Rhyparoclava pyrrhocoroides, Kment & Hemala & Baňař, 2016

Kment, Petr, Hemala, Vladimír & Baňař, Petr, 2016, Rhyparoclava pyrrhocoroides, a new genus and species of autapomorphic Rhyparochromidae with clavate antennae from Madagascar (Hemiptera: Heteroptera), Acta Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae 56 (2), pp. 517-545 : 536-541

Rhyparoclava pyrrhocoroides sp. nov.

( Figs 1–71 , 74–78 )

Type locality. Northern Madagascar, Antsiranana Province, Antsiranana Prov., 8 km SW of Antsiranana (= Diego-Suárez), Montagne de Français hills, S 12°19′00.23″ E 49°33′92″.

Type material. HOLOTYPE: J ( MMBC), ‘MFR/ Jan.2015 /17 N MADAGASCAR / MONTAGNE DE FRANÇAIS ~ 250m / S12°19´00.23´´ E49°33´92´´; 19.i.2015 / sifting litter by rock; Winkler app. extr. / P. Baňař & E.M. Rabotoson lgt. [printed, white label] // HOLOTYPE / Rhyparoclava / pyrrhocoroides gen. & sp. nov. / P. Kment, V. Hemala & P. Baňař det. 2016 [printed, red label]’. PARATYPES: 8 JJ 8 ♀♀ (3 JJ 2 ♀♀ MMBC; 3 JJ 3 ♀♀ NMPC; 1 J BMNH; 1 J HNHM; 1♀ MNHN; 1♀ EKKH), the same data as holotype, 1J and 1♀ gold-coated for SEM photographing ]; 1 ♀ ( MMBC), ‘MFR/ Jan.2015 /14 N MADAGASCAR / MONTAGNE DE FRANÇAIS ~ 320m / 18.i.2015 ; sifting litter by rock / Winkler apparatus extraction / P. Baňař & E.M. Rabotoson lgt .’; 2 J 2 ♀♀ ( MMBC), 1 J 2 ♀ ( NMPC), ‘MFR/ Jan.2015 /15 N MADAGASCAR / MONTAGNE DE FRANÇAIS ~ 200m / 18.i.2015 ; sifting litter under big tree / Winkler apparatus extraction / P.Baňař & E.M. Rabotoson lgt .’; 1 J 1 ♀ ( MMBC), 1 ♀ ( NMPC), ‘MFR/ Jan.2016 /01 N MA- DAGASCAR / MONTAGNE DE FRANÇAIS ~ 250m / 14.i.2016 ; sifting litter + rotten branches / Winkler apparatus extraction / P.Baňař & E.M. Rabotoson lgt.’ Each paratype bears following printed red label : ‘ PARATYPE / Rhyparoclava / pyrrhocoroides gen. & sp. nov. / P. Kment, V. Hemala & P. Baňař det. 2016’.

Description. Coloration ( Figs 1–2 ). Entire body dark brown, head blackish brown, the following parts being paler: antennal segments II–IV reddish brown, pedicel and basiflagellum with narrow black ring apically, apex of distiflagellum paler than rest of antenna; labium pale, only apex of the labial segment IV dark brown; coxae reddish brown, femora and tibiae pale brown, trochanter and tarsus paler than rest of leg; lateral margin of pronotum and costal margin/hypocostal lamina of hemelytron reddish brown because partly translucent due to deep punctures; small pale brown spots present around the callar lobe, a large one in the middle of scutellum, smaller one or two on veins in 2/3 of corium, a paler one in inner 1/3 of posterior margin of corium; sternites and hypopleurites III–VII each with one pale brown spot in posterolateral angle. Tergite VII reddish brown with a narrow blackish stripe distally.

Structure. See the generic description.

