Butterflies of the genusRedondaAdams & Bernard (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Satyrinae) are endemic to the Andes of Venezuela. They comprise a monophyletic group of five allopatric taxa, females of which show various degrees of wing reduction and ability to fly. The female ofRedonda bordoniViloria & Pyrcz sp. nov. appears to be brachypterous and incapable of sustained flight, a phenomenon previously unknown within the Rhopalocera.
Abstract
Members of the speciose subtribe Pronophilina (Nymphalidae: Satyrinae) are Neotropical butterflies predominantly found incloud forests. A few species live exclusively in open habitats abovethe tree line: paramo and puna biomes. This habit requires specialadaptation to particular physical and climatic conditions of theoreal zone in the tropics. At least ten species of the endemic genusRedonda Adams and Bernard inhabit the paramos of the Venezuelan Andes. We herein describe seven of them: R. castellana Viloriaand Camacho, n. sp., R. centenaria Viloria and Camacho, n. sp.,R. chiquinquirana Ferrer-Paris, n. sp., R. frailejona Ferrer-Paris andCosta, n. sp., R. lathraia Viloria andCamacho,n.sp.,R.leukasmena Viloria and Camacho, n. sp., and R. lossadana Ferrer-Paris,n. sp., and rank Redonda empetrus bolivari Adams and Bernard tofull specific status.
