Platypygus kurdorum Paramonov, 1929

Gharali, Babak, Evenhuis, Neal, Kamali, Karim & Talebi, Ali Asghar, 2011, A review of the genus Platypygus Loew (Mythicomyiidae: Platypyginae) in Iran, with notes on Cyrtisiopsis maculiventris (Loew) n. comb., Zootaxa 2979, pp. 25-40 : 30-38

Platypygus kurdorum Paramonov, 1929

( Figs. 4 , 5 )

Platypygus kurdorum Paramonov, 1929: 157 , 158, 159

Platypygus kurdorum var. persicus Paramonov, 1934: 18 .

Specimens examined. 10 females, 10 males, Barajin region, Barajin, 8 km North of Ghazvin City, Ghazvin province, N 36°20'50", E 50°04'15", 1512 m asl., 12 June 2008, sweeping on Anthemis sp. ( Asteraceae ), [1 female, 3 males] (TMU); [3 females] (BPBM), leg. B. Gharali.

Description. Female ( Figs. 3 a, b). Head. Subglobular, slightly longer than high, eyes dichoptic, separated at vertex by 1.6 x distance between lateral ocelli; occiput wide, bare, black except narrow stripe extending upward to 3/4 occiput height; postgena slightly extended posteriorly as blunt process; vertex black, with black color extends slightly below level of median ocellus, ocellar triangle bare; frons bare, depressed medially as a longitudinal furrow, variable from completely yellow to yellow with Y-shaped black mark medially; antennae completely black, about 0.6 x head height in length, antennal ratio: 1.1: 1: 2.4: 1.3; scape cylindrical, 1.7 x greatest width; pedicel cylindrical, slightly longer than wide, first flagellomere oblong oval, length about 3 x greatest width; second flagellomere oblong oval, half length of first flagellomere, style bullet-shaped, length about 0.3 x second flagellomere; face yellowish white, bare; oral margin narrow, yellowish white; gena yellowish white; as narrow as oral margin; mentum yellow; labrum blackish brown, sclerotized, stiff, pointed apically; proboscis blackish brown, with minute hairs apicoventrally.

Thorax. Pronotum yellow with black trapezoidal mark medially; mesonotum ( Fig. 3 f) yellowish white, completely bare, with three longitudinal black stripes on disc, two black spots next to transverse suture and narrow black band connecting ends of lateral stripes; lateral stripes extend from behind postpronotal lobes to posterior margin of postalar calli, median stripe extends from anterior margin of mesonotum, tapering apically; postpronotal lobes large, yellowish white; postalar calli yellowish white; scutellum yellowish white, bare; halter stem and knob yellowish white; pleura yellow except lower two thirds of katepisternum, spot on anepisternum adjacent to anterior spiracle, spot at anteroventral corner of anepimeron, and large spot on meron black.

Legs. Completely yellow except last four tarsal segments black and metatarsi brownish yellow; tarsal segments with minute bristles; claws black; pulvilli brownish, half of claws in length.

Wings ( Fig. 3 d). Hyaline, veins blackish brown; costa ends slightly beyond vein R4+5; R2+3 originates from about middle of Rs; R4+5 sinuous; M1 curved, longer than M2; M2 straight; M3 straight, originating from middle of discal cell; CuA1 straight, reaching wing margin; anal vein reaching wing margin; humeral crossvein subequal to crossvein m1-m2; crossvein r-m slightly beyond middle of discal cell; crossvein m-cu subequal to crossvein r-m; br cell about 1.3 x bm cell; anal cell open by a width subequal to humeral crossvein; alula and alar squama reduced; fringe of hairs on posterior margin of wing shortest at wing tip becoming longer toward base.

Abdomen ( Fig. 3 g). Tergite I almost black except lateral and very narrow posterior margin yellow; Tergites II to IV almost black except lateral and posterior margins yellow; tergite V yellow with a narrow black anterior margin, remainder of tergites yellow.

Female genitalia ( Figs. 4 a, b). Furca U-shaped, sclerotized, lateral arms strongly sclerotized; without sclerotization around genital orifice; common spermathecal duct very short, brown, sclerotized; each spermathecal duct divided into two sections, the basal section, transversely striated, long, broad, basally sclerotized; the apical section as narrow and smooth tube, without distinct sperm pump or valves; basal part of median spermathecal duct narrower than that of lateral ducts, without striation, straight basally, remainder twisted spirally, gradually broadened toward apex; apical tubes eight times narrower than basal tubes, about 0.7 x that of basal tubes in length; lateral spermathecal ducts (only a small part shown in the illustration) about 4 x median duct in width; spermathecal reservoirs pear-shaped, slightly curved at middle, with a small cap apically, cap with hardly visible short and dense canaliculi.

