Mixotrephes (Thermotrephes) punctatus Papáček & Zettel, 2008

Papáček, Miroslav & Zettel, Herbert, 2011, A new subgenus and species of Mixotrephes (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Helotrephidae) from Laos and notes on Mixotrephes punctatus, Acta Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae 51 (2), pp. 397-406 : 405

Notes on Mixotrephes (Thermotrephes) punctatus Papáček & Zettel, 2008

PAPÁČEK et al. (1989: 112–114, 119–120) and PAPÁČEK & ZETTEL (2006: 29; 2008: 88) described and discussed differences among the hind wing macro-, brachy-, and micropterous morph of Mixotrephes species. However, below presented new sample of M. punctatus from India contained hindwing micropterous specimens whose habitus somewhat differs from the situations known from until recently collected material of micropterous pteromorph of this species.

Material examined: 5 JJ 2 ♀♀ (hindwing-micropterous), ‘ INDIA, MEGHALAYA STATE (10) / E Khasi Hills, 11km SW Cherra- / punjee, Laitkynsew, 21-24.iv. / 2008, 25°13’N 91°39’E, 810m / Fikáček, Podskalská, Šipek lgt.’ // ‘seepage: wet rocks with algae / blue algae /moss ca. 1.5-2 km / via rd. from “Cherapunjee Holid./ Resort” in direct. Cherapunjee, / exposed’ ( NMPC).

Notes on hindwing-polymorphism. Alcohol-stored specimens in this series are relatively pale – if compared with the type series – and with semi-transparent hemielytra. This makes the strong reduction of hindwings visible without preparation. PAPÁČEK & ZETTEL (2008) described the hindwing-brachypterous morph and the hind wings of three dissected specimens. In fact the type series includes also micropterous specimens with vestigial, unstructured hind wings. It seems that there is a slight difference in colour (micropterous specimens tend to be paler) and body shape (micropterous specimens tend to be more gracile).

Notes on habitat. The original description ( PAPÁČEK & ZETTEL 2008) of M. punctatus does not contain information on the species’ habitat. The new material of M. punctatus was sampled under semi-terrestrial, hygropetric conditions. The locality has been described in detail by FIKÁČEK & ŠÍPKOVÁ (2009: 34: Locality #2 + Fig. 2 ): ‘Samples were collected from a series of wet rocks on a steep slope along the road from Laitkynsew to Cherrapunjee, ca 1.5–2.0 km from the Cherrapunjee Holiday Resort. The rocks are extensively exposed and covered with various kinds of algae and blue algae, one species of the algae/blue algae seem to dominate on each part of the seepages, resulting in a patchy mosaic of mats with a different appearance; some parts are overgrown with moss’. This microhabitat harboured rich zoocenosis of various aquatic Coleoptera and Heteroptera ( FIKÁČEK & ŠÍPKOVÁ 2009, GENTILI & FIKÁČEK 2009, SHORT 2009). ‘ Nanotrephes sp. ’ listed from this locality by FIKÁČEK & ŠÍPKOVÁ (2009) is actually M. punctatus . Their habitat conditions are probably the same or similar to the ones known for Mixotrephes (Thermotrephes) thermophilus (see e.g., PAPÁČEK & KOVAC (2001) and PAPÁČEK & ZETTEL (2006) for discussion) and Mixotrephes (Pictotrephes) pictus sp. nov.

Distribution. The new material originates from the same area as the type series, i.e., the surrounding of Cherrapunjee in the Khasi Hills ( PAPÁČEK & ZETTEL 2008).

Figures

Figs. 1–6. Mixotrephes (Pictotrephes) pictus sp. nov. 1–3 – holotype (male), 4–6 – paratype (female). 1, 4 – frontal; 2, 5 – dorsal; 3, 6 – lateral view. In Fig. 6, base of hemielytron not in normal position, covering posterolateral corner of cephalonotum. © NHMW Hemiptera Image Collection.