Manota natalensis, Jaschhof & Mostovski, 2006

Jaschhof, Mathias & Mostovski, Mike, 2006, First record of Manota (Diptera: Mycetophilidae: Manotinae) from southern Africa, with the description of two new species, African Invertebrates 47, pp. 237-237 : 238-240

Manota natalensis sp. n.

Figs 1–3

Etymology: From the distribution area, KwaZulu-Natal.

Diagnosis: Distinguished from Manota whiteleyi , the only other Manota species known from South Africa (see below), by the shorter antennae and maxillary palpi, non-setose preepisternum 2, and in features of both male and female terminalia. Male gonocoxites are conspicuous, even in low magnification, by the dorsal row of numerous black megasetae.

Description:

Male.

Body size 2.6–3.0 mm.

Head: Antenna with node of fourth flagellomere 0.9 times as long as wide; nodes of more distal flagellomeres longer than wide. Maxillary palpus short, 1.5 times the height of head; third palpal segment with short apical process without curved sensilla; fourth segment with short apical process.

Thorax: Anepisternum fully setose. Anepisternal cleft completely separating anepisternum and anterior basalare. Anterior basalare, preepisternum 2 and laterotergite non-setose. Episternum 3 setose. Wing: Membrane with a few setae along posterior margin. Portion of Sc basally of h setose dorsally, portion distally of h non-setose. CuA-fork complete. CuA-stem setose. A1 discernible as long line of setae. A2 faint but long, setose.

Abdomen: Tergite 8 with broadly rounded distal margin; densely setose, including 5–7 very large setae apically. Terminalia: Sternite 9 large, almost as long as gonocoxites, very weak distally, with deeply incised distal margin, with large setae on central portion ( Fig. 1 ). Tergite 9 not traceable. Gonocoxites with setae very dense ventro-mesially, and very large disto-laterally; dorso-mesially, in position I+II, with some 15 short, pointed megasetae on elongate lobe; disto-mesially, in position III+IV, with weak, elongate lobe bearing apically one short, pointed megaseta and one large, flat megaseta tapering to tip ( Figs 1, 2 ). Gonostylus with basolateral apophysis long, handle-like; two-lobed which becomes apparent in lateral view; ventral lobe roundish, with 7–8 very large setae apically; dorsal lobe with some 5 large setae outside and innumerable finer setae inside ( Figs 1, 2 ). Parastylar lobe large but weak, with 1 or 2 large setae ( Fig. 1 ). Tegmen long, medially bulbous ( Figs 1, 2 ). In between tegmen and apex of sternite 9 with large, sclerotised V-shaped rib. Hypoproct with numerous setae apically including 2 or 3 pairs of large setae; with pair of lobe-like extensions ventrally, forming hood above tegmen apex, with setae pointing ventrally ( Fig. 1 ). Tergite 10 present as weak, bare lobe. Lobes of cerci elongate, dorso-medially fused, baso-laterally with elongate, curved apodemes; dorsally and apically setose ( Fig. 2 ).

Female.

Body size 3.0 mm.

Head: Antennal flagellomeres with nodes 0.8 times as long as wide.

Terminalia ( Fig. 3 ): Segment 7 very short. Tergites 8 and 9 largely fused, only laterally separated, densely setose. Sternite and gonocoxite 8 merged, large, densely setose; apical lobe with dense, large setae. Gonapophysis 8 discernible, bare. Gonapophysis 9 extending far caudally, interconnected with ventro-lateral portions of sternite 10. Tergite 10 largely covered by preceding tergite, very short; on either side with 2 very large setae on large protuberances. Sternite 10 extending far caudally, with row of small lateral and large apical setae. Cercus two-segmented; proximal segment 4 times as long as distal segment; both segments with strong, stiff setae; distal segment inside with some 8–10 bud-like sensilla. Mouth of spermathecal ducts sclerotised.

Holotype: ơ (on slide). SOUTH AFRICA: KwaZulu-Natal: Karkloof Nat. Res. (29 ° 19.1'S: 30 ° 15.5'E), alt. 1325 m, mistbelt forest, 24.xi–18.xii.2005, Malaise trap, M. Mostovski, M. & C. Jaschhof.

Paratypes: 3ơ 1^(all on slides), same data as the holotype; 2ơ 1^(all on slides), KwaZulu-Natal: Northern Drakensberg, Royal Natal Nat. Park, Gudu Forest (28 ° 40.9'S: 28 ° 55.8'E), alt. 1680–1730 m, old-growth indigenous forest, 28.xi–13.xii.2005, Malaise trap, M. Mostovski, M. & C. Jaschhof; 2ơ (on slides), Central Drakensberg , Cathedral Peak Nat. Res., Rainbow Gorge (28 ° 57.6'S: 29 ° 13.6'E), alt. 1500 m, old-growth indigenous forest, 3–15.xii.2005, Malaise trap, M. Mostovski, M. & C. Jaschhof .

Other material examined: SOUTH AFRICA: KwaZulu-Natal: 1ơ (in ethanol), same locality as holotype but 24.iv–27.v.2005; 1ơ (in ethanol), same locality but 26.vii–28.ix.2005; 1ơ (in ethanol), Northern Drakensberg, Royal Natal Nat. Park, Devil’s Hoek valley (28 ° 42.7'S: 28 ° 55.3'E), alt. 1650 m, old-growth indigenous forest, 11.xii.2005, sweepnet and aspirator, M. Jaschhof; 1ơ (in ethanol), Central Drakensberg , Cathedral Peak Nat. Res., Rainbow Gorge (28 ° 57.6'S: 29 ° 13.6'E), alt. 1500 m, old-growth indigenous forest, 4.xii.2005, sweepnet, M. Jaschhof; 1ơ (in ethanol), Pietermaritzburg, Hilton (29 ° 32'30.7''S: 30 ° 18'18.4''E), suburban garden with compost pile, 17–29.ii.2004, Malaise trap, M. Mostovski; 1ơ (in ethanol), Queen Elizabeth Park Nat. Res. (29 ° 34.157'S: 30 ° 19.299'E), alt. 860 m, forest patch, 1–5.xii.2003, Malaise trap, J.G.H. Londt & M. Mostovski .

Remarks: Among Afrotropical species of Manota , presence in the male gonocoxites of a dorsal row of megasetae is not unusual (see Søli 1993), but if other characters are taken into account, none of these species are really close to natalensis . Relatively short maxillary palpus and lack of curved sensilla on the third palpal segment are characters giving natalensis a rather isolated position among its congeners.

This new species was collected predominantly in various indigenous forests of both the mountains and lowland of KwaZulu-Natal, with one specimen being found in a suburban garden. Preimaginal stages and the habitat of larvae are unknown.

Figures

Figs 1–3. Manota natalensis sp. n.: (1) male terminalia, ventral view; (2) male terminalia, dorsal view; (3) female terminalia, lateral view. Scale bars = 0.05 mm (Figs 1 and 2) and 0.1 mm (Fig. 3).