Taxonomy of the genus U dara ( L epidoptera: L ycaenidae) in N ew C aledonia and the W et T ropics of A ustralia, with a review of butterfly endemism in these regions

The lycaenid genus U dara   T oxopeus is recorded for the first time from N ew C aledonia where it is represented by the newly described species U . renevieri sp. nov. The species is figured, the male genitalia are illustrated, and the taxon is compared with U . cardia ( C . F elder, 1860) (from M aluku through N ew G uinea to the S olomon I slands and A ustralia) to which it appears to be most closely related. The taxonomic status of U . cardia tenella syn. nov. and stat. nov. from the W et T ropics biome of north‐east A ustralia is revised and treated as a subspecies of U . cardia based on comparative evidence of the morphology of the male genitalia and wing colour pattern elements. The holotypes of both L ycaena cardia   C . F elder, 1860 and L ycaena tenella   M iskin, 1891 are illustrated. Patterns of butterfly endemism in N ew C aledonia‐ L oyalty I slands and the W et T ropics are discussed in relation to the conservation importance of these biodiversity hot spots. Estimated levels of endemism are 21% for N ew C aledonia and 5% (17% if subspecies are included) for the rainforest component of the W et T ropics.