Hypatima
Encyclopedia
Hypatima is a genus
of the twirler moth family
(Gelechiidae). Among these, it belongs to a distinct lineage, which is variously treated as tribe
Chelariini in subfamilies Dichomeridinae
(like done here), Gelechiinae, or even Pexicopiinae, and historically was considered a subfamily in its own right, Chelariinae. Of this lineage, Hypatima – under its junior synonym Chelaria – is the type genus
. This genus has numerous species, but its exact limits are not quite clear (see below
). This genus occurs mainly in the Southern Hemisphere
, though one of the better-known species is the only member of this genus native to Europe
, the Lobster-clawed Moth (H. rhomboidella).
about 1825, though some authors mistakenly credited G.A.W. Herrich-Schäffer
to have done it about 1853. Herrich-Schäffer, however, only cited the genus as established by Hübner. As regards Chelaria, this has been treated as distinct genus by several authors. But this was based on the mistaken assumption that its type species
, "Chelaria conscripta", was a distinct taxon
. However, it is merely an unjustified name-change of Hypatima conscriptella, and hence Hypatima and Chelaria are objective synonyms.
A group within this genus is remarkably similar to Chelophoba melaina, an enigmatic species that is generally assigned to the twirler moth subfamily Pexicopiinae, though its exact relationships therein are obscure. As remarked above, the Chelariini have occasionally been allied with the Pexicopiinae. In any case, it is not impossible that this group might be better assigned to Chelophoba
.
names, but this is not usually done pending a thorough review of the genus. The obsolete scientific names are:
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of the twirler moth family
Family (biology)
In biological classification, family is* a taxonomic rank. Other well-known ranks are life, domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, genus, and species, with family fitting between order and genus. As for the other well-known ranks, there is the option of an immediately lower rank, indicated by the...
(Gelechiidae). Among these, it belongs to a distinct lineage, which is variously treated as tribe
Tribe (biology)
In biology, a tribe is a taxonomic rank between family and genus. It is sometimes subdivided into subtribes.Some examples include the tribes: Canini, Acalypheae, Hominini, Bombini, and Antidesmeae.-See also:* Biological classification* Rank...
Chelariini in subfamilies Dichomeridinae
Dichomeridinae
Dichomeridinae is a subfamily of moths in the Gelechiidae family.-Taxonomy and systematics:Tentatively including Chelariinae, which might belong in Gelechiinae or Pexicopiinae)* Acompsia* Ananarsia* Anaptilora...
(like done here), Gelechiinae, or even Pexicopiinae, and historically was considered a subfamily in its own right, Chelariinae. Of this lineage, Hypatima – under its junior synonym Chelaria – is the type genus
Type genus
In biological classification, a type genus is a representative genus, as with regard to a biological family. The term and concept is used much more often and much more formally in zoology than it is in botany, and the definition is dependent on the nomenclatural Code that applies:* In zoological...
. This genus has numerous species, but its exact limits are not quite clear (see below
Below
Below can refer to any of the following:* Earth* Ground * Soil* Floor* Bottom * Less than* Temperatures below freezing* Hell or underworldPeople named Below include:*Fred Below , american blues drummer...
). This genus occurs mainly in the Southern Hemisphere
Southern Hemisphere
The Southern Hemisphere is the part of Earth that lies south of the equator. The word hemisphere literally means 'half ball' or "half sphere"...
, though one of the better-known species is the only member of this genus native to Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, the Lobster-clawed Moth (H. rhomboidella).
Taxonomy and systematics
The genus Hypatima was established by Jacob HübnerJacob Hübner
Jacob Hübner was a German entomologist. He was the author of Sammlung Europäischer Schmetterlinge , a founding work of entomology.-Scientific career:...
about 1825, though some authors mistakenly credited G.A.W. Herrich-Schäffer
Gottlieb August Wilhelm Herrich-Schäffer
Dr Gottlieb August Wilhelm Herrich-Schäffer was a German entomologist and physician. He was born, and died, in Regensburg. Herrich-Schäffer studied and collected particularly butterflies and moths...
to have done it about 1853. Herrich-Schäffer, however, only cited the genus as established by Hübner. As regards Chelaria, this has been treated as distinct genus by several authors. But this was based on the mistaken assumption that its type species
Type species
In biological nomenclature, a type species is both a concept and a practical system which is used in the classification and nomenclature of animals and plants. The value of a "type species" lies in the fact that it makes clear what is meant by a particular genus name. A type species is the species...
, "Chelaria conscripta", was a distinct taxon
Taxon
|thumb|270px|[[African elephants]] form a widely-accepted taxon, the [[genus]] LoxodontaA taxon is a group of organisms, which a taxonomist adjudges to be a unit. Usually a taxon is given a name and a rank, although neither is a requirement...
. However, it is merely an unjustified name-change of Hypatima conscriptella, and hence Hypatima and Chelaria are objective synonyms.
A group within this genus is remarkably similar to Chelophoba melaina, an enigmatic species that is generally assigned to the twirler moth subfamily Pexicopiinae, though its exact relationships therein are obscure. As remarked above, the Chelariini have occasionally been allied with the Pexicopiinae. In any case, it is not impossible that this group might be better assigned to Chelophoba
Chelophoba
Chelophoba is a small and enigmatic genus of the twirler moth family . Among these, it is one of many lineages whose precise relationships are still obscure, though they are presumed to belong to the subfamily Pexicopiinae....
.
Synonyms
Due to its somewhat convoluted taxonomic history, there are many junior synonyms or otherwise invalid scientific names for Hypatima moths. Some of these might theoretically apply as subgenusSubgenus
In biology, a subgenus is a taxonomic rank directly below genus.In zoology, a subgeneric name can be used independently or included in a species name, in parentheses, placed between the generic name and the specific epithet: e.g. the Tiger Cowry of the Indo-Pacific, Cypraea tigris Linnaeus, which...
names, but this is not usually done pending a thorough review of the genus. The obsolete scientific names are:
- Allocota Meyrick, 1904 (non Motschulsky, 1860: preoccupiedAllocotaAllocota is a genus of beetles in the family Carabidae, containing the following species:* Allocota andrewesi * Allocota arrowi * Allocota caerulea Andrewes, 1933 * Allocota cyanipennis Heller, 1923...
) - Allocotaniana Strand, 1913
- Cellaria (lapsusLapsusA lapsus is an involuntary mistake made while writing or speaking. According to Freud's early psychoanalytic theory, a lapsus represents a missed deed that hides an unconscious desire....
) - Chelaria Haworth, 1828
- Cheleria (lapsus)
- Cymatomorpha Meyrick, 1904
- Deuteroptila Meyrick, 1904
- Episacta Turner, 1919
- Hypatina (lapsus)
- Semodictis Meyrick, 1909
- Stomylia Snellen, 1878
- Tituacia F.Walker, 1864