Neomacrocoris parviceps (Montandon)

Sites, Robert W. & Mbogho, Aaron Y., 2012, Revision of the African genus Neomacrocoris (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Nepomorpha: Naucoridae), Zootaxa 3555, pp. 1-39 : 22-24

Neomacrocoris parviceps (Montandon)

Figs. 15 , 34–38

Macrocoris parviceps Montandon 1900 : Termé. Füz. 23: 422.

Neomacrocoris parviceps: Montandon 1913 , Bul. Soc. Rom. Stiinte, 22: 332. Neomacrocoris parviceps var. ocellatus Poisson 1948 : Rev. Zool. Bot. Afr. 41: 212.

Discussion. This species was considered by Poisson (1948) to resemble N. handlirschi and N. nanus , and is variable in pigmentation and size. It has been given as 7.8 ( Montandon 1900) to 9 mm ( Poisson 1948 ) in length. Our many specimens from throughout Tanzania range from 7.36 to 8.56 mm. We concur that this species is variable in expression of pigmentation, size, as well as other subtle differences in degree of angle and spination of abdominal tergal lobes and curvature in the structure of the phallosoma. Because this species is distributed widely throughout much of the continent, considerable intraspecific variation should be expected. Poisson (1948) described a variety (N. p. var. ocellatus ) based on more pronounced punctation near the margins of the pronotum and a more clear (“nette”) claval commissure than that of the nominate form, but gave no distribution information. Although he initially treated it as a variety, Poisson referred to the alternate condition as N. parviceps parviceps , implicitly conferring subspecific rank to ocellatus. Further, because the variety was described prior to 1961 it is considered a valid subspecies ( ICZN 1999). In later papers, he referred to it more deliberately as a subspecies ( N. p. ocellatus ) ( Poisson 1949 ) and reported it from Maua, Kilimandjaro Region, Tanganyika ( Poisson 1963 ). Despite collecting throughout the area of Maua, we found no naucorid specimens. We examined specimens at USNM that Poisson identified as N. p. ocellatus ; however, the terminal abdominal segments and genitalia were not present. The more pronounced punctation is actually scattered large dark spots laterally on the pronotum rather than punctures (Fig. 34). The only records of N. p. ocellatus are northeastern Tanzania and “B. gde forme a Gnoapointa” in Congo; we have not been able to determine a specific location for the latter record in either the Republic of Congo or Democratic Republic of Congo. All specimens that we have examined from throughout Tanzania and elsewhere in Democratic Republic of Congo are clearly N. p. parviceps . It seems unlikely that N. p. ocellatus could occur to the east and west of N. p. parviceps in Tanzania unless its range extends from Kilimanjaro Region of Tanzania north through Kenya and west through Uganda to the Congo locality. Although pronotal shape and maculation of N. p. ocellatus appear distinct from those of N. p. parviceps , the terminal abdominal segments and genitalia of the N. p. ocellatus specimens are unavailable, thus we are not able to address questions about the rank of N. p. ocellatus . Additional specimens from these localities and from Kenya and Uganda are needed to properly evaluate N. p. ocellatus .

Two specimens from Ghana (West Africa) have distinctly less maculation on the pronotum and the male has a slightly more acute left lobe of the 7th tergum than do specimens from East Africa, although the phallosoma and pseudostrigil are consistent with the concept for the species. Because Montandon did not designate a type specimen in the original description and the number of specimens he examined is unclear, we here designate a lectotype from the type series housed in the HNHM (see label data below). Although the lectotype is a female, the abdominal sternum clearly is the reddish-orange color that we have found to characterize this species in East Africa, therefore male features of a syntype are not necessary to validate our concept of this species, which agrees with that of Poisson .

Diagnosis. This is a moderately sized species with an obviously reddish-orange abdominal sternum in living specimens in East Africa. Thick setae on the hemelytra are restricted to the embolium and adjacent areas of the corium. The longitudinal flange and apex of the phallosoma readily distinguish this species (Fig. 36), and the pseudostrigil has a distinct impression in the lateral 1/3 (Fig. 37). The female subgenital plate is gently sinuate to the distal spatulate process (Fig. 38).

