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)

"Forewing with veins 11 and 12 free, hindwing tailess, battledore scales commonplace except Itylos [= Madeleinea BÁLINT] in which the outer margins are excavate or crenulate, in addition 'gelbe schuppe' may be present; eyes and palpi variable, male genitalia with lobes of uncus more or less digitate and directed caudad; a Suspensorium, comprising a pair of rather weakly sclerotized arms descending from the top of the inner faces of the lateral processes of tegumen, is nearly always present; penis generally similar to that of the Euchrysops section, with alulae at the zone; in Neotropical species a sagum is nearly always present". These characteristic features are discussed in detail below concerning Itylos as defined in the present revision. Venation: According to ELIOT (1973: 397) abnormalities of fore wing veins 12, 11 and 10 are frequent in Polyommatini where they usually provide good section characters. The FW veins SC and Rl are differently presented in Itylos than the normal Polyommatus type (although similar in I. fumosus, probably as primitive). This abnormality is also present in the Catochrysops section, where Catochrysops BOISDUVAL, 1832 has costal veins touching but Rysops ELIOT, 1973 has them free. Wing size and shape: The Itylos wing shape, with its small size, is unique amongst the genera of the Polyommatus section. Similar phenomena exist among Himalayan high altitude polyommatines (D'ABRERA 1993: 493-494). Pattern: VFW pattern of Itylos is normal polyommatine. The VHW pattern was characteristicly called ityloid by NABOKOV (1945: 45-46) but this most probably evolved from the polyommatine type. It is a highly adaptive character (see above) but its phylogenetic importance is not yet clear. Scales: Androconial scales absent (quite remarkable shape in the case of taxa redefined by BÁLINT (1993a) as Madeleinea (ELIOT 1973, Fig. 145). Eyes and palpi: according to ELIOT (1973: 393) in Polyommatinae these are of little help in classification even at generic level. Male genitalia: The male genitalia are very distinctive in several aspects compared with genera of the Polyommatus section described and discussed above. The absence of Suspensorium is very characteristic. The phenomenon of the sagum, which is very characteristic for Neotropical genera according to ELIOT (1973: 450), is missing in all the taxa of Itylos. Female genitalia: These are very distinct from the general polyommatine type, more comparable to that of Leptotes-type (cf. SCHWARTZ and JOHNSON 1992, Fig. 2.). Distribution: Restricted to the Neotropics, in the Southern Andean biogeographical province. CONCLUSION We have revised herein the Itylos section of the Polyommatini. We have clarified the nomenclatorial problems surrounding the name Itylos, the validity of type species variously attributed to it, and the relation of the generic name Itylos to others which are either invalid, unrelated, or for which there is no sound factual or methodological basis. As Itylos appears not directly monophyletic with the Polyommatus section sensu ELIOT (1973), we suggest the Itylos section as a separate Neotropical entity within the tribe Polyommatini. As such it can be characterized according to the style of ELIOT (1973) as follows: Itylos section - Fore wings with veins 11 and 12 touching briefly (free in one member showing the primitive condition). Hind wing tailcss. Battledore scales absent. Eyes nacked and palpi hairy. Male genitalia with straight and well developed lobes of uncus and gnathos; Suspensorium absent; valve short with strong sclerotized apical formations; penis large with sclerotized Chapman's process. Neotropical. Included genera: Itylos DRAUDT, [1921] {Ityloides BALLETTO, 1993, synomym).