Racotis angulosa Herbulot, 1973 Integrative taxonomic revision of the African taxa of the Racotis Moore, 1887 generic complex (Lepidoptera, Geometridae, Ennominae, Boarmiini) László, Gyula M. Hausmann, Axel Karisch, Timm Zootaxa 2023 2023-06-26 5308 1 1 109 (Herbulot, 1973) László & Hausmann & Karisch 2023 Herbulot 1973 [151,784,1689,1716] Insecta Geometridae Afroracotis Animalia Lepidoptera 21 22 Arthropoda species angulosa comb. nov. Afroracotis  ( Figs 22–26, 140–141, 218–222, 298–299)    Racotis angulosa  Herbulot, 1973,  Annales de la Faculté des Sciences Universitéfédérale du Cameroun 14: 142, figs 2,9. Holotypemale (ZSM). Type locality: Cameroon: Bafut, Nguemba Forest,  9 kmSE of Bamenda,  2080 m.   Taxonomic note.The species was treated as ‘ Antiracotis’in Scoble (1999).  Antiracotisis a manuscript name proposed by Prout, thus unavailable.   Type material examined    Holotype, male, “ CAMEROUN Forêt de Bafut Nguemba 9 km S. E. de Bamenda  2080 m—3 au  5.IV.1972 C. Herbulot” / [red label with handwritten] “ Racotis angulosa HrbltHOLOTYPE” / “Photographed for the project “ Geometridae mundi”, DNA barcode id.: BC ZSMLep 81691, gen. slide No.: LG 4612 ( ZSM).   Paratype, male, with the same data as in the holotype, gen. slide No.: LG 5072 ( ZSM).  Additional material examined    Cameroon. 1 male, Mt. Cameroon, Onyanga,  5,400 ft,  28.i.1932, M. Steele, gen. slide No.: NHMUK010314257(prepared by László) ( NHMUK);  3 males, 1 female, Mt. Cameroon( SWslope), Bamboocamp, 4.0879152°N, 9.0505144°E,  350masl,  17–22.iv.2015, leg. V. Maicher, Sz. Sáfián, S. Janecek, R. Tropek, gen. slide Nos.: LG 4416, LG 4417, LG 5068 (males), LG 5069 (female);  2 males, same site and collectors, but  13.xii.2014, gen. slide No.: LG 4704, DNA barcode/BOLD process id.: BC ZSMLep 96648/GWOTT597-17, gen. slide No.: LG 4710, DNA barcode/BOLD process id.: BC ZSMLep 96650/GWOTT599-17;  1 male, 1 female, same site and collectors, but  19.xii.2014, gen. slide Nos.: LG 4733 (male), LG 5049 ( ZSM G 20999);  1 male, Mt. Cameroon( SWslope), Elephantcamp, 4.145333°N, 9.087000°E,  1850masl,  18.xi.2014, leg. V. Maicher, Sz. Sáfián, S. Janecek, R. Tropek, gen. slide No.: LG 4712;  1 male, Bimbia-Bonadikombo Forest, Mexicocamp, 3.98183°N, 9.2625°E, 0m asl,  27.xii.2014, leg. V. Maicher, Sz. Sáfián, S. Janecek, R. Tropek, gen. slide No.: LG 4705;  1 male,  1800m, Mt Cameroun, Musake,  19.i.–3.ii.1997, E. Vingerhoedtleg., gen. slide No.: LG 5033 ( ZSM G 20983), DNA barcode/ BOLD process id.: BC ZSMLep add 57920/GWOTE584-12;  1 female, Mt. Cameroon( SWslope) Mann’sspring,  2200 masl, 4.1428338°N, 9.1225914°E,  20.iv.2017, leg. V. Maicher, P. Potocky, S. Delabye, gen. slide No.: ZSM G 20982(prepared by László);  1 female, Massif du Manengouba, VersantN.E.,  2120m, 5°02’N, 9°51’E,  17–18.iv.1976, C. Herbulotleg., gen. slide No.: LG 5035 ( ZSM G 20985);  1 female, Mt. Cameroun, Musake Hut(= Hutte1),  1830m,  23–30.x.1972, Ph. Darge& A. Evoe, gen. slide No.: LG 5036 ( ZSM G 20986);  1 female, Foret de Bafout-Nguemba, 9 km S.E. de Bamenda,  2000m,  3–5.iv.1972, C. Herbulotleg., gen. slide No.: LG 5072; additional long series of undissected specimens from