Lithostege amseli

Lithostege amseli View in CoL Wiltshire, 1967 bona sp.

Lithostege amseli View in CoL Wiltshire, 1967: 150, pl. 1, fig. 3. Holotype ( ♂) in coll. SMNK (examined here) ( Figs 1, 11, 20).

Type material. Holotype ♂, Afghanistan, Herat, 970 m, 15.4.1956, H. G. Amsel leg.; ex. coll. Prof. H. G. Amsel, SMNK; E. Lep. 17a; Lithostege amseli Wilts . Holotype; gen. prep. 2753/2023 H. Rajaei ( SMNK) .

Taxonomic note. Wiltshire (1967: 150) described this species based solely on external characteristics of the male holotype. He indicated that the specimen was deposited in ZM [ ZSM]; however, it could not be located in the ZSM or any other collection prior to this study (see: Rajaei et al., 2011). The absence of the holotype caused long-term misinterpretation of this taxon by Rajaei et al. (2011), who tentatively suggested it might be a junior synonym of L. amoenata . This misinterpretation was subsequently repeated by other authors (e.g. László, 2018). Recently the holotype of L. amseli was discovered among miscellaneous specimens in SMNK collection by the second author of this paper. Since this specimen was collected by H. G. Amsel, it is clear that Wiltshire (1967: 150) borrowed this specimen directly from Amsel but mistakenly cited ZSM as the depository. Wiltshire returned the holotype (along with many other loaned specimens) to SMNK after his study. Examination of the holotype’s genitalia clearly confirms that L. amseli is a distinct species, not to be confused with any other described Lithostege . Additionally, based on the wing pattern and genitalia structure, this species does not belong to the amoenata species-group (as wrongly suggested by Rajaei et al., 2011) but to the bosporaria species-group. It is closely related to L. wiltshirei László, 2018 ; L. samandooki Rajaei, 2011 and L. dissocyma Prout, 1938 (see below).

Diagnosis. Lithostege amseli belongs to the bosporaria species-group, characterized in the male genitalia by the plate-like sclerotized valvae, with a harpe situated centrally and extended into a smooth dorsal projection; a triangular saccus; and a short aedeagus with scobinate or shortly dentate vesica. Females in the bosporaria -group have a deeply incised ventral margin of the antrum. Externally, L. amseli resembles L. wiltshirei ( Figs 4 & 20; also see László, 2018: Pl. 46, figs 36–39 & gen. fig. 11), L. samandooki and L. dissocyma ( Figs 2–3). However, these four allopatric species can be distinguished by their geographic distribution pattern and genitalia characteristics. Lithostege amseli is known only from East Afghanistan ( Herat), L. wiltshirei from its type locality in Quetta ( Pakistan), L. samandooki from southern Iran and L. dissocyma is known from eastern Iraq to southern Iran. In terms of wingspan, L. amseli ( 23 mm) is very similar to L. wiltshirei ( 23–25 mm) ( Fig. 4) but differs from L. samandooki ( 25–26 mm) ( Fig. 2) and L. dissocyma ( 29–31 mm) ( Fig. 3). The antemedial lines of L. amseli feature two parallel white lines that are right-angled outwards (similarly in L. samandooki ), while in L. wiltshirei and L. dissocyma , these lines are acutely angled; see Figs 1–4). L. amseli ’s postmedial lines consist of two parallel white lines, separated by a brown line, forming two outward projections (three projections in L. samandooki , one in L. dissocyma and L. wiltshirei ).

Remarks. During this study, a female specimen of L. amseli could not be traced, nor was a male specimen of L. wiltshirei found, preventing direct comparison of their genitalia. However, the male genitalia of L. amseli are easily distinct from those of L. samandooki and L. dissocyma : in L. amseli ( Fig. 11), the uncus is finger-shaped, moderately long; the valva is broad and apically rounded; the basal part of the harpe is digitiform and not hooked, the dorsal arm of the harpe is thin, short and running parallel to the uncus; the sacculus part of valva is broadly thickened without any ornamentation; and the saccus is long, distally pointed (the uncus is much longer in L. samandooki and L. dissocyma , hook-shaped in L. samandooki ; the valva is elongated in L. samandooki , and broad in L. dissocyma ; the basal part of the harpe is hooked, the dorsal arm of the harpe is thin, long and running parallel to the valva in L. samandooki ; the harpe of L. dissocyma is more similar to that of L. amseli but the dorsal arm of the harpe is running parallel to the valva; the sacculus of L. samandooki is strongly sclerotized, broadly thickened basally, and narrower distally with a flat, elongated, triangular projection on the subapical part of the valva; the sacculus of L. dissocyma is more similar to that of L. amseli ; the saccus is long and distally rounded in both L. samandooki and L. dissocyma ; Figs 12–13).

Distribution. This species is known only from its type locality in Herat ( Afghanistan) ( Fig. 21).