Amphibolips michoacaensis Nieves-Aldrey & Maldonado, 2012

Pascual, E., Maldonado-Lopez, Y., Medianero, E. & Oyama, K., 2012, Revision of the Amphibolips species of Mexico excluding the “ niger complex ” Kinsey (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae), with description of seven new species, Zootaxa 3545, pp. 1-40 : 24-28

Amphibolips michoacaensis Nieves-Aldrey & Maldonado sp. nov.

Figs 9A–F, 10A–D, 12D, 13D, 16C–D.

Type material. Holotype female ( Fig. 16C). In the Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, Madrid , Spain ( MNCN), mounted on a card. Cat. nº 2251. MEXICO, Michoacán, Cuenca del Cuitzeo , Umécuaro , N 19° 32´55.4´´ W 101° 15´37.2´´. 2140 m; ex gall Quercus castanea , gall collected 10/04/2009, emerged 10/2009, Y. Maldonado leg. Paratypes, 2 males and 3 females: 2 males showing the same data as the holotype ; 1 female with the same data as the holotype, but gall collected 4/06/2008 ; 2 females found at Jesús del Monte , 2133 m, ex gall Q. castanea , collected 21/04/2009, insects emerged 05/2009, Y. Maldonado leg. In MNCN .

Etymology. Named after the Mexican state including the collection sites.

Diagnosis and comments. In its forewing pattern, this species closely resembles A. nevadensis and A. tarasco . Compared to A. nevadensis , it differs in the first cubital cell of the forewing not being as infuscate and compared to A. tarasco , in the dark band being much more heavily infuscate, with all veins obscured by infuscation. The mesoscutellum is moderately emarginated, with the incision not quite reaching the posterior margins of the scutellar foveae. MT3 smooth or only weakly coriaceous prior to the band of micropunctures, which are extended laterally over the posterior 1/3 to ½ of the length of the metasomal terguite. The intervals between micropunctures are strongly coriaceous.

Description. Female. Body length 5.1 mm (N = 4) (range 4.7–5.4). Head and mesosoma black; clypeus, mandibles and antennae anteroventrally chestnut brown. Metasoma blackish to dark chestnut, lighter ventrally. Legs black. Forewing dark infuscate, all the veins obscured by infuscation. A dark heavily infuscate band extended anteriorly along the basal cell, first cubital cell, and radial cell to antero apical of forewing. Costal cell, first cubital cell and the area below the more heavily infuscate band is colorless, only slightly infuscate.

Female. Head, in dorsal view strongly reticulate rugose, 2.3 times as wide as long ( Fig. 9B). POL as long as OOL, posterior ocellus separated from inner orbit of eye by 1.5 times its longest diameter. Head in anterior view ( Fig. 9A) about 1.3 as wide as high, gena broadened behind eye. Vertex, frons, lower face, gena, and occiput with strong irregular reticulate-rugose sculpture. A pair of irregular carinae running from ventral margin of antennal sockets to anterior tentorial pits and some irradiating carinae from clypeus visible. Head moderately pubescent. Clypeus trapezoidal, ventral margin strongly projecting over mandibles and slightly sinuate. Anterior tentorial pits conspicuous; epistomal sulcus and clypeo-pleurostomal lines discernible. Malar space 0.5 times height of compound eye. Toruli situated mid-height of compound eye; distance between antennal rim and compound eye as wide as antennal socket including rim. Ocellar plate slightly raised.

Mouthparts: mandibles strong, exposed; with dense setae in base, right mandible with three teeth; left with two teeth.

Antenna ( Fig. 9C) as long as head and mesosoma combined; with 13 antennomeres; flagellum not broadening towards apex; with relatively long, erect setae, and placodeal sensilla in ventral area of distal flagellomeres. Scape 2 times as long as pedicel; pedicel, as long as wide; F1 1.5 times as long as F2. F9–F10 as long as wide, F11 about 2.5 times as long as wide; 2.5 as long as F10.

