Phaonia trimaculata sordidisquama Stein, 2024

Michelsen, Verner & Pont, Adrian C., 2024, Macaronesian Muscidae (Diptera). V. The genera Phaonia Robineau-Desvoidy and Muscina Robineau-Desvoidy, Zootaxa 5458 (4), pp. 581-596 : 587

4. Phaonia trimaculata sordidisquama Stein , stat. nov.

( Figs 3B–F )

Phaonia sordidisquama Stein ; Becker 1908a: 94 ff. (Gran Canaria, Tenerife); Frey 1936: 135 (Gran Canaria, Tenerife); Hennig 1963c: 872 (Gran Canaria, Tenerife); Santos Abréu 1976: 163 ff., fig. 24 (Gran Canaria, Tenerife); Báez 1983: 184 ff., pl. 4 figs. 5, 6 (Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Hierro).

Taxonomic note. This western Canarian taxon is morphologically inseparable from the variable and widespread central and western Palaearctic Phaonia trimaculata . Hennig (1963a) used colour differences and the absence of setulae on meron to separate Phaonia sordidisquama from P. trimaculata , but we found that the number of meral setulae varies from 0–4 in both taxa. Because of its distinctive colour we rank the Canarian population as a subspecies of P. trimaculata .

Material examined. CANARY ISLANDS: [ BMNH, MZH, NHMD] GRAN CANARIA: Moya, 1♀ 26.viii.1931 ( R. Storå); Tasarte , 27°54’N 15°46’W, 270m, 2♂ 22‒25.xi.2014, 3♂ 28‒30.xi.2014 ( V. Michelsen); El Valle, 27°54’N 15°32’W, 730‒935m, 4♂, 2♀ 19‒24.i.2017 ( V. Michelsen); Bco Guayadeque, 27°56´N 15°29´W, 550‒1000m, 2♂ 21.xi.2014 ( V. Michelsen); La Montaña, 27°55´N 15°33´W, 690‒710m, 4♂, 1 ♀ 1‒6.ii.2018 ( V. Michelsen); El Risco, 28°02’N 15°43’W, 150‒200m, 1♂, 1♀ 7‒12.i.2014 ( V. Michelsen); La Rueda, 27°54’N 15°33’W, 580m, 1♂ 25‒30.i.2018 ( V. Michelsen). TENERIFE: Las Mercedes, 1♀ 17.viii.1931 ( R. Storå), 1♀ 3.vii.1974 (M. Báez); Tacoronte, 1♂ 1931 ( R. Frey); San Diego, 1♂ 8.ii.1953 (J.M. Fernández); Arico, 1♀ 16.i.2006 ( V. Michelsen); La Zarza, 3♂ 20.i.2006 ( V. Michelsen); Los Carrizales, 28°19’N 16°51’W, 350‒700m, 4♂, 1♀ 9‒10.ii.2008, 4♂, 2♀ 18‒23.i.2012 ( V. Michelsen); Carrizal Alto, 28°19’N 16°51’W, 640‒730m, 1♂ 30.i‒3.ii.2016 ( V. Michelsen). LA GOMERA: Agulo, Lepe, 4♂, 1♀ 11‒13.i.2006 ( V. Michelsen); La Laja, 28°06´N 17°11´W, 480‒600m, 2♂ 22‒29.i.2016 ( V. Michelsen). Los Loros, 28°09’N 17°16’W, 520‒770m, 7♂, 6♀ 31.i‒7.ii.2008, 2♂, 1♀ 18‒23.i.2012 ( V. Michelsen; Roque Blanco, 28°10´N 17°14´W, 700-900m, 3♂ 30.1‒ 5.ii.2020 ( V. Michelsen); Lomito Fragoso, 28°07’N 17°10’W, 220‒250m, 1♂, 2♀ 19‒24.i.2019, 1♂ 24‒29.i.2020 ( V. Michelsen).

Description. Only distinguished from the nominal subspecies by colour differences: Darker grey pruinosity of the body with a distinct bluish tinge, along with the dark-tipped scutellum, blackish infuscated calypteres and brownish halter. Legs extensively black, sometimes with hind tibia translucent reddish brown. Male frons possibly less variable than in P. trimaculata , at narrowest point slightly narrower than distance between posterior ocelli inclusive and fronto-orbital plates always separated by frontal vitta. Likewise, 1–2 p setae apparently always present on fore tibia. Katepimeron with 0–3 fine setulae as in P. trimaculata . The male terminalia ( Figs 3D–F ) agree closely with those of the nominal subspecies.

Distribution. A Canarian subspecies found exclusively on the western islands Gran Canaria, Tenerife, La Gomera, Hierro and La Palma.

Figures

FIGURE 3. Phaonia trimaculata trimaculata (Bouché), (A), P. trimaculata sordidisquama Stein, (B–F), males. Habitus (A); head and thorax (B); abdomen (C); sternite V (D); hypopygium, caudal (E) and lateral (F).