| The possible zone of contact between Pyrgus (malvae) malvae Linnaeus, 1758, and P. (malvae) melotis Duponchel, 1832, is re-examined. The two taxa apparently meet (in the subspecies malvae and ponticus Reverdin, 1914, respectively) in N. and W. Turkey and possibly in S. Russia north of the Caucasus. There are, however, only few localities or areas from where both are known: Amasya and north of Ankara in N. Turkey and Izmir in W. Turkey. In these areas the two taxa do not seem to recognize each other as belonging to the same species. A population with an intermediate character is known to occur in the Boz Dagh area east of Izmir. The population seems remarkably constant in this character. Its origin is obscure. The available data do not prompt us to change... |
