genus
Genus (; : genera ) is a taxonomic rank above species and below family (taxonomy), family as used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In bino ...
of butterflies in the family
Nymphalidae
The Nymphalidae are the largest family of butterflies, with more than 6,000 species distributed throughout most of the world. Belonging to the superfamily Papilionoidea, they are usually medium-sized to large butterflies. Most species ha ...
, it consists of three species. It was first described by
Jacob Hübner
Jacob Hübner (20 June 1761 – 13 September 1826, in Augsburg) was a German entomologist. He was the author of ''Sammlung Europäischer Schmetterlinge'' (1796–1805), a founding work of entomology.
Scientific career
Hübner was the author of '' ...
in 1819. Members of the genus ''Temenis'' are found throughout Central and South America.
Description
The genus ''Temenis'' is a member of the tribe Epiphilini, of the subgenus
Biblidinae
Biblidinae is a subfamily of Nymphalidae, nymphalid butterflies that includes the tropical brushfoots. This subfamily was sometimes merged within the Limenitidinae, but they are now recognized as quite distinct lineages. In older literature, ...
. The
type species
In International_Code_of_Zoological_Nomenclature, zoological nomenclature, a type species (''species typica'') is the species name with which the name of a genus or subgenus is considered to be permanently taxonomically associated, i.e., the spe ...
is ''Papilio merione'', a former synonym of ''Temenis laothoe''. It is closely related to butterflies in the genera '' Epiphile'' and '' Nica'', only distinguished from one another due to morphological differences in the larval stage. Previously, the genus was considered close to the genera ''Epiphile'', as well as ''
Catonephele
''Catonephele'' is a nymphalid butterfly genus found in Mexico, Central America, South America, and the West Indies.
Species
Listed alphabetically:Cybdelis'', '' Myscelia'', '' Pseudonica'', and '' Pyrrhogyra'' in a group dubbed the "Catonephelinae" by Ebert.
There are three members that consist of the genus, the members of which can be differentiated through differences in wing patterning and structure. ''Temenis laothoe'' is the most recognizable member of the genus, and has a range that stretches from Mexico to Bolivia, making contrasting with it more straightforward. ''T. pulchra'', compared with ''T. laothoe'', has much more rounded wings along with two pinkish red diagonal bands running from the leading edge of the wing all the way to the posterior corner of the wing. ''T. huebneri'' has a similar wing shape to ''T. laothoe'' but is dark brown in color and has a broad orange band across the forewings as well as orange colored hindwings.
A 2014 proposal by Lucy Mila Garcia Salik proposes splitting the genus further, based on morphological differences, with the new genera ''Temenis hondurensis'', ''Temenis pallidior'', and ''Temenis violetta''. Salik proposes the following phylogenetic tree with regards to the placement of ''Temenis'' in the Epiphilini, using implicit weighing analysis:
Newick format
In mathematics and phylogenetics, Newick tree format (or Newick notation or New Hampshire tree format) is a way of representing graph-theoretical trees with edge lengths using parentheses and commas. It was adopted by James Archie, William H. ...
The larvae are associated with and feed on plants in the family
Sapindaceae
The Sapindaceae are a family (biology), family of flowering plants in the order Sapindales known as the soapberry family. It contains 138 genera and 1,858 accepted species. Examples include Aesculus, horse chestnut, maples, ackee and lychee.
The ...
, like other members of the Biblidinae, such as members of the genera ''
Cardiospermum
''Cardiospermum'' is a genus of approximately 14 species in the soapberry family, Sapindaceae, which are native to the American, Indian, and African tropics. The genus name is derived from the Greek words καρδία, meaning "heart," and σπ ...
'', ''
Paullinia
''Paullinia'' is a genus of flowering shrubs, small trees and lianas in the soapberry family, Sapindaceae and typical of tribe Paullinieae. It is native to tropical South America, Central America and the Caribbean.
The genus is named after t ...
'', ''
Serjania
''Serjania'' is a genus of flowering plants in the soapberry family, Sapindaceae. The name honours French Minim friar Philippe Sergeant. Species are native to the Americas.
Selected species
* '' Serjania brevipes'' Benth. (Ecuador)
* '' Se ...
'', and ''
Urvillea
''Urvillea'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Sapindaceae
The Sapindaceae are a family (biology), family of flowering plants in the order Sapindales known as the soapberry family. It contains 138 genera and 1,858 accepted species. ...
''. Members of the genus are poisonous as a result of the sequestration of toxic compounds consumed during the larval stage by plants in the Sapindaceae family. The eggs of members of the genus ''Temenis'' tend to be more flattened compared to their relatives. Larvae tend to mimic bird droppings or camouflage in with their surroundings, with the pupae blending with the surrounding leaves.
Unlike the "flash and hide effect" that some related butterflies employ, members of the genus ''Temenis'' are rather conspicuous compared to the background vegetation. The butterflies do tend to fly faster than other butterflies that are considered distasteful, but also lack the dimorphism and mimicry complexes that other related butterflies engage in. The adult butterflies frequent gaps in the forest to visit Sapindaceae vines, despite being found in the canopy. They also frequently visit the ground level to feed on rotting fruits. ''Temenis laothoe'' was identified one of the most abundant butterflies in the
Yasuni National Park
Yasuni can mean:
* Yasuní National Park
Yasuní National Park () is a protected area comprising roughly between the Napo River, Napo and Curaray Rivers in Pastaza Province, Pastaza and Orellana Province, Orellana Provinces within Amazon basi ...
of Ecuadorian Amazonia.
Distribution
Members of the genus ''Temenis'' are found throughout Central and South America. ''Temenis laothoe'' has a range that stretches from Mexico to Northern Argentina. ''Temenis pulchra'' has a range between Central America and the Andes. ''Temenis huebneri'' has a range that is confined to the northern and southeastern portions of Brazil's Atlantic Forest. ''T. laothoe'' is rarely found in the United States, in the state of Texas, as a
stray
Stray or The Stray or ''variation'', may refer to:
Animals
* A feral (abandoned or escaped) domestic animal; see also estray
* A stray or free-ranging dog
Places
* Areas of open grassland in North Yorkshire:
** Strays of York
** The Stray (Harro ...