Male ( Fig. 2 c, j). Similar to female except the following:

- Tergite IV yellow except very narrow black anterior margin; remainder of tergites yellow; hypopygium yellow except blackish brown processes of epandrium.

- Male genitalia ( Fig. 4 c–f). In lateral view, epandrium trapezoid, longer than high, with two short and acute processes; gonocoxites fused, H-shaped, with some bristly hairs laterally, with two long plates; plates medially twisted; gonostyli clavate, hollowed apically, deeply inserted in gonocoxites; aedeagal bulb large, basal aedeagal apodeme narrow in dorsal view, subrectangular in lateral view, extending forward as long and apically trilobate process.

Remarks. Paramonov (1929) originally described his new species Platypygus kurdorum based on three specimens (a holotype deposited in Berlin; and two paratypes in his personal collection) collected from the Kurdistan region of Turkey but did not include this new species in his key. Because of the small genitalia that were hidden inside the last segments he was not able to identify the sex of his specimens without dissection. Indeed, he mentioned indirectly one of the diagnostic characters of P. kurdorum when compared with P. titanomedea . Paramonov compared his new species with the similar P. chrysanthemi which he distinguished by the bare occiput and antennae (antennae with very short but obvious hairs and occiput hairy in P. chrysanthemi ), the postgena more strongly developed as a blunt process (less developed in P. chrysanthemi ), and the diverging apical part of the lateral stripes on the mesonotum (parallel with median stripe in P. chrysanthemi ).

In his second paper on this genus, Paramonov (1934) studied ten specimens of Platypygus collected by Nicolai Alekseyivich Zarudny in the south of Iran and described a new variety as P. kurdorum var. persicus . Unfortunately, Paramonov (1934) used some variable characters as the criteria for distinguishing his variety. We here list the all variable characters and note that it is advisable not to use these alone in order to distinguish new species or to inform phylogeny.

Length of proboscis: Paramonov (1934) in his original description used the length of proboscis as a diagnostic character for his new variety. He noted that P. kurdorum var. persicus has a small proboscis with the length shorter than head length, (i.e., extending only to the tip of the oral cavity), but in P. kurdorum the proboscis is longer than the head length and extends beyond oral cavity. Many years later, Zaitzev (1987) used this character to separate the fossil genus Proplatypygus from Platypygus and mentioned for the latter genus that the proboscis is longer than head. His diagram (Fig. 13 page 158) also showed a hypothesized evolutionary trend of head characters in the genus Platypygus including a proboscis length toward elongation.

Zaitzev’s (1987) diagram did not show the correct evolutionary trend of the postgenal character. The elongation of postgena as an acute process did not show a correct trend because members of the genus Platypygus do not possess an acute and long postgenal process (Fig. 13e). Instead, this character is the diagnostic feature of Cyrtisiopsis Séguy and Cephalodromia Becker in the Palaearctic region.

Iranian specimens of the species P. k u rd o r u m and P. titanomedea show a great variation in this character from a proboscis length shorter to much longer than the head length, so any interpretation of an evolutionary process based on this character is best avoided.

Black mark on the frons. This character is variable in Platypygus titanomedea and highly variable in P. kurdorum . Paramonov (1934) mentioned that the black mark on the frons in his variety P. kurdorum var. persicus is not V-shaped and used it as one of differences to validate his designation. In specimens collected in the north of Iran we found different shapes of the black mark on the frons. The frons in P. kurdorum varies from yellow without any mark, to a black narrow stripe in the middle, to a distinct Y-shaped black mark that, at its extreme ends, reaches broadly to the inner eye margins. Also in P. titanomedea the frons ranges from completely yellow to yellow with a black line in the middle. This character is used much for separating species in other genera of Mythicomyiidae but it should be used carefully and in combination with other stable characters to identify or describe new species in this genus.

