Physopelta (Physopeltoides), Stehlík, 2013

Stehlík, Jaroslav L., 2013, Review and reclassification of the Old World genus Physopelta (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Largidae), Acta Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae 53 (2), pp. 505-584 : 549-550

Subgenus Physopeltoides subgen. nov.

Type species. Physopelta (Physopeltoides) dentipes sp. nov., here designated.

Diagnosis. Body smaller (males 11.18–12.26 mm, females 11.39–12.47 mm). Antennomere 1 short, much shorter than both antennomere 2 and length of pronotum. Sexual dimorphism not expressed. Callar lobe distinctly gibbose in both sexes ( Figs 60–61 ). Profemora of both sexes strongly incrassate ( Figs 51 , 60–61 ), ventral surface with longitudinal furrow, row of small denticles on each side of furrow, and two larger teeth anteapically on dorsal surface ( Figs 50–51 ). Tibiae ventrally unarmed in both sexes. Ventral sides of meso- and metafemora with small denticles along their entire length. Stridulatory organs lacking, procoxa ventrally without tubercle ( Figs 48–49 ). Peritreme of metathoracic scent gland oriented longitudinally, crescent-shaped, projecting both anteriad and posteriad of ostiole (as on Figs 68–69 ). Paramere with apex short and narrow, outer margin basally with small angulate process ( Figs 55–59 ).

Differential diagnosis. Physopeltoides subgen. nov. and Neophysopelta share the following characters, suggesting a possible sister relationship of both taxa: i) antennomere 1 shorter than antennomere 2; ii) profemora incrassate; iii) meso- and metafemora ventrally with longitudinal furrow of small denticles. However, in Physopeltoides subgen. nov. the characters ii) and iii) occur in both sexes, whereas in Neophysopelta these are developed only in males. Afrophysopelta subgen. nov. differs from Physopeltoides subgen. nov. In its profemora not incrassate and meso- and metafemora ventrally unarmed. On the other hand, Afrophysopelta subgen. nov. and Physopeltoides subgen. nov. share the same shape of peritreme and paramere.

Etymology. The name of the subgenus is derived from the nominotypical subgenus Physopelta using the Greek suffix - oides, meaning ‘resembling, similar to; the gender is masculine.

Figures

Figs 60–63. 60–61 – Physopelta (Physopeltoides) dentipes sp. nov. 60 – male, paratype; 61 – female, paratype.62–63 – Physopelta (Afrophysopelta) melanoptera Distant, 1904. 62 – male; 63 – female. (Photo: L. Dembický).

Figs 48–51. Physopelta (Physopeltoides) dentipes sp. nov., male, paratype. 48 – fore coxae and trochanters (magnification 60×), 49 – detail of procoxa and protrochanter (90×), 50 – fore leg, anterior view (35×), 51 – ventral surface of profemur (40×). Scale bars: 0.5 mm. (SEM micrographs: P. Kment).

Figs 64–69. Physopelta (Afrophysopelta) melanoptera Distant, 1904, male. 64 – fore coxae and trochanters (magnification 75×); 65 – detail of procoxa and protrochanter (110×); 66–67 – profemur: 66 – anterior view (35×), 67 – ventral surface (70×); 68 – external scent efferent system (100×); 69 – peritreme and evaporatorium (170×). Scale bars: 0.2 mm (Figs 64, 66–68), 0.5 mm (Figs 65, 69). (SEM micrographs: P. Kment).

Figs 52–59.Physopelta (Physopeltoides) dentipes sp.nov., male.52–54 – pygophore:52 – dorsal view (magnification 75×), 53 – postero-dorsal view (75×), 54 – lateral view (70×). 55–59 – paramere (different orientations; 230×).Scale bars: 0.2 mm. (SEM micrographs: P. Kment).