Forcepsioneura serrabonita, Pinto & Kompier, 2018

Pinto, Ângelo Parise & Kompier, Tom, 2018, In honor of conservation of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest: description of two new damselflies of the genus Forcepsioneura discovered in private protected areas (Odonata: Coenagrionidae), Zoologia (e 21351) 35, pp. 1-19 : 7-12

Forcepsioneura serrabonita sp. nov.

http://zoobank.org/ 9D6A447E-4F57-4DF3-AA37-BB59DA7F7829

Figs 7–12, 13–16, 21–23, 29–30, 33–34, 36, 38

Diagnosis. A medium, dorsally black and lateroventrally yellowish protoneurid species; frons angulated; rear of head pale; posterolateral margin of median lobe of prothorax with well-defined tubercle-like process; CuP&AA indistinct; Ax space 1 as long as Ax space 3; GL with long inner fold and distal lateral lobe prolonged into a flagellum; cercus forcipate with mediobasal (MBP) and ventrobasal process (VBP), all characters agreeing with the definition of Forcepsioneura as recently diagnosed (Machado 2009, Garrison et al. 2010).

Based on general color and shape of male cercus, F. serrabonita sp. nov. resembles F. grossiorum and F. lucia . Males of this orange-black group of large species with robust cercus have a short VBP (as long as≤ 0.40 of dorsal branch of cercus in lateral view), while it is longer (as long as ≥ 0.55 of dorsal branch) in F. garrisoni , F. haerteli , F. itatiaiae , F. regua sp. nov. and F. sancta . Forcepsioneura serrabonita sp. nov. is distinguished from the first two species by having posterior lobe of prothorax regularly rounded ( Figs 9, 13; sinuous in F. grossiorum ); Pt quadrangular, ratio between costal length and proximal length 0.54 in F. serrabonita sp. nov., being similar in size to F. lucia (ratio ≅ 0.6), but rectangular and distinctly longer in F. grossiorum (ratio = 0.8); cercus slender, with anteromesal margin of MBP process rounded in dorsal view ( Figs 10, 22; acute in both F. grossiorum and F. lucia ), MBP almost not visible in lateral view ( Figs 11, 21; clearly visible in F. grossiorum and F. lucia ).

In view of the large size of specimens of F. serrabonita sp. nov., they can be confused with F. itatiaiae , from which, in addition to the shorter VBP mentioned above, it can be separated by the shape of the male cercus with strongly cylindrical VBP ( Figs 11, 21; blade-like and truncated apex in F. itatiaiae ), MBP largely rounded dorsally and almost not visible in lateral view ( Figs 10–11, 21–22; angulated plate as an axe with concave blade dorsally, and clearly visible in lateral view in F. itatiaiae ).

Additionally, the distinctive shape of the GL ( Figs 14–16), with a large and upright internal fold (obliquely toward anteriorly in the other species), will separate F. serrabonita sp. nov. from all species for which the GL has been described.

Females of several Forcepsioneura species are poorly known, which hampers a useful diagnosis. Putative females should be identified by comparison with descriptions, figures and association with males.

Description of male holotype. Head ( Figs 7–8): Labium, visible parts of maxillae and mandibles (except apex) ivory yellow ( Fig. 8). Genae yellowish, darkening gradually posteriorly. Labrum orange-brown (possibly light orange in life) with two lateral and one mesal rounded dark brown spots from clypeolabral suture to 0.5 ventral, pale areas among them darkened. Anteclypeus with lateral and mesal membranous ventral part yellowish, remainder part forming a semicircular dark brown plate, postclypeus almost entirely shining dark brown with ill-defined orange-brown spots. Antefrons dark brown with ill-defined pale areas, postfrons and remainder of epicranium opaque black with a weak copper luster. Antenna, antennifer and scape black, posterior surface of pedicel light dark brown, all parts with laterofrontal surface and distal apex of antennifer and scape ivory yellow; flagellum lost. Posterior region of the cranium (“postgena” plus “occiput”) pale brown ( Fig. 7), probably light ivory yellow.