Mt. Cameroon( ZSM);  1 male, Southwestern Province, Mt. Cameroon, SEside,  9 kmNW Limbe,  776m, 4°4’47.5”N, 9°10’16.5”E,  13.v.2009, light trap, leg. M. Ochse, gen. slide No.: LG 5082, DNA barcode/BOLD process id.: BC ZSMLep 38705/GWOSH369-10;  1 male, Southwestern Province, Mount Kupe,  3 kmW of Nyasoso,  1575m, 4°49’9.3”N, 9°42’27.3”E,  18.v.2009, leg. M. Ochse, gen. slide No.: LG 5095, DNA barcode/BOLD process id.: BC ZSMLep 38696/GWOSH360-10 ( RCMO);  1 male, Mount Cameroon, Bonenza, 9°5.3’E, 4°3.6’N 14.i.  1989, 180m, Primary lowland rain forest, gen. slide No.: LG 5868 ( RMCA).   Central African Republic. 1 male, Mbeko,  10.vi.1995, ex S.C. Collins, gen. slide No.: LG 5538 ( RCHS).   DRC. 1 male, Sankuru, Lusambo,  16.vii.1950, Dr Fontaine, Coll. Mus. Congo, gen. slide No.: LG 4091 ( NHMUK);  1 male, Sankuru, Lusambo  21.viii.1949, leg. Dr. M. Fontaine; 1 male, same site and collector, 12.viii.1950; 1 male, same site and collector, 17.vi.1949, gen. slide No.: LG 5852; 1 female, same site and collector, 10.ix.1949;  1 male, Léopoldville[Kinshasa],  13.ii.1956, leg. P. Jobels;  1 male, Kibali-Ituri: Nioka,  26.ix.1954, leg. J. Hecq;  1 male, Uele-Itimbiri: La Kulu  5.IV.1930 J. Van den Branden, gen. slide No.: LG 5851;  1 male, Uele: Paulis[Isiro],  21.x.1955, leg. Dr M. Fontaine, gen. slide No.: LG 5853;  1 male, Stanà Coq.,  xi.1921, leg. L. Verlaine, gen. slide No.: LG 5864 ( RMCA);  Kivu, Umgebung[near] Goma, station Rumangabo 15 kmN town, about  2000m, 1°34’S, 29°16’E,  26.viii.1991, leg. T. Karisch( SDEI).   Equatorial Guinea, Bioko.  1 male, ( Fernando Poo), Gran Caldera Volcanica de Lubau Ose, NNE-slope ca  4 kmSSW Ruiche,  5 kmS Luba, Mountain Cloud Forest, ca.  1700m, NN, 3°22’30”N, 8°32’30”E,  15.viii.1994, LT (125 W HQL),  T. Karischleg., gen. slide No.: LG 5034 ( ZSM G 20984), DNA barcode/BOLD process id.: BC ZSMLep 74423/GWORK1351-15 ( SDEI).   Ethiopia. 1 male, Regionof Southern Nations, road Shishinda-Bonga,  6 kmWest of Wushwush, 7°18’32.12”N, 36°5’13.60”E,  12.v.2016,  1990m, LT, leg. D. Stadie& R. Fiebig, gen. slide No.: DS 222/2019 (prepared by László), DNA barcode/BOLD process id.: BC ZSMLep 113002/GWOUH086-21;  1 male, Regionof Southern Nations, Bongavic., Mankira Forest, near Andracha village, 07°11.138’N, 36°16.976’E,  14.v.2016,  1550m, LT, leg. Fiebig& Stadie, gen. slide No.: DS 223/2019 (prepared by László), DNA barcode/BOLD process id.: BC ZSMLep 113003/GWOUH087-21 ( RCDS);  1 male,  25 kmSW of Bonga, 7.294°N, 36.376°E,  1860m, leg. Beck, R.& Riedel, G., DNA barcode/BOLD process id.: BC ZSMLep 109457/GWOUD721-20 ( ZSM).   Kenya. 1 male, Central Aberdare Range, Kieni, 0.88666N, 36.75783E,  23.iv.2012, leg. M. Eisenring, gen. slide No.: LG 4428, DNA barcode/BOLD process id.: BC ZSMLep 71746/GWOTA680-13 ( ZSM);  1 male, KakamegaForest N.R., Buyangu Hill,  17.x.2001( Light trap), leg. L. Kühne, gen. slide No.: TK 3629 ( RCLK);  1 male, Kakamega Forest Reserve, Yala river section, Afromontane forest, 00°12’20.9”N, 34°52’52.3”E,  1530m,  18.vi.2004, leg. H.S. Staude, gen. slide No.: LG 5545;  1 male, 1 female, Aberdare mountains, Gatamayu forest, 00°58’10.3”S, 36°41’40.9”E,  2276m,  09.xi.2007, Afromontane forest, leg. H.S. Staude, gen. slide No.: LG 5546 (male), LG 5547 (female);  2 males, 6 females, Chyulu Hills, Afromontane forest on top,  1941m, 02°39’22.2”S, 37°52’15.2”E,  20.ii.2015, leg. H.S. Staude, gen. slide Nos.: LG 5552 (male), LG 5542, LG 5555, LG 5556, LG 5558 (females);  1 male, 14 HSS 73 pup 28/02/15 em 12/03/15, gen. slide No.: LG 5553, DNA barcode/BOLD process id.: HS6452/ANLMN5065-21 ( RCHS).   