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Taxonomy
"Australian Sphingulini"
Nomenclature
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Family: SphingidaeSubfamily: Sphinginae
Tribe:
"Australian Sphingulini"
Usage:
valid
Taxonomic Notes:
The analysis of the higher classification of Sphingidae using five nuclear genes by Kawahara et al. (2009: Figure 2) demonstrated that the tribe Sphingulini is paraphyletic with respect to tribe Sphingini. The Australasian genera (admittedly represented in their analysis by Hopliocnema only) form the sister group of a clade comprising Sphingulini s.s. (Dolbina, Kentrochrysalis, Pentateucha, Sphingulus) plus Sphingini. Consequently, "Australian Sphingulini" is used here as an informal taxon to contain the Australasian genera and to remove paraphyly of tribe Sphingulini. Monophyly of the group remains to be demonstrated, particularly the relationship of Tetrachroa with respect to the other three genera, all of which share conspicuous pale dorso-lateral patches on each abdominal segment (Kitching & Cadiou, 2000: 20). It is possible that Tetrachroa belongs to Sphingulini s.s.