A molecular phylogeny of the subfamily Polyommatinae (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae)

Abstract

Molecular and morphological study of the subfamily Polyommatinae allows to make the following conclusions: the tribe Candalidini and the genus Cupidopsis should be excluded from the subfamily. The status of the tribe Niphandini should be reduced to a subtribe level. Thus, subfamily Polyommatinae consists of two tribes: Lycaenesthini and Polyommatini. Elimination of the non-taxonomic rank “section” and the combined morphological and genetic analysis make it possible to distinguish 22 subtribes within the tribe Polyommatini, which meet the requirements of monophyly: Brephidiina, Pithecopina, Niphandina, Danina, Azanina, Theclinesthina, Lycaenopsina, Jamidina, Cacyreina, Actizerina, Uranothaumatina, Lampidina, Zizulina, Catochrysopsina, Scolitantidina, Castaliina, Oboroniina, Leptotina, Zizeeriina, Fameganina, Everina, and Polyommatina.