Mesosoma. Coarsely reticulate rugose, short, in lateral view 1.2 as long as high. Pronotum, moderately pubescent; lateral surface of pronotum with strong irregular reticulate rugose sculpture ( Fig. 9E). Pronotum medially short; ratio of length of pronotum medially/laterally = 0.20. Pronotal plate indistinct dorsally.

Mesonotum. Mesoscutum barely pubescent and with strong rugose-reticulate sculpture ( Fig. 9D). Notauli visible but shallow and indistinct anteriorly, obscured by crossing coarse sculpture. Anteroadmedian signa well visible and parascutal carinae distinct. Transscutal fissure narrow. Mesoscutellum subquadrate, about 0.6 as long as mesoscutum ( Fig. 9D). Scutellar foveae rounded, deep, with distinct margins; smooth and shining; 0.3 as long as mesoscutellum. Mesoscutellum strongly reticulate-rugose, emarginated at posterior margin, the incision being only moderately deep and wide and not reaching posterior margins of scutellar foveae ( Fig. 9D). Mesopleuron coarsely reticulate rugose, the rugae not as strong as mesoscutum. ( Fig. 9E).

Metanotum. Metapectal-propodeal complex. Metapleural sulcus reaching posterior margin of mesopectus at about mid-height of metapectal-propodeal complex. Metascutellum weakly rugose; metanotal trough smooth and pubescent. Median propodeal area reticulate shining rugose and densely pubescent; lateral propodeal carinae discernible. Nucha rugose medially.

Legs. Densely pubescent; femora and tibiae robust. Metatarsal claws with strong triangular basal lobe or teeth ( Fig. 10A).

Forewing ( Fig. 12D). Slightly longer than body; radial cell 4 times longer than wide; open widely along dorsal margin; areolet inconspicuous, small. R1 straight, not reaching wing margin; Rs+M reaching basalis at its midheight. First abscissa of radius (2r) obscured by infuscation and radius only slightly curved. Apical margin with short hair fringe.

Metasoma. Slightly shorter as head and mesosoma combined, in lateral view about slightly longer than high. Second metasomal tergite covering about two third of metasoma, with a band of micropuntures clearly visible in posterior one third; dorsolaterally the puntures being strong with coriaceous sculpture in the intervals. Punctures present on subsequent tergites; dorsally the surface of the second metasomal terguite, before the band of micropunctures, has weak coriaceous sculpture ( Fig. 10B); latero ventral area of second metasomal tergite moderately pubescent. Projecting part of hypopygial spine very long, in lateral view about 6.5 times as long as wide; laterally with long setae, more dense apically but not forming an apical patch.

Male ( Fig. 16D). Differs from female as follows: antennae with 14 antennomeres; F1 slightly modified, flattened on ventral side, elongate placodeal sensillae visible in all flagellomeres ( Fig. 10C). Mesoscutellum only slightly emarginated in posterior margin ( Fig. 10D). Forewings more heavily infuscate in its entire surface, but the darker anterior band being still visible ( Fig. 13D).

Gall ( Figs 20A, 20B). A globular more or less regular gall with spongy interior Monothalamic. Grows on twigs of Quercus castanea or nearer the base of the gall, galls up to 48 mm in diameter, detachable, on twigs.

Distribution. A. michoacaensis was found at Umécuaro and other sites of Cuenca of Cuitzeo at 2100 m at Michoacán state, Mexico.

Biology. Exhibits a sexual generation. The galls were collected in April, and the adults emerged in May.

