Scipopus (Scipopus) diversus ( Schiner, 1868 )

Lindsay, Kate & Marshall, Stephen A., 2023, A revision of Scipopus Enderlein including the subgenera Scipopus s. str., Phaeopterina Frey and Parascipopus subgen. nov. (Diptera, Micropezidae, Taeniapterinae), European Journal of Taxonomy 904, pp. 1-189 : 49-55

Scipopus (Scipopus) diversus ( Schiner, 1868)

Figs 17–19

Calobata diversa Schiner, 1868: 250 .

Scipopus ruficeps Hendel, 1936: 68 (in part).

Calobata diversa – van der Wulp 1883: 49 (listed); 1897: 367 (key), 369 (diagnosis). — Aldrich 1905: 616 (catalog). — Cresson 1908: 4 (key), 9 (diagnosis). — Hendel 1922: 231 (listed). — Steyskal 1977: 20 (catalog, unplaced species); 1980: 582 (catalog, unplaced species).

Scipopus diversus – Enderlein 1922: 211. — Frey 1927: 74. — Czerny 1932: 286. — Hennig 1934: 326. — Steyskal 1968: 48.16 (catalog). — Albuquerque 1971: figs 12–20 (redescription).

Scipopus diversa – Curran 1934a: 295 (catalog).

Scipopus ruficeps – Hennig 1937: 49.

Non Calobata diversa – van der Wulp 1897: 369 ( Scipopus furcifer ).

Differential diagnosis

Scipopus (Scipopus) diversus resembles S. (S.) striatithorax in having a white first fore tarsomere, and a dull, orange, microtrichose epicephalon, but differs in the uniformly black scutum.

Type material examined

Type specimen(s) ( Calobata diversa ) (not located or examined)

BRAZIL • ??; collected on the voyage of the frigate Novara , which was docked in Rio de Janeiro 5–31 Aug. 1857 ( Fletcher 1985) .

Syntypes ( Scipopus ruficeps ) (in part, not examined)

BRAZIL • 5 ♀♀; Taperinha ; 1 Jun.–20 Jul.; NHMW .

Other material examined

ARGENTINA • 1 ♀; Misiones, 5 km E of Puerto Iguazo behind Hotel Orquidaes ; 1–6 Feb. 1992; S.A. Marshall leg.; debu01089000/MYCRO562-19 sequenced for CO1–5′; DEBU • 2 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding; DEBU • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; UGIC131-15/MYCRO032-15 sequenced for CO1–5′; DEBU .

BOLIVIA • 1 ♂, 9 ♀♀; La Paz, San Juanito nr Teoponte ; 15°29′42″ S, 67°47′48″ W; 500 m a.s.l.; 8 Apr. 2001; S.A. Marshall leg.; CBFC • 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding; DEBU • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; UGIC130-15/MYCRO031-15 sequenced for CO1–5′; CBFC • 5 ♂♂, 14 ♀♀, 1?; La Paz, Heath River Wildlife Centre, ~ 21 km SSW of Puerto Heath; 12°40′ S, 68°42′ W; 29 Apr.–12 May 2007; S.A. Marshall leg.; CBFC • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; debu00282054/MYCRO639-20 sequenced for CO1–5′; DEBU • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; J.H. Kits leg.; CBFC • 1 ♂, 3 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding; S.M. Paiero leg.; CBFC • 1 ♂, 7 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding; 29 Apr.–11 May 2007; M.D. Jackson leg.; CBFC • 2 ♀♀; Santa Cruz, 4–6 km SSE of Buena Vista, Hotel Flora y Fauna ; 17.50° S, 63.65° W; 6–10 Mar 2014; Steck, Sutton, Norrbom and Saravia leg.; multilure traps; USNM • 1 ♀; Santa Cruz, Potrerillo de Guenda , entrance road; 17°40′19″ S, 63°23′11″ W; 405 m a.s.l.; 9–17 Oct 2014; Sutton et al. leg.; CBFC • 1 ♂; La Paz, Heath River Wildlife Centre, ~ 21 km SSW of Puerto Heath; 12°40′ S, 68°42′ W; 29 Apr.–11 May 2007; M.D. Jackson leg.; debu00289647/MYCRO536-19 sequenced for CO1–5′; DEBU .

