excluded in this paper from Hagnagora, i.e. Hagnagoravittata, was reared in captivity on Fuchsia magellanica LAM. (Onagraceae) (King and Parra 2011). King and Parra (2011) also described the morphology of the egg and larva of Hagnagoravittata.

Hagnagora imagines mandatorily fold their wings vertically while resting in the same way as most butterflies (Fig. 41). They share this behaviour with genera such as Callipia Guenée and Erateina Doubleday (personal observations), whereas most geometrids display different resting positions. Hagnagora species are frequently observed at night and are readily attracted to artificial light sources (Brehm 2002, Brehm and Sullivan 2005), while both diurnal and nocturnal activity has been recorded for H. marionae and Hagnagoravittata (Brehm and Sullivan 2005, King and Parra 2011). Furthermore, both mud puddling and diurnal activity of Hagnagora mortipax has been observed in Peru (www.flickr.com/photos/76033499@N00/15919107346/). Apart from these isolated observations, little is known about the behaviour and ecology of Hagnagora moths.

Hagnagora: a monophyletic genus

Druce (1885a) described Hagnagora buckleyi and H. lex, and shortly defined the genus together with the description of H. catagrammina (Druce 1885b). Druce (1885b) established Hagnagora largely by comparison with Anemplocia splendens (Druce, 1885) due to differences in the wing shape. The colourful H. buckleyi clade shares an apparently unique combination of wing pattern characters (Figs 2–6): The forewings have an orange transversal band, and the hindwings display fields of metallic blue between the veins. Notably, Druce (1893) did not include H. clustimena Druce, H. discordata Gn, and H. mortipax Butler in Hagnagora, but assigned them to Heterusia Hübner. Recent molecular genetic studies have shown that Heterusia sp. and Hagnagora mortipax are closely related, but do not form a monophyletic group (Sihvonen et al. 2011). Parsons et al. (1999), following the card index of the Natural History Museum, transferred several species previously assigned to Heterusia to Hagnagora.

Figures 2–6. 

2 Hagnagora buckleyi Druce male, lectotype a dorsal view b ventral view 3 H. buckleyi female, paralectotype a dorsal view b ventral view 4 H. lex Druce male, lectotype a dorsal view b ventral view 5 H. catagrammina Druce male, lectotype a dorsal view b ventral view 6 H. catagrammina Druce female, paralectotype (paraLT)a dorsal view b ventral view.

All species assigned to Hagnagora in this revision share distinct wing patterns including a conspicuous white or yellow transversal band or blotch on the forewing. In addition, members of the clades anicata, ephestris and mortipax share a striated pattern on the hindwing underside. The croceitincta clade and H. subrosea show remnants of this striation, but the members of the buckleyi clade display distinctly different hindwing patterns. Molecular genetic data are available for all groups, but unfortunately with the exception of the buckleyi clade and H. subrosea. In a genetic dataset including more than 1,400 species of Ecuadorian geometrid species, the six recorded Hagnagora species representing four different clades form a single cluster (Brehm et al. 2013). This strongly suggests that at least these four clades form a monophyletic group (see also Fig. 1). Further molecular genetic data and genitalia dissections are required for members of the buckleyi clade to test whether the entire group represents a monophyletic taxon or possibly consists of two distinct lineages.

Taxonomy of Hagnagora

An overview of all taxa is provided in Table 1, and an overview of new type specimens and reference specimens with Bardode Index Numbers (BINs) and GenBank Accessions is provided in Table 2.

Table 2.

Voucher specimens (types and reference specimens for Barcode Index Numbers (BINs) with identification numbers, GenBank Accession numbers and BINs.

