Visma capricornia, Smith & Mitchell & Molero-Baltanás, 2021

Smith, Graeme B., Mitchell, Andrew & Molero-Baltanás, Rafael, 2021, Molecular and morphological studies identify a new genus within the Heterolepismatinae (Zygentoma: Lepismatidae), Zootaxa 5030 (1), pp. 1-118 : 49-57

Visma capricornia new species

Table 5; Figs. 136–173

Type material. Holotype, QLD: Mt. Moffatt, 24.924°S 148.065°E 1220 m asl, 15–16 January 2013, Geoff Monteith, bark spray open forest, ♂ (HW 1.60) on two slides ( QM T246781). Paratype ♀ ( HW 1.35) QLD: Mt. Moffatt, 2km west of park HQ, 25.020°S 147.929°E 760 m asl, 15 January 2013, Geoff Monteith, bark spray open forest, on two slides ( QM T 246784). Other paratypes: ♂ ( HW 1.55), same data as holotype, on two slides (K.541587); ♀ ( HW 1.10) same data as holotype, on two slides (K.541607); ♂ ( HW 1.33) same data as holotype, in alcohol (K.377937). QLD: Mt. Moffatt, 2km west of park HQ, 25.020°S 147.929°E 760 m asl, 15 January 2013, Geoff Monteith, bark spray open forest, ♂ ( HW 1.40) on two slides (K.541604); ♀ ( HW 1.30), same data as previous, on two slides (K.541603 on two slides); seven specimens, same data as previous, in alcohol (K.377924) possibly contains a mix of V. capricornia n. sp. and V. brigalowsum n. sp. specimens, although no specimen shows banded antennae.

Diagnosis. This species can be distinguished from other species of the northern inland group by the number of combs of two macrochaetae on the lateral margins of both the meso- and meta-nota (generally 5–6 versus 1–4, see comments) and by the evenly dark antennae versus with distinct light bands at the apex of each interval.

Description. Medium size slender silverfish, thorax at pronotum about one fifth wider than abdomen which only tapers slightly posteriorly from about the fifth abdominal segment. Antennae and terminal filaments evenly light brown in slide mounted material. Appearance when live unknown.

H+B length up to 10.0 mm; thorax: length 2.8 mm or 0.31 H+B (range 0.28–0.33); width up to 2.3 mm with pronotum about the same width as the mesonotum, the metanotum a little narrower; almost complete antennae H+B; terminal filaments broken, at least 0.2 H+B.

Pigmentation only observed in specimen K.541604 before dissection; not well preserved on slide material of holotype. Pigment light to dark brown. Antennae evenly light brown pigmented, without lighter regions; a light patch on the ventral face of the pedicel and very faint on scape. Terminal filaments almost evenly dark with just a hint of a lighter region around the ring of macrochaetae in the apical annulus of each division. Head with dark pigment around eyes and along the posterior part of the lateral margins between the peri-antennal group and the eyes. Clypeus, labrum, mandibles and maxillae apparently without pigment. Labial palp with pigment patches on sides and to some extent on face of ultimate article; penultimate article also with pigment along sides, darkest on the inner distal corner, second article only with faint pigment. Nota with pigment in anterior corners and along lateral quarter. Coxa with pigment on shoulders and anteriorly along about half of the outer margin. Trochanter without pigment. Femora with a little pigment along the posterior margin and on the anterior margin near the distal comb. Tibia with pigment along most of the ventral face and dorsal margin, darkest distally, also some pigment near the posterior distal corner. First article of tarsi with a little pigment over the ventral face, other articles without pigment. Urotergite X, coxites IX and laterally on coxites VIII, penis and parameres evenly pigmented.

Macrochaetae smooth, straw coloured to hyaline, apically bifurcate, some with truncated tips to each bifurcation. Some macrochaetae on tibia, stout carrot-shaped.

