Rhodostrophia nesam Brandt, 1938

Rajaei, Hossein, Hausmann, Axel & Trusch, Robert, 2022, Taxonomic review of the genus Rhodostrophia Hübner, 1823 (Geometridae: Sterrhinae) in Iran, Zootaxa 5118 (1), pp. 1-64 : 32-34

Rhodostrophia nesam Brandt, 1938

( Figs 38–43 , 72 , 89 , 100–101 , Map 10 )

Rhodostrophia nesam Brandt, 1938 : Entomologische Rundschau, 55 (49): 573, figs 244–248. ( Iran, Fars, Chiraz [ Shiraz ])). Lectotype ♂, (in the original description the holotype is not mentioned, but the type series is labeled as holotype and paratypes; hereby lectotype designated in order to stabilize nomenclature). Only genitalia slide examined, the specimen is missing: [ Iran, Fars, Strasse Kazeroun-Bouchir, Tchouroum, ca. 1000 m, 20.iii.–4.vi.1937, leg. F. Brandt], slide no. RMS 5765, G. Ebert praep.; in NHRS. Paralectotypes: (examined): 1 ♂, 1 ♀ same data as lectotype, NHRS-LEPI 000010261, g.p. (♂) 10945 H. Rajaei, ♀ labelled as ‘ Allotype Rhodostrophia nesam Brdt. , Brandt’; 1 ♀, ‘ Iran, Fars, Strasse Chiraz-Kazeroun, Fort Mian-Kotal , ca. 2000 m, 7.Mai.1937’, labelled as ‘ Paratype Rhodostrophia nesam Brdt. , Brandt‘; coll. Brandt, NHRS-LEPI 000010262, g.p. 10946 H. Rajaei; in NHRS. 1 ♂, 1 ♀, ‘ Iran, Fars, Fort Mian-Kotal , 2000 m, 07.05.1937, leg. F. Brandt‘; 1 ♀, ‘ Iran, Beloutschistan, Strasse Tchahbahar- Iranchar, 750m, leg. F. Brandt‘, ex coll. Cl. Hörhammer, in ZSM.

Rhodostrophia nesam fuscata Brandt, 1941 , syn. nov.: Mitteilungen der Münchner Entomologischen Gesellschaft, 31 (3): 866, pl. 28, fig. 3. ( Iran, [ Sistan-o Baluchistan ], Tahte [ Takhte ] Malek ; Sengan [ Sangan ]), Lectotype ♀ (examined. In the original description the holotype is not mentioned, but the type series is labeled as holotype and paratypes, hereby lectotype designated in order to stabilize nomenclature): ‘ Iran, Baloutchistan , Strasse Tchahbahar-Iranchar , Tahte [Takhte]- Malek, 750 m., Anfang April 1938, Coll. Brandt, Allotype Rh. nesam Brdt. ssp. fuscata Brdt. Brandt’; in NHRS.

Paralectotypes: 1 ♀ [with label: ‘ Paratype Rh. nesam Brdt. ssp. fuscata Brdt. Brandt’ (examined): ‘ Iran, Baloutchistan , Strasse Tchahbahar-Iranchar , Tahte-Malek, 750 m, Anfang April 1938, leg. F. Brandt’, NHRS-LEPI 000010263, g.p. 10947 H. Rajaei; 2 ♀, id. [both with det.-labels ‘ Rh. nesam fuscata Brdt. ’]; all in NHRS. 1 ♀ [with label: ‘ Paratype Rh. nesam Brdt. ssp. fuscata Brdt. Brandt’ (examined): Iran, Baloutchistan, Strasse Tchahbahar- Iranchar, Tahte[Takhte]-Malek, 750 m, Anfang April 1938, leg. F. Brandt, ex coll. Cl. Hörhammer; 1 ♀ Iran, Makran, südöstl. Nahu, 1300 m, 19. u. 26.iii.1954, leg. Richter & Schäuffele; in ZSM.