Species Voucher number GenBank Accession Type BIN
marionae GB 014 AM051082.1 paratype BOLD:AAE6775
anicata ID 16016 HQ576490 BIN reference BOLD:AAA7285
elianne 07-CRBS-1029 no holotype BOLD:AAA7283
unnia 06-CRBS-0049 no holotype BOLD:AAA7284
richardi ID 18080 KT208284 holotype BOLD:AAI1950
richardi ID 15855 KT208285 paratype BOLD:AAI1950
richardi ID 16285 JF859087 paratype BOLD:AAI1950
richardi BC ZSM Lep 04774 no paratype BOLD:AAI1950
richardi ID 17328 GU671808 paratype BOLD:AAI1950
richardi ID 16119 JF858934 paratype BOLD:AAI1950
richardi ID 17863 HM380148 paratype BOLD:AAI1950
hedwigae ID 17397 HM432223 holotype BOLD:AAI1951
croceitincta ID 16293 JF859094 BIN reference BOLD:AAI6476
clustimena 10-SRNP-112230 JF846078 BIN reference BOLD:AAE6774
mirandahenrichae 12-SRNP-103819 no holotype BOLD:AAF7723
mirandahenrichae 07-SRNP-103401 JQ566645 paratype BOLD:AAF7723
mirandahenrichae 07-SRNP-103498 JQ566696 paratype BOLD:AAF7723
mirandahenrichae 11-SRNP-102035 JQ545536 paratype BOLD:AAF7723
mirandahenrichae 11-SRNP-102036 JQ545537 paratype BOLD:AAF7723
mirandahenrichae 12-SRNP-105462 no paratype BOLD:AAF7723
mortipax ID 17240 GU671855 BIN reference BOLD:AAA0650
discordata BC ZSM Lep 44128 no BIN reference BOLD:AAA7267
luteoradiata ID 16725 HQ576573 BIN reference BOLD:AAA7267
mesenata AYK-04-0533-2 KF491827 BIN reference BOLD:AAH4713
vittata BC LP 0092 no BIN reference no BIN

1 buckleyi clade

Hagnagora buckleyi Druce, 1885

Figs 2, 3

Type locality

Ecuador, Intaj [possibly Intag, Imbabura province].

Remarks

Druce (1885a) described H. buckleyi and H. lex. The upper- and undersides of the wings in H. buckleyi are very similar, with the colour of the hindwings generally being paler. The forewings feature a deep orange transversal band on a dark brown background, and the hindwings show metallic blue fields between the veins, with three located on the upperside between M3 and CuA2 and one in the cell, and eight between all veins on the underside. The pattern of the female is similar, with the blue fields extending further on the forewing, including the blotch between veins CuA2 and A. In the female, metallic blue scales are also present at the base of the forewing at both the wing upper- and underside.

Distribution

North-western Ecuador.

Diagnosis

The largest species of the clade. The extension of the blue fields is significantly larger than in H. lex. The orange transversal band on the forewing is more saturated and more rounded than in H. catagrammina. Form and extension of the metallic blue blotches are different from those in H. catagrammina (Figs 2–3, 5–6).

Hagnagora catagrammina Druce, 1885, stat. rev.

Figs 5, 6

Type locality

Nicaragua: Chontales; Panama: Volcán de Chiriqui; Bugaba, 800–1500 ft.

Remarks

Druce (1885b) described catagrammina in the same year, but separately from H. buckleyi and H. lex. The taxon was put in synonymy with buckleyi by Parsons et al. (1999). As noted by Druce, catagrammina is closely related to the other two species of the clade and particularly similar to H. buckleyi. In agreement with Druces’ original description of the three taxa, I revive the species from synonymy with H. buckleyi due to small but overall significant differences of the wing patterns. The morphological differences hint to different species, particularly given the experience from many other species complexes of Neotropical Geometridae in which often more subtle differences – ideally combined with results from genitalia morphology and barcoding – can be observed in different species.

Distribution

Central America, from Nicaragua to Panama.

Diagnosis

The extension of the blue blotches is significantly larger than in H. lex. The transversal band on the forewing is paler and straighter than in H. catagrammina. Form and extension of the metallic blue blotches are different from those in H. buckleyi (Figs 2–3).

Hagnagora lex Druce, 1885

Fig. 4

Type locality

Ecuador (east), [Pastaza], Sarayacu.

Remarks

Hagnagora lex was described by Druce (1885a) together with H. buckleyi. While buckleyi was collected on the western slopes of the Andes, H. lex originates from the Amazon slopes of the Eastern Andes.

Distribution

Eastern Ecuadorian Andes (Pastaza: Sarayacu).

Diagnosis

Smaller than H. buckleyi and of similar size to H. catagrammina. The extension of the blue blotches is significantly smaller than in H. buckleyi. The form of the transversal band on the forewing is similar to that in H. buckleyi, but the band does not stretch as far towards the wing margins. H. lex is the species with the smallest extensions of metallic blue blotches on the underside, with the upperside completely devoit of these blotches.

2 anicata clade

Hagnagora anicata (Felder & Rogenhofer, 1875)

Figs 7, 8

Type locality

[Colombia], Bogotá.

Remarks

H. anicata was re-described with a description also of the male genitalia, by Sullivan (2013). The lectotype is illustrated in Fig. 7. A series of specimens collected in southern Ecuador (1999–2013) (Fig. 8) is indistinguishable from H. anicata and therefore regarded as conspecific. The female (Fig. 12) is larger than the male. A living specimen is shown in Fig. 41 in the typical resting position of these beautiful moths.