BRAZIL • 3 ♀♀; Amazonas, AM-010 km 31 Embrapa ; 31 Jul. 1991; L.P. Albuquerque and J. Binda leg.; Arm. Shannon, C. Cacau, Isc. Fruta [Fruit bait]; INPA • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding; 14 Feb. 1991; INPA (dissected and photographed, Fig. 17A, C, F ) • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 24 Jul. 1991; INPA • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 27 Mar. 1991; INPA • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 26 Feb. 1992; INPA • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 9 Jan. 1991; INPA • 1 ♀; AM. Novo Aripuanã, Reserva Soka ; 5°15′53″ S, 60°07′08″ W; 28 Apr.–5 May 1999; R.L. Ferreira and R.A. Rocha leg.; Varradura [sweep]; INPA • 1 ♀; Amazonas, Novo Aripuana, Reserva Soka ; 5°15′53″ S, 60°07′08″ W; 17–25 Aug. 1999; J.F. Vidal and A.L. Henriques leg.; arm. suspensa; INPA • 4 ♀♀; same locality as for preceding; 28 Apr.–5 May 1999; Ferreira et al. leg.; Malaise; INPA • 1 ♀; Pará, Benevides, F. Morelandia , 14 Nov. 1986; J.A. Rafael leg.; Malaise; INPA • 1 ♀; Amazonas, Beruri, Rio Purus ; 3°56′62″ S, 61°21′02″ W; Oct. 2002; F.F. Xavier and U.C. Barbosa leg.; Arm. Malaise; INPA • 4 ♀♀; Amazonas, Rio Negro, Parna do Jau , Ig. Miratuca; L.S. Aguino leg.; Arm. Schannon; INPA • 1 ♀; Rondania, Ouro Preto do Oeste, Igarapé Mandi ; 6–12 Jul. 1995; J.A. Rafael and J. Vidal leg.; INPA • 2 ♀♀; Amazonas, Manaus , ZF-2; 1.5 m a.s.l.; 7–21 Jul. 1994; J.A. Rafael and J. Vidal leg.; arm. suspensa; INPA • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 6–20 Oct. 1994; INPA • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; Reserva Ducke ; 5–16 Aug. 1994; INPA • 1 ♀; same locality as for preceding; 20 m a.s.l.; 22 Jul. 1988; J.A. Rafael leg.; arm. suspensa; INPA • 1 ♀; same locality as for preceding; 4–11 May 1989; Y. Camara and J.E. Binda leg.; Isca de Fruta; INPA • 1 ♀; Roraima, Serra Pacaraima , BR-174; 4°27′04″ N, 61°07′56″ W; 800 m a.s.l.; 1–7 Sep. 1995; J.A. Rafael et al. leg.; arm. suspensa; INPA • 1 ♀; Pará, Benevides ; Oct. 1918; S.M. Klages leg.; C.M. Acc. 6174; CMNH • 1 ♀; Upper Rocana, N. Pará ; S.M. Klages leg.; Jun. 1918; C.M. Acc. 6175; CMNH • 1 ♀; Parana Londrina, Mata dos Godoy ; 28 Jan.–2. Feb. 1990; S.A. Marshall leg.; INPA • 2 ♀♀; Amazonas , Novo Airão, AM 352, km-10; 2°42′45″ S, 60°57′12″ W; 20 Jan 2020; Rafael and Marshall leg.; INPA • 1 ♀; Amazonas , Manaus, ZF 2 km-14; 23°5′21″ S; 60°57′12″ W; 13 Jan 2020; Rafael and Marshall leg.; INPA • 1 ♀; Rio Japura ; Amazon, “ Roman ”; ZMUH • 1 ♀; Manaus ; Amazon, “ Roman ”; ZMUH .

