Sclerocoelus subbrevipennis ( Frey, 1954 )

Kuwahara, Gregory K., Marshall, Stephen A. & Paiero, Steven M., 2025, A revision of the genus Sclerocoelus Marshall (Diptera: Sphaeroceridae), European Journal of Taxonomy 979, pp. 1-277 : 109-110

Sclerocoelus subbrevipennis ( Frey, 1954)

Limosina subbrevipennis Frey, 1954: 35 .

Leptocera (Limosina) subbrevipennis – Richards 1980: 620.

Sclerocoelus subbrevipennis – Marshall 1997: 104.

Diagnosis

Body length 2.2 mm. Membrane around prosternum bare. Male S5 rectangular, posteromedially pale, bilobed, and covered in short, flattened setulae (cf. Marshall 1997: figs 54, 56); perianal pads well developed and dark; surstylus subtriangular with a rectangular anteroventral lobe bearing a posteroventral patch of thickened setae (cf. Marshall 1997: figs 52–53); postgonite very narrow and strongly sinuate (cf. Marshall 1997: fig. 55). Female S8 hourglass-shaped, lateral margins curved outwards into two prominent ridges (cf. Marshall 1997: fig. 59).

Material examined

TRISTAN DA CUNHA – Inaccessible Island • 1 ♂; SW of Denstone Hill ; 37°02′ S, 12°12′ W; 14 Oct. 1989; H.M. Barber leg.; albatross nest; DEBU .

Distribution

South Atlantic: Tristan de Cunha (Inaccessible Island, Nightingale Island)

Remarks

Sclerocoelus subbrevipennis (Frey) is the only unequivocal Sclerocoelus species with a distribution outside the New World, and one of only four species found outside the Neotropical region. The close relationship between S. subbrevipennis and Neotropical members of the S. galapagensis group was documented by Marshall (1997) and we are confident that the species is correctly placed. Although undoubtedly a Sclerocoelus , it is clearly distinct from all other species we have examined so there is no evidence that it is secondarily introduced to Tristan da Cunha. Some of the type specimens were collected in bird nests and in rotting vegetation.