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Sypna
persubsignata sp. n.
Sypna
subsignata Walker, 1858, List Specimens
lepid. Insects Colln Br. Mus., 14: 1261 sensu auctorum (see taxonomic
note below).
Sypna
martina Felder sensu Holloway, 1976: 31, partim.
Sypna
martina f. brunnescens Kobes, 1985: 67.
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Sypna
persubsignata 
(paratype)
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,  25-32mm. This,
the previous species and the next are very similar in their general pattern,
and they can also be variable in variegation and, more rarely, in having
patches of pale mauve-grey in the medial area. In Sundaland, subsignata is a paler, much
less violet brown than the other two species, with the medial band standing out
much darker. The postmedial fascia of the hindwing is more conspicuously picked
out with pale edging on the upperside, but on the underside the fascia interior
to this postmedial extends more weakly to the costa than in martina and is more
often interrupted by a pale discal spot. The male genitalia are similar to
those of martina but, for a similar sized moth, relatively much
smaller with the uncus slightly more slender and of more even width. The
falcate flange at the apex of the valve is erect and narrow compared with that
of martina.
Taxonomic
note. Berio & Fletcher (1958) noted that the type of subsignata (Singapore)
could not be located in BMNH or in Oxford Univ. Mus. Poole (1989) retained it
as a good species within Sypna. The species discussed here matches a
short series over the name subsignata in BMNH; this includes the specimen from Dinding
I.
referred to by Swinhoe (1900, Cat. Lep. Het. Oxford Univ. Mus. 2: 106, 592),
who related subsignata to his new species, samala Swinhoe, which
is based on a female of S. albilinea Walker (see above).
The original description of subsignata, particularly of the underside, seems
to be significantly different to the species treated here. Therefore the latter
is described as new, above.
Holotype
. SARAWAK: Gunong Mulu Nat.
Park, R.G.S. Exped. 1977-8 (J.D.Holloway et al.), Site 25,
April, G. Api, 900m. 427550, lower montane forest, BM noctuid slide 19062.
Paratypes: 1
as
holotype, slide 19110; 1, 2 general data as holotype but Sites 15 (February,
Camp 2.5, Mulu, 1000m, 413461, lower montane forest); 20 (March, W. Melinau
Gorge, 150m 422577, FEG 3, kerangas) and 27 (April, G. Api, 1500m, Pandanus
Camp, 429541, scrub, pandanus; 1 BRUNEI: 30-60m,
Labi, lowland forest and secondary veg., 12.1.80 (Lt. Col. M.G.
Allen); 1 BRUNEI: 300m, Ulu Temburong, rainforest, 30.6.79 (Lt. Col. M.G.
Allen); 3 SABAH: Mt Kinabalu, Power Station, 1930m,
vii.iv.1965, Cambridge Expedition to Mt. Kinabalu 1965 (H.J. Banks,
H.S. Barlow & J.D. Holloway)).
Geographical
range. Singapore, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra,
Borneo.
Habitat
preference. Most records have been from montane forests: at 1000m on G.
Mulu; at 900m and 1500m on G. Api; at 1930m on G. Kinabalu. However, four
specimens were recorded from lowland heath forest on a river terrace at 170m
near the Melinau Gorge during the Mulu survey.
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