The phylogenetic placement of an enigmatic moth Egybolis vaillantina based on museomics

Abstract

Here, we present multi-locus sequencing results from the enigmatic Afrotropical monotypic genus Egybolis Boisduval (occurring in East- and South Africa - previously placed in the subfamily Catocalinae, Noctuidae). Model-based phylogenetic analysis places Egybolis within a strongly supported clade comprising four Old World Tropical genera Cocytia Boisduval, Avatha Walker, Anereuthina Hubner and Serrodes Guenee from the family Erebidae, subfamily Erebinae. Hence, we propose to formally assign the monotypic genus Egybolis to the subfamily Erebinae, and the tribe Cocytiini. Timing of divergence analysis reveals the late Oligocene origin around 25 million years ago (mya) for the tribe Cocytiini, an early Miocene i.e., about 21 mya for the split between Cocytia and Egybolis.