Dodia transbaikalensis Tshistjakov, 1988

Koshkin, Evgeny S., 2024, A review of the genus Dodia Dyar, 1901 (Lepidoptera: Erebidae, Arctiinae) with description of a new remarkable species from the Russian Far East, Zootaxa 5458 (1), pp. 53-72 : 62-63

Dodia transbaikalensis Tshistjakov, 1988

( Figs 2G , 3D, E )

Dodia kononenkoi transbaikalensis Tshistjakov, 1988: 634 , fig. 2. Holotype ♂ (ZISP) ( Dubatolov 1996). Type locality: [USSR], Irkutsk Oblast’, 15 km S Slyudyanka, Khamar-Daban Range, southern slope of Chersky Peak, 1850 m.

Material examined. 1 ♂, Russia, Buryatia, Tunkinsky district, vicinity of Mondy village, Tunkinskie Goltsy Range , Mount Khulugaisha , 2300 m, stony scree, 12–17.VI.1994, A.G. Belik leg. ( ABC) ; 1 ♂, Russia, Republic of Buryatia, E. Sayan Mts., Tunkinsky Mts. Range, near Mondy , 19–30.VI.2011, A. Filippov, E. Filippov leg. ( EKC) .

Diagnosis. In habitus Dodia transbaikalensis is almost indistinguishable from D. kononenkoi and D. sikhotensis . In general, the ground color of the wings is slightly lighter than that of D. kononenkoi , sometimes with a slightly expressed dark dusting at the base of the forewing, along the discal vein and along the outer margin ( Fig 2G ). The moths are usually larger than D. kononenkoi . In the male genitalia, the processes of the apex of the valva are large, angular, widely spaced, with a wide and shallow notch between them. The size of the upper process varies, being smaller than or equal to the lower process. Costal margin of valva with broad rounded prominence. Aedeagus broadened towards apex. Vesica short, very broad, encircled by a long band of densely placed spicular cornuti ( Figs 3D, E ).

Genetic data. Despite strong external similarities with D. kononenkoi , the two species have significant differences in COI p-distance, 4.47–4.65 % (according to records, including private data, in BOLD). From the Tunkinsky Range sample collected in 2011, we were able to obtain a short fragment of the COI gene sequence of 234 bp due to the old age of the material. This fragment shows 99.44–100% similarity with BOLD’s private data on D. transbaikalensis and strong differences with D. kononenkoi .

Distribution. Pribaikalye and Transbaikalye mountains ( Russia). There are known finds from the Tsagan-Shibetu Range (Republic of Tuva), the Khamar-Daban Range (Irkutsk Oblast’), the Eastern Sayan, the Tunkinskie Goltsy Range (Republic of Buryatia), Sokhondo Mountain and the Yablonovy Range (Zabaikalsky Krai) ( Tshistjakov 1988; Rekelj & Česanek 2009; Dubatolov 2010; our study).

Ecology. Inhabits the upper part of the forest belt and mountain tundra at altitudes of 1600–2300 m. Flight period from mid-June to mid-August. Larval biology and host plants are unknown.

Notes. This taxon was described as a subspecies of Dodia kononenkoi , then Dubatolov (2010) gave it species status. Considering the differences in the structure of the male genitalia and the large COI p-distance between them, the species status of D. transbaikalensis is not in doubt.

Mention of two specimens from which D. kononenkoi transbaikalensis Tshistjakov, 1988 was described is included in Dubatolov’s article (1990), where they are referred to as « D. kononenkoi Tshist. et Lafont. ». A drawing of the genitalia of a male from Khamar-Daban, which became the holotype of D. kononenkoi transbaikalensis , is also given there. Details of the genitalia structure are consistent with our specimens from the Tunkinskie Goltsy Range. In the figure of the aedeagus, even with the vesica not everted, the characteristic features of this taxon are recognizable. The holotype is kept in ZISP ( Dubatolov 1996), not in the Biological Institute of the Siberian Branch of the USSR Academy of Sciences (now known as the Institute of Systematics and Ecology of Animals, SB RAS), as stated in the original description. It is also noted that the paratype from the Yablonevyi Range (Saranakan Mountain) is kept in the FSCEATB collection. We did not find it there.

The distribution of Dodia transbaikalensis needs to be clarified. It remains to be determined whether or not this species is sympatric with the externally similar D. kononenkoi in Transbaikalia.

Figures

FIGURE 2. Dodia spp., adults, habitus. A—D. diaphana, ♂, Russia, Khabarovsk Krai, Dusse-Alin Range, 52°07’56” N, 134°17’30” E, 4.VII.2020 (EKC); B—D. diaphana arctica, paratype ♂, Russia, Magadan Oblast’, 18 km from Kulu, 11.VII.1980 (FSCEATB); C—D. diaphana, ♂, Russia, Buryatia, Mondy, Khulugaisha Mountain, 7.VII.1984 (FSCEATB); D—D. diaphana, ♀, same data as A but 2.VII.2016 (EKC); E—D. albertae, ♀, same data as A but 22.VI.2020 (EKC); F—D. albertae, ♂, same data as A but 2.VII.2016; G—D. transbaikalensis, ♂, Russia, Buryatia, near Mondy, 19–30.VI.2011 (EKC); H—D. sazonovi, ♂, Russia, Altai, NE Aktash vill., 7–12.VI.2022 (EKC); I—D. kononenkoi, ♂, Russia, East Yakutia, Suntar-Khayata Range, headwaters of the Vostochnaya Khandyga River, 18.VI.1991 (ABC); J—D. kononenkoi, paratype ♂, Russia, Magadan Oblast’, Paren’ River, 30.VI.1972 (FSCEATB); K—D. sikhotensis, ♂, Russia, Primorsky Krai, Snezhnaya Mountain, 7.VII.2013 (EKC); L—D. sikhotensis, paratype ♂, Russia, Primorsky Krai, Tsamo-Dynza [Golets] Mountain, 15.VII.1972 (FSCEATB). (Photos by Evgeny Koshkin).

FIGURE 3. Male genitalia of Dodia spp.: A—D. kononenkoi, paratype, Russia, Magadan Oblast’, Paren’ River (aedeagus is lost); B—D. kononenkoi, Russia, East Yakutia, Suntar-Khayata Range, headwaters of the Vostochnaya Khandyga River; C—D. sazonovi, Russia, Altai, NE Aktash vill.; D—D. transbaikalensis, Russia, Buryatia, Khulugaisha Mountain; E—D. transbaikalensis, Russia, Buryatia, near Mondy; F—D. sikhotensis, paratype, Russia, Primorsky Krai, Tsamo-Dynza [Golets] Mountain; G—D. sikhotensis, Russia, Primorsky Krai, Snezhnaya Mountain; H—D. diaphana, Russia, Khabarovsk Krai, Dusse- Alin Range; I—D. diaphana, Russia, Russia, Buryatia, Mondy, Khulugaisha Mountain; J—D. diaphana arctica, paratype, Russia, Magadan Oblast’, 18 km from Kulu. (Photos by Evgeny Koshkin).