Key to adult Amphibolips species of Mexico and related species of Panama (species of “ niger complex” excluded)

1. Antenna with 16–17 antennomeres. Mesoscutellum rounded posteriorly. Mesoscutum sometimes with carinate longitudinal sculpture ( Figs 1A–B). Asexual forms. Galls rounded with a woolly surface and a central hard woody cell................................................................................................. “ niger complex ” Kinsey

Antenna with 13–14 antennomeres (females) or 15 antennomeres (males) ( Fig. 3A). Mesoscutellum emarginated posteriorly, with the emargination being more or less deep ( Figs 7B, 10D). Mesoscutum always with coarse rugose reticulate sculpture ( Figs 2E, 6D). Sexual forms. Gall form spherical or globose to spindle shaped. Surface smooth or rugose, never woolly.... 2

2. Females............................................................................................ 3

Males.............................................................................................. 16

3. Forewing with a heavily infuscate spot on the basal area of radial cell; remainder of the forewing hyaline to only slightly infuscate ( Fig. 11B)................................................................................... aliciae

Forewing entirely infuscate, more heavily along a band on anterior margin of wing ( Figs. 11C–F)...................... 4

4. More heavily infuscate band along anterior margin of forewing with a clear cross-band on one-third apical part of radial cell which is more or less extended towards posterior margin of wing ( Figs 11A, 11C, 13A, 14E).......................... 5

More heavily infuscate band along the anterior margin of the forewing, without a clear cross-band on apical part of radial cell extended towards posterior margin of wing. If there is a clear colourless spot apically on the radial cell, it does not extend below the radial cell ( Figs 12A–E)........................................................................ 8

5. Basal and first cubital cells colourless or only weakly infuscate prior to the heavily infuscate basal half of the radial cell ( Fig. 14E). Mesoscutellum weakly emarginate posteriorly. F1 1.2 as long as F2 ( Fig. 1F)............................. fusus

Basal and first cubital cells as heavily infuscate as basal half of radial cell. F1 1.4–1.5 as long as F2 ( Figs 11A, 11C, 13A).. 6

6. Clear cross-band narrow, extended below radial cell, but not reaching posterior margin of wing ( Fig. 13A). Mesoscutellum strongly emarginated posteriorly (V-shaped in dorsal view ( Fig. 1D), with a sharp horn projection in lateral view..... dampfi

Clear cross-band wide and extended posteriorly to reach posterior margin of wing ( Fig. 11A, 11C). Mesoscutellum only moderately emarginated posteriorly ( Fig. 2E)................................................................... 7

7. Forewing heavily and entirely infuscate outside of the clear cross-band in the anterior area of the radial cell, which is relatively wider; costa cell infuscate ( Fig. 11A). Notauli visible; scutellar foveae smooth............................ castroviejoi

Forewing not entirely infuscate outside of the clear cross-band in the anterior area of the radial cell, which is relatively narrower; costal cell and posterior half of wing colourless, only weakly infuscate ( Fig. 11C). Notauli almost invisible; scutellar foveae with carinate sculpture ( Fig. 2E)........................................................... durangensis

8. Basal half of forewing uniformly infuscate; the costal cell and the area below basal cell as infuscate as the basal, first cubital and radial cells........................................................................................ 9

Costal cell and the area below basal cell and beyond colourless, much less infuscate than the basal and radial cells........ 10

9. Antenna and metasoma predominantly black. Mesoscutellum moderately emarginated posteriorly. F3 1.3 times as long as F4; gall elongate, spindle shaped......................................................................... nassa

Antenna and metasoma predominantly reddish. Mesoscutellum strongly emarginated posteriorly. Gall regularly spherical.................................................................................................. oaxacae

10. Heavily infuscate band along the anterior margin of the forewing extended uniformly from basal cell to apical margin of wing, not interrupted in the first cubital cell..................................................................... 11

Heavily infuscate band along the anterior margin of the forewing, interrupted in the first cubital cell, sometimes also in the basal cell........................................................................................... 12

11. Mesoscutellum slightly emarginated posteriorly. Heavily infuscate anterior band of forewing quite dark ( Fig. 12E). Galls with an acute point. Male unknown................................................................. zacatecaensis

Mesoscutellum strongly emarginated posteriorly ( Fig. 7B). Heavily infuscate anterior band of forewing not as dark ( Fig. 12B). Galls end in an obtuse point. Bisexual form; male known.............................................. nevadensis

