DNA barcodes from over-a-century-old type specimens shed light on the taxonomy of a group of rare butterflies (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Calinaginae)

PLoS One. 2024 Jul 17;19(7):e0305825. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0305825. eCollection 2024.

Abstract

We analyzed COI barcode sequences from 138 over-a-century old specimens of Calinaga including 36 name-bearing type specimens stored at the Natural History Museum London. These new data, combined with previously available RPS5 sequences, divide the Calinaga samples into four well-supported mitochondrial lineages that together with a novel wing-pattern analysis, support the recognition of six species (lhatso, buddha, brahma, aborica, formosana and davidis), with all other names subsumed either as subspecies or synonyms. One new taxon is described, Calinaga aborica naima Vane-Wright, ssp. n.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Butterflies* / anatomy & histology
  • Butterflies* / classification
  • Butterflies* / genetics
  • DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic*
  • Electron Transport Complex IV / genetics
  • Phylogeny*
  • Wings, Animal / anatomy & histology

Substances

  • Electron Transport Complex IV