Nocticanace affinis Munari, 2008

(figs. 1‒3)

Nocticanace affinis Munari, 2008b: 38 [Oman. Muscat, Haramel; HT ♂, NMWC].

Distribution. Afrotropical: Oman, United Arab Emirates.

Additional material examined. United Arab Emirates: Khor Fakkan, 25°22.1’N – 56°20.9’E, beach, 11.iii.2010, W.N. Mathis, 8 ♂♂ 5 ♀♀; Sharm, 25°28.9’N – 56°21.7’E, beach, 17.iii.2010, W.N. Mathis, 2 ♂♂, [LMC, USNM].

Remarks. Nocticanace affinis is closely related to N. sinensis Delfinado, 1971, because of the similar shape of the surstylus, as well as for having the same chaetotactic pattern on the posterior margin, that is, with a few thick setae intermixed with long, slender setae (figs. 1‒3). However, the surstylus of N. affinis is characterised by a peculiar shape that does not match the figures given by Delfinado (1971) and Mathis (1982). Indeed, it shows a strongly sinuous surstylus, with a long, tapered, claw-shaped apex in lateral view. Furthermore, slight but consistent differences are also found in the shape and chaetotaxy (stout setae) of the female sternites 7–8.