Rhagovelia loriae, Polhemus, 2024

Polhemus, Dan A., 2024, Thirty-four new species of Rhagovelia (Heteroptera: Veliidae) from the East Papua Composite Terrane, far eastern New Guinea, Zootaxa 5400 (1), pp. 1-214 : 127-129

Rhagovelia loriae subgroup: R. loriae n. sp., R. guiagoila n. sp., R. basima n. sp. and R. elongata n. sp.

These subgroups are discussed in greater detail within the species treatments following the key, and also noted within the key in those instances where they fall out discretely within the couplet sequence.

Key to wingless forms of the R. papuensis group occurring in the EPCT

Key based on females, with supplementary male characters added

1. Female abdominal connexiva with basal segments bearing a dense fringe of thick black setae; central portion of female connexiva either bearing a transverse fold adjacent to abdominal tergites III–V, or with this portion of the connexival margin thinned and glabrous ( Figs. 202 , 221 , 228 , 235 ); Louisiade Archipelago …......................... R. yela subgroup...2

- Female abdominal connexiva with basal segments lacking a dense fringe of thick black setae; central portion of female connexiva lacking a transverse fold, not thinned or glabrous, although often showing varying degrees of posterior convergence ( Figs. 242 , 248 , 254 , 261 , 268 , 275 , 282, 283 , 291 ); Papuan Peninsula and proximal islands exclusive of the Louisiade Archipelago ( Figs. 266 , 295 )........................................................................................... 4

2. Female abdominal connexiva with a strong transverse fold adjacent to tergite III or IV ( Figs. 202 , 221 , 228 ); female abdomen with ventrite II not tumescent, ventrites II–IV lacking patches of posteriorly-directed gold setae centrally, ventrite III not transversely depressed; Rossel or Tagula islands ( Fig. 240 ).................................................... 3

- Female female connexiva lacking a transverse fold adjacent to abdominal tergites III–V, but with this portion of the connexival margin thinned, glabrous and black ( Fig. 235 ); female abdomen with ventrite II tumescent, ventrites II–IV bearing posteriorly-directed patches of golden setae posteromedially, ventrite III transversely depressed; Misima Island ( Fig. 240 ).............................................................................................. R. bwagabwaga n. sp.

3. Female abdomen strongly folded and foreshortened posteriorly, posterior half of abdomen angled upward into a vertical orientation ( Fig. 202 , 221 ); male proctiger with basolateral lobes weakly developed, small and rounded, distolateral lobes barely developed, parallel-sided ( Fig. 225 ); Rossel Island ( Fig. 240 )..................................... R. yela n. sp.

- Female connexival margins with a strong transverse fold centrally adjacent to abdominal tergite V ( Fig. 228 ), posterior half of abdomen folded upward at a 45° angle; male proctiger with basolateral lobes well-developed, angular, distolateral lobes moderately developed, rounded ( Fig. 232 ); Tagula Island ( Fig. 240 ).................................. R. tagula n. sp.

4. Posterolateral angles of female connexiva bearing prominent, curving, sickle-shaped tufts of posteriorly-directed setae ( Fig. 261 ); female connexial margins tightly appressed posteriorly, entirely covering abdominal tergites V–VII ( Fig. 261 ); male proctiger with distolateral lobes produced into apically-directed, angular processes ( Fig. 265 ); southeastern New Guinea ( Fig. 266 )................................................................................... R. ivimkana n. sp.

- Posterolateral angles of female connexiva without prominent, curving, sickle-shaped tufts of posteriorly-directed setae, at most bearing brushy patches of setae; female connexial margins not appressed posteriorly, if touching then doing so only at posterior apices, leaving abdominal tergites V–VII visible to some degree ( Figs. 242 , 248 , 254 , 268 , 275 , 282, 283 , 291 ); male proctiger with distolateral lobes broadly rounded ( Figs. 246 , 252 , 258 , 272 , 279 , 288 , 294 )................................... 5

5. Female connexival margins touching postriorly at posterolateral angles, meeting over the top of abdominal tergite VII and covering most of this tergite in dorsal view ( Fig. 242 ).......................................... R. priori Lansbury

- Female connexival margins widely separated, not touching posteriorly, abdominal tergite VII largely visible when viewed dorsally............................................................................................. 6

