Joanae & hospiton

[Ron Gatrelle]

Papilio hospiton is a CITES listed species restricted to Corsica and
Sardinia (approximately 33,000 sq km). This swallowtail seems to be well
know the world over among all lepidopterists.
 
Papilio joanae is not listed. It is virtually unknown outside of the
Missouri Ozarks (approximately 90,000 sq km). Joanae seems to be well known
only among specialists and not by the world's general lepidopterists
community.
And, as I have stated earlier, I have encountered American lepidopterists
who have never heard of it.
 
As Adams and Yanega have pointed out, there is a _big_ difference between a
species and a subspecies. P. joanae was described as a species. All
research has now clearly shown that it is not a P. polyxenes form (as
stated by Scott). It has not been demonstrated to be conspecific with
machaon. This is the most unique species of swallowtail in North America -
and yet it not well know and (as we have seen here) is still the subject of
much taxonomic debate.
 
As pointed out by Philip, the name joanae can be found in several books but
often as a subspecies - or less. (My remark about "blacklisting" was
intended to be taken in relation to species status - of course the "name"
can be found in many places if one looks hard enough.)  For example, in the
1992 edition of the Pyle Audubon Guide it is mentioned (buried) as a
"species" under polyxenes on page 328. It is further diminished there as it
is placed in the same perspective as "Papilio kahli" which is well known as
only a hybrid between polyxenes and machaon. If Pyle considered it a true
species then it should have had its own section and photo. Considering its
uniqueness - it was played down not up. Tyler et al likewise buries this
species by relagating it to subspecific status at best.
 
Its inclusion as a valid species in Opler and Krizek has always been a
great encouragement to me - it is too bad they could not provide a picture
of it. Which brings up an interesting and pertinent point. The lack of a
picture points to only one thing - its rarity! (They figured ponceanus and
all the others.)
 
This brings us to a hard to figure situation. Opler lists it in this book
as a species and yet it is not listed as such on the USGS site of which he
is the primary overseer. (The name can be found there under machaon as
...includes...joanae - buried again). Pavulaan has certainly tried to get
it listed there as a full species but has been unsuccessful.
 
Shuey recently posted an excellent essay that can only be taken as
presenting joanae as a unique species of restricted range. This information
is simply great. It is exactly the kind of info I was hoping to bring out
about joanae to the leps-l readers the world over. However, he unwittingly
gives us an amazing revelation. Concerning the USGS site and its info., he
states.
 
    "Keep in mind that that web site [USGS] is designed for public
consumption     and participation, and while I can't claim to understand
quality or decisions,     it does not play much of a role in the
conservation community (in fact I
    think it probably plays zero role). ..."
 
Then concerning the natureserve web site he states.
 
     "...this is the primary source of data for state conservation
    programs, TNC (of course) and increasingly for EPA, US-FS, US-FWS, and
    USGS.  Unlike the public USGS web site, data are tightly screened
before
    they are entered, and the data are linked to source, site, time and
    environmental setting.  (hence the time lag in getting data into the
    system that can frustrate many contributors)."
 
If the professionals pay "zero" attention to the USGS site why should the
rest of us?  The USGS site is the politically correct site not the
scientifically correct site. It is for the "public." It is exactly what I
have been saying it is for a long time - dumbed down taxonomy for the
masses. This is a GOVERNMENT site. Why is the government involved in
setting taxonomy in any way shape or form? I'll quit here on this thread.
 
Hurray for NABA as it is listed as a species there. GO NABA! Get involved
with Papilio joanae NABA people as it is North America's P. hospiton.
Sorry, P. a. ponceanus does not count - it is only a subspecies - which
according to some should not ever have names assigned to them.
 
RG
 
 
 
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