Matskási István (szerk.): A Magyar Természettudományi Múzeum évkönyve 86. (Budapest 1994)

Bálint, Zs. ; Johnson, K.: Polyommatine lycaenids of the oreal biome in the Neotropics, part II: The Itylos section (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae, Polyommatinae)

ANNALES HISTORICO-NATURALES MUSEI NATIONALIS HUNGARICI Tomus 86. Budapest, 1994 p. 53-77 Polyommatine lycaenids of the oreal biome in the Neotropics, part II: The Itylos section (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae, Polyommatinae) by Zs. BÁLINT, Budapest & K. JOHNSON, New York BÁLINT, Zs. & JOHNSON, K. (1994): Polyommatine lycaenids of the oreal biome in the Neotropics, part II: The Itylos section (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae, Polyommatinae). - Annls hist.-nat. Mus. natn. hung. 86: 53-77. Abstract - The genus Itylos DRAUDT (sensu HEMMING 1929, 1967) is revised to include species /. titicaca (WEYMER) (- Cupido speciosa STAUDINGER, syn n.), /. pnin BÁLINT and I.fumosus (BALLETTO) (= /. luzhin BÁLINT, syn. n.). The group comprises a small monophyletic unit distributed in the orcal biome of the high Andes from central Peru (Ancash) to northern Chile (Tarapaca). Two poorly known populations of the titicaca-complex are noted as possibly of at least subspecific value worth pending further biological research. A recently described monotypic appendage of the group, Ityloides BALLETTO is synonymized with Itylos based on phylogenetic criteria. The iiïiVïica-complex is suggested as the apotype of the genus and the evolution of its ityloid wing pattern discussed. Itylos, as revised, is indicated as of uncertain sister relationship and not directly monophyletic with the "Polyommatus section" of ELIOT. Anew "Itylos section" of the tribe Polyommatini is therefore suggested. Workers are encouraged to initiate field and biological research to further clarify relationships. With 70 figures. INTRODUCTION The xeromontane phenomenon was firstly recognized in the Palaearctic Lepidoptera fauna by VARGA (1976), who applied the terminology of VOOUS (1963). According to VARGA's investigations (VARGA 1989) the not arboreal faunal types in the Palaearctic Realm comprised three basic elements. Two of them are zonal: 1) the eremial biome caused by aridity; 2) the alpine-tundral biome created by low temperatures. The third, the xeromontane element (sensu stricto), is orographic depending on special enviromental factors (edaphic, microclimatic, anthropogenic, etc.) and provides the possibility for various biotic communities to interdigitate or coexist. These phenomena have also been recognized in the temperate regions of South America despite the fact that, in reality, they are only superficially similar and comparable (DORST & VuiLLEUMIER 1986). For instance, the tundral biome has been compared with the Patagonian cold steppe biome in the austral regions of South America and the so-called alpine belt of the north is often recognized in South America as the high páramo (see, for instance, BROWN 1942). Similarly, the eremial biome has been noted in South America as occurring along the western Pacific Coast (especially in the Chilean Atacama and Pacific desert regions). Perhaps the best known xeromontane phenomena (per se) noted in South America are the puna and other high Andean areas. In all, these comprise diverse communities including many types of plant formations, but all are specialized not arboreal communities which exist under rather specialized, dry temperate climatic conditions (SARMIENTO 1986). The cosmopolitan Polyommatus section sensu ELIOT (1973: 449-450), in spite of its polyphyletic appearance (see BÁLINT & JOHNSON 1994 and Discussion below), appears to be strongly connected to dry plant formations over the entire world. All taxa of the Polyommatus section genera listed by ELIOT are highly stenochorous butterflies associated with specialized microhabitats within localized vegetations (in the case of Neotropical Pseuclolucia, see BÁLINT & JOHNSON 1993a). Only some widely distributed generalists are known, e.g. Polyommatus icarus (ROTTEMBURG, 1775) or Aricia agestis (DENIS et SCHIFFERMÜLLER, [1775] in the