Republic of the Congo. 1 male, Sangha Prov., Noubale-Ndoki N.P., Ndokiformation camp ( Secondary forest),  356m, 02°12’51.5”N, 16°23’40.1”E,  23.vi.2022, Actinic Light Trap, Dérozier, V. Leg. ANHRT:2022.9, gen. slide No.: LG 5914 ( ANHRT).   Uganda. 1 male, SemlikiNP, Semliki Camp Side, 00°49.236’N, 30°09.359’E,  22–23.iii.2013, LT,  697m, leg. R. Fiebig& D. Stadie, gen. slide No.: DS 227/2019 (prepared by László) ( RCDS);  2 males, Masindi district, Butiaba, Budongo Forest, 01°42’56.7”N, 31°28’12.8”E,  1094m, Lake Victoria Moist Forest,  24.xi.2006, leg. H.S. Staude, gen. slide No.: LG 5543 ( RCHS);  1 male, Mpanga Forest, Campsite by ecotourism centre, gest̂rter Primärregenwald[disturbed primary rain forest], 0°12.4’N, 31°18.1’E,  1200m,  26.x.2014, leg. T. Karisch( SDEI);  1 male, Kibale Forest,  0.2 kmN of Biological Field Station, gest̂rter Regenwald[disturbed rain forest],  1500m, 0°33’50.3”N, 30°21’23.6”E,  20.x.2014, leg. T. Karisch( MNVD);  1 male, same locality,  23.x.2014, leg. T. Karisch( SDEI).   Diagnosis. Forewing length 21–26 mm. Although  A. angulosahas a somewhat more pointed forewing apex than the other taxa in the species-group, this feature is often difficult to recognise, especially in worn specimens. Therefore, reliable identification requires the examination of the genitalia as  A. angulosaoccurs sympatrically with  A. fiebigi  sp. n.In the male genitalia, the distinctive features are clearly expressed in the configuration of the cornuti:  A. angulosahas an elongate, medial cornuti field consisting of very dense, short cornuti and a stout, evenly curved, claw-shaped cornutus erected distally near the base of the vesica ejaculatorius. In comparison to  A. angulosa, in  A. fiebigi, the medial cornuti field of the vesica is markedly more extensive and the distal cornutus is substantially longer, more robust and straight along its entire length. In the female genitalia, the configuration of the cervix bursae is markedly different in the two species: it is clearly separated from the corpus bursae in  A. angulosa, forming an elongate, heavily sclerotised and wrinkled swollen bulge, whereas it is fully integrated into the corpus bursae, covering two-thirds of the bursa copulatrix in  A. fiebigi. Based on the genital morphology, the closest relative of  A. angulosais its East African allopatric sister species  A. stadiei  sp. n.from which it is distinguished by the shape of the distal cornutus: it is relatively thin and evenly curved along its entire length in  A. angulosa, while it is gently curved only subbasally and straight in its distal two-thirds in  A. stadiei. A further difference between  A. angulosaand  A. stadieiis observed in the configuration of the cornuti field of the vesica