A new species of Lepidochrysops Hedicke, 1923 (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) from the Northern Cape, South Africa
Key Points
Lepidochrysops frederikeae sp. nov. represents a new species discovered in the Northern Cape region.
The species is part of the L. methymna group, found in a unique Fynbos habitat at over 1200 m altitude.
This discovery highlights the ecological significance of inselbergs in biodiversity.
The surrounding Succulent Karoo vegetation reveals potential for further unidentified species.
Abstract
The genus Lepidochrysops Hedicke (Lycaenidae) is briefly discussed and a new species in the L. methymna group, Lepidochrysops frederikeae sp. nov. from the Northern Cape, is described and figured. The habitat, a small inselberg (at an altitude of over 1200 m) of the Fynbos vegetation unit Roggeveld Shale Renosterveld surrounded by Succulent Karoo vegetation units, is discussed in relation to other apparently new animal and plant taxa found there.