Anacharoides striaticeps Cameron

Buffington, Matthew & van Noort, Simon, 2009, A revision of Anacharoides Cameron, 1904 (Hymenoptera, Figitidae) with a description of a new species, ZooKeys 20 (20), pp. 245-274 : 267-271

Anacharoides striaticeps Cameron

Figs 1E, 4A, 5B and 7

Anacharoides striaticeps Cameron, 1904: 160

Coelonychia spinosipes Kieffer, 1910: 19–20 ; synonymy by Weld, 1930

Anacharoides elongaticornis Benoit, 1956: 201 , syn. n.

Anacharoides eurytergis Benoit, 1956: 195–196 , syn. n.

Anacharoides gibbosus Benoit, 1956: 198 ; synonymy by Quinlan, 1979

Anacharoides arcus Quinlan, 1979: 96–97 , syn. n.

Anacharoides decellius Quinlan, 1979: 97–98 , syn. n.

Anacharoides nigra Quinlan, 1979: 99–100 , syn. n.

Anacharoides sanitas Quinlan, 1979: 102 , syn. n.

Anacharoides suspensus Quinlan, 1979: 104 , syn. n.

Diagnosis. This species closely resembles A. nicknacki , but can be differentiated from that species by the lack of well-developed antero-admedial signum struts (distinctly larger than surrounding rugae in A. nicknacki ); distinct from A. pallida by the presence of rugae over the entire mesoscutum (shagreened in A. pallida ); distinct from A. quadrus and A. paragi by the lack of additional antero-admedial signum struts (at least 2 in both A. paragi and A. quadrus ); distinct from A. stygius by the lack of horizontal strigae on the mesoscutum.

Redescription. Length = 2.75–3.50 mm, n=60; holotype length = 2.75 mm. F1 of female gradually expanded distally. F1 of male distinctly funicate, markedly kinked at midpoint, distinctly excavated. Length of F1 of female antenna 1.4–1.5 × F2. Ocellar groove present, crenulate ridge posterior to central ocellus. Lateral aspect of pronotum porcate antero-dorsally, antero-ventrally; gently carinate antero-medially; remainder of sclerite shagreened. Microsculpture of mesoscutum coriaceous over entire surface. Antero-admedial signum of mesoscutum present with 2–3 antero-admedial signum struts. Inter antero-admedial signum ridges present. Surface of mesoscutum rugulosestrigate over entire surface, radiating from mesoscutal keel, no distinct strigae. Shape of posterior mesoscutellar fovea triangular to sub-triangular. Mesoscutal keel present along entire length of mesoscutum, rugulose. Mesoscutellar fovea smooth with 7–8 carinae present. Mesoscutellum in lateral view evenly rounded. Length of posterior mesoscutellar fovea medium-long, reaching 1/4 to 1/3 length of mesoscutum. Lateral aspect of mesoscutum distal of notauli coriaceous-rugose with weak carinae anteriorly. Sculpture of notauli smooth with transverse ridges along entire length. Anterior margin of scutellar fovea rounded; nearly straight. Shape of notauli distinctly wider at posterior margin than anterior margin.

Distribution (Fig 7). Sub-Saharan Africa: Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. Arabian Peninsula: Yemen. From Quinlan (1979): Ethiopia

