Dinapsis centralis Shaw & van Noort, 2009

van Noort, Simon, Shaw, Scott Richard & Copeland, Robert S., 2022, Revision of the endemic African genus Dinapsis (Dinapsini, Megalyridae, Hymenoptera) with description of seven new species, ZooKeys 1112, pp. 27-122 : 27

Dinapsis centralis Shaw & van Noort, 2009

Figs 6 , 7

Material examined.

Holotype. Central African Republic • 1 ♀; Prefecture Sangha-Mbaéré, Parc National de Dzanga-Ndoki, 38.6 km. 173˚ S. Lidjombo; 2°21.60'N, 16°03.20'E; 350 m a.s.l.; 22 May 2001; lowland rain forest; S. van Noort leg.; sweeping; CAR01-S230; SAM-HYM-P0024654; SAMC (lost in return postal shipment from USA to SAMC).

Other material examined.

Cameroon • 1 ♀; S.W. Province, Korup [5.2014°N, 8.8934°E], Big Rock Camp; 27 Dec. 1980 - 10 Jan. 1981; D. Jackson leg.; BMNH(E) 2007-19; NHMUK. Kenya • 1 ♀; Coast Province, Mrima Hill Forest; 4.48576°S, 39.25845°E; 212 m a.s.l.; 17-30 Oct. 2011; R. Copeland; Malaise trap; edge of indigenous forest; ICIPE 49120; ICIPE. UGANDA • 1 ♀; District Masindi, Budongo Forest n. Sonso ; 1°45'N, 31°35'E; 11-20 Jul. 1995; Th. Wagner leg.; fogging Teclea nobilis ( Rutaceae ); CNC • 1♀, same data except fogging Rinorea ardisiifolia ( Violaceae ); CNC .

Diagnosis.

In the key to African Dinapsis species by Hedqvist (1967), Dinapsis centralis keys to couplet 2 because of the presence of minute ocular setae, a characteristic shared with Dinapsis oculohirta Hedqvist. Dinapsis oculohirta is a smaller species (<3 mm), with more densely setose eyes, flagellum having a medial pale band, smooth vertex with a medial row of punctures between ocelli, two postocular orbital carinae, smooth mesoscutal lobes, scutoscutellar sulcus demarcated by row of punctures, more pale forewing bands (not filling the marginal cell), and propodeum medially lacking transverse carinae between the submedian longitudinal carinae. In contrast, D. centralis is a larger species (> 4 mm) with completely dark flagellum that may be basally lighter but without a medial pale band, coarsely foveate-reticulate vertex, one postocular orbital carina, coarsely foveate-reticulate mesoscutal lobes, transscutal articulation demarcated by sulcus, dark forewing bands completely filling the marginal cell, and propodeum medially with well-developed transverse carinae between the submedian longitudinal carinae. Another curious and distinctive character seen in this species is the presence, on the hind tibia and basitarsus, of large erect dorsal setae, some of which have expanded spatulate tips (Figs 6c , 6D ).

Distribution.

(Fig. 44 ) Cameroon, Central African Republic, Kenya, and Uganda.

Comments.

This is a rainforest and coastal forest associated species and is expected to be widespread across the central African region. The Cameroon record represents the northernmost confirmed distribution of Dinapsis in the Afrotropical region. The Uganda specimens are darker than other specimens, with the legs and metasoma being mostly black rather than dark brown. The Kenyan specimen was collected in Mrima Hill forest at an elevation of 212 m and co-occurs geographically with D. tricolor .

Figures

Figure 6. Dinapsis centralis non-type female, ICIPE 49120 (ICIPE) A habitus, dorsal view B habitus, lateral view C hind leg, lateral view D spatulate tibial setae, lateral view E propodeum, dorsal view F forewing.

Figure 7. Dinapsis centralis Shaw & van Noort, non-type female BMNH (E) 2007 - 19 (NHMUK) A habitus, dorsal view B habitus, lateral view C head, mesosoma, lateral view D head, anterior view E hind leg, anti-axial view F data labels.

Figure 44. Distribution map of Dinapsis species occurring on the African mainland (specimen point data plotted on a topographical relief map).