Dvidulopsis gen. nov., a rare Neotropical genus of pygmy moths (Nepticulidae) endemic to lowland humid forests, a biome of conservation priority.

Abstract

This publication describes Dvidulopsis Stonis & Diškus, gen. nov., and a new species, D. diviantis Stonis & Remeikis, sp. nov., along with new distribution data for D. latipennata (Puplesis & Robinson) from Honduras. The study identifies Dvidulopsis gen. nov. as a distinct taxon, characterized by notable characters of the male genitalia, including a typically divided uncus and gnathos, and three elongated apical carinae of the phallus. Molecular evidence from new mtDNA COI-5' sequences further supports the genus description. The new genus, comprising eight species, is endemic to lowland tropical humid forests, typically found at elevations of 10-400 m. Half of the known species inhabit equatorial regions, specifically the humid forests of the Amazon Basin, while the other half are found in the humid forests of Central America. The study also summarizes distribution data on Nepticulidae from the conservation-priority lowland tropical humid forests of the Neotropics, currently encompassing 57 species, representing approximately 30% of the described Nepticulidae fauna in the Neotropical region (sensu stricto). The article is illustrated with a chart depicting Nepticulidae occurrence in the lowland tropical humid forests of the Americas, a species distribution map, photographs of Dvidulopsis adults and male genitalia, and two molecular NJ trees distinguishing the new genus from similar taxa, such as Acalyptris Meyrick, 1921; Fomoria Beirne, 1945; and other Nepticulidae.