Thorax ( Figs 9, 36): Prothorax dorsally black, gradually lightening ventrally to yellow at pleural sclerites; anterior margin of anterior lobe ivory yellow; posterolateral margin of median lobe with well-defined tubercle-like process; posterior lobe rounded convex, narrower than median ( Figs 9, 13); sternellum (furcasternum sensu Asahina 1954) almost entirely black. Synthorax ( Fig. 36) dorsally dark, gradually lightening ventrally; mesepisternum from mesostigmal region to antealar sinus entirely dark brown to black with greenish-copper metallic reflections, except light brown line running longitudinal to mesopleural suture; mesepimeron dorsally light brown, narrowed ventrally by an ivory yellow stripe occupying 0.4 of the lateroventral apex of the sclerite, over mesinfraepisternum it occupies 0.5 ventral; remainder of synthorax ivory yellow, except poorly defined light brown stripe with about 0.3 of width along metapleural suture ending at spiracle level and a small black spot at ventro-distal apex of metapostepimeron. Legs ivory yellow with irregular dark brown to black areas in articulation femur-tibia, dorsal surface of metathoracic femur and apex of pretarsal claws (pretarsus); spurs black except scale-like ivory yellow proximal femoral spurs and tibial comb of prothoracic leg; anteroventral surface of femora armed with long and robust spurs, 5 in pro- and mesothoracic and 6 in metathoracic femora, posteroventral surface with shorter and thinner spurs, 3 in pro- and mesothoracic femora to 6 in metathoracic femur; anteroventral surface of tibiae armed with 9 spurs in pro- (4 of tibial comb), 7 in meso-, 6–7 in metathoracic tibiae, usually longer than intervening spaces; pretarsal claws with distinct acute supplementary inferior tooth at ca 0.50 of their length in all legs.

Wings ( Fig. 36): Membrane hyaline; venation dark brown to black; Pt brown, with a narrow internal pale line surrounding the enclosing veins, quadrangular. MP reaches anal margin slightly distal of vein descending from subnodus, covering 2 cells in FW, distal to vein descending from subnodus covering ca 0.5 of a third cell in HW. Px in Fw 12; Hw 11; RP2 originating at or slightly distal to Px 5 in Fw, at or slightly proximal to Px 4 in Hw.

Abdomen ( Figs 10–12, 14–16, 21–23, 36): Tergites of S1–10 dark brown to black dorsally, yellow ivory lateroventrally, darker in S8–10; sternites similar in color to adjacent areas of tergite, yellow ivory in S1, remainder segments light yellow to orange-yellow with irregular dark areas; pale longitudinal stripe occupying 0.5 ventral of S1–2 tergites laterally, gradually narrowing to ca 0.3 in S8, S9 with two ill-defined small pale spots, one close to posterior field of S8 and other close to posterior carina, S10 almost entirely black; S3–7 with an narrow anterior pale ring ≤0.1 of total segment length, dorsally separated by a thin line; S1–7 cylindrical, S8–10 distinctly wider than previous segments, S7–8 slightly smashed preventing an accurate measurement of abdominal width in these segments; posterior margin of S10 with a shallow and wide concavity. Secondary genitalia ( Figs 14–16) typical of Coenagrionoidea, anterior lamina with a deep and acute incision, anterior hamule quadrangular, with anteroventral angle acutely projected, posterior hamule almost entirely internalized with a curved thumb-shape; VS longer than wide, maximum width 0.4 of total length in ventral view. Genital ligula (as in Figs 14–16) rectangular in ectal view; L1 smooth, without any kind of special setae; L2 with posterolateral portion of flexure projected distally beyond median region, mesally slightly projected in ectal view, in lateral view this projection similar to terminal fold ( Fig. 15); distal margin of L2 (tip of ligula) almost straight in ectal view; distal lateral lobe prolonged into a gradually thinner, twisted, flagellum; internal fold proximal to flexure, upright, large, ca 0.4 of L2 total length in lateral view ( Fig. 16); no sclerotized tubercle at level of flexure. Epiproct reduced to a membranous-like plate. Cercus ( Figs 10–12, 21–23) ivory yellow, with apex, ventrobasal (VBP) and mediobasal (MBP) processes dark brown to black; in lateral view strongly directed obliquely dorsad; VBP in opposite direction, short, apex rounded, distal edge at half distance from ventral margin of S10; MBP visible as a rounded tubercle between cercus and VBP; tip of cercus blunt; in dorsal view forcipate, proximally wide, slender distally, lateral margin gently curved, internal margin slightly more curved, apices converging ( Figs 10, 22); MBP as a rounded plate, positioned at 0.33 basal; in posterior view obliquely directed ventrally and projected from a dilated area of cercus; apex of VBP process acute and slightly curved in posterior view ( Fig. 23). Paraproct orange-yellow, plate-like.

