Topic
Dalaca
About: Dalaca is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 5 publications have been published within this topic receiving 26 citations.
Papers
TL;DR: The monophyly of Afrotheora is recognized by the possession of two unique characters: long bristle-like setae from the antennal scape reaching almost across the compound eye, and the trulleum in the male genitalia comprising two lateral sclerotized rods separated by a membrane, and it is demonstrated that the new taxon is not subordinate to any other of these hepialoid clades.
Abstract: Afrotheora, a new hepialoid genus from central and southern Africa, is described. There are eight species of which seven are named. Three were described previously, but were assigned to other genera (Dalaca rhodaula Meyrick, Eudalaca jordani Viette, and Hepialus thermodes Meyrick - a new senior synonym of Hepialus pardalias Janse). Four new species are named and described (minirhodaula, argentimaculata, flavimaculata and brevivalva). A further new species is described, but is not formally named. All species and their genitalia are described and illustrated. Three new combinations and one new synonymy are established, two lectotypes are designated and Hepialus ptiloscelis Meyrick from South Africa is transferred to Gorgopis Hubner. The monophyly of Afrotheora is recognized by the possession of two unique characters: (1) long bristle-like setae from the antennal scape reaching almost across the compound eye, and (2) the trulleum in the male genitalia comprising two lateral sclerotized rods separated by a membrane. Afrotheora represents one of the 12 hepialoid basal lineages currently thought to be monophyletic, and it is demonstrated that the new taxon is not subordinate to any other of these hepialoid clades. Its relationships are briefly discussed, but its exact affinities await further studies of hepialoid phylogeny. The term 'primitive Hepialidae' is here applied to four genera: Fraus Walker, Gazoryctra Hubner, Antihepialus Janse and Afrotheora. We use 'Hepialidae sensu stricto' to refer to the remaining genera of the Hepialidae sensulato (i.e. the Hepialidae of authors) until the phylogeny of the Hepialoidea is better understood. This does not indicate that the primitive Hepialidae are monophyletic while the Hepialidae sensu stricto undoubtedly are.
17 citations
TL;DR: Most Hepialidae have a single-layer wing covering of hollow scales, but in the South American genera Callipielus and Dalaca, however, a very characteristic ‘type-2’ bilayer wing scale covering is present.
Abstract: Most Hepialidae have a single-layer wing covering of hollow scales. In the South American genera Callipielus and Dalaca, however, a very characteristic ‘type-2’ bilayer wing scale covering is present. As only Callipielus and Dalaca among 28 investigated hepialid genera have this type of wing scale covering, the two genera may be considered sister taxa.
7 citations
TL;DR: The male genitalia of Dalaca terea (Schaus, 1892) include two features that are unique within the Hepialidae - a posteriorly angled and digitiform tergal lobe, and two shallow, peg-like processes on the posterior margin of the saccus.
Abstract: The hepialid genus Gymelloxes Viette, 1952 is characterized by, and differs from all other genera, by the male genitalia and a combination of characters. G. terea is redescribed due to the brevity of the original description. The male genitalia of Gymelloxes terea (Schaus, 1892) include two features that are unique within the Hepialidae - a posteriorly angled and digitiform tergal lobe, and two shallow, peg-like processes on the posterior margin of the saccus. The male phallus also exhibits minute sclerotized spicules or spots on the apex of an otherwise membranous tube. The external genitalia of the female includes a sclerotized antevaginalis with a broad, dorsally projecting, flat central margin. The species is included within the cibyrine clade of Hepialidae by the structure of the tergosternal connection and narrow spacing between Sc and R on the hindwing. The potential systematic significance of specialized similarities shared with other cibyrine Hepialidae is discussed. A lectotype of Dalaca terea Schaus, 1892 is here designated.
2 citations
22 Aug 2017
TL;DR: Many species of Hepialidae are highly variable and often it is impossible to definitively identify specimens based on wing pattern alone, but the genus Aenetus of eastern Indonesia, Australia, New Guinea, New Caledonia, and New Zealand is an exception.
Abstract: Many species of Hepialidae are highly variable and often it is impossible to definitively identify specimens based on wing pattern alone Illustrated examples of extensive wing variation include the Mediterranean species of Gazoryctra, Neohepialiscus, Pharmacis, Phymatopus, and Triodia and South American species of Dalaca, Callipielus, and Aepytus Contrasting patterns appear to be present in most if not all Hepialidae, including those of New Zealand as illustrated by Dugdale In many cases the range of variation does not receive much attention as hepialid patterns are often complex and many species either lack prominent markings or they are relatively indistinct An exception to this characterization is the genus Aenetus of eastern Indonesia, Australia, New Guinea, New Caledonia, and New Zealand Most species are large bodied with prominent green forewings of various shades with a superimposed pattern of white or brown spots that often fuse into irregular transverse markings or bands Contrasting variations in colour tone and pattern have been reported and illustrated for Aenetus cohici in New Caledonia
Related Topics (5)
Performance Metrics
| Year | Papers |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 1986 | 1 |
| 1978 | 1 |