Leptocera neocurvinervis Richards, 1931

Buck, Matthias & Marshall, Stephen A., 2009, Revision of New World Leptocera Olivier (Diptera, Sphaeroceridae), Zootaxa 2039 (1), pp. 1-139 : 51-54

Leptocera neocurvinervis Richards, 1931

( Figs. 5 , 16 , 87–93 , 140 )

Leptocera (Leptocera) neocurvinervis Richards, 1931: 74 (holotype ♂, BMNH, examined).

Leptocera neocurvinervis .— Roháček et al., 2001: 155 (World catalog).

Description. Body length 2.0– 3.8 mm. A predominantly dark brown species with very few paler areas: anterior part of frons, inner surface of pedicel and basomedial area of first flagellomere often with reddish tone; mid trochanter, knees, apices of tibiae, as well as mid and hind tarsi paler than adjacent areas. Arista pubescence of medium length ( Fig. 5 ). Palpus slender. Mid tibia ( Fig. 16 ) with bristle above distal dorsal about 0.4–0.6x as long as distal anterodorsal bristle; lowermost bristle of proximal posterodorsal series usually at least as long as lowermost bristle of anterodorsal series; posteroapical bristles short with ventral one up to twice as long as dorsal one.

Male terminalia ( Figs. 87–90 ): Sternite 5 with several long bristles posterolaterally, medially with pale, microtrichose, desclerotized area in front of field of enlarged microtrichia; hind margin with 6–10 scales of subequal length. Epandrium with numerous long bristles ventrally. Anterior section of surstylus with apex of anterior process moderately pointed (intermediate between L. papallacta sp.n. and L. mendozana ), ventral lobe little produced, with several relatively long bristles. Posterior section of surstylus with a small, inconspicuous tooth-like process anteriorly near base (lateral view), apex with the usual two strong bristles (lateral one shorter and with blunt tip), posterior surface with numerous long pale hairs crowded in lateral half (hairs less numerous than in L. mendozana ). Cercus with transparent, lamellate medial process. Postgonite with narrow posterobasal notch ( Fig. 140 ).

Female terminalia ( Figs. 91–93 ): Tergite 7 long and strongly convex, anteriorly with a pair of strong, cruciate bristles; medial stripe in posterior 4/5–1/2 and hind margin shining, lacking tomentosity. Sternite 7 with thickened and narrowly shining hind margin (often difficult to appreciate in slightly teneral specimens). Fused tergite 10 + cerci short, with short hairs. Spermathecae elongate, with weakly striate surface.

Type material. Holotype ♂ and 2 ♂♂ paratypes ( BMNH): CHILE, Reg. Los Lagos, Chiloé I., Ancud , 17–19.xii.1926, F. & M. Edwards. Other paratypes (all BMNH): CHILE. Reg. Aconcagua: 1 ♂, Los Andes, 1–2.i.1927, F. & M. Edwards. Reg. Los Lagos: 1 ♂, Chiloé I., Castro, 20–22.xi.1926, F. & M. Edwards; 1 ♂, Prov. Llanquihue, Peulla, 12–13.xii.1926, F. & M. Edwards; 1 ♂, 1 ♀, Puerto Varas, 16.xii.1926, F. & M. Edwards; 1 ♀, Osorno, 25.xii.1926, F. & M. Edwards. ARGENTINA. Prov. Río Negro: 1 ♂, Bariloche, 28–30.xi.1926, F. & M. Edwards. 6 ♂♂ and 4 ♀♀ paratypes mentioned by Richards (1931) were not examined. They are from the same localities as the ones examined except for 1 ♂ from Ensenada, Chile.