Dorsal scales not well preserved but almost all of the few hundred scales remaining all have ribs quite close together (up to 60 or more per scale) ( Fig. 136 ); these scales are round and variable in size, usually longer than wide, mostly hyaline ribs ventrally, light brown ribs dorsally; only 1–2 wide-ribbed scales seen on a couple of specimens suggesting they are of low frequency. Hyaline triangular scales with serrated apical margin present on femora and tibia, those more posterior on the femora are narrower than those nearer to the leading edge ( Fig. 137 ), pedicel and scape, second article of maxillary palp and clypeus, at least most of those of clypeus with rounded indented apical margin ( Fig. 138 ). Lanceolate scales present on the basal divisions of all terminal filaments.

Head wider than long ( Fig. 139 ), without distinct bushes. Frons with glabrous anterior margin, the round scales large and overhanging the margin, lateral margin with dense strong macrochaetae about three rows wide behind the antennae reducing to a single row for the anterior 10–15 macrochaetae near the antero-lateral corner, the peri-antennal group only tenuously connected to marginal macrochaetae or separated by a small gap, with 9–13 macrochaetae and a (probably) a long thin trichobothrium at the mediad end. Clypeus short, with a few stronger macrochaetae in the proximal lateral corners and 2+2 stronger macrochaetae laterally about halfway along the clypeus, face with numerous insertions most apparently for narrow triangular scales with somewhat rounded or straight distal margins. Labrum short with many strong macrochaetae in a row across the proximal face, medial region with long fine setae and setulae and a lone of six fine setae. Scape and pedicel of antenna ( Fig. 140 ) with triangular scales on lateral faces, both with a subapical ring of strong setae and some cilia on the pedicel. Basal nine annuli of the flagellum each with a single row of setae with at least one small trichobothrium per row, intervals from tenth begin to divide into two, then three annuli until the fifteenth where four distinct annuli are visible, each annulus with ring of setae and cilia, trichobothria limited to the distal most annulus of each interval. Most distal surviving intervals (probably more than three quarters the length of the antenna) ( Fig. 141 ) divided into repeated patterns of eight annuli, each with a ring of setae, the most distal annulus of each interval with at least one trichobothrium, fine setae and rod-like basiconic sensilla (type B).

Mandibles ( Fig. 142 ) with well-developed incisor and quite strong molar areas; a group of about three short robust macrochaetae and about seven thinner apically bifurcate setae adjacent to the molar area and a bush of about 90 macrochaetae externally. Maxilla ( Fig. 143 ) with three thick apically bifurcate macrochaetae externally proximal to the palp; lacinia with three strong teeth, the smallest set further back than the other two, followed by seven lamellate processes and a row of 9–10 setae, galea with some stronger setae proximally but otherwise with only short fine cilia; apical article of maxillary palp about five times longer than wide and not much longer than the penultimate article, the ultimate article with at least two slender simple papillae, basiconic sensilla were not seen but the article is not well preserved, last three articles of palp with fine setae only, two basal articles with incomplete subapical rings of thicker setae. Labium ( Fig. 144 ) much wider than long, postmentum with strong setae arranged in an irregular row across the anterior third, prementum with transverse and oblique groups of strong setae and with short and very long cilia distally, apical article of labial palp broad sub-rectangular, much wider than long (L/ W 0.7, range 0.58–0.84), with five papillae of the compact type arranged in an almost straight line, a basiconic sensillum type C located laterad of the papillae; distally with numerous fine short setae, those proximal and medial longer than those distal with many curled setae; penultimate article triangular, basal article with group of stronger setae on anterior face.