Figures 7–11. 

7 Hagnagora anicata (F&R), male lectotype a dorsal view b ventral view c valvae d aedeagus 8 H. anicata (F&R), male from Ecuador as reference specimen with Barcode Index Number (BIN) a dorsal view b ventral view c valvae d aedeagus 9 H. richardi sp. n., male holotype a dorsal view b ventral view c valvae d aedeagus 10 H. unnia Sullivan, male a dorsal view b ventral view 11 H. marionae Brehm & Sullivan, male a dorsal view b ventral view.

Distribution

Apart from its Colombian type locality, H. anicata has recently been collected and barcoded from sites in southern Ecuador to central Bolivia at elevations ranging from 2000 to 2920 m a.s.l.

Diagnosis

Most species of the H. anicata clade are very similar, and the most reliable current method for diagnosis is the COI barcode. H. anicata tends to be smaller than the other species occurring sympatrically, namely H. richardi and H. hedwigae: The wing length of the male (holotype) is only 17.5 mm in comparison to 19 mm in the male holotype of H. richardi. The structures of the female signum are also more complex than in H. richardi, but similar to those in H. hedwigae. The uncus of the male is smaller and shorter than in H. richardi. Aedeagi of the known males are (H. anicata and H. richardi) similar. COI barcode: The minimum observed distance to the presumbably most closely related species (H. hedwigae) is 3.1%.

Hagnagora elianne Sullivan, 2011

Type locality (holotype)

Costa Rica: Alajuela Province, Poás Volcano National Park, 2500 m.

Remarks

H. elianne was described and illustrated by Sullivan (2011). The species closely resembles the other species in the H. anicata clade, particularly H. unnia.

Distribution

The species has recently been collected and barcoded in Honduras (Cortes Province) and in several provinces of Costa Rica at elevations ranging from 1480 to 2840 m a.s.l.

Diagnosis

Males are on average slightly larger than males in H. unnia and can be distinguished from H. anicata by a swollen as opposed to a gently tapered distal half of the uncus and by the absence of a moderately large, upcurved spine at the end of the costa in H. elianne (Sullivan 2011). Females may be distinguished from females of H. unnia by their longer, more complex signum. COI barcode: The minimum observed distance to the presumably most closely related species (H. unnia) is 5.0%.

Hagnagora unnia Sullivan, 2011

Fig. 10

Type locality

(holotype): Costa Rica, Cartago Province, Tapantí National Park, 1275 m.

Remarks

H. unnia was recently described and illustrated by Sullivan (2011).

Distribution

The species is known from several provinces in Costa Rica at elevations ranging from 587 to 2840 m a.s.l.

Diagnosis

The species closely resembles other species of the H. anicata clade, particularly H. elianne; see there for a diagnosis. COI barcode: The minimum observed distance to the presumably most closely related species (H. elianne) is 5.0%.

Hagnagora marionae Brehm & Sullivan, 2005

Fig. 11

Type locality

Costa Rica, Heredia province, Braulio Carrillo National Park, Volcán Barva, 2730 m a.s.l.

Remarks

H. marionae was described and illustrated by Brehm and Sullivan (2005).

Distribution

The species has been collected only at two high mountain areas in Costa Rica at elevations > 2500 m a.s.l.

Diagnosis

The species resembles the other species of the H. anicata clade, but is easily distinguished by large orange-yellow blotches on the forewing. Males have a spatula-shaped uncus. COI barcode: The minimum observed distance to the presumably most closely related species (H. richardi) is 6.6%.

Hagnagora richardi Brehm, sp. n.

Figs 9, 13

Type material

Holotype: male (Fig. 9): Ecuador, Loja province, Parque Nacional Podocarpus, Cajanuma, 04°06.85'S, 79°10.47'W, 2916 m, 20 November 2008, G. Brehm leg. (ID 18080, genitalia preparation, barcode sequence 658 bp) (PMJ).