Other material examined. ARGENTINA. Prov. Chubut : 6 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀, Lago Puelo , 42°10'S, 71°40'W, 24.xi.1989, sweep, S.A. Marshall ( DEBU) . Prov. Lolog : 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀, 7 km N San Martín de los Andes, Gentili cabin, ca. 900 m, 18–21.xi.1989, pans/FIT along streambed, S.A. Marshall ( DEBU) ; 1 ♂, 7 ♀♀, same but FIT nr. pond, 23.xi–1.xii.1989 ( DEBU) . Prov. Neuquén : 1 ♂, 3 ♀♀, Catán Lil , 39°45'S, 70°37'W, nr. dirty pond in poplar copse, 21.xi.1989, S.A. Marshall ( DEBU) ; 2 ♀♀, same but spring used by cattle, 21–22.xi.1989, S.A. Marshall ( DEBU) . Prov. Río Negro : 1 ♂, 1 ♀, Laguna Verde nr. Villa La Angostura , 26–28.xi.1989, pans nr. lake, S.A. Marshall ( DEBU) ; 1 ♂, 1 ♀, Río Azul , 25.xi.1989, swept along river, S.A. Marshall ( DEBU) ; 1 ♀, El Bolsón , 22–25.xi.1989, S.A. Marshall ( DEBU) ; 1 ♂, Bariloche , xi.1926, R. & E. Shannon ( USNM) . Prov. Santa Cruz: 1 ♂, Lago Argentino , La Cristina, 30.i.1953, A. Willink ( IMLA) . Prov. Tierra del Fuego : 3 ♂♂, 4 ♀♀, Lago Fagnano , 13.ii.1992, swampy area, sweep, S.A. Marshall ( DEBU) ; 1 ♀, 3 km E Ushuaia , 11–14.ii.1992, marshy area nr. river, pan traps, S.A. Marshall ( DEBU) . CHILE. Reg. Aconcagua : 1 ♂, Cerro de la Campana Natl. Pk., El Granizo entrance, 32°59'S, 71°10'W, 8.xi.1996, creek, sweep, A.L. Norrbom ( USNM) . Reg. Aisén: Puerto Cisnes , 44°45'S, 72°40'W , 1 ♂, 1 ♀, 1–15.ii.1961, 1 ♂, 1 ♀, 16–28.ii.1961, L.E. Peña ( CNCI) ; 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀, Río Mañiguales , 45°25'S, 72°30'W, 26–28.i.1961, L.E. Peña ( CNCI) ; 1 ♂, 1 ♀, Puerto Ibañez, Lago Buenos Aires , 12–15.i.1961, L.E. Peña ( CNCI) . Reg. Araucanía : 1 ♂, 3 ♀♀, Lago Caburgua, S shore btw. Playa Blanca and Caburgua , 39°12'S, 71°48'W, 12–16.xi.1996, Norrbom & Steck ( USNM) ; 1 ♂, 10 km N Lautaro , 3.i.1966, Flint & Cekalovic ( USNM) ; 9 ♂♂, 6 ♀♀, Pucón , 6–8.xi.1989, drift nr. lake, pan traps, S.A. Marshall ( DEBU, IESC) ; 3 ♀♀, same but 5.xi.1989, lakeshore ( DEBU) ; 8 ♂♂, 7 ♀♀, same but 15.xi–2.xii.1989, lakeshore, pans ( DEBU, IESC) ; 10 ♂♂, 4 ♀♀, same but 8–13.xi.1989, lakeside debris, pans ( DEBU, IESC) ; 1 ♂, 15 km W Angol , xi.1956, L.E. Peña ( CNCI) ; Marimenuco , 1,100 m , 1 ♀, 1959, 1 ♀, 10–13.i.1964, L.E. Peña ( CNCI) ; 1 ♂, Volcán, Villarrica , 1,120 m, 13–29.xii.1982, Newton & Thayer ( IESC) ; 2 ♀♀, Purén Contulmo Natural Mon. , 350 m, 11.xii.1984 – 13.ii.1985, mixed evergreen forest, carrion trap, S. & J. Peck ( DEBU) ; 1 ♀, Manzanar , 750 m, 38°27’56”S, 71°42’25”W, i.2006, A.R. Plant ( NMWC) ; 2 ♂♂, Nahuelbuta N.P., 1,100 m, 37°49’39”S, 73°0’34”W, i.2006, A.R. Plant ( NMWC) ; 1 ♀, Renaico , 1.iv.1932, D.S. Bullock ( USNM) ; 2 ♀♀, Angol , 30.viii.1925 ( USNM) ; 2 ♂♂, 4 ♀♀, Angol , various dates: 8.viii.1931 – 29.iii.1932 (1 ♂, 1 ♀ on fungus on Nothofagus dombeyi ), D.S. Bullock ( USNM) . Reg. Biobío : 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀, Pichinahuel , 10.i.1959, L.E. Peña ( CNCI) ; 2 ♀♀, Salto del Laja , 20 m, 8.xi.1966, Schlinger & Irwin ( CASC) ; 1 ♂, 1 ♀, Puchacay , 16.i.1980, O. Madrid ( DEBU) ; 5 ♂♂, 4 ♀♀, Laraquete , 10–25.i.1993, yellow pans, P. Salinas ( DEBU) ; 4 ♂♂, 6 ♀♀, nr. Lirquén , 31.xii.1966 [1965?], Flint & Cekalovic ( USNM) ; 1 ♂, 3 ♀♀, Est. Cosmito , 31.xii.1965, Flint & Cekalovic ( USNM) ; 1 ♂, 1 ♀, 17.5 km S Curanipe , 50 m, 25.i.1979, nr. coastal stream, D. & M. Davis & B. Akerbergs ( USNM) ; 1 ♀, Carampangue , 1.i.1966, Flint & Cekalovic ( USNM) ; 1 ♀, Alto Tregualemu ca. 20 km SE Chovellén, 500 m, 26–27.i.1979, D. & M. Davis & B. Akerbergs ( USNM) ; 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀, San Rosendo, xii.1926, R. & E. Shannon ( USNM) . Reg. Coquimbo : 1 ♂, Hacienda Illapel, Río Illapel , 600–900 m, 19.x.1966, Schlinger & Irwin ( CASC) ; 2 ♂♂, Palo Colorado nr. Pichidangui , 7–11.viii.1960, L.E. Peña ( CNCI) ; 1 ♂, Samo Alto , 6.xi.1957, L.E. Peña ( CNCI) ; 20 ♂♂, 11 ♀♀, Hacienda Illapel , 600m, 900 m, 1,200 m and 600–1,000m, various dates: 24.x–6.xi.1954, L.E. Peña ( CNCI) ; Illapel , 1 ♂, 18.x.1958, 1 ♀, 19.x.1958, L.E. Peña ( CNCI) . Reg. Libertador General B. O'Higgins : 1 ♀, Cordillera Parral , La Balsa, 850 m, 25–27.ii.1956 ( CNCI) ; 1 ♀, Las Cabras , 1,480 m, 10–23.xii.1954, L.E. Peña ( CNCI) . Reg. Los Lagos : 2 ♀♀, 4 km E Anticura , 430 m, 19–26.xii.1982, Newton & Thayer ( CNCI) ; 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀, 6 km E Anticura , 430 m, 19–25.xii.1982, Newton & Thayer ( CNCI) ; 1 ♂, 1 km W Anticura , 430 m, 1–3.ii.1978, W.N. Mathis ( USNM) ; 1 ♂, 3 ♀♀, 4 km W Anticura , 270 m, 19–25.xii.1982, Newton & Thayer ( CNCI) ; 1 ♂, 1 ♀, Puyehue Natl. Pk., Anticura , 19–25.xii.1982, Newton & Thayer ( CNCI) ; 2 ♂♂, 4 ♀♀, Puyehue Natl. Pk. , 440 m, 965 m and 1,600 m, various dates: 17–26.xii.1982, Newton & Thayer ( CNCI) ; 1 ♀, Puyehue Natl. Pk., Antillanca road, 690 m, 18–24.xii.1982, valdivian rainforest, Newton & Thayer ( CNCI) ; 1 ♂, Pucatrihue , 27–30.i.1978, W.N. Mathis ( USNM) ; Prov. Llanquihue , Maullín , 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀, 17.ii.1957, 1 ♀, 16–18.xi.1957, L.E. Peña ( CNCI) ; 4 ♂♂, Río Maullín , 6.i.1966, Flint & Cekalovic ( USNM) ; 2 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀, Puerto Montt , xii.1926, R. & E. Shannon ( USNM) ; 3 ♂♂, 4 ♀♀, Puerto Varas , xii.1926, R. & E. Shannon ( USNM) ; Ensenada , 1 ♀, 13–15.i.1962, 2 ♀, 14.i.1962, Nothofagus forest, L.E. Peña ( CNCI) ; 1 ♀, 12 km NW Ensenada , 41°9'S, 72°35'W, 14.ii.1998, N.E. Woodley ( USNM) ; 1 ♂, 1 ♀, Chiloé I., Dalcahue , 10–20.ii.1957 , 1 ♀, 15.ii.1957, L.E. Peña ( CNCI) ; 1 ♂, Chiloé I., 5.4 km S of Huillinco , 42°43’8”S, 73°53’50”W, i.2006, A.R. Plant ( NMWC) ; 1 ♀, Chiloé I., “Lago Huinchillo” [= Lago Huillinco ], 10 m, “ 42°38'S, 72°0'W ” [incorrect], 11–12.xii.2002, yellow pans, L. Masner ( DEBU) ; 1 ♂, 5 ♀♀, El Chinque [=?Chinquiu], N Correntoso, i.1990, L.E. Peña ( DEBU, IESC) . Reg. Los Ríos: 1 ♂, Lanco, Río Las Cruces , 5.i.1966, Flint & Cekalovic ( USNM) ; 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀, Río San Pedro , 24 km NE of Los Lagos, 13–18.xi.2000, river bank slope forest, yellow pans, L. Packer ( DEBU) ; 1 ♂, 1 ♀, Carelmapu , 24.xi.1957, L.E. Peña ( CNCI) . Reg. Magallanes : 2 ♀♀, 4 km W Laguna Amarga , 50°59'S, 72°45'W, 7.xii.1966, Irwin & Schlinger ( CASC) ; 2 ♂♂, Laguna Amarga , Natales E Cerro Payne, 200 m, 14–20.xii.1960, L.E. Peña ( CNCI) ; 4 ♂♂, 7 ♀♀, Camerón, S Bahía Inútil , 14–17.xi.1960, L.E. Peña ( CNCI) ; 3 ♂♂, 9 ♀♀, Río Tres Brazos , 9–15.i.1966, Flint & Cekalovic ( USNM) ; 4 ♂♂, 7 ♀♀, Punta Arenas , 9–15.i.1966, Flint & Cekalovic ( USNM) ; 5 ♂♂, 1 ♀, Río Verde , 12.i.1966, Flint & Cekalovic ( USNM) ; 3 ♂♂, Punta Carrera , 16.i.1966, Flint & Cekalovic ( USNM) . Reg. Maule : 6 ♂♂, 4 ♀♀, Teno , 12 km NW Curicó, 34°52'S, 71°11'W, 1.xii.1982, R.L. Brown ( MEMU) ; 5 ♂♂, 6 ♀♀, 1 km N Curicó , 29.xi.1982, blacklight trap, R.L. Brown ( MEMU) ; 1 ♂, 1 ♀, 10 km NW Rauco , 34°52'S, 71°21'W, 2.xii.1982, R.L. Brown ( MEMU) ; 1 ♀, 6 km E Molina , 35°07'S, 71°17'W, 3.xii.1982, R.L. Brown ( MEMU) ; 4 ♂♂, 9 ♀♀, Curanipe , 4.xii.1953, L.E. Peña ( CNCI) ; 2 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀, nr. Talca , 9.xii.1982, Newton & Thayer ( CNCI) ; 1 ♂, Chanco , 30.xi.1953, L.E. Peña ( CNCI) ; 1 ♀, Reloca , 16.xii.1976, A.B. Gurney ( USNM) ; 1 ♀, Constitución , 16.xii.1976, Gurney & Barria ( USNM) ; 1 ♀, Nirivilo W San Javier, 15.xii.1976, wet pasture, A.B. Gurney ( USNM) . Reg. Santiago : 1 ♂, Río Colorado , 40 km E Santiago, 32°52'S, 70°25'W, 10.xii.1982, R.L. Brown ( MEMU) ; 2 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀, La Granja , 28.xii.1982, R.L. Brown ( MEMU) ; 1 ♀, Rinconada Maipú , 450 m, 33°31'S, 70°47'W, 16.iv.1966, malaise, Hichins & Irwin ( CASC) ; 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀, Pudahuel , 435 m, 4.i.1983, Newton & Thayer ( CNCI) ; 1 ♀, Las Condes , 19.xi.1954, L.E. Peña ( CNCI) ; 16 ♂♂, 7 ♀♀, Santiago, 10 km S along Río Clarillo , 3.xi.1989, S.A. Marshall ( DEBU, IESC) ; 2 ♀♀, Santiago, Río Clarillo , 3.xi–7.xii.1989, pans nr. stream, S.A. Marshall ( DEBU) ; 1 ♂, 1 ♀, San Sebastián, 28.xii.1992, dry river, S.A. Marshall ( DEBU) ; 1 ♀, Santiago, Marga Marga , 11.ix.1927, Jaffuel & Pirion ( USNM) .