Remarks on the synonymy. The populations from Takhte-Malek (south-easternmost Iran) have been introduced as separate subspecies fuscata, because of their darker ground colour of wings. Exactly the same darker coloration occurs also in the populations of Kerman, Fars, Esfahan and other areas. Examination of many different populations analyzing external characters, male and female genitalia, as well as distributional data confirms the synonymy of subsp. fuscata with Rhodostrophia nesam .

Records in literature. Rhodostrophia nesam: Scoble (1999: 823) ; Scoble & Hausmann (2007).

Rhodostrophia nesam fuscata: Scoble (1999: 823) ; Scoble & Hausmann (2007).

Previous records from Iran. Iran, Fars, Shiraz ( Brandt 1938); Iran, Fars, Miyan-Kotal (between Shiraz and Kazeroun); Iran, Fars, Charoum [reported as Tchoureum], between Kazeroun and Bushehr (all by; Brandt 1939); Iran, Sistan-o-Baluchistan, Takht-e Malek [reported as Takte Malek], between Chahbahar and lranchar; Sangan [reported as Sengan], Iran, Sistan-o-Baluchistan, between Zahedan and Khash; Iran, Sistan-o-Baluchistan, Taftan Mt. [reported as nesam fuscata] (all by: Brandt 1941).

Additional material examined. 13 ♂, 14 ♀, S-Iran, Khusestan [today in prov. Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad], Yassudj, Sisakht , 2250 m, 13./ 14.vi.1972, leg. Ebert & Falkner , g.p. (♀) 675, (♂) 578, 676/2005 R. Trusch, (♀) 2365/2020 H. Rajaei, barcode: BC ZSM Lep 33911 ; 1 ♂, 1 ♀, [ Iran] Khusestan [today in prov. Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad], 15 km SE Yassudj, Sisakht , 2050m, 15.vi.1972, leg. Ebert & Pazuki ; 10 ♀, S-Iran, Khousestan [today in prov. Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad], Yasudj, Sisakht , 50 km NW, 15.–18.vi.1975, leg. Ebert & Falkner , g.p. (♀) 673, 687/2005 R. Trusch; 2 ♂, 1 ♀, S-Iran, Fars, Kaserun, Mian-Kotal , 1900 m, 11.vi.1972, leg. Ebert & Falkner , g.p. (♂) 613/2005 R. Trusch; 1 ♂, 4 ♀, i.d., leg. Ebert & Pazouki; 3 ♀, S-Iran, Fars, Miyan-Kotal, östl. Kaserun 1900 m, 51°40’ ö.L./29°30’ n. Br. 4.–7.vi.1969, leg. G. Ebert ; 2 ♂, 7 ♀, Iran, prov. Fars, Shiraz-Kazerun road, 5 km before Dasht Arjan , N 29°40'34"; E 52°02'18", 2158 mNN, 23.v.2009, leg. Hossein Rajaei , SMNK E-Lep. 259; 2 ♂, 1 ♀; Iran, prov. Fars, Sarwestan road, 22 km before Sarwestan, after Ab-Asemani village , N 29°05’51’’; E 53°26’12’’, 1890 mNN, 22.v.2009, leg. Hossein Rajaei , SMNK E-Lep. 259; 2 ♀, Iran, Chaharmahalva- Bakhtiyari, Borujen S, Dorahun 6 km S, 1850–2100 m, 1.vi.2005, [26/05], leg. A. Hofmann & J.-U. Meineke ; 3 ♀, Iran, [prov.] Kerman, Rayen SW, Kuh-e Hesar, Abshar , 2700– 333 m, 24.– 2.5.2004, leg. A. Hofmann, J.-U. Meineke, G. Tremewan ; 5 ♀, Iran, Kerman, Ostor E, Hushin vic., 2250 m, 12.v.2005, LF., [3/05], leg. A. Hofmann, barcode: BC ZSM Lep 33916, 33917 ; 45 ♂, 36 ♀, Iran, prov. Kerman, Baft-Sirjan, road 2 km after Baft, sandy road, 3 km to North , Ras Kuh village , N 29°17'27"; E 56°35'37", 2543 mNN, 20.–21.v.2009, leg. Hossein Rajaei , g.p. 2379/2020, (♂) 2380 H. Rajaei; 2 ♀, Iran, prov. Kerman, 5 km to Dehbakri from Bamm, near Kuh-e Shir , N29°4'1"; E57°28'03", 2158 mNN, 18.–19.v.2009, leg. Hossein Rajaei , g.p. (♀) 2383/2020, (♂) 2380 H. Rajaei; 1 ♀, Iran, prov. Lorestan, Noorabad-Nahawand road, 25 km to Nahawand, Gardane-Garrin , 2135 mNN, N 34°02'48"; E 48°20'31", leg. H. Rajaei, J.