The taxonomic status of Argynnis pallescens Butler, 1873 stat. rev. from Japan and the Kuril Islands (Russia) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae)

Abstract

Based on molecular and morphological data, the taxonomic status of Argynnis pallescens Butler, 1873 stat. rev. distributed in Japan and the Kuril Islands is determined. DNA sequence data indicate that this taxon represents highly divergent lineage. The uncorrected COI p-distances between A. pallescens stat. rev. and A. adippe are 2.0-2.58%, between A. pallescens stat. rev. and A. vorax it is 2.1%. Therefore, Argynnis pallescens Butler, 1873 stat. rev. should be treated as a separate species endemic to Japan and the Kuril Islands.