6. Female connexiva with margins not thinned and glabrous adjacent to abdominal tergites III and IV, of similar width and setiferation to margins adjacent to abdominal tergites I and II ( Figs. 254 , 260 ); female abdomen with ventrites II and III not tumescent, lacking posteriorly-directed patches of golden setae posteromedially, ventrite IV not centrally depressed or transversely sulcate ( Figs. 209, 211 ); male body with ratio of body length to body maximum width less than 3.0; male hind tibia usually straight or gently bowed ( Fig. 256 ); rarely strongly sinuate.............................................. 7

- Female connexiva with margins thinned, and glabrous adjacent to abdominal tergites III and IV, clearly lacking the setiferation present on preceding basal connexival segments, often bowed inward and concave ( Figs. 216–219 , 268 , 275 , 282, 283 , 291 ); female abdomen with ventrites II and III tumescent, bearing posteriorly-directed patches of golden setae posteromedially, with such setal patches also sometimes present on ventrite IV, ventrite IV either centrally depressed or transversely sulcate ( Figs. 203–206 ); male body slender and elongate, with ratio of body length to body maximum width 3.0 or greater, male hind tibia strongly sinuate in fully developed males ( Figs. 270 , 277 , 286 , 292 )............................ R. loriae subgroup…8

7. Prosternum without small black denticles adjacent to rostrum; posterolateral angles of female connexiva with prominent tufts of long setae, these tufts acuminate when viewed laterally, inwardly curving when viewed dorsally ( Fig. 254 ); male with disal cone of proctiger longer than distolateral lobes ( Fig. 258 ), male paramere with dorsal margin bearing a broad, V-shaped indentation ( Fig. 257 ); Woodlark Island ( Fig. 240 )................................................ R. suloga n. sp.

- Prosternum bearing small black denticles adjacent to rostrum; posterolateral angles of female connexiva lacking prominent tufts of long setae ( Fig. 248 ); male with disal cone of proctiger subequal in length to distolateral lobes ( Fig. 252 ), male paramere with dorsal margin broadly concave ( Fig. 251 ); northern Papuan Peninsula ( Fig. 266 ).................... R. dinga n. sp.

8. Female abdominal tergite VII narrowing posteriorly between convergent connexiva, with anterior width over 1.5X or more the posterior width ( Figs. 268 , 282, 283 )..................................................................... 9

- Female abdominal tergite VII with sides more parallel, with only slight posterior narrowing; anterior width less than 1.4X the posterior width ( Figs. 275 , 291 )......................................................................... 10

9. Female connexival margins convergent posteriorly adjacent to abdominal tergites V–VIII ( Fig 218 , 282, 283 ); female abdominal tergite VII narrow, with length exceeding 2.5X the posterior width; male proctiger relatively elongate, with basolateral and distolateral lobes projecting laterally to nearly the same extent ( Fig. 272 , 279 , 288 , 294 ); female ventral abdomen with posteromedial golden setal patches present on ventrites II–IV, small, transverse depressions present anteromedially on both ventrites IV and V ( Fig 205 ); Fergusson and Normanby islands ( Fig. 295 )........................... .. R. basima n. sp.

- Female connexival margins bowed gently outward then weakly convergent adjacent to abdominal tergites V–VIII ( Figs. 216 , 268 ); female abdominal tergite VII broader than above, with length less than 2.0X the posterior width; male proctiger more compact, with basolateral lobes projecting laterally well beyond distolateral lobes ( Fig. 272 ); female ventral abdomen with posteromedial golden setal patches present on abdominal ventrites II and III, with a few gold hairs also present posteromedially on ventrite IV, ventrite IV bearing a glabrous transverse sulcus anteromedially, ventrite V lacking such a depression, but flattened centrally as seen in oblique or posterior view ( Fig 203 ); southern Papuan Peninsula ( Fig. 295 )..... .. R. loriae n. sp.

10. Body length less than 3.5 mm in both males and females; female connexiva parallel adjacent to abdominal tergites V–VIII ( Fig. 217 , 275 ); female abdominal tergites III and IV gently raised across their entire widths, not depressed laterally and tumid medially; female ventral abdomen with posteromedial golden setal patches present on abdominal ventrites II and III, with a few gold hairs also present posteromedially on ventrite IV, abdominal ventrite IV with shallow glabrous transverse sulcus anteromedially, ventrite V lacking such a depression but flattened centrally as seen in oblique or posterior view ( Fig 204 ); male proctiger with distolateral lobes relatively short, length of distal cone subequal to that of distolateral lobes ( Fig. 279 ); Sideia and Basilaki Islands ( Fig. 295 )............................................................. R. guiagoila n. sp.

