Molecular Taxonomy and Biogeography of the Copper Butterfly Genus <i>Phoenicurusia</i> and Genus‐Level Classification of the Subfamily Lycaeninae (Lepidoptera, Lycaenidae)

ABSTRACT We investigate a group of small‐sized, phenotypically similar copper species known under the generic names Phoenicurusia , Athamanthia and Margelycaena , all of which are sometimes considered as subgenera of the genus Lycaena . This group, consisting of ~15–16 species, is distributed in Central Asia (including Mongolia, West China, Afghanistan and Pakistan), Caucasus and the Middle East. It is characterised by a distinctive wing pattern and male genitalia and is known to have very specific ecological preferences and larval food plants being associated with ligneous bushes Atraphaxis (Polygonaceae). We demonstrate that this group is monophyletic and confirm that both Athamanthia and Margelycaena are synonyms of Phoenicurusia . We show that although most species inhabit Central Asia, the genus itself most likely originated in Western Asia about 13.5 million years ago and soon after that populated the territory of Central Asia, where intense species radiation occurred due to allopatric speciation with the subsequent formation of zones of secondary sympatry. Based on molecular and morphological data, we revise the taxonomy of Phoenicurusia and provide a synonymic checklist of all taxa belonging to this group. Finally, we discuss the systematics of the subfamily Lycaeninae at the genus level in light of new data obtained and a review of the literature.