Vestiture. Head, thorax and abdomen glabrous macroscopically (e.g., Figs 1–2 , 4 , 19–20, 40, 46), with very short adpressed hairs visible only under high magnification (Figs 16–18, 25–28, 42, 48–51). Legs (Figs 21, 23), scape ( Figs 9–10 ) and labium ( Figs 5, 7 , 21–22) with very short, adpressed pilosity; antennal segments II–IV covered with whitish adpressed setae and few intermingled long, fine, erect setae, most prominent on pedicel ( Figs 9–15 ).

Punctation. Head ( Figs 5–8 ) with dense, shallow punctures throughout, somewhat more prominent on vertex. Disc of pronotum ( Figs 4 , 16–17) with dense, irregularly dispersed, dark punctures, except of nearly smooth cicatrices, and explanate lateral margin bearing a single longitudinal row of dark brown punctures both dorsally and ventrally (Fig. 16). Scutellum (Figs 18, 20) with coarse, dense, irregular, dark punctures. Corium and clavus (Figs 19–20) with large and coarse, concolorous punctures forming longitudinal rows between veins. Thoracic pleura ( Figs 23, 25–28 ) with large and deep punctures. Abdomen (Figs 39–42, 45–46, 48) with small to very small punctures both dorsally and ventrally, becoming smaller and denser posteriad; tergites III laterally and IV anterolaterally without punctures (Figs 41–42).

Measurements [median (minimum–maximum); in mm]. Males (n = 9; for antennal segments II–IV: n = 8, for labial segments: n = 1). Body length 4.26 (4.12–4.59); head: length 0.88 (0.66–0.96), width (including eyes) 0.87 (0.85–0.92), interocular width 0.47 (0.44–0.50); length of antennal segments: scape (I) – 0.54 (0.47–0.58), pedicel (II) – 0.88 (0.81–0.90), basiflagellum (III) – 0.48 (0.43–0.53), distiflagellum (IV) – 0.48 (0.45–0.51); lengths of labial segments: I – 0.57, II – 0.79, III – 0.46, IV – 0.34 mm; pronotum: length 0.77 (0.70–0.79), width 1.35 (1.26–1.45); scutellum: length 0.76 (0.67–0.79), width 0.89 (0.83–0.94); corium: length 1.43 (1.37–1.55), width 0.88 (0.82–0.92); abdomen: width (across segment IV) 1.79 (1.68–1.93).

Females (n = 9; for antennal segments II–IV: n = 8). Body length 4.99 (4.77–5.19); head: length 0.86 (0.74–0.93), width (including eyes) 0.95 (0.91–0.98), interocular width 0.51 (0.48–0.54); length of antennal segments: scape (I) – 0.56 (0.51–0.61), pedicel (II) – 0.96 (0.93–1.00), basiflagellum (III) – 0.55 (0.51–0.58), distiflagellum (IV) – 0.55 (0.50–0.58); pronotum: length 0.78 (0.76–0.85), width 1.52 (1.46–1.60); scutellum: length 0.85 (0.83–0.95), width 1.02 (0.97–1.11); corium: length 1.67 (1.59–1.75), width 0.98 (0.92–1.06); abdomen: width (across segment IV) 2.16 (2.07–2.26).

Ratios. Dorsal ocular index 2.35 (males), 2.31 (females); pronotum width / pronotum length 1.75 (males), 1.94 (females); corium length / corium width 1.63 (males), 1.70 (females); total body length / maximum abdomen width 2.38 (males), 2.31 (females).

Intraspecific variation. Besides sexual dimorphism, we noticed only slight variability in colouration, some specimens being slightly paler (probably teneral).

Teratology. In some of the specimens studied (sample 17 collected on 19.i.2015) we observed peculiar, small wart-like tubercles occurring isolated (e.g. apically on scape I – Fig. 76 : white arrows) or in groups forming a ‘rash’ on certain body parts, especially around the peritreme ( Fig. 78 ), in basal angles of the scutellum ( Fig. 77 ), or along sutures between abdominal sternites ( Figs 74–75 ). The presence of the ‘rash’ differed between the left and right side of the same specimen as well as between specimens, completely lacking in others. We consider this as a case of teratology or a symptom of some kind of disease.

