Dorhniphora divaricata ( Aldrich, 1896 )

Kung, Giar-Ann & Brown, Brian V., 2006, Review of the Caribbean species of Dohrniphora Dahl (Diptera: Phoridae), Journal of Natural History 40 (32 - 34), pp. 1931-1945 : 1936-1938

Dorhniphora divaricata ( Aldrich, 1896)

( Figures 5–12 , 20 , 27, 28 )

Phora divaricata Aldrich 1896, p 437 .

Dohrniphora divaricata: Borgmeier 1961, p 111 .

Dohrniphora venusta: Brues 1915, p 95 .

Dohrniphora cornuta: Schmitz 1929, p 22 , 25, 32.

Dohrniphora diffusa Borgmeier 1960, p 281 , Figure 35.

Dohrniphora cavifemur Borgmeier 1969, p 1 –2, Figures 1, 2 (in part, female only), new synonomy.

Holotype: „. Saint Vincent: no other data ( USNM no. 7765; LACM ENT 219927 ) (examined).

Diagnosis

Among Caribbean species, Dohrniphora divaricata is differentiated by its four scutellar setae, and the presence of a shallow depression apical to approximately 22–34 scattered peg-like setae on the posterior face of the hind femur. The number and pattern of peg-like setae vary, although there are usually two rows along the ventral margin, in addition to a larger group of setae dorsal to the row (sometimes in a curved or triangular pattern) ( Figures 5–12 ).

We examined the holotype female of Dohrniphora cavifemur Borgmeier and found it to be a probable female of D. divaricata . Although taxonomy of Dohrniphora is based on males, the number of tergal plates and colour of the mid coxa allowed us to match it with other Caribbean specimens of D. divaricata . The distortion of the hind femur, given by Borgmeier as the main character of this species, is an artifact of preparation (see Diagnosis section of D. cornuta ).

Description

Male. Mean body length 2.09 mm; range 1.66–2.50 mm. Mean frontal ratio 0.51; range 0.47–0.54. Frons brown to dark brown. Ventral fronto-orbital setae at approximately same level as ventral interfrontal setae. Flagellomere 1 brown. Palpus orange, with five apical setae. Scutum and dorsal half of pleuron light brown to brown. Ventral half of pleuron white. Scutellum dark brown. Two pairs of scutellar setae present; posterior pair twice length and thickness of anterior pair. Mean wing length 1.92 mm; range 1.50–2.25 mm. Mean costal length 0.51 wing length; range 0.48–0.54. Mean costal sector ratio 9.50:2.24:1.00; range 7.00–11.33:1.67–2.40:1.00. Halter white. Legs mostly light brown; fore and hind coxae white, mid coxa dark brown. Postcoxal lobes well developed, yellow. Posterior face of hind femur ( Figures 5–12 ) with large triangular group of basal peg-like setae; number of setae varies, but usually with two rows along ventral margin of femur and several more dorsal peg-like setae (see further discussion in Variation, below); also with shallow round depression posterior to setae. Hind tibia without isolated setae. Abdominal tergites dark brown, yellow medially. Venter of abdomen white. Mean cercus length 0.26 mm; range 0.20–0.30 mm ( Figures 27, 28 ).

Variation

The variation in the setae of the posterior face of the hind femur is extensive. Specimens from the type locality in Saint Vincent have the largest number of setae ( Figures 5, 6 ), and are similar to mainland specimens we have seen (for example from Costa Rica). Sampling is insufficient to determine if this variation has a strong geographical component, and whether certain patterns are restricted to individual islands. Some of the variants are shown here ( Figures 5–12 ) .

Distribution

Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, Trinidad, West Indies.

