Visma aff. 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 : 57-58

Visma aff. capricornia sp. 2

Material examined. QLD: Redcliffe Tableland, Site 2, 21.155°S 148.166°E 340 m asl, 15 April 2012, G. Monteith, bark spray open forest, ♂ ( HW 1.15 ) on two slides (K.541590) ; ♂ ( HW 1.11 ) same data as previous, on two slides (K.541591) ; two specimens, same data as previous, in alcohol (K.377916). QLD: Redcliffe Tableland , Site 10, 21.144°S 148.086°E 340 m asl, 16 April, 2012, G. Monteith, bark spray open forest , ♀ ( HW 1.18 ) on two slides (K.541592) ; five specimens, same data as previous, in alcohol (K.377898). QLD: Redcliffe Tableland , Site 3, 21.138°S 148.155°E 400 m asl, 14 April, 2012, G. Monteith, bark spray open forest , ♀ ( HW 1.28 ) specimen about to moult, in alcohol (K.377910) ; three specimens, same data as previous, in alcohol (K.3777899). QLD: Redcliffe Tableland , Site 6, 21.151°S 148.088°E 510 m asl, 15 April, 2012, G. Monteith, bark spray open forest, subadult ♀ ( HW 1.13 ) on two slides (K.541594) ; five specimens, same data as previous, in alcohol (K.377900). QLD: Redcliffe Tableland , Site 8, 21.158°S 148.094°E 515 m asl, 15 April 2012, G. Monteith, bark spray open forest , ♂ ( HW 1.30 ) on two slides (K.541595) ; ♂ ( HW 1.01 ) same data as previous, on two slides (K.541596); juvenile ♂ ( HW 0.80), same data as previous, in alcohol (K.377901) ; three specimens, same data as previous, in alcohol (K.377902). QLD: Redcliffe Tableland , Site 17, 21.076°S 148.037°E 440 m asl, 17 April, 2012, G. Monteith, bark spray vine scrub on basalt plug , ♂ ( HW 1.13 ) on two slides (K.541597) ; ♂ ( HW 1.16 ), same data as previous, on two slides (K.541598) .

Comments. Molecular data places specimens from both locations (Marlborough and from Redcliffe Tableland) within the clade containing Visma capricornia n. sp. from Mt Moffatt, but differing from it in both COI and 28S (10.8% and 17.5% respectively). None of the specimens in the capricornia clade were in good condition, having lost most scales and macrochaetae. All three populations have the larger number of combs of two macrochaetae on the meso- and meta-nota. Reliable morphological differences could not be defined between the three populations. Specimens from both localities appear smaller than those of V. capricornia n. sp. (HW up to 1.3 versus 1.6) but this may be sampling bias. Both Marlborough and Redcliffe Tableland specimens had fewer macrochaetae in the peri-antennal groups (5–10 versus 12–13). One specimen from Redcliffe Tableland (K.541597)) is about to moult and the posterior margin insertion for the macrochaetae is occupied by a long thin trichobothrium-like seta, which may separate it from the others however, these macrochaetae have been lost on all other dissected specimens in the V. capricornia group complex.

We have decided not to describe and name the species from Marlborough and Redcliffe Tableland until better quality material can be obtained.