Macrolepidoptera of Fiji and Rotuma: a taxonomic and biogeographic study

Abstract

The 400 species of Macrolepidoptera known to occur in Fiji and Rotuma (including 10 new subspecies, 72 new species and 2 new genera) are described: 11 species remain unplaced. Taxonomic treatment includes restitution of names, establishment of new combinations and establishment of new synonymy. Most species are illustrated, many are redescribed: life history and distributional information is provided where this is known. The results of light-trapping in Fiji, the New Hebrides and on Rotuma are presented and the difficulties of measuring diversity and assessing distributions from light-trap records are pointed out. A method for processing light-trap records by computer and subjecting these records to cluster analysis to yield groups of species which possess a similar distributional pattern is presented. The method is applied to light trap samples from Fiji, the New Hebrides and Rotuma and the properties of the groups of species obtained are examined. The Macrolepidoptera fauna of Fiji is discussed biogeographically in the context of the Pacific and the present-day distribution of species related to the geological and palaeogeographic history of the western Pacific: the latter is summarised. The distribution of species within the Fiji group is discussed in relation to vegetation types and vegetational history and the impact of man upon the fauna is examined.