-U. Meineke & A. Hofmann ; 1 ♂, Iran, prov. Kohkiluyeh-va-Boyerahmad, 30 km S Yassuj, road Abshare-Tange-Tamoradj, 8 km before Abshar , N 30°31'53"; E 51°25'11", 2254 mNN, 24.v.2009, leg. Hossein Rajaei ; 1 ♀, Iran, prov. Boyerahmad-va-Kohgiluyeh , SE Zagros, Kuh-e-Dena, 2450 m, 5 km SW of Sisakht, 04.–05.vi.2005, leg. P. Gyulai & A. Garai ; 1 ♂, 11 ♀, Iran, Yazd, Shir Kuh, Taft, SW Damak, Aliabad vic., 2550–2650 m, 4.–6.vi.2005, [29/05], leg. A. Hofmann, J.-U. Meineke , g.p. 684/2005 R. Trusch; 1 ♀ [ Iran, Kerman] Esfandagheh-Jiroft , 20.iv.1971, [leg.] Saf. [avi] & Zair ; 1 ♂, [ Iran, Kerman] Djebal-Barez , 19.iv.1971, [leg.] Saf. [avi] & Zair, g.p. 577/2005 R. Trusch, barcode: BC ZSM Lep 33915 ; 2 ♀, Iran, prov. Esfahan, Natanz- Kashan road, Abiyaneh village , 2300 mNN, N 33°35'55"; E 051°35'51", 26.v.2009, leg. Hossein Rajaei , SMNK E-Lep. 259; 1 ♀, Iran, Balutschestan, Khasch, Guscheh , Kuh-e Taftan , W-exp., 2000 m, 21.v.1972; leg. Ebert & Falkner ; in SMNK. 2 ♂, 8 ♀, Iran, Makran [now: Sistan-o-Baluchistan] südöstl. Nahu , 1300 m, 19. & 26.iii.1954, [leg.] Richter & Schäuffele ; 1 ♂, 2 ♀, Iran, Hormozgan, Bandar Abbas, Genu , 2128 m, 27°25'02"N, 56°10'160", 30.iv.2016, leg. Sh. Feizpour ; in SMNS. 2 ♂, 3 ♀, Iran, Esfahan, Yasuj E, Kuh e Dena, Nurabad N, 2450 m, 8.vi.2005, leg. A. Hofmann, J.-U. Meineke ; 1 ♀, Iran, Boyer Ahmad-va-Kohgiluyeh, Yasuj NW, Sisakht , 7 km NNE, 2650–2700 m, 14.vi.2001, A. Hofmann, J.-U. Meineke & W. G. Tremewan ; 1 ♀, Iran, Kerman, 55 km N Kerman, Gardaneh-ye Khorasani , 2450–2600 m, 30./ 31.v.2002, leg. J.-U. Meineke, A. Hofmann & A. Kallies et al.; 1 ♂, Kerman, Jiroft NW, Gardaneh Sarbishan, Shingara vic., 2700–2900 m, 3./ 4.vi.2002, leg. J.-U. Meineke, A. Hofmann & A. Kallies et al.; 1 ♂, 5 ♀, Fars, Quadarabad NO, 2200 m, 29.–30.v.2004, leg. Meineke et al.; in PCJM. 2 ♂, [ Iran] Fars, Kazeroun, Faraschband, Tchah-torkaman , 10.iv.1975, 1200 m, [leg.] Broumand ; 1 ♂, Kerman, Bam, Dehbakri , 2200 m, 1.–2.v.1973; all leg. Broumand ; 1 ♂, 1 ♀ Kerman, Baft, Ghanat-Marvan , 2800 m, 23.v.1977, Safavi, Pazuki & Abai ; 1 ♀, Fars, Schiraz, Sivand , 1700 m, 10 km N Sivand, 15.v.1974, leg. Abai & Pazuki ; 1 ♀, Hormozgan, Geno Mt. , 1550 m, 18.iv.1994, leg. Parch. & Ebra [himi]; 1 ♀, Hormozgan, Issin , 150 m, 26.iv.1986, leg. Mirza [yans]./ Borum [and]; in HMIM . 2♂, 3♀, Iran, Kerman, Sar Chesmeh , 2225 m, 19.v.1996, leg. A. Linnavouri , g.p. (♂) 925 Sihvonen , (♀) 926, 930 Sihvonen; in ZMUH . 2 ♂, Iran, Fars, Dasht-e Arzan , 29°35' N, 51°56' E, 1950 m, 27./ 28.v.1997, leg. Hofmann & Kautt ; 2 ♂, 1 ♀, id., 5.–6.vi.1997, leg. Hofmann & Kautt; 1 ♂, Iran, Strasse Kashan-Meimeh , 1 km W Ghorud, 2450 m, 33°38' N, 51°24' E, 24.v.1997, leg. Hofmann & Kautt ; 3 ♂, 1 ♀, Iran, Boyerahmad, Yassudj , 2 km E Sisakht, 30°52' N, 51°30' E, 7.vi.1997, leg. Hofmann & Kautt ; 1 ♂, Iran, Lorestan, 22 km E Dorud, vic. Saravand , 2300–2500 m, 33°23' N, 49°11' E, 9.–10.vi.1997, leg. Hofmann & Kautt ; 7 ♂, 1 ♀, Iran, Fars, vic. Eqlid , 2300 m, 30°54' N, 52°44' E, 25.v.1997, leg. Hofmann & Kautt ; 1 ♀, Iran, Fars, Pass 11 km E Neiriz, 2200 m, 29°13' N, 54°27' E, 28.v.1997, leg. Hofmann & Kautt ; in PCNP.

