Charis (butterfly)

Charis is a genus of the Riodinini tribe of metalmark butterflies (family Riodinidae). Nineteen species have been identified within the Charis cleonus complex (however, further analysis has revised this clade to contain 22 species) and eight species within the Charis gynaea group (clade). Charis butterflies are common in the Neotropics and often live in primary and secondary growth. The Charis cleonus group exhibits contemporary parapatric distributions throughout Amazonia and are thought to have speciated allopatrically; residing in "areas of endemism". Some evidence suggests that Charis (among other Riodininae groups) are reproductively isolated by mating preferences for different topographic areas and different times—of which, may have promoted speciation between the various groups.