Descriptions of three new species of Lycaenidae (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea) from Parc National de Nouabalé-Ndoki, Republic of Congo with additional notes on little-known species

Zootaxa. 2024 Aug 19;5496(2):214-230. doi: 10.11646/zootaxa.5496.2.4.

Abstract

Three new species of Lycaenidae, Falcuna nouabaleensis sp. nov., Anthene sangha sp. nov. and Neurellipes smithi sp. nov. are described from material collected during recent African Natural History Research Trust expeditions to Parc National de Nouabalé-Ndoki in northern Republic of Congo. Several other interesting taxa were also sampled including the unknown male of Ornipholidotos ghesquierei Libert, 2005 and a short series of unidentified female Pilodeudorix Druce, 1891 specimens near P. catori (Bethune-Baker, 1903) which are all illustrated. The distribution of species in this area of Central Africa is discussed in relation to the biogeography of the interfluvial region between the Sangha and Congo Rivers.

MeSH terms

  • Animal Distribution*
  • Animal Structures / anatomy & histology
  • Animal Structures / growth & development
  • Animals
  • Body Size
  • Butterflies / anatomy & histology
  • Butterflies / classification
  • Congo
  • Ecosystem
  • Female
  • Male
  • Organ Size