Measurements (mm). Total length (incl. caudal appendages) 38.7; abdomen length (excluding caudal appendages) 33.0; head maximum width 3.4; Fw length 21.8; Hw length 20.3; Fw maximum width 3.8, 3.7 in Hw; Pt length 0.54 in Fw, 0.58 in Hw; length of metathoracic femur 2.0; metathoracic tibia 2.1; length of S9+ 10 in lateral view 1.46; total length of cercus (dorsal branch) in lateral view 0.88; length of ventrobasal process in lateral view 0.36.

Female paratype. Similar to holotype. The only differences are described below.

Head ( Figs 29–30): Labrum light orange with two lateral and a mesal rounded dark brown spots from clypeolabral suture to 0.5 ventral. Anteclypeus yellowish. Antefrons ivory yellow. Scape articulation and posterior surface of pedicel ivory yellow. Posterior region of the cranium (“postgena” plus “occiput”) yellowish, brownish dorsally close to foramen

Thorax ( Figs 30, 36): Leg spurs black; anteroventral surface of femora armed with long and robust spurs, 5 in pro-, 4 in mesoand metathoracic femora, posteroventral surface with shorter and thinner spurs, 3 in pro-, 4 in meso- and 6 in metathoracic femora; anteroventral surface of tibiae armed with 10 spurs in pro- (5 of tibial comb), 6 in meso- and metathoracic tibiae, usually longer than intervening spaces.

Wings: MP reaches anal margin slightly distal of the vein descending from subnodus, covering 2 cells and ca 0.25 of a third cell in FW and 0.5 in HW. Px in Fw 13; Hw 11; RP2 originating at or slightly proximal to Px 6 in Fw, at Px 4 in Hw.

Abdomen ( Figs 33–34): Coloration very similar to that of male holotype except for the yellow ivory posterior field of S8 and dorsal longitudinal stripe on S9–10, forming an irregular T-spot dorsally on S9. Sternites light yellow to orange-yellow. Ovipositor ( Fig. 34) reaching distally level of cercus in lateral view, yellowish-orange, dorsal lobe of third valve (gonoplac of S9) slightly paler, ventral surface smooth; stylus dark brown, tip yellow. Cercus, epiproct and paraproct dark brown to black ( Figs 33–34).

Measurements (mm). Total length (incl. caudal appendages) 37.3; abdomen length (excluding caudal appendages) 31.0; head maximum width 3.1; Fw length 21.2; Hw length 19.8; Fw maximum width 3.8; Hw maximum width 3.9; Pt length in Fw 0.54; Pt length in Hw 0.59; length of metathoracic femur 2.2; metathoracic tibia 2.4; length of S9+ 10 in lateral view 1.0; total length of cercus (dorsal branch) in lateral view 0.32.

