Towards a revision and phylogeny of the genera Heteranassa (Smith 1899), Elousa (Walker 1857) and Coxina (Gueneé 1852)

Previous work on the genus Heteranassa (Smith 1899) revealed potential taxonomic affinities, based on wing patterns and male genitalia, between that genus and the 10 described species of the Neotropical genera Elousa (Walker 1857) and Coxina (Gueneé 1852). These genera, a putative monophyletic group, have not been studied in a systematic framework for over a century. The geographic distribution of these genera is difficult to explain, with some species in southern South America, others in Central America, and the remainder in the desert southwest of the U.S. and the in the Caribbean. This apparently disjunct distribution suggests that interesting biogeographical factors may have influenced diversification within this group. This paper will present preliminary findings in revisionary and phylogenetic work of the group.