Ptecticus japonicus

Rozkošný, Rudolf & Hauser, Martin, 2009, Species groups of Oriental Ptecticus Loew including descriptions of ten new species with a revised identification key to the Oriental species (Diptera: Stratiomyidae), Zootaxa 2034, pp. 1-30 : 24

7. P . japonicus group

Species: P. erectus , P. japonicus , P. remeans , P. vitalisi .

Characteristics: (1) Upper frons, vertex and median occipital sclerite black though yellow in P. erectus ; (2) Scutum uniformly yellow, brown or black; (3) wings at least slightly infumated but usually intensively brown to blackish; (4) vein R2+3 much shorter than Rs and radial triangle (r2+3) thus higher than crossvein R-M is long, posterior crossvein M-Cu short but distinct Figs 46–47 ; (5) M3 distinctly sinuate, postcubitus (CuP) strong and pigmented; (6) male cerci unusually elongate and tapered apically, proctiger relatively short, genital capsule subquadrate, gonostylus with distinct lobe on inner side, aedeagal complex rather short and tube-like, gonocoxal apodeme by far not reaching proximal margin of genital capsule but with a distally oriented projection on each side of aedeagus.

Remarks: A possible synapomorphy is very probably represented by the conspicuously elongated and pointed cerci. This conclusion is also supported by the similarity of other parts of the male terminalia. P. vitalisi is based on the female holotype only but apparently it is closely related to P. erectus though the colour of the head parts is only insufficiently described by Brunetti (1927).

This species group was known as the tenebrifer group (see Rozkošný & Kovac 2000). However, recently the junior author received a photo ( Fig. 51 ) of the male syntype of Musca japonica Thunberg, 1789 in perfect condition, which is deposited in UUZM. According to the original description this specimen is characterised as “M. antennis setariis nigra, abdomine clavato basi pellucido. Habitat in Japonia “ and there is no doubt that it is identical with the syntypic females of P. tenebrifer ( Walker, 1849) (cf. Rozkošný & Kovac 2000).

Figures

FIGURES 42 – 49. 42 – 43. Ptecticus longipennis (Wiedemann), right wing (42) and medial part of costal margin (43). Scale: 5 mm (42); 0.5 mm (43). 44 – 45. Ptecticus shirakii Nagatomi, right wing (44) and medial part of costal margin (45). Scale: 2 mm (44); 0.5 mm (45). 46 – 47. Ptecticus japonicus (Thunberg), right wing (46) and medial part of costal margin (47). Scale: 5 mm (46); 1 mm (47). 48 – 49. Ptecticus tricolor van der Wulp, right wing (48) and medial part of costal margin (49). Scale: 5 mm (48); 1 mm (49).

FIGURES 50 – 51. Holotype of Ptecticus okinawae James (50) and holotype of Ptecticus japonicus Thunberg (51).