- Body length exceeding 3.8 mm in both males and females; female abdominal tergites III and IV compressed medially, depressed and concave laterally adjacent to inwardly bowed connexival margins; female connexiva bowed gently outward adjacent to abdominal tergites V–VIII ( Fig. 219 ); female ventral abdomen with posteromedial golden setal patches present on ventrites II–III, but not on ventrite IV, ventrite IV with a small, transverse depression anteromedially, ventrite V lacking a depression but slightly flattened centrally as seen in oblique or posterior view ( Fig 206 ); male proctiger longer than above, distolateral lobes well developed and broadly rounded, with length of distal cone distinctly less than that of distolateral lobes ( Fig. 294 ); Goodenough Island ( Fig. 295 )............................................................... R. elongata n. sp.

Figures

FIG 202. Rhagovelia yela, wingless female, dorsal habitus; specimen from Rossel Is., Woa River, CL 7196. Young Sohn illustration.

FIGS. 220–225. Rhagovelia yela n. sp., structural details; specimens from Rossel Is., Woa River, CL 7196. 220. Wingless male, dorsal habitus. 221. Wingless female, dorsal habitus. 222. Male right hind leg, posterior view. 223. Male right hind leg, dorsal view. 224. Male left paramere, outer lateral view. 225. Male proctiger, dorsal view.

FIGS. 227–232. Rhagovelia tagula n. sp., structural details; specimens from Tagula Is. 227. Wingless male, dorsal habitus. 228. Wingless female, dorsal habitus. 229. Male right hind leg, posterior view. 230. Male right hind leg, dorsal view; 227–230 from Kolukolu Creek, CL 7194. 231. Male left paramere, outer lateral view. 232. Male proctiger, dorsal view; 231 and 232 from Kalitau Creek, CL 7190.

FIGS. 234–238. Rhagovelia bwagabwaga n. sp., structural details; specimens from Misima Is., Keyana Creek, CL 7206. 234. Wingless male, dorsal habitus. 235. Wingless female, dorsal habitus. 236. Male right hind leg, dorsal view. 237. Male left paramere, outer lateral view. 238. Male proctiger, dorsal view.

FIGS. 241–246. Rhagovelia priori Lansbury, structural details; specimens from New Guinea, Tufi, Kofure River, CL 7304. 241. Wingless male, dorsal habitus. 242. Wingless female, dorsal habitus. 243. Male right hind leg, posterior view. 244. Male right hind leg, dorsal view. 245. Male left paramere, outer lateral view. 246. Male proctiger, dorsal view.

FIGS. 247–252. Rhagovelia dinga n. sp., structural details; specimens from New Guinea, Kamiali. 247. Wingless male, dorsal habitus. 248. Wingless female, dorsal habitus. 249. Male right hind leg, posterior view. 250. Male right hind leg, dorsal view. 251. Male left paramere, outer lateral view. 252. Male proctiger, dorsal view; 247–250 from rocky stream at Kamiali, CL 7243, 251 and 252 from Aleater River, CL 7241.

FIGS. 253–258. Rhagovelia suloga n. sp., structural details; specimens from Woodlark Is., stream on Suloga Peninsula, CL 7217. 253. Wingless male, dorsal habitus. 254. Wingless female, dorsal habitus. 255. Male right hind leg, posterior view. 256. Male right hind leg, dorsal view. 257. Male left paramere, outer lateral view. 258. Male proctiger, dorsal view.

FIGS. 260–265. Rhagovelia ivimkana n. sp., structural details; specimens from New Guinea, Lakekamu River basin. 260. Wingless male, dorsal habitus; specimen from Sapoi River tributary, CL 7148. 261. Wingless female, dorsal habitus; specimen from Tekadu, CL 7157. 262. Male right hind leg, posterior view. 263. Male right hind leg, dorsal view; 262 and 263 from Sapoi River tributary, CL 7148. 264. Male left paramere, outer lateral view. 265. Male proctiger, dorsal view; 264 and 265 from Tekadu, CL 7157a.

FIGS. 267–272. Rhagovelia loriae n. sp., specimens from eastern New Guinea. 267. Wingless male, dorsal habitus; specimen from Dorobisoro, CL 7260. 268. Wingless female, dorsal habitus; specimen from the Cloudy Mountains, CL 7175. 269. Male right hind leg, posterior view. 270. Male right hind leg, dorsal view; 269 and 270 from Dorobisoro, CL 7264. 271. Male left paramere, outer lateral view. 272. Male proctiger, dorsal view; 271 and 272 from Dorobisoro, CL 7263.