Stripes and spots on the mesonotum. Paramonov (1934) noted in his description of P. k u rd o r u m var. persicus that the median stripe on the mesonotum ends before the posterior margin of mesonotum. This is also a slightly variable character and should be treated carefully for identification. The median stripe in some specimens of P. kurdorum and P. titanomedea is narrowed apically and ends before the base of the scutellum and does not meet the lateral stripes posteriorly but sometimes it reaches to the scutellum and joins with the lateral stripes via a black transverse connector. The lateral black spots posterior to the transverse suture are slightly variable and infrequently coalesce with the admedian mesonotal stripes in P. kurdorum so as to be hardly identifiable as separate spots.

Also, the color of the body varies from yellow to yellowish white. Apparently, previous authors did not realize these variations because of the paucity of available specimens.

Unfortunately, the description of a new species by a single specimen created another taxonomic problem in this genus. Zaitzev (1966) in his review of Caucasus bee flies prepared a key along with some illustrations to the species of Platypygus . His illustrations of P. kurdorum were a combination of Engel’s figures and his own drawings. His misidentification is brought to light by checking the figures in detail and the description as follows:

Platypygus kurdorum has a bare body and the hairs on the mesonotum are minute and practically invisible; additionally, the antenna in this species is completely black and the mesonotum has a black spot adjacent to the transverse suture. These black spots sometimes coalesce with the transverse suture, nevertheless this connection is easily discerned. The postgena in P. kurdorum extends posteriorly as a blunt and short process. In Zaitzev’s (1966) illustration (page 137, Fig. 402), the specimen has the two basal segments of the antennae pale, a normal postgena (without a backward extension) and a clearly hairy mesonotum without black spots posterior to the transverse suture. More importantly, the furca in P. kurdorum is without sclerotization around the genital orifice [in Zaitzev’s figure (page 140, Fig. 410), there are two crescent-shaped sclerotized plates adjacent to genital orifice]. Also, the spermathecal reservoir shows a remarkable cylindrical cup in the illustration of Zaitzev (page 140, Fig. 412) but the real P. kurdorum has a pear-shaped reservoir with a very narrow cup apically ( Fig. 4 b), which was depicted correctly in Theodor (1983: 33, fig. 61). The status of sclerotized plates (presence or absence) is an important diagnostic feature for separation of species in the genus Platypygus .

As a result, Zaitzev’s (1966) illustrations, except those that have been reproduced from Engel’s book [the latter of which represent true P. kurdorum ], do not belong to P. kurdorum and his species is much closer to our new species, P. titanomedea , especially when comparing the female genitalia. However, this identification can only be confirmed by detailed study of Zaitzev’s specimens. Due to unavailability of these specimens in our study, we have tentatively modified the distribution of P. kurdorum and limit it to two countries, Iran and Turkey.

Platypygus melinoproctus Loew, 1873 ( Figs. 6 , 7 )

Platypygus melinoproctus Loew, 1873: 203 .

Specimens examined. 5 females, 2 males, Shami Dasht, Tarom region, N 36°35'28.5", E 49°06' 78.9", 2591 m asl., Ghazvin province, white pan traps, 22 July 2009, leg. B. Gharali [1 male & 1 female] (TMUC), others in personal collection of the first author.

Description. Female (Fig.14). Head. subglobular, slightly longer than high, eyes dichoptic, separated at vertex by 1.7 x distance between lateral ocelli; occiput wide, postgena slightly extended posteriorly as blunt process; lower 1/5 of occiput yellow, remainder black with long white hairs, denser in upper part; vertex black, just to lower level of median ocellus; ocellar triangle with scattered long white hairs; frons yellow, depressed medially as a shallow longitudinal furrow, yellow, with long white hairs laterally; antennae 0.5 x head length, antennal ratio: 1: 0.7: 1.8: 1.1, scape cylindrical, yellow, slightly longer than wide; pedicel subglobular, blackish brown, first flagellomere oblong oval, 2.3 x greatest in length than width; second flagellomere oblong oval, 0.6 x length of first flagellomere, style bullet-shaped, minute; face yellow, with scattered long, white hairs; oral margin very narrow, yellow; gena yellow; mentum yellow; labrum blackish, sclerotized, stiff, pointed apically, slightly shorter than proboscis; proboscis brownish, with fleshy wide labellum, length shorter than head height.