Etymology. The species epithet is a compound adjective derived from the generic name of the fire bug, Pyrrhocoris Fallén, 1814 , and the suffix - oides originating from the Ancient Greek ειδος (eidos, = form, likeness), meaning ‘looking like a member of Pyrrhocoroidae’. In the Latinized form, the ending - oides is constant regardless the grammatic gender of the associated genus.

Habitat and biology. All known specimens of Rhyparoclava pyrrhocoroides gen. & sp. nov. were collected by sifting of leaf litter and other plant debris and subsequent extraction of the sifted material in a Winkler apparatus. The sifted samples were taken in woody parts of the Montagne de Français Reserve ( Figs 72–73 ), a unique habitat formed on a calcareous massif eroded into a system of karstic formations and small table mountains, reaching maximally to 450 m a.s.l. The most interesting, densely forested parts covered with a strictly seasonal, dry deciduous forest, are situated between 150 and 450 m a.s.l. The sifted samples (containing many other groups of arthropods) were taken from microhabitats with maximum concentration of leaf litter, such as from small ravines, natural field depressions and near bases of high rocks ( Fig. 73 , yellow arrows). The sampled microhabitats situated in low canopy forest and shrubs were very dry, although the locality was visited during the height of the rainy season (January 2015 and 2016). The absence of larvae in the samples suggests a seasonal development of R. pyrrhocoroides .

Distribution. Endemic to northern Madagascar; known only from the Montagne de Français Reserve.

Figures

Figs 1–2. Rhyparoclava pyrrhocoroides gen. & sp. nov., habitus. 1 – female, dorsal view; 2 – male, ventral view. (Photographs by P. Kment).

Figs 3–8.Rhyparoclava pyrrhocoroides gen. & sp. nov., SEM micrographs:3 – habitus, dorsal view (18×); 4–5 – head and pronotum (4 – dorsal view, magnification 60×; 5 – ventral view,75×); 6–8 – head (6 – dorsal view, 95×; 7 – ventral view, 95×; 8 – lateral view, 110×). Scale bars: 0.5 mm (Figs 4–8), 1 mm (Fig. 3). (SEM micrographs by P. Kment).

Figs 9–15. Rhyparoclava pyrrhocoroides gen. & sp. nov., SEM micrographs: 9–10 – scape (= antennal segment I) (9 – dorsal view, magnification 200×; 10 – ventral view, 210×); 11 – antennal segments II–IV, dorsal view (70×); 12–13 – basiflagellum (III) and distiflagellum (IV) (12 – dorsal view, 110×; 13 – ventral view, with film formed by slimy secretion, 130×); 14–15 – basiflagellum, dorsal view, microsculpture (14 – with slimy secretion, 400×; 15 – 850×). Scale bars: 50 μm (Fig. 15), 0.1 mm (Fig. 14), 0.2 mm (Figs 9–10), 0.4 mm (Fig. 13), 0.5 mm (Figs 11–12). (SEM micrographs by P. Kment).

Figs 23–28. Rhyparoclava pyrrhocoroides gen. & sp. nov., SEM micrographs: 23 – meso- and metathorax, ventral view (magnification 75×); 24 – metasternum, ventral view (400×); 25–27 – external scent efferent system of the metathoracic scent gland (25 – ventrolateral view, 130×; 26 – ventrolateral view, 190×; 27 – ventral view, 170×); 28 – peritreme, ventral view (300×). Scale bars: 0.1 mm (Figs 24, 28), 0.3 mm (Figs 26, 27), 0.4 mm (Fig. 25), 0.5 mm (Fig. 23). (SEM micrographs by P. Kment).

