Paradoxa paradoxa, Jaschhof, 2006

Jaschhof, Mathias, 2006, Even more paradoxical: Paradoxa paradoxa sp. n. (Diptera: Mycetophilidae) from South Africa, closest relative of the New Zealand Paradoxa fusca Marshall, African Invertebrates 47, pp. 229-235 : 230-233

Paradoxa paradoxa sp. n.

Figs 1–9

Etymology: L. paradoxus (peculiar).

Diagnosis: Comparatively small-sized, almost black fungus gnat with smoky-greyish wings.Among South African mycetophilids, the very presence of the cell formed through junction of A1 and CuA2 is diagnostic. Distinguished from Paradoxa fusca (characters of which appear below in parentheses) by having wing membrane not darkened along anterior margin, and with a few setae scattered along posterior margin (darkened and without setae); basalmost portion of M1 very weak or evanescent, and M2 distinct throughout (M1 distinct throughout, and basalmost portion of M2 very weak or evanescent); and A2 present (A2 absent). Further differences concern terminalia of both male and female.

Description:

Male.

Body size 3.2–3.4 mm.

Head: Median convexity of postgenae large and well sclerotised. Medial portion of frontal furrow evanescent. Frontal tubercle small, one-pointed. Prefrons not discernible. Clypeus a little larger than face. Nodes of antennal flagellomeres 1.1 times as long as wide ( Figs 2, 4 ); apart from short trichia, with 1–3 short setae distally ( Fig. 4 ). Maxillary palpus with 5 segments, including two segments basally of the third; fifth segment up to 2.5 times as long as fourth segment. Labellum very large.

Thorax: Mid-pleural pit well developed ( Fig. 1 ). Wing ( Fig. 6 ): Membrane smokygreyish, not darkened on anterior margin. C extending almost to apex of wing. R1 variable in length, but always shorter than ta. M-stem weak, sometimes hardly discernible; basalmost portion of M1 very weak or evanescent. A2 present, usually slightly furcate apparently due to a fold between A1 and A2. Tb pale and non-setose. Legs: Coxae light. Hind tibia with apical comb of pale setae.

Terminalia: In all specimens seen, rotated 90–180 °. Sternite 9 present as bare, sclerotised beam interconnecting gonocoxites ventro-basally ( Fig. 7 ). Tergite 9 very long, projecting markedly beyond gonocoxites, subrectangular; outside with large setae, inside with subtriangular patch of trichia apically ( Figs 7, 8 ). Gonocoxites with a wide emargination ventrally, ventral surface bulging, forming transverse ridge; in either half with two lobes holding gonostylus; ventral lobe elongate, pointed at apex, with innumerable fine setae; dorsal lobe blunt-ending, inside with numerous small blunt megasetae and 2 large pointed megasetae ( Figs 5 , 7, 8 ). Gonostylus elongate, bearing large setae on outer surface; apically three-lobed, with ventral lobe setose, medial lobe small and hook-shaped, and dorsal lobe subrectangular and bearing 1 large megaseta pointing dorsally ( Figs 5 , 7 ). Aedeagal complex largely membranous, with small sclerotised portions including long ejaculatory apodeme ( Figs 7, 9 ). Hypoproct weak, its apical margin truncate, bearing large setae ( Fig. 9 ). Lobes of cerci in markedly horizontal position, partially enclosing aedeagus laterally, with large setae pointing ventrally and very large trichia ( Fig. 9 ).

Female.

Body size 3.5 mm.

Head: Antennal flagellomeres with nodes 0.9 times as long as wide ( Fig. 3 ).

Terminalia: In between tergite 10 and sternite 10 a membranous portion. Proximal segment of cercus a little longer than distal segment.

Holotype: ơ (on slide). SOUTH AFRICA: KwaZulu-Natal: Northern Drakensberg, Royal Natal Nat. Park, Gudu Forest (28 ° 40.9'S: 28 ° 55.8'E), alt. 1680–1730 m, in old-growth indigenous forest, 28.xi–13.xii.2005, Malaise trap, M. Mostovski, M. & C. Jaschhof.

