Matskási István (szerk.): A Magyar Természettudományi Múzeum évkönyve 87. (Budapest 1995)

Bálint, Zs.: Two new Polyommatus species from the Himalayan region (Lepidoptera, Lycaenidae, Polyommatini)

The monophyly of these polyommatines is supported by the following morphological characters: male genital clasper with angulate, remarkable horseshoe-shaped uncus (width 3/4 times of length), penis with conspicuously long subzonal element (four or five times longer than suprazonal), which is straight either in lateral or ventral view, vesica conical (Figs 7-15). Female genitalia with remarkable long ductus bursae with sclerotized genital henia rectangular or rounded shaped in ventral, relatively flat in lateral view, bursa with a sclerotized fork-shaped signum (figs 16-20). "P. stoliczkanus" like butterflies are the most common lycaenids in the Himalayas. It can be presumed that many historical faunistic records of P. stoliczkanus, even the most recent ones (e.g. SHIELDS 1982: 75, MUTING & MUTING 1988: Figs 4 and 214, Vis & COENE 1987: 22, VERHULST 1987: 82), are questionable, because the students could not apply the available names of the morphologically very similar butterfly individuals. The "Polyommatus" taxa of the Himalayas were mainly described in combinations with P. eros (cf. EVANS 1925: 348349). Therefore the correct identification of these taxa is difficult (cf. SAKAI 1981: P1.44), the illustrations in available literature (EVANS 1925, BOLLOW & GAEDE 1932) do not clearly show the distinguishing characteristics of these lycaenids. The situation outlined above, coupled with the always unstable political situation of the regions, has hindered research on their taxonomy, ecology and biogeography. The catalogue of BRIDGES (1988), which is a tremendous work giving a world-wide data base of the lycaenids listing all the names that could be found in the taxonomic literature (without trying to solve taxonomic problems), clearly demonstrates that the systematics of these Central Asian polyommatine lycaenids is very confused because many names were listed in wrong or "ancient" combination or status. Therefore, a comprehensive taxonomic work dealing with the stoliczkanus group is urgently needed. Very recently two works have contributed data to the knowledge of this group. BALLETTO & KUDRNA (1989: 250-252) discussed some taxa suggesting "tentative synonyms". D'ABRERA (1993: 499-503) figured many of the taxa involved and he selected mainly historical specimens, preserved in the butterfly collection of the BMNH for his folio plates. This work had already figured one of the species (P. fratetiuci BÁLINT/?, D'ABRERA 1993: 501), which will be formally described below. TAXONOMIC DESCRIPTIONS Polyommatus fraterluci sp. n. (Figs 1-2) Type material - Holotype, male: "India: E. Punjab., Kangra Dist. Kulu, Dibibokri Nal., Runi Thach., 12.800', M. vii. 1952.; Lycaenid 41; E. A. CL. F. Schelpe., B. M. 1953 -171; gen. prep. No. 218., Zs. Bálint; Holotypus, P. fraterluci, det. Zs. Bálint, 17. vii. 91." Paratypes: 5 males, with the same data, with glycerin vials gen. prep. No. BÁLINT, 529 and 530. Diagnosis - Easy to distinguish from all Himalayan polyommatine species by the strongly pigmented veins and the absent markings of the hindwing ventral surface. The most closely related P. dux RILEY, 1926 has a more pointed apex and wider forewing shape, its hindwing ventral surface has an extended basal and subbasal metallic green suffusion and the submarginal area marked by intercellular orange spots. Male genitalia commonplace (see Introduction) with wider valvac and stronger costal process. Description- Forewing length 15.5 mm (Holotype). Forewing apex pointed. Antennae, head, thorax, abdomen and male genitalia as in Polyommatus section (sensu ELIOT 1973). Male. Dorsal surface. Forewing: Ground colour shining violet blue; costal area with gleaming blue scales; vein ends suffused with black scales; marginal area lighter; terminal line narrow and black; subterminal cilia blackish, terminal cilia white. Hindwing: as forewing, but costa without gleaming scales, anal part greyish, basal and anal area with bluish pubescence. Ventral surface.