Specimens studied total: 100 ♂, 146 ♀.

Differential diagnosis ( Figs 38–43 ). Wingspan 29–34 mm. Forewing with slightly rounded termen. Wings highly variable in colour combination from light bone-colour to grey-brown. Forewing with antemedial, postmedial and subterminal lines darker than ground colour; hindwing with postmedial and subterminal lines similarly darker than background; all lines thin and strongly serrated. Discal spot developed as a small dot, always visible on all wings. Underside of wings slightly darker than upperside; subterminal area and subterminal line much darker than background. Male antennal flagellum ventrally dentated. Male hindtibia with three spurs. Based on wing pattern, this species may be confused only with R. peripheres . The latter species is clearly smaller in size and shows clearly different male and female genitalia (see below).

Male genitalia ( Fig. 72 ) with long uncus, approximately digitiform ( Fig. 3 ); valva characteristically spinulose at costa and apex (most important diagnostic character for R. nesam , not present in any other western Palearctic Rhodostrophia species); sacculus tongue-shaped, curved interiorly. Juxta wide, elongated dorso-ventrally. Aedeagus medially angled to nearly 90°; vesica membranous, without cornuti. Male sternite A8 bilobed ( Fig. 72c ), with small octavals.

Female genitalia ( Fig. 89 ) with a membranous, spherical corpus bursae, without signum; ductus bursae longer than corpus bursae, funnel-shaped both anteriorly and posteriorly, submedially contracted, strongly sclerotized. Lamella antevaginalis developed as a heart-shaped plate ( Fig. 89–3 ; during genitalia preparation one should be careful not to remove this structure). Posterior apophyses five times length of the short anterior apophyses.

