Genomic analysis reveals a new genus of Firetip skippers (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae: Pyrrhopyginae).

We obtained whole genome shotgun sequence reads for a number of Firetip skippers (subfamily Pyrrhopyginae), including all known species from the genera Watson, 1893 and Mielke, 2002 and representative species of Hübner, [1819]. Phylogenetic analysis of their protein-coding regions unexpectedly revealed that Bell, 1931 was not monophyletic with the other species of (type species Hewitson, 1870). Instead, formed a phylogenetic lineage as ancient as other three genera in its clade (, and ) that rapidly diversified from their ancestor. Therefore a new genus, Grishin, . (type species ), is proposed for this lineage. The specimen that we sequenced was the . holotype in the Natural History Museum, London, leaving no doubt that we are dealing with this species. Genomic sequencing and comparison of specimens from museum collections offers a powerful strategy to reveal unforeseen phylogenetic relationships, and sequencing of primary types ensures that the conclusions are accurate in terms of nomenclature.