Figs 29–34. Rhyparoclava pyrrhocoroides gen. & sp. nov., SEM micrographs: 29 – profemur, ventral view, detail of anteroapical spines (magnification 600×); 30 – apex of protibia and protarsus (200×); 31 – apex of protibia, detail (500×); 32 – metatarsus, dorsal view (210×); 33–34 – propretarsus (33 – apical view, 700×; 34 – ventrolateral view, 550×). Scale bars: 50 μm (Figs 29, 33), 0.1 mm (Figs 31, 34), 0.2 mm (Figs 30, 32). (SEM micrographs by P.Kment).

Figs 35–38. Rhyparoclava pyrrhocoroides gen. & sp. nov.: 35 – antenna; 36–38 – abdomen (36 – ventral view, 37 – lateral view, 38 – dorsal view). Scale bars: 1 mm. (Line drawings by V. Hemala). Abbreviations: e ‒ epipleurite; h ‒ hypopleurite; t ‒ tergite.

Figs 45–51. Rhyparoclava pyrrhocoroides gen. & sp. nov., SEM micrographs, abdomen: 45 – male, ventral view (magnification 47×); 46 – female, ventral view (42×); 47 – female, detail of anterior region (70×); 48 – male, details of sternites II–IV (70×). 49–51 – female, scars of larval dorso-abdominal scent glands, dorsal view: 49 – tergites III and IV; 50 – tergites IV and V (300×); 51 – tergites V and VI (300×). Scale bars: 0.1 mm (Fig. 49), 0.2 mm (Figs 50–51), 0.5 mm (Fig. 48), 1 mm (Figs 45–47). (SEM micrographs by P. Kment).

Figs 52–58. Rhyparoclava pyrrhocoroides gen. & sp. nov., SEM micrographs.52–55 – details of trichobothria in ventral view (52 – sternites III and IV, magnification 270×; 53 – segment V, 190×; 54 – segment VI, 190×; 55 – segment VII, 190×); 56 – segment VIII, dorsal view (200×); 57 – sternite VIII and genital capsule, ventral view (210×); 58 – genital capsule, dorsal view (170×). Scale bars: 0.2 mm (Figs 52, 56–57), 0.3 mm (Figs 53–55, 58). (SEM micrographs by P. Kment).

Figs 59–64. Rhyparoclava pyrrhocoroides gen. & sp. nov., SEM micrographs. 59–61 – female terminalia, ventral view (59 – 95×, 60 – 140×, 61 – 300×). 62–64 – ovipositor (62 – ventral view, 90×, 63 – detail in ventral view, 180×, 64 – detail in lateral view, 160×). Scale bars: 0.1 mm (Fig. 61), 0.3 mm (Figs 59–60, 63–64), 0.5 mm (Fig. 62). (SEM micrographs by P. Kment).

Figs 65–71. Rhyparoclava pyrrhocoroides gen. & sp. nov., male and female genitalia: 65–66 – paramere (two different views); 67–69 – phallus, not inflated (67 – ventral, 68 – lateral, 69 – dorsal view); 70 – spermatheca; 71 – basi- and distiflagellum after KOH treatment. Scale bars: 0.1 mm (65–70), 0.5 mm (71). (Photographs by P. Baňař).

Figs 74–78. Rhyparoclava pyrrhocoroides gen. & sp. nov., wart-like tubercles (marked by white arrows), SEM micrographs. 74 – thorax and abdomen, male, ventral view (45×); 75 – abdomen, male, lateral view (65×); 76 – scapes, ventral view (120×); 77 – scutellum and hemelytron, dorsal view (75×); 78 – metapleuron with ostiole and peritreme, ventrolateral view (250×). Scale bars: 0.5 mm (74–77), 0.1 mm (78). (SEM micrographs by P. Baňař).

Figs 72–73. Montagne de Français, type locality of Rhyparoclava pyrrhocoroides gen. & sp. nov. 72 – view of the first table mountain from the main entrance; 73 – view from the top of the largest table mountain towards the coast. Yellow arrows indicate several places where sift samples were taken. (Photographs by P. Baňař).