Variation in male paratypes. The four other specimens (excluding the teneral one) are very similar to holotype, minor differences are described below.

Head: Labrum brownish to black. Postclypeus shining dark or with ill-defined mesal orange-brown spot. Frons and remainder of epicranium opaque black with a weak copper luster. Antennal flagellum brown to black. Posterior region of cranium (“postgena” plus “occiput”) ivory yellow.

Thorax: Anteroventral surface of femora armed with long and robust spurs, 5 in pro-, 3–4 in meso- and 5 in metathoracic femora, posteroventral surface with shorter and thinner spurs, 3 in pro-, 4–5 in meso-, 5–6 in metathoracic femora; anteroventral surface of tibiae armed with 9–10 spurs in pro- (4–5 of tibial comb), 5–6 in meso-, 5–6 in metathoracic tibiae.

Wings: MP reaches anal margin at or slightly distally to vein descending from subnodus, covering from 0.33 to 0.5 of a third cell in HW. Px in Fw 12–15; Hw 10–13; RP2 originating between Px 5–6 in Fw.

Measurements (mm). Total length (incl. caudal appendages) 37.5–40.5; abdomen length (excluding caudal appendages) 31.7–33.7; head maximum width 2.9–3.3; Fw length 20.3–22.3; Hw length 19.5–21.3; Fw maximum width 3.5–3.8; Hw maximum width 3.7–3.8; Pt length 0.56–0.60 in Fw; 0.58–0.64 in Hw; length of metathoracic femur 1.9–2.1; metathoracic tibia 2.1–2.2; length of S9+ 10 in lateral view 1.3–1.4; total length of cercus (dorsal branch) in lateral view 0.74–0.86; length of ventrobasal process in lateral view 0.12–0.22.

Larva. Unknown.

Material examined (6 males, 1 female). Holotype male, BRAZIL. Bahia State: Camacan municipality, Reserva Particular do Patrimônio Natural ( RPPN) Serra Bonita , collecting point “Alojamento” (BA 2012-001; 15°23’16”S, 39°33’58”W, 810 m a.s.l.), 27–29.II.2012, R.A. Carvalho leg. ( DZRJ 0050 ); 1 male paratype, same data but first trickle on road beyond managers house (15°23’19”S, 39°33’57”W, 710 m a.s.l. [822 m]), 5.I.2013, C.M. Flint & O.S. Flint Jr. leg. ( USNM); 2 male paratypes, same data but quarry, 20.II.2015 ( USNM; MZSP ODO-492, DNA voucher ENT2857 ); 1 male paratype, same data but 26.II.2015 ( USNM); 1 female paratype, same data but spring near telecommunication towers (15°23’02”S, 39°34’19”W; 850 m a.s.l. [880 m]), 25.XII.2013, T.W. Donnelly leg. ( MNRJ ODO-0001; ex-TWD collection). Additional specimen (excluded from type series). 1 male (teneral), same data as holotype but trickles at upper water tank (15°23’03”, 39°34’19”W, 890 m a.s.l.), 23.XII.2012, C.M. Flint & O.S. Flint, Jr. leg. ( USNM).

Etymology. Noun in apposition in reference to the type locality in the complex of RPPNs Serra Bonita, in honor of this protected area and its managers, who have taken positive steps towards the preservation of Atlantic Forest remnants in the southern portion of the biodiversity-rich state of Bahia.

Biological and ecological data. Expected to be a submontane forest species, most likely occurring at seepages similar to the mesohabitat occupied by the large montane species from southeastern Brazil (e.g., F. itatiaiae and F. cf. lucia ). The larvae possibly are madicolous and should inhabit shallow streams running over rocky substrates covered by ferns and hornworts/ liverworts forming small waterfalls ( Fig.40). Though we have not observed adult behavior in the field it is plausible to assume that F.serrabonita sp. nov. is a forest damselfly like most Forcepsioneura .