FIGS. 274–279. Rhagovelia guiagoila n. sp., structural details; specimens from the China Strait islands. 274. Wingless male, dorsal habitus. 275. Wingless female, dorsal habitus; 274 and 275 from Sideia Is., Kwabunamoa River, CL 7287. 276. Male right hind leg, posterior view. 277. Male right hind leg, dorsal view; 278. Male left paramere, outer lateral view. 279. Male proctiger, dorsal view; 276–279 from Basilaki Is., Kalawai River, CL 7294.

FIGS. 281–284. Rhagovelia basima n. sp., dorsal habitus photographs showing different color forms and morphs; specimens from the D’Entrecasteaux Islands. 281. Wingless male, orange-brown color form, dorsal habitus; specimen from Normanby Is., Dibuwa River, CL 7230. 282. Wingless female, orange-brown color form, dorsal habitus; specimen from Normanby Is., Dibuwa River, CL 7230. 283. Wingless female, dark color form, dorsal habitus; specimen from Fergusson Is., Yaya River, CL 7178. 284. Winged male, dark color form, specimen from Fergusson Is., Mebulibuli Creek, CL 7180.

FIGS. 290–294. Rhagovelia elongata n. sp., structural details; specimens from Goodenough Island. 290. Wingless male, dorsal habitus; specimen from Kuliana Creek, CL 7185. 291. Wingless female, dorsal habitus; specimen from Matalamoia River, CL 7187. 292. Male left hind leg, dorsal view; specimen from Kuliana Creek, CL 7185. 293. Male left paramere, outer lateral view. 294. Male proctiger, dorsal view; 293 and 294 from Matalamoia River, CL 7187.

FIG. 266. Distributions of species in the R. priori and R. transbintuni subgroups on eastern New Guinea and adjacent islands.

FIG. 295. Distributions of species in the R. loriae subgroup on eastern New Guinea and adjacent islands.

FIG. 240. Distributions of species in the R. yela subgroup in the Louisiade Islands, and R. suloga on Woodlark Island.

FIGS. 285–288. Rhagovelia basima n. sp., structural details; specimens from the D’Entrecasteaux Islands. 285. Male right hind leg, posterior view. 286. Male right hind leg, dorsal view; 285 and 286 from Normanby Is., Dibuwa River tributary, CL 7230. 287. Male left paramere, outer lateral view. 288. Male proctiger, dorsal view; 287 and 288 from Fergusson Is., Yaya River, CL 7178.

FIGS. 209–211. Rhagovelia papuensis group, female ventral abdomen showing locations of depressions and patterns of setiferation. 209. Rhagovelia suloga n. sp.; specimen from Woodlark Is., Suloga Peninsula, CL 7217. 210. Rhagovelia ivimkana n. sp.; specimen from New Guinea, Tekadu, CL 7157. 211. Rhagovelia dinga n. sp.; specimen from New Guinea, Kamiali, CL 7243.

FIGS. 216–219. Rhagovelia loriae subgroup, female dorsal abdomen showing central portion of the connexival margin, with varying degrees of flexure and thinning. 216. Rhagovelia loriae n. sp.; specimen from New Guinea, Watuti River, CL 7175. 217. Rhagovelia guiagoila n. sp.; specimen from Sideia Is., Kwabunamoa River, CL 7287. 218. Rhagovelia basima n. sp.; specimen from Fergusson Is., Yaya River, CL 7178. 219. Rhagovelia elongata n. sp.; specimen from Goodenough Is., Matalamoia River, CL 7187.

FIGS. 203–208. Rhagovelia papuensis group, female ventral abdomen showing locations of depressions and patterns of setiferation. 203. Rhagovelia loriae n. sp.; specimen from New Guinea, Dorobisoro, CL 7260. 204. Rhagovelia guiagoila n. sp.; specimen from Basilaki Is., Kalawai River, CL 7294. 205. Rhagovelia basima n. sp.; specimen from Fergusson Is., Yaya River, CL 7178. 206. Rhagovelia elongata n. sp.; specimen from Goodenough Is., Matalamoia River, CL 7187. 207. Rhagovelia bwagabwaga n. sp.; specimen from Misima Is., Keyana Creek, CL 7206. 208. Rhagovelia priori n. sp.; specimen from New Guinea, Kofure River, CL 7304.