Research On Molecular Phylogeny And Chinese Fauna Of Satyrinae(Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae)

The butterfly subfamily Satyrinae, belonging to the Nymphalidae of Lepidoptera, is amongst the most diversity groups in butterfly. There are 364 species of 57 genera distributed in China. This dissertation deals with three aspects: molecular phylogeny of five satyrine tribes in China, molecular phylogeny of Satyrini, and the fauna of Chinese Satyrinae.First, we conducted a phylogenetic analysis for the five satyrine tribes in China using ML and BI methods based on the combined sequences of six genes(nuclear EF-1α,28 s r DNA, mitochondrial COI,COII,Cytb and 16 s r DNA); Second, using three methods(MP, ML and BI), we performed a phylogenetic analysis for Satyrini based on more comprehensive data including nine genes(EF-1α,GAPDH,Rp S5,wingless,28 s r DNA, COI,COII,Cytb,16 s r DNA). Lastly, we reviewed and described complementarily the satyrine species in China based on prior investigations.The main results of this study are as follows:(1) There are 461 fragements of the nine genes amplified and submitted to Gen Bank.(2) At the tribe level, we support that the Amathusiini should be transferrd to Satyrinae; the phylogenetic relationships among the five Chinese satyrine tribes are Satyrini +(Amathusiini +(Zetherini +(Elymniini + Melanitini))).(3) At the subtribe level of Satyrini, the sampled 11 subtribes clustered into three clades, with clade I being basal to the sister group clade II and clade III. Clade I includes Eritina and Coenonymphina; clade II includes three subtribes and they are recovered as Parargina +(Mycalesina + Lethina); clade III includes six subtribes and they are recovered as Euptychiina +((Melanargiina + Satyrina) +(Erebiina +(Maniolina + Ypthinina))).(4) At the genus level, we clarified the taxonomic positions of Davidina and Paroeneis in Satyrina, and the taxonomic position of Callarge in Zetherini; we suggested that the Rhaphicera should be transferred to Lethina from Parargina; Callerebia, Loxerebia and Argestina are close relatives and their taxonomic position in Ypthimina are supported; the synonymy between Triphysa and Coenonympha is also supported.(5) At the species level, we do not support the transfer of the Lasiommata deidamia from Lasiommata to Lopinga.(6) Based on the results of this study and recent classifications, we have revised the current system to proposed a new taxonomic system for satyrines based on Chinese material.(7) This study presents an investigation on Satyrinae phylogeny based on two ribosomal genes and four–seven protein-coding genes. Moreover, we find that the two ribosomal genes show high phylogenetic signals in Satyrinae phylogeny using the partitioned Bremer support(PBS)and phylogenetic informativeness(PI) profile methods.(8) 106 Chinese satyrine species of 37 genera in five tribes are supplemented, among which 50 species are described in detail. 71 photographs of the male/female genitalia structure and 106 photographs of adult butterfly are provided. In addition, the taxonomic characters for different tribes and genera are summarized, and the keys to tribes and species are also provided.