Distribution. The type locality is Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. This species is known from Sudan ( Linnavuori 1981) and was considered to be widespread in East Africa ( Poisson 1948 ). An unsubstantiated record of a female specimen from the Ivory Coast was considered probably to be N. parviceps ( Linnavuori 1981) ; however, females are not reliably identifiable without association with males. We have examined specimens from Burundi, Ghana, the Ivory Coast, Upper Volta, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Zambia, and South Africa, and collected it from throughout Tanzania, including the island of Zanzibar. Reported here are the first definitive records of this species from West Africa ( Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Upper Volta), Burundi, Zanzibar, Zambia, and South Africa. This species occurs among dense vegetation in slow or stagnant water along the margins of streams and pools. Weir (1966) recorded it from a river bank with decomposing leaves, branches, and floating Lemna, Wolffia , and Utricularia , but little emergent vegetation.

FIGURES 34–38. Neomacrocoris parviceps (34) habitus of N. p. ocellatus ; (35) habitus of N. p. parviceps ; (36) male genital capsule of N. p. parviceps ; (37) medial lobes of 7th abdominal tergum of male N. p. parviceps , yellow arrow indicates impression on pseudostrigil; (38) terminal abdominal sterna including subgenital plate of female N. p. parviceps . Sizes are not proportionate among figures.

Published records.

Neomacrocoris parviceps var. ocellatus : TANGANYIKA ( Poisson 1963 ).

Neomacrocoris parviceps parviceps : BELGIAN CONGO ( Poisson 1948 , 1949), SUDAN ( Linnavuori 1981), TANZANIA ( Montandon 1900, Poisson 1963 ), ZIMBABWE ( Weir 1966).

Type material examined. [ TANZANIA]: LECTOTYPE by present designation: / Dar-es-Salaam, R.V.Benningsen / Macrocoris parviceps Mtd. type. 1900. det. Montand. / Neomacrocoris parviceps Mtd. det. Montandon 1913. / ' Macrocoris parviceps' Montd / Hung. Nat. Hist. Mus. Budapest coll. Hemiptera ( HNHM, Ƥ).

Additional material examined.

Neomacrocoris parviceps ocellatus : CONGO: B. gde forme a Gnoapointa / Neomacrocoris parviceps ocellatus nov. / Poisson to Drake Coll 1979 ( USNM, 13); Congo / Neomacrocoris parviceps ocellatus / Poisson to Drake Coll 1979 ( USNM, 13).

