Cyphochilus septentrionalis Waterhouse, 1867

Cyphochilus septentrionalis Waterhouse, 1867 View in CoL

( Figs 22–26 View FIGURES 22–26 )

Cyphochilus candidus septentrionalis Waterhouse, 1867 View in CoL

Cyphochilus pygidialis Nonfried, 1893 View in CoL ; synonymised by Sabatinelli (2020a)

Cyphochilus pygidialis v. angeri Nonfried, 1893 View in CoL ; synonymised by Sabatinelli (2020a)

Type locality: The type locality of C. septentrionalis is broadly indicated as “ India ” most likely from the northeastern regions of India, during the period of British colonial rule .

Type material examined. Cyphochilus septentrionalis , lectotype ♂ BMNH designated by Sabatinelli (2020a) :

Cyphochilus septentrionale [sic] / Waterh. Type // Type (P round label red margin) // n. / Ind [North India] (H round label). Cyphochilus pygidialis , lectotype ♂ ZMHB, designated by Sabatinelli (2020a): Cyphochilus pygidialis / Type Nonfried (H) / Paralectotype // Coll Nonfried / Hymalaya (P). Cyphochilus pygidialis v. angeri , lectotype ♂ ZMHB, designated by Sabatinelli (2020a): Cyphoch pyg / Angeri Nfr (green label) // Coll Nonfried / Hymalaya (P).

Additional material examined: India ( Uttar Pradesh): 1 ♂ MTD, Saharanpur . India ( Assam): 1 ♂ ZMHB, Assam: sub Cyphochilus assamensis Brenske , Type [unpublished name]— 1 ♂ MNW, 3 ♂♂ MTD, same data as previous . India ( Meghalaya): 1 ♂ BMNH, 2 ♂♂ ISNB, 1 ♀ NMPC, Shillong — 1 ♂ ISNB, 1 ♀ MTD, Khasi Hills . India ( Nagaland): 1 ♂ 3 ♀♀ ISNB, 1 ♂ MTD, Naga Hills, Kohima, leg. V.M. Duchon, ex coll. P. de Moffarts. India ( Sikkim): 1 ♂ MTD, Sikkim . India ( West Bengal): 1 ♂♂ 1 ♀ MHNG, 1 ♂ ISNB, Kalimpong, Pedong — 11 ♂♂ 6 ♀♀ ISNB — 1 ♂ 5 ♀♀ NMPC — 1 ♀ ISNB, Darjeeling, coll. Nonfried. India (generically): 1 ♂ NHRS , India. Himalaya ( generically): 4 ♂♂ ISNB, 2 ♀♀ 4 ♂♂ ZMHB, 2 ♂♂ 1 ♀ MNW, 3 ♂♂ 4 ♀♀ NMPC, 1 ♂ MHNG; 3 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀ MTD (all specimens ex coll. Nonfried) .

Nepal ( generically): 3 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀ MTD . Bangladesh: 1 ♂ MHNG, Sylhet .

Diagnosis: Parameres slightly asymmetrical and both curved dorsally; the left paramere bears a ventral spur directed anteriorly, while the right paramere possesses a smaller ventral spur near its distal region and a pronounced apical concavity ( Fig. 22A–C View FIGURES 22–26 ).

Distribution: India: Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Sikkim, Uttar Pradesh, Manipur (Gosh et al. 2020); West Bengal and Nepal ( Sabatinelli 2020a).

Remarks: Cyphochilus septentrionalis was considered a smaller form and junior synonym of C. candidus ( Dalla Torre 1912; Bezděk 2016). However, examination of the type specimens by Sabatinelli (2020a) confirmed that C. septentrionalis is a distinct species, with C. pygidialis and C. pygidialis angeri recognized as its junior synonyms. The species is readily distinguished by the unique morphology of its parameres, which bear two ventral spikes—a reliable diagnostic character that separates it from the closely related C. candidus , C. gandhii , and C. tenzingyatsoi . In some older museum collections, specimens of C. septentrionalis were misidentified as C. assamensis Brenske ; however, this name has never been formally published and is therefore considered a nomen nudum.