Paratypes: (deposited in CISEC, PMJ, RCGB, ZSM) 4 males, 2 females. 1 female: same as holotype but 04°06.86'S, 79°10.46'W, 2897 m, F. Bodner leg. (ID 15855, barcode sequence 658 bp); 1 female (Fig. 13): Ecuador, Zamora Chinchipe, Reserva Biológica San Francisco, 03°58.72'S, 79°04.44'W, 2180 m, 16 November 2008, F. Bodner leg. (ID 16285, barcode sequence 658 bp); 1 male same as previous but 28 October 1999, D. Süßenbach leg. (BC ZSM Lep 04774, barcode sequence 529 bp); 1 male: same as previous but 03°59.65'S, 79°04.10'W, 2670 m, G. Brehm leg. (ID 17328, barcode sequence 658 bp); 1 male as previous but 03°59.68'S, 79°04.10'W, 2677 m, 18 November 2008 (ID 16119, barcode sequence 658 bp); 1 male as previous but 25 November 2008 (ID 17863, barcode sequence 621 bp).

Figures 12–14. 

12 H. anicata (F&R), female from Ecuador as reference specimen with Barcode Index Number (BIN) a dorsal view b ventral view c genitalia 13 H. richardi sp. n., female, paratype a dorsal view b ventral view c genitalia 14 H. hedwigae sp. n., female, paratype a dorsal view b ventral view c genitalia.

Description

As illustrated in Figs 9, 13. The wing length of the holotype (male) is 19 mm. The wing length of a female paratype (Fig. 13) is 21 mm.

Distribution

Only known from a small region around Podocarpus National Park, provinces Zamora-Chinchipe and Loja, Ecuador, with an observed elevational range of 2180–3021 m a.s.l. Apart from the

Type locality

and nearby sites, specimens were collected at elevations at ca. 3000 m at Cerro Toledo in the same National Park (04°23'S, 79°07'W). However, this record is not fully reliable because genitalia preparation or barcoding was not conducted for these specimens.

Diagnosis

Closely resembles other species of the H. anicata clade. On average significantly larger than H. anicata, but the female has about the same size as H. hedwigae. The uncus of the male is larger and broader than in H. anicata. The signum of the bursa copulatrix is less complex than in H. anicata and H. hedwigae. Easily distinguishable from H. marionae by the cream-white colour of the blotches on the forewing. COI barcode: The minimum observed distance to the presumably most closely related species (H. marionae) is 6.6%.

Etymology

Hagnagora richardi is named in honour of Richard Philipp from Jena, Germany, in recognition of his and his parents’ support for the taxonomy of Neotropical geometrid moths.

Hagnagora hedwigae Brehm, sp. n.

Fig. 14

Type material

Holotype: female (Fig. 14): Ecuador, Loja province, Reserva Biológica San Francisco, 03°59.68'S, 79°04.10'W, 2677 m, 25 November 2008, G. Brehm leg. (ID 17397, genitalia preparation, barcode sequence 595 bp) (PMJ).

Description

As illustrated in Fig. 14.

Distribution

Only a single female is known from H. hedwigae collected in southern Ecuador (2677 m). The wing length of the holotype (female) is 21 mm (same size as richardi).

Diagnosis

Resembles most closely H. anicata and H. richardi, but is larger than H. anicata, and the signum of the bursa copulatrix is more complex than in H. richardi. COI barcode: The minimum observed distance to the presumably most closely related species (H. anicata) is 3.1%.

Etymology

Hagnagora hedwigae is named in memory of Hedwig Seppelt (*1919 in Baumgarten, Silesia; † 2013 in Korschenbroich, Germany). Mrs Seppelt loved nature, and she took care that birds, small animals and insects found a habitat in her garden. The name is given in recognition of support for the taxonomy of Neotropical geometrid moths provided by her daughter-in-law Irmgard and her son Winfried Seppelt.

3 croceitincta clade

Hagnagora croceitincta (Dognin, 1892)

Figs 15–17

epimena (Bastelberger, 1908): Type locality. Peru (east), Cuschi [Cushi]

Type locality

[Ecador, (south)], Loja surroundings.

Remarks

H. croceitincta was described by Dognin from southern Ecuador where it has recently been collected in montane forests (Brehm 2002). As one of the largest known Hagnagora species, it is conspicuously coloured, with orange, dark brown and white patterns. The taxon epimena (Bastelberger) remains in synonymy because the lectotype specimen (Fig. 16) does not show any particular differences to the type specimen of H. croceitincta (Fig. 15).

Figures 15–22. 

