Gnophopsodos Wehrli, 1945

Erlacher, Sven & Erlacher, Josepha, 2016, A systematic revision of the genus Gnophopsodos Wehrli, 1945, with description of two new species (Lepidoptera: Geometridae), Zootaxa 4169 (3), pp. 435-456 : 438-439

Genus Gnophopsodos Wehrli, 1945

Gnophopsodos Wehrli, 1945 , Mitteilungen der Schweizerischen entomologischen Gesellschaft, 19: 334.—Type species: Psodos gnophosaria Oberthür, 1893 .

Chelegnophos Wehrli, 1951 syn. nov., Lambillionea, 51: 27.—Type-species: Gnophos ravistriolaria Wehrli, 1922 .

Description. Medium sized moth species with a range of colors from whitish-gray or cream to dark brownish-gray; wing pattern with medial lines and discal spot often distinct; hindwing termen in most species slightly curved; wing venation variable within the group, R2 either freely arising from the discoidal cell ( Fig. 3 a) or R2 pediculate with R3–5 ( Fig. 3 b) (see Sauter 1990).

Male genitalia. Bifurcate aedeagus, with appendix aedeagi being variable in form and length; uncus and gnathos strongly sclerotized, both terminating in a peak or hook-like structure; costal thorns developed (with exception of G. tholeraria ) occasionally pooled to a subterminal cactus-like structure; valvae with more or less distinct lobe-like widening; juxta variable, mostly undivided and ventrally broadened (with exception of G. gnophosaria and G. ravistriolaria ) with paired dorsal appendices, always without thorns.

Female genitalia. Bursa copulatrix remarkable hyaline, without signum or sclerotizations. Antrum compact, cylindrical or oval-shaped, strongly sclerotized, ostium funnel-like with or without bulges.

Diagnosis. The genus Gnophopsodos is characterised by the following autapomorphic character states:

- Aedeagus bifurcate

- Valvae with more or less distinct valvulae

- Bursa copulatrix hyaline, membranous, without signum or sclerotizations - Antrum compact, strongly sclerotized, cylindrical, medially domed, area around ostium curved

On appearance, moths of Gnophopsodos are externally similar to those of Gnophos and Charissa . Most of the species of Gnophopsodos may possibly be identified by a cuspidate, i.e. well developed acute-angled postmedial line (except G. badakhshanus , G. gnophosaria , G. hilmari spec. nov., and G. ravistriolaria ) which is more rounded in Gnophos and Charissa (except subgenus Kemtrognophos Wehrli, 1951 ). One species, G. gnophosaria , can be confused with some Psodos , but possesses a yellowish-white underside of wings, which is more brownish in Psodos .

Unlike of external characters, the species of Gnophopsodos can clearly be recognized by their unique male and female genitalia (see list of autapomorphies).

Distribution. The genus Gnophopsodos comprises species occurring across central Asia with a west-to-eastextension from the eastern parts of Afghanistan to central China. In the North, species were sporadically found in mountains of southern Siberia. Species of this genus are mainly montane and live up to altitudes of 4300 m.

Distribution of the species are mapped in Figs 3 and 4 , respectively.

Biology. Larval stages and food plants are unknown.

Remarks. DNA barcoding analyses with BOLD (http://www.boldsystems.org) strengthen the assumption that Gnophopsodos is a genus related with Charissa , nevertheless, the systematic position of Gnophopsodos remains uncertain.

A Neighbor joining tree for all analyzed species of Gnophopsodos based on DNA barcoding is depicted in Fig. 6 .

Genetic distances to the nearest neighbor of four examined species of the genus Gnophopsodos resulting from an analysis of DNA barcodes are shown in Tab. 1.

Figures

FIGURE 3. Types of wing venation patterns in Gnophopsodos. a) — G. stemmataria: R 2 freely arising from the discoidal cell and b) — G. ravistriolaria: R 2 pediculate with R 3 – 5. Arrows pointing at the roots of veins arising from the discoidal cell.

FIGURE 4. Distribution of Gnophopsodos species: G. badakhshanus, G. fractifasciaria, G. gnophosaria, G. ravistriolaria ravistriolaria, and G. ravistriolaria pantherinus subspec. nov.

FIGURE 6. Neighbor joining tree for all analyzed species of Gnophopsodos on the basis of DNA barcoding (Kimura 2 - parameter distance model for COI- 5 P marker) with Gnophos furvata ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) as outgroup. Terminal branches provided with species name, barcode id., barcode length, origin, and BIN number from BOLD.