Thorax. Pronotum yellow with blackish brown spot dorsally; mesonotum yellow, with dense, white, long hairs throughout, with 3 longitudinal black stripes on mesonotum; lateral stripes extend from level of anterior spiracle to posterior margin of postalar calli, median stripe extends from anterior margin of mesonotum to ¾ length of mesonotum with straight posterior margin; postpronotal lobes large and yellow; postalar calli yellow; scutellum yellow with black mark basomedially, with dense, long, white hairs; halter stem and knob yellow; pleura yellow except lower two thirds of katepisternum, and large basomadial spot on meron black leaving anterior margin and upper part of meron yellow.

Legs. Completely yellow except third tarsal segment brownish yellow, last two segments black; tarsal segments with minute black bristles; claws black; pulvilli white, as long as claws.

Wings (Fig. 19). Hyaline, veins brownish; costa ends slightly beyond R4+5; R2+3 originates from about the middle of Rs; R2+3 straight; R4+5 sinuous; M1 curved; M2 straight; M3 straight; CuA1 slightly curved; Anal vein thin, reaching wing margin; humeral crossvein as long as crossvein r-m; r-m longer than crossvein m-m, about the middle of discal cell, originates from middle of discal cell; br cell 1.3 x bm cell; discal cell closed before wing margin by length subequal to crossvein r-m; anal cell narrowly open, alula and alar squama reduced, fringe of hairs on posterior margin of wing shortest at wing tip becoming longer toward base.

Abdomen. Tergites completely yellow except tergites I to III with black transverse stripe, with dense black bristly hairs medially, laterally with soft yellowish white hairs; sternites completely yellow.

Female genitalia (Figs. 16–18). Furca U-shaped, sclerotized, lateral arms strongly sclerotized; with two sclerotized plates next to vaginal opening, common oviduct very short, brown, sclerotized; each spermathecal duct divided into two sections, a striated, shortly sclerotized and broad basal tube, and a narrow, long and smooth apical tube; without distinct sperm pump or valves; basal tube of median spermathecal duct narrower than that of lateral ducts, twisted spirally in median section, gradually broadened apically; apical tube narrower than basal tube, very long, 3.5 x basal tube; width of lateral spermathecal ducts about 2.5 x that of median duct; basal section of lateral spermathecal duct subequal to apical section; spermathecal reservoirs pear-shaped, about 2 x longer than greatest width, sclerotized with a small cap and a few long canaliculi.

Male (Fig.15). As female except the following:

Hairs on femur and tibia longer and denser; hairs on lower part of face denser; abdominal tergite IV and sometimes V with a narrow black transverse stripe; hypopygium yellow except two narrow processes of epandrium blackish brown.

Male genitalia (Figs. 20–26). In lateral view, epandrium rectangular, longer than high, with two small acute processes, length about half that of epandrium; gonocoxites fused, apically round, gonostyli rod-shaped, acute apically, deeply inserted in gonocoxites, medially with well sclerotized denticles; in lateral view, basal aedeagal apodeme subrectangular, extending forward as long process.

Remarks. This is a rare species in the north of Iran. Only seven specimens were collected by white pan traps in a mountainous area.

Figures

FIGURE 2. Genitalia of P. titanomedea: a—epandrium (lateral view), b—epandrium (posterior view), c—gonocoxa and gonostyli (dorsal view), d—phallic complex (lateral view), e—phallic complex (dorsal view), f—female genitalia except reservoirs, g—spermathecal reservoir.

FIGURE 4. Genitalia of P. k urd or u m: a—female genitalia except reservoirs, b—spermathecal reservoir, c—gonocoxa and gonostyli (dorsal view), d—phallic complex (lateral view), e—phallic complex (dorsal view), f—epandrium (lateral view).

FIGURE 7. Genitalia of P. melinoproctus: a—female genitalia except reservoirs, b—spermathecal reservoir, c—epandrium (anterodorsal view), d—left half of gonocoxite and gonostylus, e—phallic complex (dorsal view), f—phallic complex (lateral view).

FIGURE 5. P. k u rd o r u m: a—Variation of proboscis and frons mark b—Lateral view of thorax (caudal end to the right)

FIGURE 3. P. k u rd o r u m: a—female, b—Holotype, c—male, d—wing, e—antenna, f—mesonotum (lateral view), g—female abdomen (dorsal view), h—mesonotum (dorsal view), j—male abdomen (dorsal view).

FIGURE 6. P. melinoproctus: a— female, b— head, c—male, d— mesonotum (lateral view), e—antenna, f—wing, g—male abdomen (dorsal view), h—female abdomen (dorsal view), i—mesonotum (dorsal view).