15 Hagnagora croceitincta (Dognin) female, holotype a dorsal view b ventral view 16 H. epimena (Bastelberger) male, lectotype a dorsal view b ventral view 17 H. croceitincta male from Ecuador as reference specimen with Barcode Index Number (BIN) a dorsal view b ventral view 18 H. clustimena (Druce) female, lectotype a dorsal view b ventral view 19 H. clustimena female from Costa Rica as reference specimen with Barcode Index Number (BIN) 20 H. clustimena male from Costa Rica as reference specimen with Barcode Index Number (BIN) a dorsal view b ventral view c valvae d aedeagus 21 H. mirandahenrichae Brehm sp. n. male, holotype a dorsal view b ventral view c valvae d aedeagus 22 H. mirandahenrichae female, paratype a dorsal view b ventral view c genitalia.

Distribution

Recently collected and barcoded specimens were sampled from central Colombia to southeastern Peru at elevations between 1750 and 2540 m a.s.l.

Diagnosis

On average larger than the closely related species H. clustimena and H. mirandahenrichae: Forewing length of the female holotype reaches 23 mm in comparison to about 20 mm in the other species. On the forewing, the white transversal blotch does not stretch to the costal margin as seen in the other two species, and the apical, dark-brown area reaches beyond veins 1A+2A. The species is also generally more vividly coloured than the other species in this clade, with white spots on the forewing between veins CuA2 and 1A+2A and around M3 on the upperside of the hindwing. COI barcode: The minimum observed distance to the presumably most closely related species (H. mirandahenrichae) is 7.1%.

Hagnagora clustimena (Druce, 1893)

Figs 18–20

Type locality

Mexico: Coatepec.

Remarks

H. clustimena was originally assigned by Druce to Heterusia and then transferred to Hagnagora by Parsons et al. (1999). H. clustimena and H. croceitincta appear to occur allopatrically.

Distribution

Besides the type specimens described by Druce from Mexico and Panama, recently collected and barcoded specimens were sampled in Honduras and Costa Rica between 850 and 1550 m a.s.l.

Diagnosis

On average smaller than H. croceitincta and slightly larger than H. mirandahenrichae (see H. croceitincta). The white transversal blotch on the forewing stretches to the costal margin and the apical dark-brown area reaches vein CuA2, as also observed in mirandahenrichae. H. clustimena is slightly paler than H. mirandahenrichae. The male genitalia of both species are similar, but the valves are broader and differently shaped to mirandahenrichae. COI barcode: The minimum observed distance to the presumably most closely related species (H. mirandahenrichae) is 4.6%.

Hagnagora mirandahenrichae Brehm, sp. n.

Figs 21–22

Type locality

Costa Rica, Área de Conservación Guanacaste, Guanacaste province.

Type material

Holotype: male (Fig. 21): Costa Rica, Guanacaste province, Área de Conservación Guanacaste, Sector Santa Maria, Mirador Santa Maria, 10.766° N, 85.301°W, 920 m a.s.l., 20 June 2012, S. Rios & R. Franco leg. (voucher 12-SRNP-103819, genitalia preparation, barcode sequence 658 bp) (PMJ).

Paratypes: (deposited in PMJ, USNM) 5 males, 1 female. Costa Rica, Guanacaste province, Área de Conservación Guanacaste, Sector Pitilla, Estacion Pitilla, 10.989° N, 85.426° W, 675 m a.s.l.; 1 female (Fig. 22) 16 May 2007, F. Quesada & R. Franco leg. (voucher 07-SRNP-103401, genitalia preparation, barcode sequence 658 bp), 1 male same as previous but 17 May 2007 (voucher 07-SRNP-103498), 2 males, 02 Apr 2011, H. Cambronero & S. Rios leg. (vouchers 11-SRNP-102035 and 11-SRNP-102036, barcode sequences 658 bp), 1 male 12 November 2012, R. Franco & H. Cambronero leg. (voucher 12-SRNP-105462).

Description

As illustrated in Figs 21, 22.

Distribution

Only known from sectors Santa Maria and Pitilla from Área de Conservación Guanacaste, province Guanacaste, NW Costa Rica, at elevations ranging from 675–920 m a.s.l., and therefore with a lower elevational range than H. clustimena (observed: 850–1550 m a.s.l.).

Diagnosis

Easily distinguished from H. croceitincta by its wing patterns (see diagnosis in that species). The yellow ground colour of H. mirandahenrichae is slightly more intensive than in H. clustimena. The male genitalia of both species are similar, but the valves of mirandahenrichae are narrower and have a different shape to clustimena. COI barcode: The minimum observed distance to the presumably closest relative, H. clustimena, is 4.6%.

Etymology

Hagnagora mirandahenrichae is named in honour of Ms. Miranda Henrich of California in recognition of her and her mother’s critical support for understanding the taxonomy and biodiversity development of the Área de Conservación Guanacaste (ACG) in northwestern Costa Rica, where this species has been found by the ACG caterpillar inventory (Janzen et al. 2014).

