The Caribbean Metalmark butterfly

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Project title:

Molecular assessment of the Caribbean Metalmark butterfly: a single widespread lineage or isolated cryptic species?

ZFMK Project lead:

Dr. Rayner Nuñez

Unit:

Lepidoptera, Molecular Laboratory, Centre for Molecular Biodiversity Research (zmb)

Object of research:

Lepidoptera

Description

Metalmarks butterflies, Riodinidae, are one of the six butterfly families. Most of its 1300 species are Neotropical, however, a single monotypic genus inhabits the West Indies. The Caribbean Metalmark, Dianesia carteri, is restricted Cuba and the Bahamas where several isolated populations are known. A first approach using barcodes suggest that Dianesia may comprise more than one species. The project will sample several populations using high-throughput sequencing to compare them and reassess their taxonomic status.