Ceylonosticta inferioreducta Bedjanič & Conniff, 2016

Tol, Van, 2016, Taxonomy and molecular phylogeny of the Platystictidae of Sri Lanka (Insecta: Odonata), Zootaxa 4182 (1), pp. 1-80 : 18-21

5. Ceylonosticta inferioreducta Bedjanič & Conniff sp. nov.

Figs 20−27 , 138−139 ; Map 3.

Drepanosticta sp. nov. A—Bedjanič et al. (2014): 138 [differential characters, biology, distribution (partim —southernmost dot on the distribution map belongs to Ceylonosticta mirifica sp. nov. described below), Ƌ photograph].

SPECIES DIAGNOSIS IN THE KEY → 18a; NUMBER OF KNOWN LOCALITIES— Bedjanič et al. (2014): 5 [corrected to 4 localities by listing known faunistic records in the present paper].

Type material. Holotype: 1Ƌ (mature male, ex alcohol), Norton Bridge, stream on the B43 road 1.5km WNW of Norton Bridge; Nuwara Eliya District , Central Province; N6.9171, E80.5075; alt. 910m; 28-vii-2009; M. Bedjanič leg (to be deposited in CNMS) ; Paratypes: 2♀ (mature females, one ex alcohol), locality data the same as for holotype (one ex alcohol to be deposited in CNMS, one in alcohol in RMNH with code RMNH.INS.229761).

Etymology. The species epithet, a Latin adjective, refers to the remarkably reduced inferior anal appendages of the male.

Diagnosis. Medium-sized Ceylonosticta , belonging to C. mojca group of species, closely related to C. mirifica sp. nov., described below. Both sexes are characterised by remarkable dorsal processes on the anterior margin of the anterior lobe of the prothorax, which are very long and curved backwards over the prothorax, markedly exceeding its posterior margin. Middle lobe of prothorax of both sexes bluish white, not brown as in C. mojca and C. tropica . In C. subtropica the prothorax processes are much shorter, while in C. mirifica sp. nov. these are curved upward, and not exceeding the posterior margin of the prothorax. With C. mojca and C. mirifica sp. nov., it shares the totally reduced inferior anal appendages of males. Superior anal appendages of C. inferioreducta sp. nov. and C. mirifica sp. nov. are clearly different. In C. inferioreducta sp. nov. they have a narrow base, which in dorsal view does not reach posterodorsal prolongation of the last abdominal segment medially on each side and a tuft of long medially directed setae reaching middle of the superior anal appendage.

Description of holotype male [dried specimen ex alcohol]. Head.—Labium light brown, bases of mandibles dark brown, with light grey dorsolateral portions towards labrum and anteclypeus. Labrum and anteclypeus blue, anterior part of labrum dark brown, with rather long brown setae. Genae black, as is postclypeus. Frons flattened, also black, below antennae near postclypeus with some long light setae, which are also present on anterior border of postclypeus. Vertex, occiput and epicranium glossy black. Occiput behind ocelli with row of sparse light setae. Bases of antennae dark brown, scapus and pedicellus ochreus, flagellum dark brown ( Fig. 20 ). Rear of head shiny black. Transverse occipital carina black, bluntly angulated. Eyes in preserved specimen ochreous.

Thorax. —Prothorax light ochreous ( Figs. 20–21 ). Anterior lobe with elevated, upturned anterior margin, which is laterally strongly prolonged in pair of broad and very long processes. These are curved backwards over the prothorax, markedly exceeding its posterior margin. Median lobe whitish, with bluish patches on dorsum. Posterior lobe of prothorax brown, blue on anterior portion of dorsum. Its posterior margin upturned, not evenly rounded, with marked median and rounded dorsolateral expansions. Dorsum of synthorax dark brown, with conspicuous long hairs on its anterior third. Mesepimeron and metepisternum brown, metepimeron lighter brown. Sky-blue stripe along obsolete mesometapleural suture, starting from thickened dark brown upper margin of metepisternum and ending conically well beyond spiracle ( Fig. 20 ). Under surface of thorax light ochreous. Legs light brown, with darker brown rings on femur and tibia joints.

Wings.—Wings clear, venation dark brown ( Fig. 27 ). Right forewings and hindwings with 16½ Px, left forewings and hindwings with 15½ Px. Right hindwing and left forewing with 2 pcv veins. Arculus distal to Ax2, R4+5 slightly proximal to subnodus. IR3 separates from R4+5 at the level of first crossvein distal to arculus. Y vein stalked, Ab vein forked just before meeting CuP in both forewings. Discoidal cell divided in left forewing only by the crossvein continuing from distal fork of Ab. CuP reaching hind margin of forewing at level between Px 3 and Px 4, in hindwing at level of Px 5. Number of cells between Arc and place where CuP meets hind margin of hindwing 9 − 10. Pterostigma dark brown, encircled by narrow lighter line and surrounded by thick dark brown veins, proximal side oblique, distal side straight, wider than high.