4 mortipax clade

Hagnagora mortipax (Butler, 1872)

Figs 23–25

flavipectus (Warren, 1897): Type locality. [Colombia], Bogotá.

Type locality

Costa Rica.

Remarks

H. mortipax is one of the earliest described species in the genus and among the smallest Hagnagora species. Together with H. luteoradiata it also has the largest known geographical range. The taxon flavipectus remains in synonymy because it falls within the confirmed geographical range of mortipax and shows no significant deviations from the type specimen of mortipax. In comparison to the type specimen, the extension of the large white blotch on the forewing is smaller in Ecuadorian specimens, where it does not reach the costal margin. Since the barcode sequences of Costa Rican and Ecuadorian populations are nearly identical, all respective specimens are treated as members of the same species, and slight differences in wing patterns are regarded as geographical variability.

Distribution

Recently sampled and barcoded material is either from Costa Rica (Fig. 24) or Ecuador (Fig. 25), from elevations ranging from 540–2180 m a.s.l., and additional material from Ecuador falls within the same elevational range (Brehm 2002).

Figures 23–29. 

23 Hagnagora moripax (Druce) male, lectotype a dorsal view b ventral view 24 H. mortipax male from Costa Rica as reference specimen with Barcode Index Number (BIN) a dorsal view b ventral view 25 H. mortipax male from Ecuador as reference specimen with Barcode Index Number (BIN) a dorsal view b ventral view 26 H. flavipectus (Warren) male, holotype a dorsal view b ventral view 27 H. mortipax jamaicensis (Schaus) male, lectotype a dorsal view b ventral view (photo USNM) 28 H. mortipax acothysta (Schaus) female, lectotype a dorsal view b ventral view (photo USNM) 29 H. guatica (Schaus) female, lectotype a dorsal view b ventral view (photo USNM).

Diagnosis

The upper side of the wing in H. mortipax has a dark brown base colour with a large cream-white blotch on the forewing. This blotch almost reaches the outer margin, also either reaching the costal margin (Costa Rican specimens), or scantily not (Ecuadorian specimens). The white blotch is narrower in H. jamaicensis (Fig. 27), and significantly smaller, and separated from the outer margin, in H. acothysta from Brazil. All three species are significantly larger than H. guatica.

Hagnagora jamaicensis (Schaus, 1901), stat. rev.

Fig. 27

Type locality

Jamaica.

Remarks

Originally described as a Heterusia species by Schaus (1901), this taxon was down-ranked as a subspecies of mortipax by Parsons et al. (1999). In my view, the significantly different wing pattern in jamaicensis justifies Schaus’ original species rank, but further evidence from barcoding is desirable in order to consolidate its species status.

Distribution

Jamaica.

Diagnosis

In contrast to the other taxa in the mortipax clade, this species displays a very narrow, cream-white transversal band on the forewings. The striation on the underside of the hindwing is reduced in comparison to mortipax and acothysta.

Hagnagora acothysta (Schaus, 1901), stat. rev.

Fig. 28

Type locality

[Brazil], Parana, Castro.

Remarks

Together with jamaicensis, Schaus (1901) originally placed this species in the genus Heterusia. It was then ranked down as a subspecies of mortipax by Parsons et al. (1999). The major characteristic of acothysta is the reduction of the white transversal band (found both in mortipax and jamaicensis) to a smaller blotch that reaches about half the area found in mortipax. As in jamaicensis, further evidence from barcoding is desirable for the consolidation of the species status.

Distribution

Brazil.

Diagnosis

Unlike mortipax and jamaicensis, this species shows no white transversal band on the forewing, but rather a reduced blotch that reaches only about 50% of the size observed in mortipax.

Hagnagora guatica (Schaus, 1927)

Fig. 29

Type locality

Guatemala, [Quetzaltenango Department], Volcán Sta. Maria.

Remarks

Schaus described guatica as belonging to Scordylia Gn (a junior synonym of Heterusia). The wing pattern of guatica strongly resembles that of other members in the mortipax clade, but the species lacks the typical striation on the underside of the hindwing. Further evidence from barcoding and the study of the genitalia will help to better understand the relationships of this species with other species of the mortipax clade.

Distribution

Guatemala.

Diagnosis

By far the smallest Hagnagora species. The species lacks the typical striation on the underside of the hindwing found in all other members of the mortipax clade.