Pronotum ( Fig. 145 ) with setal collar of short and some long, apically bifurcate macrochaetae and some cilia, about 2–3 macrochaetae wide laterally and only one wide in the mid region; lateral margins with many short strong macrochaetae and occasional cilia and eight or nine submarginal macrochaetae, the most anterior two not obviously in groups of two macrochaetae not very close to each other. Anterior trichobothrium 0.37 (range 0.35–0.38) along the margin, often not too far from a submarginal macrochaeta but not obviously associated with it, with 1–2 setulae but otherwise without any special chaetotaxy ( Fig. 146 ). The posterior trichobothrium mediad of a submarginal macrochaeta insertion with a setula and a cilium ( Fig. 147 ). Posterior margin with 1+1 single insertions, each associated with two or three cilia ( Fig. 148 ), however all posterior macrochaetae are lost so it is not certain if they are long thin trichobothria-like macrochaetae or more robust bifurcated macrochaetae. Mesonotum ( Fig. 149 ) with similar lateral chaetotaxy to pronotum except five or six combs anterior to the anterior trichobothrial area consisting of two macrochaetae, most combs associated a cilium and 0–4 setulae posterior to the comb; the anterior trichobothrial area ( Fig. 150 ) located about 0.75 along the margin (range 0.70–0.79) with a macrochaeta mediad of the trichobothrium and the posterior area ( Fig. 151 ) as in the pronotum but much more posterior; the 1+1 posterior combs consist of a single insertion point plus 1–2 cilia/setulae insertions. Metanotum ( Figs. 152–154 ) similar to mesonotum except the anterior trichobothrial area lacking the macrochaeta mediad of the trichobothrium.

Presternum narrow, with dense transverse row of strong macrochaetae ( Fig. 155 ) about two to three macrochaetae wide as well as some cilia, the setae at each end not bifurcated. All thoracic sterna free with hyaline round scales. Prothoracic sternum large trapezoidal with fine setae along the whole length of the lateral margins, posterior corners each with 0–3 macrochaetae in a short comb slightly away from the margins, largely glabrous along the concave posterior margin, about as long as wide at base as long (L/ W 1.01 range 0.91–01.24). Mesosternum ( Fig. 156 ) also trapezoidal, almost as long as wide (L/ W 0.98 range 0.91–1.07), with 1+1 submarginal postero-lateral combs each of just one macrochaeta (missing on one side of paratype) with a straight or slightly convex glabrous region between, fine setae and some cilia along the posterior two thirds of the outer margins. Metasternum ( Fig. 158 ) also trapezoidal much wider than long (L/ W 0.70 range 0.65–0.79), with 1+1 submarginal combs each of 0–2 macrochaeta submarginally in the posterolateral corner, with a glabrous slightly concave region between, fine setae and some cilia along the posterior half of the outer margins.

Legs ( Figs. 155, 157 ) progressively longer anterior to posterior. Tibia L/W ratio of PII 3.2 (range 3.3–3.5); tarsi L/W ratio PII 7.5 (range 6.4–8.7). Precoxa of PI ( Fig. 155 ) with comb of perhaps 2–3 macrochaetae on the laterad corner. Coxa of PI without strong comb in anterior “shoulder” position. Outer margin with numerous long macrochaetae in row two to four macrochaetae wide; inner margin with about seven macrochaetae in the distal half along with several long fine setae dorsally in distal quarter, another five or six macrochaetae distally over the articulation. Trochanter with long fine setae as well as a thin macrochaeta and about three long robust setae. Femur ventrally with several macrochaetae along the posterior and distal margins; anterior margin with a strong seta about two thirds distally and another 1–2 over the insertion point nearer to the distal end, ventral surface not well preserved but with some fine setae and long narrow triangular scales. Tibia of PI with a macrochaeta insertion distally as well as several strong setae along the ventral margin, dorsal or outer margin with two macrochaetae about one quarter and halfway along the length; apical spur distinctly hooked and bearing several small setae; face of tibia also with setae, some quite long and probably also scales however all have been lost. Tibia of PII with setae and insertions as illustrated, the subapical carrot-shaped macrochaeta about as long as the apical spur. Tarsi of four articles, the basal tarsal article of PI a bit shorter than the remaining articles together, bearing some stronger setae below and numerous smaller setae; second article shorter with two longer stronger setae below as well as several other thinner setae plus a long trichobothrium-like hair, third article also short and with two stronger plus several finer setae but lacking a trichobothrium, last article with several setae. Pretarsus with two curved lateral claws and a shorter straight medial claw. PIII lost in all dissected specimens.