COLOMBIA • 1 ♀; Putumayo, PNN la Paya Cabaña Viviano, Varzea; 0°7′ S, 74°56′ W; 320 m a.s.l.; 15–30 Oct. 2001; R. Cobete leg.; M.2438 Malaise; debu01088992/MYCRO521-19 sequenced for CO1– 5′; IAVH • 1 ♀; Putumayo, PNN la Paya Cabaña Viviano; 0°7′ S, 74°56′ W; 320 m a.s.l.; 16–30 Dec. 2001, E. Lozano leg.; Malaise; M. 2796; IAVH • 1 ♀; Amazonas, PNN Amacayacu, Matamata ; 3°41′ S, 70°15′ W; 150 m a.s.l; 12–26 Feb. 2001; D. Chota leg.; Malaise; M.1606; IAVH • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 3°23′ S, 70°6′ W; 17 Sep.–1 Oct. 2001; M.2243; DEBU • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; Mocagua ; 300 m a.s.l.; 26 Jun.–6 Jul. 2000; A. Parente leg.; IAVH • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 3°41′ S, 70°15′ W; 12–19 Mar. 2000; IAVH • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 17 Dec.2000 – 2 Jan. 2001; M.1123; IAVH • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 11–25 Sep. 2000; M.846; debu01089056/MYCRO640-20 sequenced for CO1–5′; IAVH • 1 ♀; Amazonas PNN Amacayacu San Martin ; 3°46′ S, 70°18′ W; 150 m a.s.l.; D. Chota leg.; Malaise; M.1611; IAVH • 1 ♀; Amazonas, PNN Amacayacu, Matamata ; 3°23′ S, 70°6′ W; 150 m a.s.l; 3–17 Dec. 2001; D. Chota leg.; Malaise; M.2765; IAVH • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 17 Sep.–1 Oct. 2000; M.2243; debu01088990/MYCRO537-19 sequenced for CO1–5′; IAVH • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 3–17 Dec. 2001; M.2765; DEBU • 2 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding; 17–31 Dec. 2001; M.2770; IAVH • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 12–26 Feb. 2001; M.1606; IAVH • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 17 Dec.–2 Jan. 2001; A. Parente leg.; Malaise; M.1123; IAVH • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 6–14 Jan. 2001; B. Amado leg.; Malaise; M.1321; IAVH • 1 ♀; Amazonas, PNN Amacayacu San Martin ; 3°46′ S, 70°18′ W; 150 m a.s.l.; 2–16 Apr. 2001; D. Chota leg.; Malaise; M. 1613; IAVH • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 17–31 Dec. 2001; M.2766; IAVH • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 26 Feb.–12 Mar. 2001; M.1611; IAVH • 1 ♀; Putumayo, PNN la Paya Cabaña Viviano; 0°2′ S, 75°12′ W; 330 m a.s.l.; 20 Nov.– 5 Dec. 2001, E. Lozano leg.; Malaise; M. 2798; IAVH .

ECUADOR • 2 ♀♀; Napo, Jatun Sacha Res. , 6 km E of Misahuali, SOL trail; 1°4′ S, 77°37′ W; 450 m a.s.l.; 30 Apr.–8 May 2002; S.A. Marshall leg.; QCAZ • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; debu00179103/MYCRO532-19 sequenced for CO1–5′; DEBU • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; varzea; QCAZ • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; Napo, Tiputini Biodiversity Stn ; 0°36′50″ S, 76°9′1″ W; May 2011; S.A. Marshall leg.; DEBU • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; debu00339648/MYCRO531-19 sequenced for CO1–5′, CO1–3′, 12S, 28S; DEBU • 1 ♀; same locality as for preceding; 7–14 Jan. 2013; P.D. Careless leg.; QCAZ • 1 ♀; Puerto Orellana, Tiputini Biodiversity Station ; 0°38′2″ S, 76°08′9″ W; Aug. 1999; Kotrba leg.; QCAZ • 2 ♀♀; Napo Province, Yasuní National Park, Yasuní Research Station ; 76°36′ W, 0°38′ S; 3–20 Nov. 1998; T. Pape and B. Viklund leg.; QCAZ • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; Prov. Orellano, Yasuni Natl. Pk., Yasuni Research Stn ; 0°40′50″ S, 76°24′2″ W; 250 m a.s.l.; 28 Apr.–8 May 2009; S.A. Marshall leg.; QCAZ • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; V. Belluz leg.; foliage; QCAZ • 1 ♂; Napo, Res. ethnica Waorani , 1 km S of Onkone Gare Camp, “Trans.Ent.”; 0°39′10″ S, 76°26′ W; 220 m a.s.l.; 4 Oct. 1994; T.L. Erwin et al. leg.; insecticidal fogging of mostly bare green leaves, some with covering of lichenous or bryophytic plants in terre firme forest, at Trans. 1, stn 4, Project MAXUS, Lot 853; USNM00053933 /MYCRO557-19 unsuccessfully sequenced for CO1–5′; USNM • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding; at Trans. 2, stn 2, Lot 861; USNM • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding; USNM00053927 /MYCRO533-19 unsuccessfully sequenced for CO1–5′; USNM • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding; at 8 x-trans., 94 mark, Lot 709; USNM .