Material examined

Dominica: Cabrit Swamp, 1 „, 23 February 1965, W. W. Wirth, light trap, Bredin- Archbold Smithsonian Biodiversity Survey (5BASBS) ( USNM); Clarke Hall, 1 „, 4 February 1964, D. F. Bray ( USNM); 1 „, June 1964, O. L. Flint, light trap (holotype of D. cavifemur ), 2 „, 21–31 January 1965, 1 „, 21–31 March 1965, W. W. Wirth, Malaise trap, BASBS ( USNM); 1 „, 21–28 February 1965, 1 „, 1–10 March 1965, 1 „, 21–31 March 1965, W. W. Wirth, light trap; BASBS ( USNM); 1 „, 1–10 February 1965, W. W. Wirth, BASBS ( USNM); 1 „, 30 March 1966, 1 „, 3 April 1966, R. J. Gagne, at light, BASBS ( USNM); 2 „, 4 June 1966, 1 „, 7 June 1966, G. Steyskal, BASBS ( USNM); Layou, 1 „, 29 May 1966, G. Steyskal, BASBS ( USNM); path to Cabrits, 1 „, 2 April 1966, R. J. Gagne, BASBS ( USNM); Saint Paul, Springfield Estate, 2.5 km ENE Canefield, 15.35 ° N, 61.37 ° W, 2 „, 11–18 June 1991, J. E. Rawlins, S. A. Thompson, 450 m ( CMNH). Dominican Republic: Hato Mayor, Parque Los Haitises, 3 km W Cueva de Arena, 19.67 ° N, 69.48 ° W, 14 „, 7–9 July 1992, R. Davidson, J. Rawlins, S. Thompson, C. Young, mesic lowland forest, 20 m ( CMNH, LACM), Hato Mayor, Parque Los Haitises, near Cueva de Arena, 19.67 ° N, 69.47 ° W, 6 „, 7–9 July 1992, C. Young, R. Davidson, S. Thompson, J. Rawlins, coastal vegetation on limestone, 10 m ( CMNH); La Estrelleta, Rio Limpio. 1 „, 15 August 1980, A. Norrbom, 650 m ( CMNH); Pedernales, 23.5 km N Cabo Rojo, 18.10 ° N, 71.63 ° N, 4 „, 13–19 July 1990, 2 „, 13–25 July 1990, 4 „, 19–21 July 1990, 1 „, 19–25 July 1990, L. Masner, J. Rawlins, C. Young, intercept trap, deciduous forest, 540 m, 26 km N Cabo Rojo, 18.10 ° N, 71.63 ° W, 1 „, 13–20 July 1990, intercept trap, wet deciduous forest, 730 m ( CMNH, LACM). Grenada: 1 „, no other data ( MCZC). Jamaica: Hardwar Gap, 1 „, 10 March 1970, Wirth and Farr ( USNM); Annotto Bay, 1 „, 25 February 1969, W. W. Wirth, marsh ( USNM); Runaway Bay, 1 „, 16–28 February 1969, W. W. Wirth ( USNM); Runaway Bay, 11 „, February 1969, W. W. Wirth ( LACM, USNM), stream bed; Runaway Bay, 3 „, 1–8 March 1970, W. W. Wirth, Malaise trap ( USNM). Nevis: Newcastle, 2 „, 9 July to 3 August 1994, B. Buckland, pan trap ( LACM). Puerto Rico: El Yunque, 2 „, 15–24 February 1969, T. and B. Hlavac, L. Herman Jr., 640–670 m ( MCZC); Maricao, 1 „, July 1960, J. Maldonado C., LT ( USNM); Rio Grande, El Verde Station, 3.1 km WNW Pico El Yunque, Sierra de Luquillo, 10.32 ° N, 65.82 ° W, 5 „, 3–6 June 1996, C. Young, R. Davidson, M. Klinger, W. Zanol, J. Rawlins, S. Thompson, 355 m ( CMNH, LACM). Saint Kitts: Greenhill, 14 „, 12–31 July 1985, 88 „, 1–27 August 1985, L. D. Coote, Malaise trap, rainforest, 300 m; Phillips Level, 17.35 ° N, 62.77 ° W, 4 „, 1985, L. D. Coote, Malaise trap; Wingfield Mtn., 2 „, 1–30 November 1985, L. D. Coote, Malaise trap, old field/forest, 400 m ( LACM). Saint Lucia: Anse La Raye, Anse Galet, 1 km SSW Anse La Raye, 13.93 ° N, 61.05 ° W, 2 „, 21–30 June 1991, J. E. Rawlins, S. A. Thompson, 50 m ( CMNH). Saint Vincent: 3 „, no other data (paratypes) ( LACM, USNM).

Figures

Figures 5–8. Posterior face of hind femur, variation in Dohrniphora divaricata. (5, 6) Paratype, Saint Vincent [LACM ENT 210546]. (7, 8) Dominica [LACM ENT 210539].

Figures 9–12. Posterior face of hind femur, variation in Dohrniphora divaricata. (9, 10) Saint Kitts [LACM ENT 210487]. (11, 12) Puerto Rico [LACM ENT 210822].

Figures 19, 20. Fore tarsomere 5. (19) Dohrniphora dispar [LACM ENT 219743]. (20) D. divaricata [CMNH 381,632].

Figures 23–32. Male genitalia, right and left lateral views. (23, 24) Dohrniphora cornuta. (25, 26) D. dispar. (27, 28) D. divaricata. (29, 30) D. seriata. (31, 32) D. sexspinosa.

Figures 1–4. Posterior face of hind femur. (1, 2) Dohrniphora cornuta [LACM ENT 186301]. (3, 4) D. dispar [LACM ENT 219829].