The Iolaus maritimus species group

I. maritimus Stempffer & Bennett, 1958 was described in the first part of the Iolaus revision (Stempffer & Bennett 1958) from the Kenya coast at Kilifi (Holotype in NHM). At the time, only two paratypes were listed from the same locality, and so far the authors have not been able to locate further specimens confirmed with genitalia determination from Kenya. In his supplement, Stempffer (1961) described I. maritimus usambara (Stempffer, 1961) (as Iolaphilus maritimus usambara) with a nearly identical appearance and similar genitalia (Figs. 1; 3A, D, 4A; 5A), but this subspecies clearly differs from the nominate one by lacking the sub-tornal red spot in space 2 (Figs. 2D; 6D). In the last four decades, hundreds of Iolaus with similar facies have been collected or bred in East Africa, and quite a few actually proved distinct from, but closely related to I. maritimus with differences mainly in male and female genitalia. The general structure of the male genitalia also indicate that they form a species group, distributed in eastern and southern Africa from the Kenya coast across the mountainous regions of Tanzania, to the island mountains of northern Mozambique, Zambia and possibly Malawi along the East African Rift. This is hereafter referred to as I. maritimus species group.

The main features are the hooded and blunt (reduced) tegumen and bilobed, triangular uncus, with stout blunttipped subunci, which protrude straight or only slightly bent. Also, rather oblong or oval valvae, the tip of which curve sharply inwards. The tip of valvae in the group is normally acute, often lanceolate, sometimes bifurcate (similarly to that of I. montana, but slightly less pronounced see Kielland 1978) with fine to moderate serration or even prominent spines on the lower edge (Figs 1B, E; 4; 5). The fultura inferior forms a narrow ring which only broadens laterally slightly, and is without a prominent triangular, flagged edge posteriorly, which is characteristic of another as yet undefined group. A small process (expansion or cingulum) linked to the fultura inferior with a membrane (sensu Stempffer & Bennett 1958, Stempffer 1967) usually as a small spine, triangular or spatulate excrescence is always present, on each stem of the vinculum. The aedeagi are similar to those of many other groups with narrow and long upcurving anterior halves and broad and more solid, rather squat posterior halves with three cunei, one of which is attached to the chitinized outer skeleton of the aedeagus in various positions (Figs 1C, F; 3D, E, F, J). Five taxa in the group were bred on Taxilloid mistletoe species in the genera Phragmanthera and Erianthemum (Loranthaceae) (see species descriptions and in Congdon & Bampton 2000).

Currently recognized and newly assigned taxa in the I. maritimus species group

Iolaus maritimus maritimus Stempffer & Bennett, 1958

Iolaus maritimus usambara (Stempffer, 1961)

Iolaus uluguru sp. nov.

Iolaus njombe sp. nov.

Iolaus collinsi sp. nov.

Iolaus stewarti Heath, 1985

Iolaus bundali sp. nov.