Genetic data. BIN: BOLD:AAB9849. Genetically heterogeneous, intraspecific maximum pairwise distance 1.6%. Nearest species in Iran: R. vahabzadehi sp. nov. (6.6%) and R. peripheres (7.4%) ( Fig. 119 , Table 1). Nearest species outside Iran R. tabidaria (Zeller, 1847) (6.7%).

Distribution ( Map 10 ). Widely distributed in the Zagros mountains (prov. Lorestan, Esfahan, Kohgiluyeh-va Boyerahmad, Chaharmahal-o-Bakhtiyari, Yazd, Fars, Kerman), into Geno Mt. in Hormozgan and Taftan Mt. in Sistan-o-Baluchistan. Most possibly it is distributed also in eastern Pakistan, but not yet recorded there.

Life history and habitat. Biology and larval stages are unknown. The species seems to be univoltine, recorded from mid-March to mid-June. According to the examined material here, it usually flies at altitudes from 1700 m up to 3000 m. Only one population in Hormozgan (Issin) was collected in the lowlands at 150 m.

Figures

FIGURE 3. Schematic comparison of the uncus of Iranian Rhodostrophia species.

MAP 10. Distribution of Rhodostrophia nesam BRANDT, 1938 in Iran.

FIGURE 119. Neighbour joining tree (COI, 5’; Kimura 2) showing the relationships between different species and subspecies of Iranian Rhodostrophia, including non-Iranian nearest neighboring species R. calabra, R. cinerascens, R. jacularia, R. praecisaria, R. staudingeri and R. skulei added for comparison. Width of triangles refer to sample size, depth of triangles to genetic variation, distance from common nodes to the genetic distance to a hypothetical common ancestor (as inferred by the algorithm); scale bar = 1%.

FIGURES 23-43. Wing coloration and pattern of Rhodostrophia species. Figs 23-24: R. bahara (both from Iran, prov. Fars, 23. Shiraz, Lectotype; 24. Sine-Sefid, Paralectotype); Figs 25-28: R. iranica (all from Iran, 25-26. prov. Tehran, Shemshak; 27. prov. Qazvin, Gardaneh Alamut; 28. prov. Alborz, Gatchsar); Figs 29-30: R. tumulosa (both from Iran, prov. Kohgiluyeva Boyerahmad, Yasuj, Sisakht); Figs 31-34: R. tabestana (all from Iran, 31-32. prov. Fars, Mian Kotal, (31) Holotype; 32 (Paratype); 33-34. prov. Fars, Tange Surkh (both paratype)); Figs 35-37: R. lenis (35.-36. From Afghanistan, Khurd-Kabul, SE Kabul; 37. Iran, prov. Khorasan-e Razavi, Kuhe Surkh); Figs 38-40: R. nesam (38-39. prov. Fars, Tale-Khosrow, both paratypes; 40. prov. Kohgiluye-va Boyerahmad, Sisakht); Figs 41-43: R. nesam syn. fusca (41-42. prov. Sistan-o-Baluchistan, Takhte Malek, both Paratypes; prov. Kerman, Baft).

FIGURES 70-74. Male genitalia of Rhodostrophia species. Fig. 70. R. tabestana (Iran, prov. Esfahan, Feridun-Shahr, g.p. 583 R. Trusch); Fig. 71. R. lenis (Afghanistan, prov. Kabul, Khurd-Kabul, g.p. WW195 E.P. Wiltshire, Holotype); Fig. 72. R. nesam (Iran, prov. Fars, Kazeroun-Bouchir, Tchouroum, g.p. RMS 5765, G. Ebert, Lectotype); Fig. 73. R. abscisaria (Iran, prov. Khorassan-e Razavi, Binaloud Mt., g.p. 10941 H. Rajaei); Fig. 74. R. phaenicearia (Iran, prov. Semnan, Cheschme Ali, g.p. 601 R. Trusch). Abbreviations: a. genitalia capsule; b. aedeagus; c. sternite-8; d. cornti on vesical; e. details of the valva.