Urotergites I with 2+2 combs (lacking submedial), each comb of 2–3 macrochaetae associated with one larger and one smaller marginal seta, 1–3 setulae and 2–3 cilia. Urotergites II–VII ( Fig. 159 ) with 3+3 small combs as shown in Table 5, each lateral comb associated with a marginal seta, 2–3 cilia, one laterad of the comb the others usually anterior to and between the insertions and 1–4 setulae between the combs and the margins, each sublateral comb with 0–1 marginal seta, 2–3 cilia and 0–2 setulae, each submedial comb without a marginal seta, with 1–2 cilia and 0–1 setula ( Figs. 160–162 ); urotergite VIII with 2+2 combs, lacking the sublateral comb, each lateral comb of 5–6 macrochaetae associated with a marginal seta, 4–5 cilia and 3–5 setulae; urotergite IX without combs but with a cilium, sometimes a marginal seta and 2–4 fine setae or setulae in each infralateral corner ( Fig. 163 ). Urotergite X ( Fig. 164 ) round, short (L/ W 0.37 range 0.35–0.41) with numerous macrochaetae, setae and some cilia along the lateral margins, posterior margin glabrous for a short region in the middle; lacking posterolateral macrochaetae.

Urosternite I glabrous, urosternites II–IV with 1+1 lateral macrochaetae each associated with a cilium and 1–4 setulae ( Fig. 165 ), urosternites VI–VII (VIII in male) entire with 1+1 lateral combs of a single macrochaeta mediad to styli ( Figs. 166, 167 ), each macrochaeta associated with a small fine marginal setae, several setulae and a cilium, the corner laterad to each stylus with a marginal seta, a cilium and a few setulae; the posterior margins of urosternites I–VII slightly concave. Posterior margin of urosternite VIII in male with straight or very slightly convex posterior margin ( Fig. 168 ). Styli present in five pairs i.e. on urosternites V–IX.

Each coxite IX ( Fig. 169 ) of male with several strong macrochaetae along the inner and outer margins of the inner process and apically plus laterally on the outer process; the internal process acute, about 1.3 times longer than wide at its base and 3.7 times as long as the outer process which is shorter than wide at its base (L/ W 0.7) and rounded. Styli IX lost. Penis typical with numerous glandular setae apically, each set on a protuberance. Parameres ( Fig. 170 ) long, conical, faintly divided into two segments, with about 50 long thin setae .

Cerci ( Fig. 171 ) of both specimens not well preserved, most chaetotaxy lost. Paraprocts without much pigment. Basal most division with four rings of setae and at least one trichobothrium, following division very short with single ring of small setae and at least one trichobothrium, third division a bit longer with a nascent second ring of setae or perhaps scales proximally and a more obvious distal ring of setae some stronger than others, fourth and fifth divisions with two distinct rings the proximal with some setae and 1–2 trichobothria and probably also scales, sixth and seventh divisions with four rings of chaetotaxy, the macrochaetae confined to the most distal ring, the most basal and the third rings probably with many scales and some fine setae as well as trichobothria, eighth division with six rings, the macrochaetae confined to the most distal ring, the third ring probably mostly setae while the remaining rings may be fine setae or scales; most distal surviving division in paratype (probably just over half the length) with eleven annuli, each with a ring of chaetotaxy. Median dorsal appendage ( Fig. 171 ) with basal division covered by the moderately pigmented epiproct, the next division may actually be four divisions with the suture between the division difficult to observe, as it has four rings of long slender setae, following division with two distinct rings of long setae, those in the distal ring being more robust, following division also with two rings but some very long lanceolate scales present in the proximal ring following division with two obvious rings plus an incipient ring between them, with some lanceolate scales in the proximal and medial rings, the macrochaetae confined to the most distal ring, the following two divisions with four rings, with lanceolate scales in the basal and probably also the third ring.