which is larger, consisting of somewhat longer spinules in  A. angulosathan in its allied species. In the clasping apparatus,  A. angulosahas an uncus distally produced into a Y-shaped apical projection, while the uncus of  A. stadieihas a short and narrow, bifid tip. The ground plan of the female genitalia is basically identical in both species, the only difference being found in the shape of the cervix bursae which is larger, more elongate with an evenly arched right margin in  A. angulosa, while it is markedly shorter with only a slightly arcuate right margin in  A. stadiei.   Genetic information.  Afroracotis angulosahas been assigned the BIN URI: BOLD:ADR6500.The intraspecific divergence ranges between 0.00–0.66%. The species is BIN-sharing with  A. violetteae  sp. n.at a pairwise distance of 0.00–0.77%; the nearest neighbours of  A. angulosaare  A. fiebigi  sp. n.and  A. stadiei  sp. n.diverging at pairwise distances of 1.32–1.99% and 1.11–1.65%, respectively.   Distribution( Map 2).  Afroracotis angulosais widely distributed in central Africa with records from Bioko Island, Cameroon, Central African Republic, DRC, Ethiopia, Kenya, Republic of the Congoand Uganda. The species has not been recorded west of the CameroonLine. In the Upper GuineaForest region, the species is substituted by its West African allopatric sibling  A. violetteae  sp. n. 6176530913 [340,499,1794,1818] ZSM Cameroon Nguemba Forest 2080 Annales de la Faculte des Sciences Universite Bafut 21 22 1 holotype 6176530738 1972-04-05 ZSM S. E. de Bamenda & C. Herbulot Cameroon 2080 Foret de Bafut Nguemba Bamenda 23 24 2 holotype 6176530926 1932-01-28 NHMUK Cameroon 1646 Onyanga Mt. Cameroon 23 24 NHMUK010314257 1 1 6176530946 2015-04-17 2015-04-22 2015-04-17 SW V. Maicher & Sz. Safian, S. & Janecek, R. & Tropek & Nos. Cameroon 350 4.0879154 Bamboo 1 9.050514 Mt. Cameroon 23 24 4 1 3 6176530609 2014-12-13 ZSM No. & Lep Cameroon 23 24 2 2 6176530631 2014-12-19 ZSM Nos. Cameroon 23 24 G 20999 2 1 1 6176530832 2014-11-18 SW V. Maicher & Sz. Safian, S. & Janecek, R. & Tropek & No. Cameroon 1850 4.145333 Elephant 1 9.087 Mt. Cameroon 23 24 1 1 6176530311 2014-12-27 V. Maicher & Sz. Safian, S. & Janecek, R. & Tropek & No. Cameroon 3.98183 Mexico 5 9.2625 Bimbia-Bonadikombo Forest 23 24 1 1 6176530318 1997-01-19 1997-02-03 1997-01-19 ZSM E. Vingerhoedt & No. Cameroon 1800 Musake Mt Cameroun 23 24 G 20983 1 1 6176530657 ZSM Lep Cameroon 23 24 1 6176530372 2017-04-20 SW, ZSM V. Maicher & P. Potocky & S. Delabye & No. & Laszlo Cameroon 2200 4.1428337 Mann's 1 9.122591 Mt. Cameroon 23 24 G 20982 1 1 6176530780 1976-04-17 1976-04-18 1976-04-17 ZSM C. Herbulot & No. Cameroon 2120 5.0333333 Versant 1305 9.85 Massif du Manengouba 23 24 G 20985 1 1 6176530902 1972-10-23 1972-10-30 1972-10-23 ZSM Ph. Darge & A. Evoe Cameroon Mt. Cameroun 1830 Hutte Musake Hut 23 24 G 20986 1 1 6176530399 1972-04-03 1972-04-05 1972-04-03 ZSM C. Herbulot Cameroon 2000 Mt. Cameroon Foret de Bafout-Nguemba 23 24 1 1 6176530431 2009-05-13 ZSM M. Ochse Cameroon 776 4.079861 Southwestern Province 1 9.17125 23 24 1 1 6176530695 2009-05-18 ZSM, RCMO M. Ochse Cameroon 1575 4.81925 Mount Kupe 1 