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Post by deliasfanatic on Dec 20, 2014 2:34:30 GMT
Graphium levassori - known from a small number of specimens in European museums (and ABRI, Nairobi) and a handful in private collections. It appears that there are just 3 males and 1 female privately owned, worldwide. Here's my male. It needs to be reset, but I've not had the nerve to do it since it has a couple of old repairs and I don't want to risk damaging it.  G levassori by D B, on Flickr |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 20, 2014 10:29:17 GMT
wow.
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Post by Adam Cotton on Dec 20, 2014 11:19:41 GMT
I am reliably informed that ABRI has 10 pairs of Graphium levassori - must be an incredible sight.
I think it must be yet another example of a species that is actually common at exactly the right place and time. For example you can walk just a few metres away from a colony of Protographium leosthenes, and if you are not at the exact spot you just won't see them flying.
Adam.
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Post by Adam Cotton on Dec 20, 2014 11:22:36 GMT
Here's my male. It needs to be reset, but I've not had the nerve to do it since it has a couple of old repairs and I don't want to risk damaging it. Indeed I think it is probably left exactly as it is, a superb specimen even with some repairs. The risks of damage in resetting far outweigh the potential improvements. Adam. |
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Post by mygos on Dec 20, 2014 11:55:44 GMT
Adam, it would be interesting that you would work on ABRI african Papilionidae collection to publish a revision  If you need introduction, I would be more than pleased ... A+, Michel |
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Post by cabintom on Dec 20, 2014 14:18:38 GMT
At least, someone's going to have to do it at some point. (especially the nireus group!)
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Post by Adam Cotton on Dec 20, 2014 18:08:44 GMT
Adam, it would be interesting that you would work on ABRI african Papilionidae collection to publish a revision If you need introduction, I would be more than pleased ... A+, Michel Thanks for the offer, but I am already in contact (although only occasional) with Steve Collins. We actually share something else in common, we were both Zoology/Entomology students at Imperial College, London although he was there a few years before me. No doubt things will happen in the years ahead, but yes, I look forward to collaborating with ABRI. Adam. |
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Post by mygos on Dec 20, 2014 18:13:55 GMT
Good to know Adam ! Last time I spoke to him about you, he did not mention that relation. It would be great to work on his huge collection and take advantage of your expertise on this family A+, Michel |
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Post by Adam Cotton on Dec 20, 2014 18:14:08 GMT
The main problem I have with working on the nireus group is lack of material, especially from the area from Rwanda to Malawi and near the line of lakes. That and the Ethiopian region have some interesting taxa. I should also mention chitondensis from Angola, which I have never seen either.
Adam.
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Post by mygos on Dec 20, 2014 18:20:18 GMT
You will find everything you need at ABRI and Steve is always happy to see serious scientists working on his collection.
A+, Michel
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Post by deliasfanatic on Dec 20, 2014 18:29:18 GMT
Adam, I can help with photos of Malawi material in particular. Let me know what you need to see; I have long series of some.
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Post by Adam Cotton on Dec 20, 2014 19:24:58 GMT
What I will eventually need to find is fresh material that can be used for DNA studies at the same time as morphological examination. Steve Collins may have access to people who can catch some fresh specimens sometime soon. It is certainly one possibility. I am very keen on comparing and combining the results of DNA, breeding and morphological studies to have a better idea of what characters are really important, and what are actually misleading.
When the time comes I will definitely want to see photos of many specimens, thank you deliasfanatic.
Adam.
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Post by Adam Cotton on Dec 20, 2014 19:58:30 GMT
Good to know Adam ! Last time I spoke to him about you, he did not mention that relation. It would be great to work on his huge collection and take advantage of your expertise on this family A+, Michel Yes, we only actually e-mailed a couple of months or so ago, and I owe him a reply but have been holding off until I get some more news for him. He was also off on a trip to SA just after he last e-mailed me, and you know how things get delayed. I am sure that there will be a lot that we can do to collaborate in future, and he has encouraged me to go and visit ABRI already. I wish I could, but Kenya is a long way away, and to be honest I can't travel at the moment for various reasons, including a 4 year old son. Adam. |
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Post by mygos on Dec 20, 2014 21:43:04 GMT
Adam,
I just sent you an email, and I cross my fingers that you will be able to help Steve and ABRI in the near future ...
A+, Michel
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Post by Adam Cotton on Dec 21, 2014 8:58:04 GMT
Michel,
Thank you for your e-mail, to which I have replied. You were right, I communicated with Steve after you saw him.
deliasfanatic,
Photos of Malawi specimens will of course be very helpful, but because photos are 2 dimensional there is no real substitute for examining actual specimens. The other problem with photos, unless they are all taken under exactly the same light conditions, is that the photo itself can give an inaccurate impression of colour etc. It is difficult to compare a series of individual specimen photos and be certain that perceived differences are real. The other problem I often encounter with photos is lack of underside pics and no photos of the data labels. I have been sent some fantastic photos of draws of specimens, but no idea what the undersides look like or the data of each specimen.
Adam.
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