Vosseleriana schulthessi (Uvarov, 1923)— new combination

Vosseleria schulthessi Uvarov, 1923: 31 [original combination]

Thalpomena schulthessi: Uvarov, 1930: 181 [new combination]

Diagnosis (modified after Dirsh, 1949): Thalpomena schulthessi was described by Uvarov (1923), who dedicated the species to Dr. A. v. Schulthess-Schindler. It is endemic to the highlands of Somalia and morphologically clearly different from all other species of the genus. Originally, it was described as a member of the genus Vosseleria Uvarov, 1923, which is currently a synonym of Helioscirtus Saussure, 1884 and later placed in Thalpomena . Genetic and morphometric analyses suggest that the species may not actually belong to Thalpomena, but rather is part of Vosseleriana Uvarov, 1924 . Moreover, Uvarov (1930) described Sphingonotus (Spingonotus) atropurpureus Uvarov, 1930 from Somalia, which is morphologically very similar and should be investigated in the future. Unfortunately, just few individuals of Vosseleriana schulthessi and Sphingonotus (Sphingonotus) atropurpureus from Somalia are known and collecting fresh material is currently not possible.

Type locality: Somalia .

Type depository: Holotype, female, BMNH.

Distribution: Somali Highlands (Somalia); Gorgorà (Tana Lake; Ethiopia).