FRENCH GUIANA • 1 ♀; Cayenne , Comm. Regina, Kaw Mt. Relais de Patawa; 4°33′ N, 52°10′ W; 300 m a.s.l.; Jan 2006; J.A. Cerda leg.; Malaise; DEBU • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; Nov. 2005; DEBU • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; Dec. 2005; debu00280300/MYCRO524-19 sequenced for CO1–5′; DEBU • 1♀;same collection data as for preceding;debu00280301/MYCRO559-19 sequenced for CO1–5′; DEBU (dissected, photographed, Fig. 17E ) • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; DEBU • 1 ♀; Régina, Kaw, Kaw Mts., Point Rd 40; 300 m a.s.l.; 12 Feb.–3 Mar. 2007; K. Sarv leg.; rainforest/plantation, Malaise; debu00303021/MYCRO523-19 sequenced for CO1–5′; DEBU • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; DEBU (photographed, Fig. 17B, D ) • 2 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding; 3–27 Mar. 2007; DEBU • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; debu00302943/MYCRO535-19 sequenced for CO1–5′, CO1–3′, 12S, 28S; DEBU • 4 ♀♀; Mana River ; May 1917; Acc. 6008; CMNH • 1 ♀; Cayenne , Nourages Field Station; 4°08′797″ N, 52°68′13″ W; 101 m a.s.l.; 4 Feb. 2011; A. Smith and R. Rougerie leg.; BIOUG01561 -A08/ASNOR3440-12 sequenced for CO1–5′; BIOUG .

PERU • 3 ♀♀; Madre de Dios, Los Amigos Biol. Stn; 2–14 Jun. 2006; Paiero and Klymko leg.; MUSM • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; debu00281543/MYCRO521-19 sequenced for CO1–5′, CO1–3′, 12S, 28S; DEBU .

Description

LENGTH. 11–15 mm.

HEAD. Palpus dark brown, pale brown microtrichose and setulose on entire surface, narrow (length 4.5× height). Clypeus dark brown or black, width ~2.0 × height, bare medially, white-microtrichose on posterolateral corners. Frontal vitta entirely dull, orange, microtrichose, orbital plate dull, microtrichose or laterally bare with slight shine. Epicephalon dull, orange, microtrichose, not clearly delineated from upper frontal vitta. Paracephalon orange to dark brown, slightly convex on posterolateral portions. All head chaetotaxy well-developed.

THORAX. Scutum uniformly black with sparse silvery microtrichosity. Female cervical sclerite convex. Postpronotal lobe black or brown, setulose or bare on posterior half, subquadrate and stout (length ~2.0× height) ( Fig. 17H ) or pointed anteriorly and more elongate (length ~2.5 × height). Notopleuron entirely black or with anterior pale microtrichose spot ( Fig. 18C ). Anterior half of notum sometimes raised to a slight hump ( Fig. 17G ). Pleuron black with highly variable microtrichosity: entirely white or almost entirely white on proepisternum and proepimeron, white on anteroventral ⅓–½ of anepisternum, remainder brown or black, entirely white on katatergite, or with dorsal brown or black spot. Microtrichosity on katepisternum ranges from almost entirely white ( Fig. 18B ) to brown or black with white patches anteriorly and posteriorly (including ventral tip of katepisternum) ( Fig. 18A ) to single white patch anteriorly and two white patches posteriorly (excluding ventral tip of katepisternum) ( Fig. 18C ). Legs black or brown with blue sheen; fore tarsomere 1, sometimes 2–3 white, first hind tarsomere ½ to entirely white dorsally. Wing uniformly black-brown infuscate.

ABDOMEN (J+ ♀). Long, fine, setae on T1 black or white.