FIGURES 86-90. Female genitalia of Rhodostrophia species. Fig. 86. R. tumulosa (Iran, prov. Esfahan, Semirom vic., Pashme Kuh, 632 R. Trusch; 86b. digital drawing of corpus bursae for visualization of the signa); Fig. 87. R. tabestana (Iran, prov. Chaharmahal-o Bakhtiari, Zard Kuh, 622 R. Trusch; 87b. digital drawing of corpus bursae for visualization of the signa); Fig. 88. R. lenis (Iran, prov. Khorasan-e Razavi, Binaloud Mt., g.p. 2364 H. Rajaei); Fig. 89. R. nesam (89.1. Iran, prov. Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad, Yasudj, Sisakht, g.p. 687 R. Trusch; 89.2. & 89.3. same locality as latter, g.p. 2365 H. Rajaei); Fig. 90. R. abscisaria (90a. Iran, prov. Khorassan-e Razavi, Binaloud Mt., g.p. 10942 H. Rajaei, Paralectotype, 90b. digital drawing of corpus bursae for visualization of the signa; 90c. corpus bursae, from: Iran, prov. Esfahan, Kashan-Meymeh, Qorud g.p. 2375 H. Rajaei).

FIGURES 95-106. Live Rhodostrophia-imagines in nature at light trapping in Iran. Fig. 95 R. auctata, prov. Lorestan, Noorabad-Nahawand road, 25 km to Nahawand, Gardane-Garrin, 2135 mNN, N 34°02'48", E 48°20'31". Fig. 96. R. terrestraria terrestraria, Elburz mts., S Shah Kuh-e Pain, 2750 m, N 36°33'; E 054°26', 17.vii.2003. Fig. 97. R. terrestraria farsi ssp. nov., prov.Khorasan,Kuh-e Sorkh,N Rivas vic.Akbarabad,2000–2100m, 12.vi.2000.Fig.98. R.tumulosa, prov.Fars,Shiraz-Kazerun road, 5 km before Dasht-e Arjan, N 29°40'34"; E 52°02'18", 2158 m, 23.v.2009. Fig. 99. R. tabestana, prov. Isfahan, rocky steppe near Kelichad, N32.352459°, E51.043501°, 2.135-2.235 m, 29.iv.2018. Fig. 100-101. R. nesam, prov. Esfahan, Natanz- Kashan road, Abiyaneh village, 2300 mNN, N 33°35'55", E 051°35'51", 26.v.2009. Fig. 102. R. abscisaria, prov. Khorasan-e Shomali, N Qochan, Emam Gholi to Kabkan road, After Agh-Mazar, Allah-o Akbar Mt., 1763 m, N37°19'27.2'', E058°43'26.1'', 18.vi.2013. Fig. 103. R. phaenicearia, prov. Kerman, 5 km to Dehbakri from Bamm, near Kuh-e Shir, N29°4'1", E57°28'03", 2158 m, 18.–19.v.2009. Fig. 104. R. cuprinaria, prov. Khorasan-e Shomali, N Qochan, Emam Gholi to Kabkan road, After Agh-Mazar, Allah-o Akbar Mt., 1763 m, N37°19'27.2'', E058°43'26.1'', 18.vi.2013. Fig. 105. R. cuprinaria, prov. Khorasan-e Shomali, 50 km north of Bojnurd, Izmansufla, N 37°44'20'', E 057°25'53'', 1240 m, 17.v.2005. Fig. 106. R. peripheres, prov. Chahar Mahal, Zagros mts., Samsami, 2800 m, N 32°09', E 050°11', 13.vii.2003. (Photos 95, 97-98, 100-104 H. Rajaei, 96 G. Ebert, 99 E. Weigand, 105-106 R. Trusch).