Material examined. HOLOTYPE: Anacharoides striaticeps: Pearston, S. Af [rica]; Brown [first label]; 22 [second label]; S.Y Feligan, M. Daly, M. Sole [third label, names interpreted from handwriting]; P. Cameron Coll. 1914-110 [fourth label]; type [fifth label, circular with red ring]; B.M. TYPE HYM 7.6 [sixth label]; Anacharoides striaticeps Cam. , type, Pearston S. Af., Prof. R. Brown [seventh label, handwritten]. The holotype is a female, in mediocre condition, card mounted on the venter, missing the left forewing, right antenna, left hindleg and right midleg deposited in BMNH. HOLOTYPE: Anacharoides elongaticornis : HOLOTYPUS [first label], Coll. Mus. Congo, Haut-Uele: Paulis, XII-1947, P.L.G. Benoit [second label], Cyn1–30 [third label], Anacharoides elongaticornis , holotype, P.L.G. Benoit, det. 1955 [fourth label]. The holotype is a female, in good condition, pinned through the mesosoma, deposited in MRAC. HOLOTYPE: Anacharoides eurytergis : HOLOTYPUS [first label, pink]; Cyn1–25 [second label]; Coll. Mus. Congo, Kivu: Ibanda, 1952, M. Vandelannoite [third label]; Anacharoides eurytergis sp. n. holotype female, 1955, det. P.L.G. Benoit [fourth label]. The holotype is in good condition, mounted on a minuten pin, deposited in MRAC. HOLOTYPE: Anacharoides gibbosus : HOLOTYPUS [first label, pink]; Cyn1–27 [second label]; Musée du Congo, Rutshuru, 3758, I.1937, J. Ghesquière [third label]; Anacharoides gibbosus sp. n., holotype female, 1955, det. P.L.G. Benoit [fourth label]; Det. 8076b [fifth label]. The holotype is in good condition, mounted on a minuten, deposited in MRAC. HOLOTYPE: Anacharoides arcus : HOLOTYPUS [first label, pink]; holotype [second label, circular with red ring]; Coll. Mus. Congo, Ruanda: env. Astrida, 82, 1954/1955, G. Foucart [third label]; Holotype Anacharoides arcus Quinlan , det. J. Quinlan, 1978 [fourth label, handwritten]. The holotype is a female, in good condition, mounted on a minuten, deposited in MRAC. HOLOTYPE: Anacharoides decellius : Holotype [first label, circular with red ring], Natal: Kloof, 1500ft, VIII.1926 [second label], S. Africa, R.E. Turner, Brit. Mus. 1926-350 [third label], Holotype Anacharoides decellius Quinlan , det J. Quinlan 1977 [fourth label, handwritten], B.M. TYPE HYM 7.229 [fifth label]. The holotype is in good condition, point mounted on the left side, deposited in BMNH. HOLOTYPE: Anacharoides nigra : VIII.1943, T.H.C. Taylor [first label]; Uganda, Kawanda [second label]; Brit. Mus. 1956-25 [third label]; Holotype [fourth label, circular with red ring]; Holotype Anacharoides nigra Quinlan , det. J. Quinlan 1977 [fifth label, handwritten]. The holotype is a female, in good condition, point mounted on the right side, deposited in BMNH. HOLOTYPE: Anacharoides sanitas : Holotype [first label, circular with red ring]; Mossel Bay, Cape Province, October 1921 [second label]; S. Africa, R.E. Turner, Brit. Mus. 1921-450 [third label]; Anacharoides sanitas Quinlan , det. J Quinlan 1977 [fourth label, handwritten]; B.M. TYPE HYM 7.233 [fifth label]. The holotype is a female, in average condition, card mounted, with the left midleg disarticulated and glued to the card; deposited in the BMNH. HOLOTYPE: Anacharoides suspensus : Holotype [first label, circular with red ring]; Senegal, Bambey, J. Risbec, ex Ischiodon aegypticum [second label]; Holotype Anacharoides suspensus Quinlan , det. J. Quinlan 1977 [third label, handwritten]; B.M. TYPE HYM 7.234 [fourth label]. The holotype is in good condition, point mounted on the left side, deposited in BMNH.

