Phortica (Phortica) palmata Chen & Toda, 2007

Chen, Hong-Wei, Toda, Masanori J., Lakim, Maklarin B. & Mohamed, Maryati B., 2007, The Phortica Sensu Stricto (Insecta: Diptera: Drosophilidae) From Malaysia, Raffles Bulletin of Zoology 55 (1), pp. 23-41 : 37

Phortica (Phortica) palmata Chen & Toda , new species

( Figs. 46–49 )

Diagnosis. – Aedeagal median rod submedially with slender, apically somewhat asymmetric process ( Fig. 49 ); aedeagal ventral bridge slender, apically largely bifurcated, sometimes with 1 or 2 small acute projections on dorso-subapical margin; aedeagal basal bridge with flap bearing 1 large and 1 small acute projections antero- and mediodorsally, respectively ( Fig. 49 ).

Material examined. – Holotype male, MALAYSIA: Poring, Sabah, coll. M. J. Toda, 30 Dec.1998 ( KPSP) . Paratypes: MALAYSIA: 3 males, same data as holotype except for 17 Mar.1999 (terminalia dissected, KPSP), 24 Mar.1999 ( ITBC), 3 Oct.1999 ( SEHU); Ulu Senagang, Crocker Range , Sabah , 4 males (1 male terminalia dissected), coll. M. J. Toda, 18 Oct.1999 ( FRIM, KPSP, SCAU, ITBC) .

Decription. – Male. Head: Frons brown on upper half, dark brown on lower half.

Thorax: Orange yellow. Scutellum with trifurcate brown patch, pale yellow on tip.

Wing: Hyaline.

Legs: All femora partly brown. Midleg tibia subapically with 3-4 longer setae on anterior surface.

Abdomen: First to fifth tergites yellow; second tergite with brown patches submedially; third to fifth tergites each with medially slightly protruded, brown band on posterior margin and 1 pair of yellow patches laterally; sixth tergite nearly entirely dark except yellow medial line, with expanded lobe on lateral margin.

Male terminalia: Epandrium pubescent anteroventrally and dorsomedially, with ca. 18 setae on dorsal to posterolateral portion per side ( Fig. 46 ). Surstylus with pubescence basally and several wedge-shaped prensisetae on apical margin to inner surface ( Fig. 47 ). Additional plate between cerci and 10th sternite pubescent, medially connected to 10th sternite ( Fig. 48 ). Posterolateral lobe of hypandrium undeveloped. Paramere expanded distally; apical process with 1 sensillum; medial process with 1 sensillum and 1 tooth; proximal process pubescent ( Fig. 49 ). Vertical process of gonopods apically with 4-5 sclerotized projections per side ( Fig. 49 ). Aedeagus with 2 pairs of bridges ( Fig. 49 ).

Female: Unknown. Measurements: BL = 3.60 mm in holotype (range in 4 male paratypes: 3.40-4.18); ThL = 1.84 mm (1.64-1.88); WL = 3.13 mm (2.64-3.20); WW = 1.36 mm (1.20-1.32).

Indices: arb = 4/2-3 (4-6/2-3), avd = 0.80 (0.80), adf = 1.50 (1.30-1.80), flw = 1.40 (1.50-1.60), FW/HW = 0.45 (0.40- 0.45), ch/o = 0.06 (0.06), prorb = 1.10 (1.00-1.15), rcorb = 0.50 (0.40-0.50), vb = 0.30 (0.30-0.35), dcl = 0.60 (0.50-0.55), presctl = 0.65 (0.55-0.65), sctl = 1.00 (1.10-1.20), sterno = 0.90 (0.90-0.95), orbito = 1.45 (1.40-1.50), dcp = 0.25 (0.24- 0.25), sctlp = 1.00 (0.95-1.00), C = 2.14 (2.10-2.25), 4c = 2.10 (1.50-1.91), 4v = 3.70 (2.73-3.46), 5x = 0.67 (0.88-0.89), ac = 4.20 (3.60-4.20), M = 0.60 (0.58-0.73), C3F = 0.67 (0.67- 0.76).

Etymology. – From the Latin word “palmatus”, meaning palm, referring to the palm-shaped vertical process of gonopods.

Distribution. – Malaysia (Sabah).

Remarks. – This species is very similar to P. (P.) kinabalensis in the morphology of male terminalia, especially of the aedeagal basal bridge, but can be distinguished from it by the diagnostic characters.

Figures

Figs. 46–49. Phortica (Phortica) palmata Chen & Toda, new species, male: 46, epandrium and cercus in lateral view; 47, surstylus in frontal view; 48, tenth sternite and additional plate in frontal view; 49, hypandrium, gonopod, paramere and aedeagus in lateral view.