Taxonomic revision and cladistic analysis of the genus Sophista Plötz, 1879 (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae) with description of a new species from north-east Brazil

Abstract

A new species of Sophista Plötz, 1879 from north-east Brazil (Bahia) is described: Sophista spectrum Siewert, Zacca, Mielke & Casagrande sp. nov. Thracides aristoteles Westwood, 1852 is designated as lectotype. The following taxonomic arrangements are proposed: Sophista plinius Plötz, 1882 stat. rest. [previously treated as a subspecies of Sophista aristoteles (Westwood, 1852)] and Sophista matto Evans, 1953 stat. nov. (originally described as a subspecies of Sophista latifasciata Spitz, 1930). Photos and illustrations of all taxa are provided, including the first description of the females of four species of Sophista. A catalogue, diagnosis, geographical distribution map, and a dichotomous key to the species of Sophista are also provided. The monophyly of Sophista was evaluated using a cladistics analysis based on morphological characters of the adults, and was recovered and supported by eight non-ambiguous synapomorphies.