Paratypes: 4 ơ 6^(all on slides): same data as holotype.

Other material examined: SOUTH AFRICA: KwaZulu-Natal: 3 ơ (2 male terminalia dissected on slide, 1 in ethanol), 3^(in ethanol), same data as the types; 9 ơ (in ethanol), same locality but 28–29.xi.2005, by aspirator, M. Jaschhof; 1 ơ (in ethanol), same locality but 8.xii.2005, by sweepnet, M. Jaschhof; 2 ơ (in ethanol), Northern Drakensberg, Royal Natal Nat. Park, 1.5 km S The Grotto (28 ° 40'S: 28 ° 55'E), alt. 1750 m, in old-growth indigenous forest, 1.xii.2005, by aspirator, M. Jaschhof; 5 ơ 6^(all in ethanol), Central Drakensberg , Cathedral Peak Nat. Res., Rainbow Gorge (28 ° 57.6'S: 29 ° 13.6'E), alt. 1500 m, in old-growth indigenous forest, 3–15.xii.2005, Malaise trap, M. Mostovski, M. & C. Jaschhof; 8 ơ (in ethanol), same locality but 4.xii.2005, by sweepnet, M. Jaschhof; 1^(in ethanol), Howick distr. , Karkloof Range, Geekie’s Farm (29 ° 16'S: 30 ° 21'E), 29.ii–9.iii.2000, Malaise trap, W. Barkemeyer; 1 ơ (on slide), same locality but 19–29.xi.2000; 1 ơ, Karkloof Nat. Res. (29 ° 19.1'S: 30 ° 15.5'E), alt. 1325 m, in mistbelt forest, 26.vii– 28.ix.2005, Malaise trap, M. Mostovski .

Distribution and Phenology: This species was found in the Drakensberg Mountains and Karkloof Range, both in KwaZulu-Natal. Collection sites were located in patches of indigenous, afromontane forest with yellowwood Podocarpus sp. at or above 1500 m altitude, and in the mistbelt forest zone at 1300 m. Most specimens were captured at the beginning of the summer rains from late November to mid December; two other specimens were collected in February/March and July/September, respectively. Preimaginal stages and larval habitat of P. paradoxa remain unknown.

Figures

Figs 1–6. Paradoxa paradoxa sp. n.: (1) mid-pleural pit, lateral view; (2) male antennal flagellomeres 1–5, lateral view; (3) female antennal flagellomeres 1–5, lateral view; (4) male antennal flagellomeres 3–5, lateral view; (5) distal portion of gonocoxite and gonostylus, gonostylus clasping ventrolaterally, ventral view; (6) wing.Abbreviations:A – ventral lobe of gonocoxite; B – dorsal lobe of gonocoxite; C – gonostylus; D – ventro-apical lobe of gonostylus; E – medio-apical lobe of gonostylus; F – dorso-apical lobe of gonostylus. Scale bar = 0.05 mm (Figs 1 and 4), 0.1 mm (Figs 2, 3 and 5), and 0.5 mm (Fig. 6).

Figs 7–9. Paradoxa paradoxa sp. n.: (7) male terminalia, ventral view; (8) male terminalia, dorsal view; (9) aedeagal complex and associated structures, lateral view. Abbreviations: A – ejaculatory apodeme; B – aedeagal complex; C – cercus; D – dorsal lobe of gonocoxite; E – gonocoxite; F – gonostylus; G – hypoproct; H – sternite 9; I – tergite 9; J – transverse ridge on gonocoxite; K – ventral lobe of gonocoxite; L – parameral apodeme; M – anterior portion of gonocoxal apodeme; N – posterior portion of gonocoxal apodeme. Scale bar = 0.05 mm (Fig. 9) and 0.1 mm (Figs 7 and 8).