Neomacrocoris parviceps parviceps : BURUNDI: Coll. Mus. Tervuren, plaine de la Ruzizi, N'Dani S., IV.1966 ( RMCA, 13). CONGO: Poisson to Drake Coll 1979 ( USNM, 33, 2Ƥ). [ DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO]: Katanda.r.Nyamurag., 30 June 1934, G. F. de Witte, Parc. Nat. Albert, 851, Coll. Mus. Tervuren, R. Poisson det. 1945 ( RMCA, 13); Camp Ruindi (1000), 20-28 XI 1934, G. F. de Witte, Parc. Nat. Albert, 798, Coll. Mus. Tervuren, R. Poisson det. 1945 ( RMCA, 13); same data but with 828 replacing 798 ( RMCA, 1Ƥ); Camp Ruindi, 1000, 20/ 28-XI-1934, G. F. de Witte, Parc. Nat. Albert, 799 / R. Poisson det. 1945, Neomacrocoris parviceps Montandon ( NMWC, 13); Musée du Congo, Katanga:Kanzenze, 16-vii-1931, G. F. De Witte / R. Poisson det., 1945, Neomacrocoris parviceps Mont. / R. Det. 5306, M ( RMCA, 23, 1Ƥ); Musée du Congo, Katanga:Kansenia, - VII-1931, G. F. De Witte / R. Poisson det., 1945, Neomacrocoris parviceps Mont. / R. Det. 5306, ( RMCA, 13); Musée du Congo, Katanga:Kiambi, 29-IV-1931, G. F. De Witte / R. Poisson det., 1945, Neomacrocoris parviceps Mont. / R. Det. 5305 L, ( RMCA, 13); Coll. Mus. Tervuren, Katanga:Mwaddingusha, 27-V-1965, W. Verheyen ( RMCA, 33, 1Ƥ); Katanda, r. Nyamurag., 30-VI-1934, G. F. De Witte, Parc. Nat. Albert, 851 / Col. Mus. Tervuren / R. Poisson det., 1945: Neomacrocoris parviceps Montandon / ( RMCA, 53, 7Ƥ); N. Rutshuru (950), (Katanda), 1934-30-XI, De Witte, Parc. Nat. Albert, 851 / Col. Mus. Tervuren / R. Poisson det., 1945: Neomacrocoris parviceps Montandon / ( RMCA, 103, 12Ƥ); Uelé:Buta (450), 11/ 13-V-1935, G. F. De Witte, Parc. Nat. Albert, 1372 / Col. Mus. Tervuren / R. Poisson det., 1945: Neomacrocoris parviceps Montandon ( RMCA, 13, 1Ƥ); Uelé:Monga, 18-IV-8-V-1935, G. F. De Witte, Parc. Nat. Albert, 1349 / Col. Mus. Tervuren / R. Poisson det., 1945: Neomacrocoris parviceps Montandon / ( RMCA, 13, 1Ƥ); same data but 1354 ( RMCA, 13, 1Ƥ); same data but 1356 ( RMCA, 13); Camp Ruindi (1000), 20/ 28-XI-1934, De Witte, Parc. Nat. Albert, 828 / Col. Mus. Tervuren / R. Poisson det., 1945: Neomacrocoris parviceps Montandon / ( RMCA, 33, 2Ƥ); same data but 828 ( RMCA 13, 3Ƥ); same data but 28-XI-1934, 847 ( RMCA, 2Ƥ). GHANA: Greater Accra Region, Dangme West District, Dodowa Subdistrict, Apese Abominya, Lat: 5.95861111000, Lon: -0.01163889000, 4 January 2004, R. Merritt & R. Kimbirauskas (13). IVORY COAST: Dimbroko / J.R. de la Torre Bueno Collection K.U. ( SEMC, 13); Museum Leiden, E. le Moult, Ivoorkust, W. Afrika ( RMNH, 13). [ NIGERIA]: Musée du Congo, Riv. Niger, Abutshi, Coll. Schouteden / Abutshi R. Niger no 89 / R. Det 5316 C. / Macrocoris parviceps Montd. det Montandon 1909 ( RMCA, 13). SOUTH AFRICA: B.M. 1926-40, Estcourt, Aug. ( BMNH, 13); KZ-Natal., Southern Drakensburg, Herbst cattle farm, 2000 m, Sourveld grassland & dam, 8 November 2005, P.E. Reavell / clay dam ( PRC, 13 1Ƥ). TANZANIA: Kagera Region, ca. 5 km E of Bhiaramulo, 02º38.159'S 31º20.789'E, 1427 m, 26 July 2010, R. W. Sites & A. Mbogho, roadside pool with grasses, algae, lily pads, L- 1154; Karenge, 03º07.936'S 31º04.530'E, 1234 m, 27 July 2010, R. W. Sites & A. Mbogho, shallow pools with heavy vegetation and