FEMALE. Pleuron mostly black, pale grey on ventral P2, slight pale grey convex marking on ventral P4–5 ( Fig. 17G ). T1+2 ~2.1 × T3. Oviscape black, bare dorsally, white microtrichose on ventral ⅓, 1.5–2.0 × length of T6. Combined spermathecal ducts short; common duct short, ¼ of entire duct length. Paired spermathecal duct short (~3.0× length of paired spermathecae), forming a basal loop, wider medially. Paired spermathecal stems range from shorter to longer than spermathecae, inornate or with slight tubercles. Paired spermathecae nearly teardrop-shaped, narrower basally and with apical indentation. Single spermathecal duct arising from basal ⅛ of paired duct, narrow, <½ diameter and ≥ ½ length of paired duct. Single spermatheca elongate, wider distally, inornate.

MALE ABDOMEN. Pleuron pale grey or off-white, microtrichose, P1, entire pleural sac and dorsal half of P3–6 dark brown. T1+2 ~2.5 the length of T3. Genital fork ~2.0× length of T6, arms converging. Inner basal process straight, approximately ¹/5 arm length. Epandrium length 1.5× height, posteroventral margin densely short-setose. Basiphallus small, crescent-shaped. Basal distiphallus short (1.0–2.0 × phallic bulb length), extending and enclosing phallic bulb in sheath-like covering. Phallic bulb short, length ≈ height, upper chamber with round posterior projection, lower chamber smaller, rounded. Distal distiphallus short and broad, ≈ length as epandrium, apex with tube-like opening. Phallapodeme expanded, broad apically.

Remarks

Dissections of 15 females from various localities showed variation in the shape of the paired spermathecae and length of the paired spermathecal stems. One dissected male from Bolivia has a longer (> length than epandrium), narrower, distiphallus. Many specimens have a posteriorly setulose, subquadrate postpronotal lobe, while others have a more elongate, bare postpronotal lobe. Specimens vary widely in thoracic pleural patterns, some variations (but not all) are pictured in Fig. 18 . Despite this variation, S. (S.) diversus is treated as a single species diagnosed by the dull, microtrichose epicephalon, the white first fore tarsomere and the black scutum. Because the type(s) for Scipopus diversus could not be located, our species concept is based on the original description and follows the treatment of the species by Hennig (1934). The representatives from the syntype series of the junior synonym S. ruficeps with a white first tarsomere are S. (S.) diversus , the remainder with dark brown tarsomeres are S. (S.) erythrocephalus ( Hennig 1938) . A member of this species was photographed with pseudoscorpions attached (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/39262837).

Distribution

Argentina (new record), north to Ecuador (new record) and French Guiana (new record).

Figures

Fig. 17. Scipopus (Scipopus) diversus (Schiner, 1868). A. Male terminalia, ventral view, Brazil, nontype (INPA). B. Head and thorax, ♀, dorsal view, French Guiana, non-type (DEBU). C. Male terminalia, lateral view, Brazil, non-type (INPA). D. Head, ♀, anterior view, French Guiana, non-type (DEBU). E. Female spermathecae and associated structures, French Guiana, non-type (DEBU). F. Male genital fork, ventral view, Brazil, non-type (INPA). G. Living, ♀, Ecuador (INPA). H. Postpronotal lobe, left lateral view, non-type (CBFC). Abbreviations: b = basiphallus; bc = bursa copulatrix; bdp = basal distiphallus; cd = common duct; ddp = distal distiphallus; e = epandrium; ea = ejaculatory apodeme; h = hypandrium; p = phallapodeme; pb = phallic bulb; pd = paired spermathecal duct; ps = paired spermatheca; pss = paired spermathecal stems; sd = single spermathecal duct; sp = sperm pump; ss = single spermatheca.

Fig. 18. Varying patterns of white microtrichosity on the left lateral thoracic pleuron of Scipopus (Scipopus) diversus (Schiner, 1868). A. Thorax, ♀, Brazil. B. Thorax, ♀, Argentina. C. Thorax, ♀, Bolivia.

Fig. 19. Scipopus (Scipopus) diversus (Schiner, 1868). A. Living, ♀, Brazil, ovipositing. B. Living, ♀, Bolivia.