Abstract
<jats:p>The endemic lineage of Syntomini (Erebidae: Arctiinae) from Madagascar represents an adaptive radiation and constitutes a potentially suitable model system for further evolutionary studies. However, their systematics demands a modern re-elaboration. Here we present a systematic revision of the genera Thyrosticta Hampson, 1898 and Melanonaclia Griveaud, 1964, which turned out to be polyphyletic and comprise nine distinct evolutionary lineages, well supported by molecular and morphological results. As a result, seven new genera are described: Skippernaclia Wiorek gen. nov. (comprising S. lacrimata (Griveaud, 1964) comb. nov., S. ankaratra (Griveaud, 1964) comb. nov., S. vestigii (Griveaud, 1964) comb. nov., S. leesi Wiorek sp. nov.), Kowalskinaclia Wiorek gen. nov. (comprising K. vieui (Griveaud, 1964) comb. nov., K. dilata (Griveaud, 1964) comb. nov., K. cowani (Griveaud, 1964) comb. nov.), Privatenaclia Wiorek gen. nov. (comprising P. triangulifera (Griveaud, 1964) comb. nov., P. seguyi (Griveaud, 1964) comb. nov., P. ratovosoni (Griveaud, 1964) comb. nov.), Juliennaclia Wiorek gen. nov. (comprising J. pauliani (Griveaud, 1964) comb. nov., J. moerens (Oberthür, 1911) comb. nov.), Riconaclia Wiorek gen. nov. (monotypic, comprising R. bimacula (Griveaud, 1964) comb. nov.), Mauricenaclia Wiorek gen. nov. (comprising M. minuta (Boisduval, 1833) comb. nov., M. raharizonina (Griveaud, 1964) comb. nov., M. rothschildi (Griveaud, 1964) comb. nov., M. octopunctata (Griveaud, 1964) comb. nov., M. bruneata (Griveaud, 1969) comb. nov., M. peyrierasi (Griveaud, 1969) comb. nov., M. apatris Wiorek sp. nov.), and Mortinaclia Wiorek gen. nov. (monotypic, comprising M. perplexa (Griveaud, 1964) comb. nov.). In the reviewed shape, the genus Thyrosticta becomes monotypic with T. sylvicolens (Butler, 1878), and the genus Melanonaclia comprises: M. luctuosa (Oberthür, 1911), M. lugens (Oberthür, 1893), M. nigra Griveaud, 1964, M. toulgoeti Griveaud, 1964, M. trimacula (Mabille, 1879) comb. nov., M. dujardini (Griveaud, 1969) comb. nov., M. ranomafana Wiorek and Przybyłowicz sp. nov. Additionally, five new synonyms are established: Thyrosticta incerta Griveaud, 1964 syn. nov. of Kowalskinaclia cowani comb. nov., Thyrosticta melanisa Griveaud, 1969 syn. nov. of Juliennaclia moerens comb. nov., Thyrosticta angustipennis Le Cerf, 1921 syn. nov. and Dysauxes subfenestrata Aurivillius, 1900 syn. nov. of Mauricenaclia minuta comb. nov., and Tritonaclia inauramacula Griveaud, 1964 syn. nov. of Melanonaclia luctuosa. The females of Stictonaclia ankaratra comb. nov., Kowalskinaclia vieui comb. nov., Privatenaclia ratovosoni comb. nov., Privatenaclia seguyi comb. nov., Juliennaclia pauliani comb. nov., Riconaclia bimacula comb. nov., the male of Melanonaclia dujardini comb. nov., and the male and female genitalia of Pseudonaclia puella (Boisduval, 1847) are described for the first time. The lectotype of Dysauxes subfenestrata Aurivillius, 1900 is correctly designated with comments on Griveaud’s designation. Additionally, the first correct descriptions of the male genitalia of Thyrosticta sylvicolens and the female of Stictonaclia lacrimata are provided. The phylogenetic and zoogeographical relationships within the “Dysauxes clade”, comprising the genus Mauricenaclia gen. nov., the Palaearctic and Mauritian genus Dysauxes Hübner, 1819, and the African Pseudonaclia puella are further studied, in the context of the entire Madagascan lineage of Syntomini. In the monograph, 30 valid species are treated, of a known fauna of about 99 species. Several cases of potential cryptic species complexes are discussed based on the results of morphological, phylogenetic, and species delimitation analyses. Keys to each genus are provided, based on genital and other adult characters. The morphology of the reviewed taxa is redescribed and illustrated, providing new insights into the morphological characterisation of not only the Madagascan lineages but of the entire tribe Syntomini, in the context of its systematics and previously proposed apomorphies. The distribution, elevational ranges, and preferred vegetation types are presented for all examined species. We also gathered all available data on their biology and behaviour, including outlines of circadian activity and phenological patterns, light attraction, and the first observations of nectaring.</jats:p>