Systematics And Biogeography Of Zephyrus Haristreaks (Lepidoptera:Lycaenidae:Theclini)

Molecular systematics,evolution and biogeography of the Eurasian and North American distributed hairstreak butterflies Theclini(Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae)were studied and reported.In my study,phylogenetic analyses were conducted based on multiple genes of Theclini and achieved good resolution and support,allowing us to propose a revised generic classification system and renewing our understanding of evolutionary relationships and biogeography.1)The data support the monophyly of Theclini and its distinctiveness from its allied groups,but this tribe was divided into four clades rather than traditional three clades or four clades with quite different members.The genera of Chrysozephyrus,Shirozuozephyrus,Euaspa,Japonica were proposed as paraphylies and genera of Nanlingozephyrus,Shirozuozephyrus,Inomataozephyrus were treated as synonyms.Protantigius was devided into the basal clade and Euaspa milionia was suggested with close relationship with the genus Iratsume which has more synapomorphy besides.2)The primitiveness of morphological features in some genera were consistent with the results of traditional classification,and the evolution of morphological features and feeding habits of larva were discussed.The ancestors of Theclini butterflies may be a group feeding on the family Salicaceae with dark brown pattern of upperside wings and pale pattern of underside wings,as well as fore leg tarsus segemented.3)In addition,a database based on distributional records of Eurasian Zephyrus hairstreaks was compiled to analyse their areas of endemism(AoEs),species richness and distribution patterns,to explore their locations of past glacial refugia and dispersal routes.Centres of species richness and endemism of Zephyrus hairstreaks are situated in the eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau(EQTP),Hengduan Mountain Region(HDMR)and Qinling Mountain Region(QLMR).Latitudinal gradients in species richness show normal distribution with the peak between 25 ? N and 35 ? N in the temperate zone,gradually decreasing towards the poles.Moreover,most parts of central and southern China,especially the area of QLMR-EQTP-HDMR,were identified as AoEs that may have played a significant role as refugia during Quaternary global cooling.There are four major distributional patterns of Zephyrus hairstreaks in Eurasia: Sino-Japanese,Sino-Himalayan,high-mountain and a combined distribution covering all three patterns,were proposed and two possible dispersal directions: Sino-Japanese and Sino-Himalayan dispersal,were predicted.4)A genus,Sibataniozephyrus was selected as a model to explore the general distribution pattern and dispersal route of Theclini in East Asia,among Mainland China,Taiwan,and Japan.Estimation of divergence times with calibration of nodes was analyzed to explain the origin and dispersal routes of these low dispersal power butterflies in Eurasia.The proposed phylogenetic time framework indicates the Eurasian origin of Sibataniozephyrus at the late Miocene through a corridor of Fagus forest located in northeast China spread to Japan in late Tertiary or earlier.The continental population of Sibataniozephyrus southward colonize Guangdong and then Taiwan in glacials and inter-glacials,while Japanese population recolonize after the last glacial maximum.In addition,a synonym and a subspecies of this group were proposed.