Coxites VIII of ♀ ( Fig. 172 ) with sub-semicircular inner processes, bearing a macrochaeta adjacent to the stylus along with a cilium, 1–2 marginal setae and a few setulae, outer process also with a cilium and a few setulae. Coxites IX of ♀ with apically acute internal process about 3.7 times longer than the external process (range 3.6–4.0) and 2.0 times longer than wide at its base (range 1.8–2.1), external and internal margins of internal and outer margin of rounded external process with several moderately strong macrochaetae. Ovipositor long about 2.3 times as long as HW surpassing the end of the inner process of coxite IX by about four times the length of the inner process, composed of about 39 divisions (range 37–40). Distal divisions of gonapophyses ( Fig. 173 ) with only short fine setae and setulae .

Habitat. Collected by spraying the bark of unspecified trees.

Etymology. Named for the region in Queensland from which this species and the two related forms below were collected.

Comments. The diagnostic characters used seem reasonably robust however there is some variability in the number of combs of two macrochaetae. Some specimens of the Visma capricornia group may have only five or in one case four but only on one side of one notum, while an occasional V. brigalowsum n. sp. or V. tenebrosum n. sp. can have five pairs but usually only on one side). Visma capricornia n. sp. and V. tenebrosum n. sp. both appear to lack the wide-ribbed scales of V. brigalowsum n. sp.. Visma capricornia n. sp. appears to have more macrochaetae in the peri-antennal groups than either Visma capricornia n. sp. appears or V. tenebrosum n. sp. (9–13 versus 2–9). In Visma capricornia n. sp. the antennae are evenly dark versus with distinct light bands at the apex of each interval in Visma brigalowsum n. sp. and V. tenebrosum n. sp. However in some juvenile specimens of both species the pigmentation may be so light that these bands are difficult to see with confidence.

Figures

FIGURES 136–144. Visma capricornia n. sp. holotype ♂ 136. Dorsal scale of pronotum, distal half. 137. Triangular scale, probably from femur. 138. Round-tipped narrow triangular scale of clypeus. 139. Head (cross-hatched area obscured by eye pigment). 140. Antenna, scape, pedicel and basal intervals of flagellum. 141. Idem, most distal surviving interval showing basiconic sensillum (bs). 142. Mandible. 143. Maxilla, smaller setae omitted from palp. 144. Labium, smaller setae omitted from palp. Scales: 0.1 mm.

FIGURES 145–157. Visma capricornia n. sp. holotype ♂ 145. Pronotum, anterior and right margins. 146. Idem, detail of anterior trichobothrial area. 147. Idem, detail of posterior trichobothrial area. 148. Idem, detail of right posterior comb. 149. Mesonotum, right margin. 150. Idem, detail of left anterior trichobothrial area. 151. Idem, detail of left posterior trichobothrial area. 152. Metanotum, left margin. 153. Idem, detail of left anterior trichobothrial area. 154. Idem, detail of left posterior trichobothrial area. 155. Presternum, prothoracic sternum and PI. 156. Mesothoracic sternum. 157. PII. Scales: 0.1 mm.

FIGURES 158–168. Visma capricornia n. sp. holotype ♂ 158. Metathoracic sternum, coxa and trochanter of PIII. 159. Uroter- gite V. 160. Idem, right lateral comb. 161. Idem, right sublateral comb. 162. Idem, right submedial comb. 163. Right infralateral comb of urotergite IX. 164. Urotergite X. 165. Left posterior comb of urosternite III. 166. Urosternite V. 167. Left stylus insertion of urosternite VII. 168. Urosternite VIII. Scales: 0.1 mm.

FIGURES 169–171. Visma capricornia n. sp. holotype ♂ unless indicated by specimen number. 169. Urosternite VIII, coxites IX, penis and parameres (K.541587). 170. Detail of right paramere. 171. Basal divisions of cerci and median dorsal appendage, showing lanceolate scales (ls). Scales: 0.1 mm.

FIGURES 172–173. Visma capricornia n. sp. paratype ♀ (QM T246784). 172. Coxites VIII, IX and ovipositor. 173. Apex of anterior gonapophysis. Scales: 0.1 mm.