Additional material. AFRICA. CAMEROON: Nkoemvon, Mat. tr. XI.1979, Ms. D. Jackson (1 female, BMNH). DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: Secteur Tshiaberimu , Riv. Mbulikerere , affl. dr. Talia N, 2720m, 26–28.VIII.1953, P. Vanschuytbroeck and V Hendrickx 4999–5005 (2 females, one paratype specimen of A. niger , MRAC, non-type BMNH) ; Secteur Nord, Riv. Butahu, affl. Semliki , 1420m, 26.VI.1957, P. Vanschuytbroeck VS 62 (1 female BMNH) ; Mont Hoyo, 1280m, sur plantes basses, 7–15.VII.1955, P. Vanschuytbroeck, 13274-309 (1 female, BMNH). ERITREA: Asmara, II–5–1962, R. Van den Bosch (1 female, UCRC 197005 ). KEN- YA: Lake Nakuru , Hippo Point , 16.XII.1970, A.E. Stubbs, BM 1972-211 (1 female, BMNH) ; Tsavo East , VI.1977, J. Wirth [illegible] (1 female, BMNH) ; Chyula Hills, 1–3.VI.2006, R. Copeland, MT, USNM ENT 00653527, 00653513 (2 females, USNM). MALAWI: Kasungu, Mtunthama , V.1982, J. Feehan (2 males, 2 females, BMNH) ; Kasungu, Mtunthama, VII.1982, J. Feehan (3 females, 1 male, BMNH). NIGER: Maradi, INRAN, II. 1986, G.J. Steck (2 males, TAMU). NIGERIA: Owena, W. State, 15.II.1970, Col. J.T. Medler (1 female, BMNH. RWANDA: Lac Bulero ( Bitale ) 1862 m.10 au 11.IX.1934, G.F. de Witte: 583 (1 female, MRAC). SOUTH AFRICA: GAU, PPRI Rietondale Experiment Centre 25.44S, 28.13E, 26.V–2. VI.1998, T Bird, from pitfall traps (1 female, SANCI) ; East Cape Province, Katberg , 1–10.II.1933, R.E. Turner, Brit. Mus. 1933-139 (1 male, BMNH) ; Cape Province, Mossel Bay , V.1930, R.E. Turner, Brit. Mus. 1930-266 (1 male, BMNH) ; Kwazulu-Natal, Karkloof, Leopards Bush Nature Res., 19km 25°NNE Howick, 1350m, 29°18.9’S, 30°15.3’E, S van Noort, KN 98/S36, 29.VIII.1998, sweep Afromontaine forest , SAM-HYM P025006 (7 females, SAMC) ; Kwazulu-Natal, Good Hope Estate, 9.3km 281° NW Boston, 1350m, 29°41.7’S 29°55.9’E, BL Fisher 1791(1), 25.VIII.1998, Winkler bag extraction of leaf litter, Afromontane Forest , SAM-HYM P025008 (2 females, SAMC) ; Kwazulu-Natal, Good Hope Estate, 9.3km 281° NW Boston, 1350m, 29°41.7’S 29°55.9’E, S van Noort, 25.VIII.1998, KN98/S2, sweep of Afromontaine Forest , SAM-HYM P025000. UGANDA: Kampala, 24.X.1921, H. Hargreaves, ‘parasite on syrphid larval predator of psyllid 7083 (1 female, BMNH) ; Teso. [?] 7.X.1926, ex syrphid Ischiodon sp. (1 male, BMNH). ZIMBABWE: [Rhodesia] Salisbury, R.W.E. Tueker , V.1917, SAM-HYM P002876 (1 male, SAMC) ; Chishawasha , X.1978, A. Watsham (1 male, BMNH) ; Chishawasha , X.1979, A. Watsham (3 female, BMNH) ; Chishawasha , IX.1979, A. Watsham (1 male, 1 female, BMNH) ; Chishawasha , I.1980, A. Watsham (1 male, BMNH) ; Chishawasha , II.1979, A. Watsham (3 male, 1 female, BMNH) ; Chishawasha, III.1980, A. Watsham (1 female, BMNH). ARABIAN PENINSULA. YEMEN: Usaifira , 1 mile N. of Ta’izz, ca. 4500ft., 12.XII.1937, in cultivated fields, BM Exp. to SW Arabia, H. Scott and E.B. Britton, BM 1938-246 (1 female, BMNH) .

Biology. Two specimens from SANCI are associated with isolated host puparia that were identified by F.C. Thompson (Smithsonian Institution) as belonging to Ischiodon aegyptius (Weidemann) . Label data on another specimen, collected in Uganda and deposited in the BMNH, reads “parasite on syrphid larval predator of psyllid”; another specimen in the BMNH collected in Uganda has label data recording the host as “ Ischiodon sp.”; these specimens lack host remains. A third specimen, collected in Senegal and deposited in the BMNH, reads “ex Ischiodon aegypticum ”; this specimen lacks host remains.

Image collections: 465494 ( A. arcus ); 465423 ( A. decellius ); 465421 ( A. elongaticornis ); 465493 ( A. eurytergis ); 465492 ( A. gibbosus ); 465395 ( A. nigra ); 465393 ( A. sanitas ); 465420 ( A. striaticeps ); 465419 ( A. suspensus ).

Comments. Quinlan (1979) described six species that, in the present work, are considered synonyms of A. striaticeps . As with A. pallida , the morphology of this species is particularly difficult to interpret if insufficient lighting is used. Two key character systems employed by Quinlan (1979) are the sculpture of the mesoscutum and the shape of the scutellar acetabulum (referred to as the ‘apical depression of the scutellum’). In the case of the mesoscutal morphology, directional and non-directional light will reveal very

different character states on the same specimen; careful examination of the mesoscutum of Quinlan’s (1979) holotypes revealed that several species described in that work were merely representing the morphological variation within A. striaticeps . A similar situation occurs with the scutellar acetabulum: the shape of the anterior and posterior margins of this structure vary from distinctly round to nearly straight, in the same specimen, solely dependent upon examination angle. In the preparation of the present study, this character was originally employed only to be excluded upon the discovery of this artifact.