Cladistic analysis of the Neotropical butterfly genus Adelpha (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae), with comments on the subtribal classification of Limenitidini

A two-stage cladistic analysis of 114 characters from adult and immature stage morphology provided phylogenetic hypotheses for the diverse Neotropical nymphalid butterfly genus Adelpha Hübner. Higher-level cladistic relationships were inferred for thirty Adelpha species and twenty other species of Limenitidini, confirming the monophyly of Adelpha as currently conceived and indicating several montane Asian species as potential sister taxa for the genus. Cladistic relationships between all eighty-five Adelpha species were then inferred using three outgroup combinations. Basal and terminal nodes were reasonably resolved and supported, but a low proportion of non-wing pattern characters resulted in weak resolution and support in the middle of the tree. The most basal members of Adelpha feed on the temperate or montane plant family Caprifoliaceae, suggesting that a switch from this family early in the evolutionary history was important in subsequent diversification into tropical lowland habitats. The cladograms confirm suspicions of earlier authors that dorsal mimetic wing patterns have convergently evolved a number of times in Adelpha. The subtribal classification of Limenitidini is discussed and both Lebadea (from Parthenina) and Neptina are transferred to Limenitidina, whereas Cymothoe, Bhagadatta and Pseudoneptis (all formerly Limenitidina) are regarded as incertae sedis.