Distribution. Leptocera neocurvinervis ranges farther south than any other species in the genus. It has been recorded from Coquimbo Region in Chile and Neuquén Province in Argentina south to Tierra del Fuego at altitudes below 1,600 m. Through most of its range L. neocurvinervis appears to be the only native species of Leptocera (the occurrence of L. caenosa in this area is probably due to introduction). The ranges of L. argentinica sp.n. and of the rare L. longilimbata sp.n. (Coquimbo Region, Chile) slightly overlap that of L. neocurvinervis but L. longilimbata sp.n. occurs at significantly higher elevations (above 2,300 m).

Discussion. This species shows several unique characters and character combinations. The male possesses a transparent, lamellate medial process to the cercus (but no finger-like process present in many other species), and a pale, microtrichose medial area of sternite 5 (similar area in L. mendozana bare). The female has nearly smooth spermathecae (similar to L. aequilimbata which lacks the shining areas of tergite 7 present in most species).

Figures

FIGURES 2–6. Leptocera heads and antennae. Heads of (2) L. argentinica sp.n. (Argentina); (3) L. fulva (Costa Rica). Arista and first flagellomeres of (4) L. aequilimbata (Peru); (5) L. neocurvinervis (Chile); (6) L. caenosa (U.S.A.). ad s—additional setulae on orbit, l or—lower orbital bristle, u or—upper orbital bristle.

FIGURES 16–29. Leptocera mid tibiae and basitarsi. Mid tibia, dorsal: (16) L. neocurvinervis (Chile); (17) L. duplicata (Juan Fernández Is.). Apical half of mid tibia and basitarsus, posterior: (18) L. parallelipennis sp.n. (Juan Fernández Is.); (19) L. ellipsipennis (Juan Fernández Is.); (20) L. erythrocera (Honduras); (21) L. sphaerotheca sp.n. (Mexico); (22) L. plax sp.n. (Ecuador); (23) L. tapanti sp.n. (Costa Rica); (24) L. cymatonota sp.n. (Mexico); (25) L. parafinalis (Canada); (26) L. neofinalis sp.n. (Canada); (27) L. kanata sp.n. (Canada); (28) L. fontinalis (France); (29) L. nigra (South Africa). d ad—distal anterodorsal bristle, d d—distal dorsal bristle, d pa—dorsal posteroapical bristle, l ad—lowermost bristle of proximal anterodorsal series, l pd—lowermost bristle of proximal posterodorsal series, mv—midventral bristle, pa v—preapical ventral bristle, vb—ventrobasal bristle of basitarsus, v pa—ventral posteroapical bristle.

FIGURES 87–93. Leptocera neocurvinervis (Chile). Male terminalia (phallus and postgonites omitted): (87) lateral; (88) posterior; (89) ventral; (90) sternite 5. Female terminalia: (91) dorsal; (92) spermathecae; (93) ventral. da—desclerotized area, lp—lamellate process of cercus, proc—tooth-like process at base of posterior section of surstylus, sa—shining area of tergite 7.

FIGURES 138–146. Postgonites and aedeagal complex of Leptocera caenosa group. Postgonites of (138) L. aequilimbata (Argentina), (139) L. argentinica sp.n. (Argentina), (140) L. neocurvinervis (Chile), (141) L. erratica sp.n. (South Africa), (142) L. sphaerotheca sp.n. (U.S.A.), (143) L. ellipsipennis (Juan Fernández Is.), (144) L. parallelipennis sp.n. (Juan Fernández Is.), (145) L. cultellipennis (Juan Fernández Is.). Aedeagal complex of (146) L. duplicata (Juan Fernández Is.). bp—basiphallus, dp—distiphallus, ea—ejaculatory apodeme, pa—phallapodeme, pg—postgonites.