New species of New Zealand black mountain ringlet butterflies (Satyrinae: Percnodaimon)? A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the degree of Bachelor of Science

Abstract

The black mountain ringlet butterfly (Percnodaimon pluto) is endemic to the scree slopes of the South Island Mountains and has a unique ecology. From previous collections, a number of distinguishable morphotypes became apparent suggesting the existence of potential new species within the currently recognised single taxonomic group. This study investigates this further using an integrated approach based on morphological and molecular analysis. Anecdotal behavioural and ecological information was also included. Nine morphotypes were identified based on morphological characters including wing venation. DNA was extracted from several specimens of each morphotype and the mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase 1 (CO1) and the nuclear internal transcribed spacer region 2 (ITS2) were sequenced. The phylogenies from these two genes independently supported the five morphotypes identified. This indicates that there are four new species of black mountain ringlet butterflies in New Zealand and these will be formally described in the future. Most of these new species are found in distinct geographic localities. However, in some areas such as the Mountains of Canterbury two species exist sympatrically with two different small species being found with the larger Percnodaimon pluto although having different flight seasons; all three species never coexist with one of the smaller species being found in the southern range of P. pluto and the other in its northern range. This work has shown the importance of using an integrated approach to taxonomy utilising molecular and morphological tools, and opens the door to future work on the conservation, ecology and evolution of these butterflies.