9.707583 Southwestern Province 23 24 1 1 6176530329 RMCA Primary & No. Cameroon 1989180 4.06 Bonenza 130 9.088333 Mount Cameroon 23 24 1 1 6176530825 1995-06-10 RCHS S. C. Collins & No. Central African Republic Mbeko 23 24 1 1 6176530710 1950-07-16 NHMUK Dr Fontaine Democratic Republic of the Congo Lusambo Sankuru 23 24 1 1 6176530729 1949-08-21 Dr. M. Fontaine Democratic Republic of the Congo Lusambo Sankuru 23 24 1 1 6176530724 1956-02-13 P. Jobels Democratic Republic of the Congo Leopoldville 23 24 1 1 6176530783 [581,1176,1483,1510] 1954-09-26 J. Hecq Democratic Republic of the Congo Nioka Kibali-Ituri 23 24 1 1 6176530530 1930-04-05 J. Van den Branden Democratic Republic of the Congo Uele-Itimbiri 23 24 1 1 6176530785 1955-10-21 Dr M. Fontaine & No. Democratic Republic of the Congo Paulis Uele 23 24 1 1 6176530419 [543,1432,1555,1582] 1921-11 RMCA L. Verlaine & No. Democratic Republic of the Congo Coq. Stan 23 24 1 1 6176530506 1991-08-26 SDEI T. Karisch Democratic Republic of the Congo Kivu 2000 -1.5666666 Goma 1308 29.266666 Umgebung 23 24 1 6176530369 [411,718,1627,1653] Bioko Equatorial Guinea Equatorial Guinea 23 24 1 6176530446 1994-08-15 HQL Equatorial Guinea Fernando Poo 1700 3.3750002 Ose 21 8.541667 Gran Caldera Volcanica de Luba 23 24 1 1 6176530782 [521,1182,1699,1726] ZSM T. Karisch & No. Equatorial Guinea 23 24 G 20984 1 6176530539 ZSM, SDEI Lep Equatorial Guinea 23 24 1 6176530734 2016-05-12 ZSM D. Stadie & R. Fiebig Ethiopia 1990 7.3089223 Shishinda-Bonga 1 36.08711 Region 23 24 1 1 Ye Debub Biheroch Bihereseboch na Hizboch 6176530934 2016-05-14 ZSM, RCDS Fiebig & Stadie Ethiopia Region 1550 7.185633 Mankira Forest 1 36.282932 Bonga 23 24 1 1 Ye Debub Biheroch Bihereseboch na Hizboch 6176530308 ZSM Beck, R. & Riedel, G. Ethiopia 1860 7.294 25 km SW of Bonga 78 36.376 23 24 1 1 6176530376 2012-04-23 ZSM M. Eisenring Kenya 24 25 0.88666 Kieni 1 36.75783 Central Aberdare Range 23 24 1 1 6176530766 2001-10-17 RCLK L. Kuhne Kenya Buyangu Hill 24 25 1 1 Kakamega 6176530797 2004-06-18 H. S. Staude & No. Kenya 1530 0.20580555 Afromontane forest 1 34.88119 Forest Reserve 24 25 1 1 Kakamega 6176530442 2007-11-09 H. S. Staude & No. Kenya Aberdare mountains 2276 -0.9695277 Afromontane forest 1 36.694695 Gatamayu forest 24 25 2 1 1 6176530331 2015-02-20 H. S. Staude & Nos. Kenya 1941 -2.6561668 Chyulu Hills 1 37.870888 24 25 8 6 2 6176530490 RCHS No. Kenya 24 25 1 1 6176530957 2022-06-23 ANHRT Derozier V. Republic of the Congo 356 2.2143056 Secondary forest 1 16.394472 Sangha Prov. 24 25 1 1 6176530469 2013-03-22 2013-03-23 2013-03-22 RCDS R. Fiebig & D. Stadie Uganda 697 0.8206 Semliki Camp Side 1 30.155983 Semliki 24 25 1 1 6176530348 2006-11-24 RCHS H. S. Staude & No. Uganda Butiaba 1094 1.7157501 Lake Victoria Moist Forest 1 31.470222 Budongo Forest 24 25 2 2 Masindi 6176530360 2014-10-26 SDEI T. Karisch Uganda Mpanga Forest 1200 0.20666666 Primarregenwald 130 31.301666 Camp 24 25 1 1 6176530864 2014-10-20 MNVD T. Karisch Uganda 1500 0.56397223 Regenwald 1 30.356556 Forest 24 25 1 1 Kibale 6176530304 [364,995,763,789] 2014-10-23 SDEI T. Karisch Uganda 1500 0.56397223 Regenwald 1 30.356556 Forest 24 25 1 1 Kibale