12. Colourless, less infuscate spot present on apical area of radial cell ( Figs 11D, 11E)................................ 13

Colourless, less infuscate spot absent on apical area of radial cell; radial cell uniformly and heavily infuscate ( Figs 12A, 12C, 12D)............................................................................................... 14

13. All the veins strongly infuscate, basally on the radial cell not being visible. Clear, colourless area on radial cell relatively more extended on one half apical area of radial cell; first cubital cell more heavily infuscate ( Fig. 11D). F1 1.4 as long as F2 ( Fig. 3A)........................................................................................ jaliscensis

All the veins less strongly infuscate, all being visible. Clear, colourless area on the radial cell relatively small, extending only on more apical area of the radial cell; first cubital cell only slightly infuscate ( Fig. 11E). F1 1.6 as long as F2 ( Fig. 5C).......... malinche

14. Basal cell not infuscate ( Fig. 12A).............................................................. hidalgoensis

Basal cell infuscate ( Figs 12C, 12D)...................................................................... 15

15. Forewing weakly infuscate, all veins visible ( Fig. 12C). Mesoscutellum only slightly emarginated posteriorly ( Fig. 8C)..................................................................................................... tarasco

Forewing more heavily infuscate, veins on anterior half of radial cell not visible ( Fig. 12D)............... michoacaensis

Males

16. Forewing with a heavily infuscate spot in the basal area of the radial cell; rest of the forewing only slightly infuscate.. aliciae

Forewing entirely and heavily infuscate, more so along a band on the anterior margin of the wing ( Figs. 13A–F)......... 17

17. More heavily infuscate band along the anterior margin of the forewing, with a clear cross-band on one-third of the apical part of the radial cell, which is more or less extended towards the posterior margin of the wing ( Fig. 13A).................. 18

More heavily infuscate band along the anterior margin of the forewing, without a clear cross-band on the apical part of the radial cell, extended towards the posterior margin of the wing. If there is a clear colourless spot apically on the radial cell, it does not extend below the radial cell ( Figs 13B, 13D)........................................................ 19

18. Clear cross-band wide and extended posteriorly to reach margin of the wing. Mesoscutellum only moderately emarginated posteriorly..................................................................................... castroviejoi

Clear cross-band narrow, extended below the radial cell, but not reaching the posterior margin of the wing ( Fig. 13A). Mesoscutellum strongly emarginated posteriorly (V-shaped in dorsal view) ( Fig. 1D), with a sharp horn projection observed in lateral view..................................................................................... dampfi

19. Mesoscutellum widely and deeply emarginated posteriorly ( Fig. 3D). Radial cell with a clear spot apically ( Fig. 13B)... jaliscensis

Scutellum slightly or moderately emarginated posteriorly ( Figs 8G, 10D). Radial cell without a clear spot apically ( Figs 13D, 13E)............................................................................................... 20

20 Mesoscutellum only slightly emarginated posteriorly ( Fig. 8G); scutellar foveae ellipsoidal. F1 1.6 as long as F2 ( Fig. 8E). Costal cell of the forewing relatively clearer, less infuscate than the rest of the forewing ( Fig. 13E)................ tarasco

Mesoscutellum moderately to deeply emarginated posteriorly; scutellar foveae rounded. F1 1.4–1.5 as long as F2 ( Fig. 10C). Costal cell relatively darker; as infuscate as the remaining forewing surface ( Fig. 13D)............................. 21

21. Mesoscutellum moderately emarginated posteriorly ( Fig. 10D). F1 1.4 as long as F2 ( Fig. 10C). Radial cell 3.3 as long as wide, second abscissa of radius slightly curved ( Fig. 13D).............................................. michoacaensis

Mesoscutellum deeply emarginated posteriorly ( Figs 7B–C). F1 1.5 as long as F2 ( Fig. 7E). Radial cell 3.7 as long as wide, second abscissa of the radius only slightly curved ( Fig. 13F).......................................... nevadensis