Plume moths (Lepidoptera, Pterophoridae) of a recently discovered lepidopteran diversity hotspot in the Mount Cameroon area, with descriptions of four new species

Abstract

Moth diversity on Mount Cameroon, a critical biodiversity hotspot in the Afrotropics, remains understudied despite the region’s rich and unique ecosystems. In this study, 34 species of plume moths (Pterophoridae) were recorded from the Mount Cameroon region, including four species new to science: Titanoptilus bigoti Ustjuzhanin & Kovtunovich, sp. nov., Titanoptilus murkwe Ustjuzhanin & Kovtunovich, sp. nov., Hellinsia ekonjo Ustjuzhanin & Kovtunovich, sp. nov., and Hellinsia mapanja Ustjuzhanin & Kovtunovich, sp. nov. Images of the adult type specimen and male genitalia for Titanoptilus melanodonta Hampson, 1905 are published for the first time. In addition, 25 species are reported as new records for the Cameroonian fauna, raising the number of known Pterophoridae species in the country from 19 to 48. The results significantly expand our understanding of plume moth diversity in the region and extend the known distribution range of several species. These findings emphasise the importance of Mount Cameroon as a biodiversity hotspot within the Afrotropics. Enhanced conservation efforts are essential to preserve the unique biodiversity of Mount Cameroon, especially considering threats such as ongoing habitat degradation in some parts of the region and climate change.