Rarest African Swallowtails (Papilionidae)

[deliasfanatic]

I've noticed before that someone downgraded deliae to poggianus, but I haven't seen the paper. Is this based on DNA studies? If not, I am hesitant to accept it based on a single author's opinion.

[Adam Cotton]

Here is Gardiner's argument:

11. Graphium poggianum f. deliae stat. nov. Habitat: Dry forest and Riparian. Libert & Collins (2007) described a new species, G. deliae, from south of Mwinilunga. I am not convinced these specimens represent a distinct species for the following reasons:

i) Congdon et al. 2009 state G. deliae “differs from poggianus and almansor on the underside by the absence of red at the wing bases.” The amount of red at the base of the underside of the wings is variable in both populations especially in the northern population (Fig. 1a-d). Even in the photographs in Congdon et al. (2009) the red is easily seen in Plate 7 Fig. 2 of G. almansor but is only vaguely visible in their Fig. 4 of G. poggianum. Specimens from the southern population can also have some red (Fig. 1d);

ii) on the upperside Congdon et al. (loc. cit.) give the main difference between the two as the “more extended pale area of the forewing”. Specimens with extensive white tend to be commoner in the south but intermediates also occur in the north (Fig. 1g) and similarly forms with reduced white do occur in the south (Fig. 1i). The variability and cline in white markings is illustrated in Fig. 1e-l, the type of G. poggianum fits in this cline. The bar across the cell, although wider in most of the southern specimens, is still variable in width in specimens from both locations. The white “mark” in space 2 appears to be always present in the south and often absent in the north, however it is variable at both locations and may be due to environmental conditions favouring this form in the south (see further explanation below);

iii) Congdon et al. (2007) give a difference in wing shape “In deliae both forewing and hindwing are narrower than in poggianus”. In fact wing shape is variable in both populations and the wings being narrower in the southern population is not clear (Fig. 1e-l) wing shape may be linked to adult size rather than adult colouration;

iv) according to Libert & Collins (2007) the dark spot at the base of space 2 on the underside of the hind wing is only present in the south, I can not see any significant difference in the spotting of the hind wing underside (Fig. 1a-d);

v) although the background colour, especially on the hind wing, tends to be paler or more brown in the south this also varies in both males and females;

vi) so far no difference in the genitalia has been found;

vii) from the photographs in Congdon et al. (2009) of the larvae (Plate 10 Figs 3 & 4 G. poggianum and Figs 5 & 6 G. deliae) I can not see any clear difference (apart from some colour variation which is common in Graphium), unfortunately the pupa of G. deliae is not illustrated in Congdon et al. (2009), however Congdon et al. (2007) do indicate slight differences in the shape and size of some of the markings.
The populations are at the most 160 km apart and it is likely populations occur in between, or at least did in the recent past. Biogeographically it is strange for two papilionids so close and similar in appearance, with intermediates, to be different species. Species in the same area are often morphologically constantly distinct, either in terms of external morphology or genitalia (or when similar in appearance are often biogeographically disjunct). Although the southern population occurs on a completely different soil type populations from both areas have the same, or very similar, foodplant (Congdon et al., 2007). The geology is important, as indicated by Libert & Collins (2006), and could influence the foodplant via water availability. The southern population is on deep Kalahari sands which have a very low water holding capacity, it is a dry forest because of these soil conditions. At the time of year when the larvae are present (Sept-Oct) the rains have either not yet started or are just beginning and rather sporadic. The plants at this time of year appear in good condition but are probably under water stress and this could influence the larvae. Under these conditions the larvae may decrease the amount of energy put into producing black pigment and hence adults with more white are produced (paler individuals require less energy, Graham et al., 1980). This could also account for their smaller size.

I could not find any difference in behaviour between the “southern” and “northern” populations, adults of both flew fast and relatively high. I suggest the specimens with more extensive pale markings represent an ecological form that has been selected for under the conditions of the Kalahari sands and is distinct enough to be considered a recognizable form G. poggianum f. deliae stat. rev. Although Libert & Collins (2007) state the female of G. poggianum was unknown prior to their publication this is incorrect as the female was illustrated on the CD accompanying Heath et al., 2002.


Readers can decide from the above evidence whether they agree or not.

Adam.

[charaxo]

by browsing these texts I realize that the ssp dufranei of graphium almansor (collins & larsen 2008 )has not been mentioned

[africaone]

Nov 28, 2020 21:12:47 GMT charaxo said:

by browsing these texts I realize that the ssp dufranei of graphium almansor (collins & larsen 2008 )has not been mentioned

which texts ?

[Adam Cotton]

I think he means this thread.

Adam.

[charaxo]

oui exacte dans le fil de deliasfanatic.
graphium almansor dufranei n'est pas mentionné.
quelques captures cette année,mais a un autre endroit que la localité type.

michel

[africaone]

i think because this is not a top African Graphium

[mothylator]

Nov 28, 2020 21:12:47 GMT charaxo said:

by browsing these texts I realize that the ssp dufranei of graphium almansor (collins & larsen 2008 )has not been mentioned

Thanks, I missed this taxon completely.
It is the infraspecific form found in Guinea.
How rarely is it seen in it's habitat in the early months of the year?
(not necessarily how rarely is it seen in collections   )

Just asking....

[panzerace]

I have perfect AL exs of graphium deliae M/ g/ fulleri boulleti/ g. nigrescens M

I am selling all my rare papilionade collection/ now collecting gold coins. What is current price for these?

John

[Adam Cotton]

John,

Welcome back and Happy New Year!

I thought you had already sold your whole Papilionidae collection.

Adam.

[panzerace]

Jan 2, 2024 21:12:44 GMT Adam Cotton said:

John,

Welcome back and Happy New Year!

I thought you had already sold your whole Papilionidae collection.

Adam.

/thank you /Adam!

I sold about 40 percent. Still have 10K specimens here/ 98% AI

Still have most African/ Indo-Australian/ Asian/ except for gloss papilios

Also most ornithopera/ parnassius.....