Notes on the genital morphology and phylogenetics of two Arabian species of the genus Lepidochrysops Hedicke, 1923 (Lepidoptera, Lycaenidae)

Abstract

Results on the genital morphology and the phylogenetics of the Arabian species of the genus Lepidochrysops Hedicke, 1923 with focus on L. forsskali Larsen, 1982 and L. haveni Larsen, 1983 are presented. The male and female genitalia of L. haveni Larsen, 1983, and the female genitalia of L. forsskali Larsen, 1982 are described and figured for the first time. The male genitalia of L. forsskali Larsen, 1982 are redescribed and figured. The external and genital diagnostic characters in the male and female distinguishing these two species are explained. Mt-DNA barcodes confirm the large differentiation in the genitalia structure of the two species but sparse sampling of other species of the genus restricts any further evaluation of the phylogeny.