Best way to keep track of newly described species in US?

[thejsonboss]

I was out of this hobby for several years and a lot of stuff has popped up since then that didn't exist before, or were subspecies and are now distinct species.  How do you keep up with the new taxonomy?

[livingplanet3]

May 19, 2021 14:05:29 GMT -8 thejsonboss said:

I was out of this hobby for several years and a lot of stuff has popped up since then that didn't exist before, or were subspecies and are now distinct species.  How do you keep up with the new taxonomy?

For species found in the US, BugGuide is useful -

bugguide.net/node/view/15740

[mikeh]

For butterflies specifically, in the united states, the Pelham list is a great source and name updates.

www.butterfliesofamerica.com/US-Can-Cat.htm

[jshuey]

May 19, 2021 20:31:14 GMT -8 mikeh said:

For butterflies specifically, in the united states, the Pelham list is a great source and name updates.

www.butterfliesofamerica.com/US-Can-Cat.htm

But note that it opens right up with a "not up-to-date" classification for new world skippers. It looks like it does not follow any of the new work from Nick Grishin..., or perhaps just parts of it.

John

[mikeh]

I think the classification is mostly there, curious what you see that is different. Only thing I notice is not using Cecropterus in some cases.

In the end it is one well-informed person's viewpoint based on the liturature so I am sure not everyone will agree on the exact decisions of splitting, synonymy and where to draw the line on genera vs tribe vs subgenera.

[jshuey]

May 20, 2021 22:27:06 GMT -8 mikeh said:

I think the classification is mostly there, curious what you see that is different. Only thing I notice is not using Cecropterus in some cases.

In the end it is one well-informed person's viewpoint based on the literature so I am sure not everyone will agree on the exact decisions of splitting, synonymy and where to draw the line on genera vs tribe vs subgenera.

Go here for a link to the newest revision. collector-secret.proboards.com/thread/2895/amazing-detailing-mimicry-neotropical-skippers. In the supplemental materials you will find the new classification for this subfamily.

Basically, the genera are often incorrect - things like Murgaria and confusion you note with Cecropterus mixed up with Urbanus, Telegonus etc...

John