cattle use, L-1157. Kigoma Region, Kalembela River, 04º40.813'S 30º03.964'E, 1249 m, 27 July 2010, R. W. Sites & A. Mbogho, marginal vegetation in slow current, L-1164; Gombe National Park, Mitumba stream, 04º38.405'S 29º37.823'E, 776 m, 29 July 2010, R. W. Sites & A. Mbogho, heavily vegetated narrow forest stream, L-1174; Kazuramimba, 05º00.155'S 30º00.971'E, 1082 m, 30 July 2010, R. W. Sites & A. Mbogho, muddy pools of small stream with marginal vegetation, L-1182. Mbeya Region, Tanganyika, Maji Moto, 3,700 ft., 33o 40’ E, 8o 38’ S, 9.viii.1959, Cambridge E. African Exped., B.M. 1960-50 ( BMNH, 13). Rukwa Region, ca. 54 km E. of Karema, 06º37.275'S 30º39.593'E, 1086 m, 31 July 2010, R. W. Sites & A. Mbogho, shaded stream, negligible flow, L-1193; Mpanda, Kasimba River, 06º21.602'S 31º04.382'E, 1064 m, 1 August 2010, R. W. Sites & A. Mbogho, grasses hanging into river, L-1195; Msanzi River at Msanzi, 08º11.411'S 31º31.295'E, 1778 m, 2 August 2010, R. W. Sites & A. Mbogho, rocks, mud, gravel, sand, marginal grasses, L-1202; Tanganyika, Rukwa Valley, 9 xi 1963, E.S. Brown, 536, B.M. 1966-102 ( BMNH, 33, 2Ƥ); Uvanda, Rukwa-St., 1.VIII.99, Glauning S. ( MNB, 23). Ruvuma Region, 20 km N of Songea, Lumecha River at Samangula, 10º30.149'S 35º40.268'E, 994 m, 5 August 2010, R. W. Sites & A. Mbogho, overhanging grasses, L-1211. Tanga Region, river from Soni to Mombo, 2 km E of Vuga Junction, 04º52.040'S 38º20.906'E, 460 m, 14 August 2010, R. W. Sites & A. Mbogho, grassy overhangs in rocky stream, L-1253; Kwamaluli River at Mbagai, 04º58.561'S 38º23.154'E, 465 m, 14 August 2010, R. W. Sites & A. Mbogho, shaded narrow stream w/ overhanging veg and undercuts, L-1256; Kihuuwi River at Timba, 05º07.683'S 38º41.418'E, 174 m, 15 August 2010, R. W. Sites & A. Mbogho, marginal grasses with silty/rocky bottom, L-1260; Jembe stream at Muheza, 05º10.260'S 38º47.106'E, 182 m, 15 August 2010, R. W. Sites & A. Mbogho, grassy overhangs in urban stream, L-1261. Zanzibar, Kaskazini Region, Kitope River at Zingwezingwe Bridge, 06º00.963'S 39º14.734'E, 39 m, 17 August 2010, R. W. Sites & A. Mbogho, discontinuous pools w/ aquatic veg and grasses, L-1265; Kitope River at Mkaratini Bridge, 06º00.714'S 39º14.841'E, 30 m, 17 August 2010, R. W. Sites & A. Mbogho, discontinuous pools w/ aquatic veg and grasses, L-1266. Zanzibar, Kusini Region, Mwera River at Mwera, 06º08.811'S 39º16.264'E, 23 m, 17 August 2010, R. W. Sites & A. Mbogho, flooded vegetated field margin, L-1267. UGANDA: Namanve Swamp, Kampala, 1 xi 1932, G.L.R. Hancock, B.M. 1933-585, NA 10, 1-XI-32, Pres. By Imp. Inst. Ent. B.M. 1933-585 ( BMNH, 13); Namanve, 7 VIII 1932, G.L.R. Hancock, No 29, Pres. By Imp. Inst. Ent. B.M. 1933- 585 ( BMNH, 13); Namanve, 6 VII 1932, G.L.R. Hancock, No 17, Pres. By Imp. Inst. Ent. B.M. 1935-32 ( BMNH, 13); Coll. Mus. Tervuren, Distr. Busoga, env. Jinja, 1/III, 1968, J-J. Rwabuneza ( RMCA, 23, 2Ƥ). UPPER VOLTA: Bobo Dioulasso (13). ZAMBIA: (N. Prov.), surroundings Kasyasya, 90 km. E. of Isoka, 750 m., L. Willemse leg., IX1982 – III 1983 ( RMNH, 13).

Figures

FIGURES 14 – 15. Pronotum in strict lateral view of (14) Neomacrocoris handlirschi, (15) Neomacrocoris parviceps.