Paraleucopis corvina Malloch, 1913

Wheeler, Terry A. & Sinclair, Bradley J., 2019, Systematics of Paraleucopis Malloch with proposal of Paraleucopidae, a new family of acalyptrate Diptera, Zootaxa 4668 (3), pp. 301-328 : 314-316

Paraleucopis corvina Malloch

( Figs 10 , 37–39 , 44 )

Paraleucopis corvina Malloch, 1913: 149 . Type locality: Kerr Ranch, New Mexico.

P. corvina: Wheeler, 1959: 154 [biology]; Steyskal, 1971: 1 [redescription, terminalia figured]; Steyskal, 1981: 405 [key]; Smith, 1981: 411 [biology].

Type material examined. HOLOTYPE Ƌ, labelled: “Hunter/ No 1891”; “Kerr Ranch/ 4-23-[19] 10 N. Mex.”; “On/ Yucca sp.”; “JD Mitchell/ Collector”; “Type/ No. 15755/ U.S. N.M. [red label]”; “ Holotype / Paraleucopis / corvina Malloch [red label]” . PARATYPES: Same data as holotype (4 Ƌ, 4 ♀, USNM) .

Additional material examined. MEXICO: 28 mi SW Las Arrastras , B.C. [Baja California], 29.v.1962, R.A.E. Ryckman, C.P. Christianson (1 ♀, USNM); Baja N., 9 km NW Rancho Santa Inés, 6.iv.1985, 29°46′N 114°46′W, 550 m, Clark & Blom (3 ♀, LACM) . USA. Arizona: Graham Mtns, Marijilda Wash , 4025 ft, 32°42.6′N 109°46.5′W , 28–29.v.2013, Malaise, J.E. O’Hara (1 Ƌ, CNC); S.W. Research Station , 5 mi SW Portal, 5400 ft , 23.v.–5.vi.1967, C.W. Sabrosky (1 Ƌ, CNC). California : Blythe , 1.v.1955, W.R. Richards (1 ♀, CNC); San Bernardino Co., Mitch- ells Caverns , 8.vi.1980, T. Griswold (1 ♀, LACM). New Mexico: Lincoln Co., Jicarilla Mtns, nr. Jicarilla, T 5N, R12E, 23 , 27.v.1991, sweeping Gramma grass, evening, J. Gelhaus, C. Nelson #508 (1 ♀, ANSP); Valencia Co., Grants , 10 mi E , 7.vi.1980, G.E. Bohart (2 Ƌ, LACM). Texas : Balley Co ., 29.iv.1959, M.R. Wheeler; ex. Great Horned Owl’s nest (1 ♀, AMNH); Sanderson , 27.iv.1959, Becker & Howden (1 ♀, CNC). Washington : Chelan Co., Lake Wenatchee , 4.viii.1951 (2 Ƌ, 1 ♀, AMNH) .

Recognition. This species is characterized by fronto-orbital setae not distinct; antenna mostly yellow, postpedicel darker dorsoapically; face with pruinescence restricted to antennal foveae; parafacial shiny; fore coxa and all femora dark; hind femur without anteroventral preapical setae; surstylus triangular, strongly tapered to narrow apex.

Description. Frons dark to reddish-brown band above antennae; gena dark. Face mostly shiny, with pruinescence restricted to antennal fovea; parafacial shiny. Fronto-orbital setae not distinct. Antenna mostly yellow, with dorsoapical margin of postpedicel darkened; antennal bases separated by slightly more than length of pedicel. Clypeus shiny.

Katepisternum with several stout ventral setae, anterior to mid coxa; short setulae on anterior half. Scutum shiny with dense setulae. Coxae and femora dark, with apex of femora pale; fore tibia and apical half of mid tibia pale; hind tibia mostly dark; tarsomeres on all legs pale; mid tibia with dark ventroapical seta, less than one-quarter length of tarsomere 1.

Male postabdomen ( Fig. 37 ): epandrium rounded, evenly sclerotized, setose. Hypandrium broad, with pair of short anterior setae; with rounded postgonite apically bearing strong marginal setae. Surstylus long, strongly tapered to narrow apex; apex arch posteromedially; setae confined mostly to posterior margin. Distiphallus tapered to narrow apex. Cercus elongate, longer than dorsal length of epandrium; apex rounded.

Female postabdomen ( Fig. 10 ): tergite 6 ( Fig. 38 ) with broadly bilobed anteriorly margin, slightly narrowed medially with sinuous posterior margin; posterior corners slightly prolonged with pair of long setae, more than half length of tergite; spermatheca ( Fig. 39 ) with long pigmented denticles or papillae; without end apparatus.

Distribution. This is the most widely distributed species, ranging as far north as Washington, south to Texas and Baja California ( Fig. 44 ).

Remarks. Several specimens have been taken from birds’ nests ( Malloch 1913; Wheeler 1959). Malloch (1913) included 14 specimens in the type series, but only nine were identified. The whereabouts of the remaining five specimens remains unknown.

Figures

FIGURES 8–10. Female Paraleucopis. 8, Paraleucopis saguaro sp. nov., habitus; 9, P. saguaro sp. nov., wing; 10, P. corvina, postabdomen, dorsal view. Abbreviation: tg—tergite. Scale bars = 0.5 mm, except Fig. 10 where scale bar = 0.25 mm.

FIGURES 37–42. Male terminalia, spermathecae and female tergite 6 of Paraleucopis spp. 37, P. corvina, male terminalia, lateral view; 38, P. corvina, female tergite 6, dorsal view; 39, P. corvina, spermathecae; 40, P. mexicana, male terminalia, lateral view; 41, P. mexicana, spermathecae and ventral receptacle; 42, P. mexicana, female tergite 6, dorsal view. Abbreviations: v rep—ventral receptacle. Scale bars = 0.1 mm.

FIGURES 43–44. Distribution of Paraleucopis. 43, P. boydensis; 44, P. corvina.