Abdomen.—Slender, dark brown dorsally and light brown ventrally, ground colour of S8–10 black. S3–7 basally with narrow light brown rings that are not connected dorsally and are narrowly prolonged ventrally to almost end of segments. S7 with light markings very reduced. Dorsum of S9 light blue, blue marking on S10 broadly semicircular in caudal direction, covering nipple-shaped distal prolongation of last tergite. S8 with irregular semicircular dorsal blue marking, occupying slightly more than distal fourth of the segment, and with two small blue spots just above blue marking dorsolaterally on each side ( Fig. 22 ). S10 with blunt nipple-shaped distal prolongation, measuring two fifths of the medial segment length. Its sides and tip bordered narrowly brown ( Fig. 66 ) and with small protuberance on its ventral side. Anal appendages dark brown, except for light ochreous inner surface at middle of superior anal appendages. Superiors long, 1.5 times median length of S10, laterally flattened, with slightly dilated apices curved inwards ( Figs. 22– 23 ). Their bases narrow, not reaching posterodorsal prolongation of last abdominal segment medially on each side. Tuft of long medially directed setae starts at base of superior anal appendages and extends almost until their middle. Inferiors not visible in dorsal view, light brown, extremely reduced, shifted strongly proximally towards base of segment as seen in Fig. 23 . Their basal portions expanded, with tuft of setae in middle, each with vestigial small downwardly and slightly caudally directed spine, which does not reach bases of superiors when seen in profile.

Measurements [in mm]. Ƌ—head width: 4; abdomen length: 36.3; fore- and hindwing length: 22.7, 22.2; fore- and hindwing pterostigma length: 1.1, 1.05; prothorax projections: 1.15; superior appendages: 1.29.

Description of paratype female [dried specimen ex alcohol]. Coloration and general habitus very similar to male ( Fig. 24 ). Both forewings with 17 Px, left hindwing with 16 and right hindwing with 15 Px. Only single pcv vein in all wings. Y vein stalked, Ab vein not forked and discoidal cell undivided in all wings. Prothorax with whitish middle lobe, anterior lobe upturned, with pair of long processes directed backwards as in male ( Fig. 25 ). Posterior lobe of prothorax brown, anterior portion blue, posterior margin markedly elevated in middle, with narrow dorsolateral expansions. Vertex of synthorax dark brown, rest of thorax of lighter brown colour laterally and ventrally. Blue thoracic band starts from upper margin of metepisternum and reaches beyond spiracle. Legs ochreous. Abdomen coloration similar to male. Dorsum of S9–10 sky blue, dorsum of S8 of same colour, with dorsal blue marking rounded proximally, with tip almost reaching segment base. S10 with rounded distal prolongation of last tergite, cerci dark brown. Ovipositor with styli reaching tip of cerci in length. ( Fig. 26 ).

Measurements [in mm]. ♀ —head width: 4; abdomen length: 33.3; fore- and hindwing length: 23.7, 23.4; fore- and hindwing pterostigma length: 1.1, 1.11; prothorax projections: 1.05; ovipositor: 2.

Remarks. Coloration in life.—Eyes of both sexes in life bluish grey dorsally, with broad median rusty brown band and yellowish ventral portions. Dorsum of synthorax blackish dark brown, with a tint of very dark metallic-green lustre. Middle lobe of prothorax white, its anterior lobe with elevated, upturned anterior margin light brownish grey, processes dark grey ( Figs. 138–139 ). Habitat.—At the type locality animals were found and photographed on a slope above a small stream among dense bamboo undergrowth. Conservation.— C. inferioreducta sp. nov. is currently known from four localities in the surroundings of Kithulgala, Norton Bridge, Harangala and Weweltalawa in central Sri Lanka; however, its range is small. Its habitats are under strong pressure due to water extraction and forest degradation. It is threatened and should be considered for conservation monitoring and action.

Faunistic records [localities listed north to south]. —(1) Norton Bridge, stream on the B43 road 1.5km WNW of Norton Bridge ; Nuwara Eliya District , Central Province; N6.9171, E80.5075; alt. 910m; 28-vii-2009; M. Bedjanič & K. Conniff; 10♀, 10Ƌ.—(2) Harangala, stream at the road Harangala-Pundaluoya, 1.5km SE of Kothmale Dam ; Nuwara Eliya District , Central Province; N7.0483, E80.604; alt. 1015m; 13-vii-2012; M. Bedjanič; 1♀.—(3) Weweltalava, natural forest 11km E of Yatiyanthota ; Kegalle District, Sabaragamuwa Province; N7.0453, E80.3912; alt. 950m; 23-vi-2012; S. Goonathilake; 1Ƌ.—(4) Mahabage, Ing Oya, River Resort Hotel ; Kegalle District , Sabaragamuwa Province; N7.0118, E80.4346; alt. 270m; 25-vii-2009; M. Bedjanič; 1Ƌ.

Figures

FIGURES 20 – 27. Ceylonosticta inferioreducta sp. nov. — (20) thorax and head, lateral view [male holotype]; (21) prothorax, lateral view [male holotype]; (22) anal appendages, dorsal view [male holotype]; (23) anal appendages, ventral view [male holotype]; (24) thorax and head, lateral view [female paratype]; (25) prothorax, lateral view [female paratype]; (26) ovipositor, lateral view [female paratype]; (27) wings [male holotype]. [Material origin: male holotype et female paratype—Norton Bridge, Nuwara Eliya District, Sri Lanka]

FIGURES 138 – 143. Coloration in life: Ceylonosticta inferioreducta sp. nov. — (138) male, (139) female; Ceylonosticta mirifica sp. nov. — (140) male, (141) female; Ceylonosticta adami — (142) male; (143) female [photos: M. Bedjanič, fig. 138, photo: K. Conniff].

FIGURES 63 – 69. Ceylonosticta venusta sp. nov. — (63) thorax and head, lateral view [male, holotype]; (64) prothorax, lateral view [male, holotype]; (65) anal appendages, dorsal view [male, holotype]; (66) anal appendages, ventral view [male, holotype]; (67) thorax and head, lateral view [female, paratype]; (68) prothorax, lateral view [female, paratype]; (69) wings [male, holotype]. [Material origin: male holotype and female paratype—Rambodde, Nuwara Eliya District, Sri Lanka]