5 ephestris clade

Hagnagora ephestris (Felder & Rogenhofer, 1875)

Fig. 30

Type locality

[Colombia], Bogota.

Remarks

Felder & Rogenhofer described this species from Colombia. It closely resembles H. discordata and H. luteoradiata. Parsons et al. (1999) put luteoradiata in synonymy with ephestris, but freshly collected material from Costa Rica and Ecuador shows that luteoradiata consistently lacks yellow blotches on the hindwing. It appears therefore to be more likely that ephestris is a junior synonym of discordata, and an increased knowledge of COI sequences could help to solve this question. Given the current state of knowledge, it appears to be the most appropriate solution to revive luteoradiata from synonymy and to treat the other two taxa as full species.

Figures 30–35. 

30 Hagnagora ephestris (F&R) male, lectotype a dorsal view b ventral view 31 H. discordata male, lectotype a dorsal view b ventral view 32 H. discordata male (ZSM Lep 44128) from Brazil as reference specimen with Barcode Index Number (BIN) (photo ZSM) 33 H. luteoradiata (T-M) male, lectotype a dorsal view b ventral view 34 H. luteoradiata (T-M) male from Costa Rica (CR) as reference specimen with Barcode Index Number (BIN) a dorsal view b ventral view 35 H. luteoradiata (T-M) male from Ecuador as reference specimen with Barcode Index Number (BIN) a dorsal view b ventral view.

Distribution

Colombia.

Diagnosis

Both ephestris and discordata show a pronounced yellow blotch on the hindwings that is absent in luteoradiata. Different from discordata, the yellow transversal band on the forewing of H. ephestris reaches the outer margin of the wing. Moreover, the band is broader than in discordata, whereas the yellow field of the hindwing is narrower, particularly in the proximate half of the wing.

Hagnagora discordata (Guenée [1858])

Figs 31, 32

Type locality

[Chile], Valparaíso [possibly incorrect locality].

Remarks

The oldest described Hagnagora species, assigned by Guenée to Scordylia Gn (= Heterusia).

Type locality

Given as Valparaíso, [Chile], requires confirmation. The cool-dry climate of this Chilean lowland region differs strongly from the wet montane habitats where other Hagnagora species are typically found.

Distribution

Apart from the doubtful type locality in Chile, recently collected specimens were sampled in Santa Catarina, Brazil (27°S), at elevations of 1300 m a.s.l.

Diagnosis

Both discordata and ephestris show a pronounced yellow blotch on the hindwings that is absent in luteoradiata. The yellow transversal band on the forewing is narrower than in ephestris, and it does not reach the outer margin of the wing. The yellow blotch on the hindwing is much broader than in H. discordata. COI barcode: The minimum observed distance of Brazilian H. discordata is 2.3% to H. luteoradiata from Costa Rica and 2.6% to H. luteoradiata from Ecuador. These short distances suggest a relatively young split within this species clade.

Hagnagora luteoradiata (Thierry-Mieg, 1892), stat. rev.

Figs 33–35

Type locality

Costa Rica.

Remarks

H. luteoradiata was put in synonymy with H. ephestris by Parsons et al. (1999). However, luteoradiata specimens consistently do not show any yellow blotches on the hindwing as observed in ephestris and clustimena. Barcoded specimens from Costa Rica (Fig. 34) and Ecuador (Fig. 35) are genetically very similar (distance only ca. 1.1%) and, together with the highly similar appearance, are therefore regarded as conspecific. The ephestris type specimen from Bogotá, Colombia, falls within the geographical range of the luteoradiata specimens, but shows a different wing pattern, i.e. a prominent yellow blotch on the hindwing and a different shape of the blotch of the forewing. The taxon luteoradiata is therefore revived from synonymy.

Distribution

Costa Rica to Ecuador. Observed elevational range in Ecuador 1800–2890 m and 560–1480 m in Costa Rica.

Diagnosis

The most prominent difference is the absence of any yellow blotches on the hindwing that are present both in ephestris and discordata. The transversal yellow band on the forewing is broader than in discordata, and has a different shape than in ephestris.

6 subrosea

Hagnagora subrosea (Warren, 1909)

Fig. 36

Type locality

Peru (south east), Carabaya, Oconeque, 7000 ft.

Remarks

Warren originally assigned subrosea to Cophocerotis Warren, but the genus-defining type species, C. jaspeata (Dognin), does not show the two prominent white transversal bands of the forewing present in subrosea. Parsons et al. (1999) transferred the species to Hagnagora. Barcoding and genitalia dissections of fresh specimens from this species are required, but judging from the two transversal bands, subrosea might indeed be associated with the croceitincta clade.

