Aphaniosoma dhofaricum Ebejer, 1996

Ebejer, Martin J., 2023, The genus Aphaniosoma Becker, 1903 (Diptera: Chyromyidae) in the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East, with descriptions of new species, European Journal of Taxonomy 872, pp. 1-161 : 57-60

Aphaniosoma dhofaricum Ebejer, 1996

Figs 27–28

Material examined

Paratypes

OMAN • 2 ♂♂; Dhofar, Khor Taqah ; 12 Nov. 1992; J.C. Deeming leg.; on carpet grazed Sporobolus virginicus (L.) Kunth; NMWC.

Other material

OMAN • 1 ♂; Sahil Al Jazir, Khor Dhirif ; 26 Nov. 1999; M.D. Gallagher leg.; MJE .

Remarks

Although only known from the southern region of Oman, it appears to be a locally abundant species. It has a dark scutum tending to develop vittae posteriorly; dark abdominal tergites with broad yellow posterolateral margins on tergites 3–6 ( Fig.27B ). The male hypopygium is mostly brown with distinctive postgonites, these being somewhat club-shaped, viewed from certain angles ( Fig. 28A ).

Distribution

Oman ( Ebejer 1996). Listed in error as present on Cape Verde Islands ( Ebejer 2009).

Figures

Fig. 27. Aphaniosoma dhofaricum Ebejer, 1996. A. ♂ (MJE), habitus, lateral view. B. ♂, paratype (NMWC), hypopygium in situ, lateral view.

Fig. 28. Aphaniosoma dhofaricum Ebejer, 1996, ♂ (MJE), hypopygium in situ. A. Lateral view. B. Posterior view.