Polynema (Polynema) dikobraz Triapitsyn, 2017

Noort, Simon van & Triapitsyn, Serguei V., 2018, Revision of the Polynemadikobraz species-group with description of a remarkable new species from South Africa (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea, Mymaridae), ZooKeys 783, pp. 67-84 : 67

Polynema (Polynema) dikobraz Triapitsyn, 2017

Material.

Holotype ♀ examined, dissected under 4 coverslips on slide and almost complete (lacking a radicle of one antenna): MADAGASCAR, Prov. D’Antanarivo 3 km 41°NE Andranomay, 11.5 km 147° SSE Anjozorobe, el. 1300 m 5-3.xii.2000, 18°28'24"S, 47°57'36"E, Fisher, Griswold et al. California Academy of Sciences Montane rainforest, MT, coll code BLF2372, CAS LOT # 005501, Mounted at UCR/ERM by V.V. Berezovskiy 2011 in Canada balsam, Polynema (Polynema) dikobraz Triapitsyn HOLOTYPE ♀, Det. by S.V. Triapitsyn 2011 (CASC).

Diagnosis.

Morphologically similar to the newly described species, P. sagittaria sp. n., both species having enlarged spine-like microtrichia. Polynema dikobraz , however, has a normal ovipositor, and is closely related to an undescribed species, from which it can be separated by the length of the modified wing spine and relative length of the first antennal flagellar segment.

Affinities.

Based on the hypothesized morphological synapomorphy of modified (long, thick) microtrichia on the fore wing disc, P. dikobraz is related to P. sagittaria sp. n., but has far fewer, and longer modified wing disc microtrichia. This species also has a normal ovipositor as in other members of Polynema , as opposed to the highly modified ovipositor of P. sagittaria .

Distribution.

Madagascar.

Habitat.

Montane rainforest.