Distribution

Peru.

Diagnosis

H. subrosea has a unique combination of a pale brown wing colour with two white transversal bands on the forewings not found in any other species of Hagnagora.

Species excluded from Hagnagora

The following species are provisionally removed from the genus Hagnagora and set in quotation marks, following the convention applied by Parsons et al. (1999). Hagnagoraignipennis (Fig. 37) from Colombia lacks most of the characteristics typical for Hagnagora, notably transversal bands on the forewing. Hagnagoramesenata, Hagnagoravittata and Hagnagoraceraria (Figs 38–40) appear to be closely related to each other, but the wing pattern and particularly the wing shape diverge strongly from other species treated as “true” Hagnagora in this paper. A full barcode sequence is available for Hagnagoramesenata, and a 380 bp fragment of the COI gene is available for Hagnagoravittata. Both sequences reveal that these species are probably not congeneric with “true” Hagnagora. It is possible that the clades around ignipennis and vittata represent undescribed Larentiinae genera, and both cases require closer examination and a thorough revision of Neotropical Larentiinae.

Figures 36–40. 

36 Hagnagora subrosea (Warren) female, lectotype a dorsal view b ventral view 37 Hagnagoraignipennis (Dognin) male, lectotype dorsal view 38 Hagnagoramesenata (F&R) male, lectotype (LT) a dorsal view b ventral view 39 Hagnagoramesenata male (AYK-04-0533-2) from Chile as reference specimen with Barcode Index Number (BIN) a dorsal view b ventral view (photo K Mitter) 40 Hagnagoravittata (Philippi) male (m) (BC LP 0092) from Chile as reference specimen with 380 bp COI fragment, dorsal view (photo LE Parra).

Figures 41–43. 

Hagnagora living specimens 41 Hagnagora anicata (?), Ecuador, Zamora Chinchipe, Estación Biológica San Francisco, 22 November 2008 in typical resting habitus, but alert because of disturbance by the photographer. The tympanal organ at the base of the abdomen is well visible 42 Hagnagora luteoradiata from Costa Rica a young caterpillar (09-SRNP-31840-DHJ458869) b caterpillar in last instar (09-SRNP-31840-DHJ458860) 43 Hagnagora mortipax caterpillar from Costa Rica a dorsal view (14-SRNP-3240-DHJ487561) b lateral view (14-SRNP-3240-DHJ487557).

Hagnagoraignipennis (Dognin, 1913)

Fig. 37

Type locality

Colombia, Bogotá, 2800–3200 m.

Hagnagoramesenata (Felder & Rogenhofer, 1875)

Figs 38, 39

Type locality

Chile.

Hagnagoravittata (Philippi, 1859)

Fig. 40

ceraria (Molina, 1782): Type locality. Chile

Type locality

Chile, Provincia de Valdivia.

Acknowledgements

Jan Axmacher thankfully helped to improve the manuscript linguistically, and Manfred Sommerer and an anonymous reviewer provided valuable comments. Axel Hausmann, Daniel H. Janzen, Winnie Hallwachs, Luis E. Parra, and Bolling Sullivan shared their barcoding data of Hagnagora specimens. Sequence analysis was enabled by funding from Genome Canada through the Ontario Genomics Institute in support of the International Barcode of Life Project and by the Basler Stiftung für biologische Forschung, Basel, Switzerland. DHJ and WH provided H. mirandahenrichae specimens collected in NW Costa Rica, and shared photographs of Hagnagora caterpillars. The Costa Rican specimens and data (DHJ & WH) were supported by Área de Conservación Guanacaste, INBio, the Wege Foundation, and Permian Global. Niklas Wahlberg kindly gave advice with regard to the phylogenetic interpretation of barcode trees. AH provided further specimens and data from the ZSM collection. Geoff Martin and John Chainey supported the work carried out at the NHM (London). The work in London was funded by a grant from the SYNTHESYS programme (GB-TAF1048). Patricia Gentili-Poole kindly granted access to photographs of type specimens deposited at the USNM. Wolfgang Nässig allowed to access type material at SFM. Luis E. Parra and Kim Mitter kindly allowed using photographs of H. vittata and H. mesenata. Maia Vaswani carried out the genitalia dissection work. Support from DFG grants for ecological field work in Ecuador and Costa Rica is acknowledged (BR 2280/1-1, Fi 547/10-1 and 10-2, FOR 816, FOR 402).

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