title: Male secondary sexual structures and the systematics of the Thereus oppia species group (Lepidoptera, Lycaenidae, Eumaeini).
abstract: The Thereus oppia species group includes species with and without a scent pad, which is a histologically and morphologically characterized male secondary sexual structure on the dorsal surface of the forewing. To assess the hypothesis that these structures are lost evolutionarily, but not regained (Dollo's Law), the taxonomy of this species group is revised. Thereus lomalarga sp. n., and Thereus brocki sp. n., are described. Diagnostic traits, especially male secondary structures, within the Thereus oppia species group are illustrated. Distributional and biological information is summarized for each species. Three species have been reared, and the caterpillars eat Loranthaceae. An inferred phylogeny is consistent with the hypothesis that scent pads in the Thereus oppia species group have been lost evolutionarily twice (in allopatry), and not re-gained.
authors.affiliation: Department of Entomology, PO Box 37012, NHB Stop 105, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC 20013-7012 USA.
authors.forename: Robert K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Robbins
authors.affiliation: Cra 76A, 9A-34, Apto. 404. Cali, Colombia.
authors.forename: María Dolores
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Heredia
authors.affiliation: 7 Countryside Way, Andover, MA 01810-6041 USA.
authors.forename: Robert C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Busby
keywords: Dollo’s Law; Loranthaceae; Scent pads; Thereus brocki; Thereus lomalarga; Thereus orasus