Hiperantha decorata ( Gory, 1841 )

Notes on the subspecies, and synonyms of Hiperantha decorata ( Gory, 1841) View in CoL

( Figs 23 – 32 View FIGURES 23–32 )

Hiperantha decorata is the most closely related species to H. pikachu sp. nov. H. decorata was originally described as Paecilonota decorata by Gory (1841) probably based on a single specimen (as only a single length is given) from Brazil. The original description is good and includes a clear illustration ( Fig. 23 View FIGURES 23–32 ) that allows us to recognize the described species. H. decorata is a very variable species as evidenced by the existence of two non-nominate subspecies and five previously synonymized varieties or aberrations ( Bellamy, 2008). In order to dismiss the possibility that H. pikachu sp. nov. corresponds to one of the previously described subspecies or varieties of H. decorata , we made a comparative analysis between the above-mentioned taxa (see Table 1 View TABLE 1 ). As a result, we conclude that the synonyms of H. decorata correspond to variations of the elytral pattern of the nominate form. Elytral patterns vary from immaculate ( var. insignata ), with only lateral spot ( var. univittata ), with lateral and preapical spot (nominate form), with spots fused, but not medially connected ( var. chabrillacei ), and spots fused to form a single U-shaped spot ( var. rambouseki and var. mrazi ). H. pikachu sp. nov. exhibits a totally different elytral pattern, which does not fit in any of the known varieties of H. decorata .

A specimen identified as Hiperantha decorata sanguinolenta Cobos, 1963 by A. Cobos 1970 (DZUP 465195) is conspecific with Hiperantha decorata ( Gory, 1841) (ab. insignata). Confirmation of this possible synonymy awaits examination of the holotype of H. decorata sanguinolenta . We did not find type or identified specimens of H. decorata maura Cobos, 1963 .

Other type material examined. H. decorata ab. insignata Hoscheck in Hoscheck & Théry, 1928. Holotype: “11054 // Type // Fry Rio Jan°. // H. decorata var. insignata Hosch Type. // NHMUK011520839 // Hiperantha decorata var. insignata Hoscheck in Hoscheck & Théry, 1928 HOLOTYPE det. Pineda & Matsumoto, 2020” (1 NHMUK). Paratype: “St. Catharina / E. A. Böttcher / Berlin” // “Typus” // “decora var. / insignata m. type / Det. Hoscheck. 192” (1 NHMB).

Distributional notes. Including H. pikachu sp. nov., the genus Hiperantha in Brazil currently includes 17 species and 4 subspecies (see Table 2 View TABLE 2 ). Besides the new taxon, only one species and two subspecies of Hiperantha have been so far recorded for the northeast region of Brazil ( Bahia state).