Monepidosis heterocera, Jaschhof, 2016

Jaschhof, Mathias, 2016, New species of Monepidosis Mamaev, 1966 and Antipodosis gen. nov., a closely related genus from New Zealand (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae), European Journal of Taxonomy 192, pp. 1-24 : 17-19

Monepidosis heterocera sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:A0B02B2E-6CB1-488A-8C19-DDB27BC9D43B

Fig. 10 A–C

Diagnosis

A typical Monepidosis ( Jaschhof & Jaschhof 2013: 185) , distinguished by the following genitalic characters in combination ( Fig. 10 A–B). The gonocoxal processes, which arise from a concave, asetose area of varying size (↓, Fig. 10 A–B), are nearly as large and prominent (↓) as the central processes. Their apices are typically rounded ( Fig. 10A ), rarely more pointed ( Fig. 10B ), and membranous rather than sclerotized. The central processes, separated medially by a V-shaped space, are parallel-sided, unicolored, and end in small, strongly sclerotized hooks (↓, Fig. 10A ). The bases of both gonocoxal and central processes are occasionally interconnected by a sclerotized rim, which is very pronounced in the specimen depicted in Fig. 10B (↓).

Remarks on intraspecific variability

Most of the specimens studied have rounded gonocoxal processes that arise from small depressions ( Fig. 10C ), so show a combination of the character states figured in A and B. The specimens depicted in A and B were initially suspected to belong to different species, until it became obvious that they represent the extreme ends of the range of variation described above. I believe that most of this variation is artificial, i.e. dependent on how a specimen is positioned in the balsam drop.

Differential diagnosis

Monepidosis heterocera sp. nov. and M. pectinatoides Jaschhof, 2013 resemble each other in having moderately sized, prominent gonocoxal processes and wide, parallel-sided central processes. The two species differ in minute details concerning those processes. As characteristics of M. pectinatoides , the gonocoxal processes are sharply pointed and sclerotized apically, and the central processes are bicolored, black laterally, white medially ( Jaschhof & Jaschhof 2013: fig. 89B). Further, the apical portion of the ejaculatory apodeme is more strongly bent ventrally in M. pectinatoides than in any other Monepidosis , including M. heterocera sp. nov.

Etymology

The name heterocera is derived from the Greek words heteros, for ‘different’, and keras, for ‘horn’, meaning ‘with different horns’, which refers to the gonocoxal processes that distinguish this species from its closest relatives.

Type material

Holotype

SWEDEN: Ƌ, Öland , Mörbylånga , Skogsby, Station Linné, 56.61° N, 16.49° E, near compost pile, 1–31 Jul. 2014, Malaise trap, M. & C. Jaschhof ( NHRS CEC96 ).

Paratypes

SWEDEN: 1 Ƌ, Öland, Gamla Skogsby (Kalkstad), 56.61° N, 16.50° E, mixed deciduous forest, 1–27 May 2014, Malaise trap, M. & C. Jaschhof ( NHRS CEC 97); 3 ƋƋ, same locality, 13 May–8 Jun. 2015, Malaise trap, M. & C. Jaschhof ( NHRS CEC 109–110, SDEI CEC 111).

Other material examined

SWEDEN: 2 ƋƋ, Öland, Gamla Skogsby (Kalkstad), 56.61° N, 16.50° E, mixed deciduous forest, 1–27 May 2014, Malaise trap, M. & C. Jaschhof ( NHRS ZFMK-TIS 2537355–2537356).

GERMANY: 1 Ƌ, Brandenburg, Schorfheide-Chorin Biosphere Reserve, Barnim, Klein Ziethen, Kernberge near Serwester See, edge of pine forest, 22 Apr. 2009, Malaise trap, leg. SDEI ( SDEI A7625); 1 Ƌ, Baden-Württemberg, Malsch, Glaser gravel plant, edge of pine forest, 19 Mar.–21 Apr. 2010, Malaise trap, D. Doczkal ( SDEI A7624).

Other characters

BODY LENGTH. 1.7–1.9 mm.

HEAD. Eye bridge 3–4 ommatidia long dorsally. Circumfila on flagellomeres 1–10. Neck of fourth flagellomere 1.5 times longer than node. Palpus 1.3–1.5 times longer than height of head.

WING. Length/width 2.8–3.0. A remnant M present at wing margin.

LEGS. Empodia rudimentary.

TERMINALIA ( Fig. 10 A–C). Gonostylus flattened, with plate-like, irregularly serrated spine around apex ( Fig. 10 A–B). Parameres present as 2 pairs of large, strongly sclerotized, dorsally curved tusks, similar to those found in many other Monepidosis ( Jaschhof & Jaschhof 2013: fig. 88A). Apex of ejaculatory apodeme flattened, bent ventrally; base widened, sclerotized ( Fig. 10 A–B).

Distribution and phenology

Sweden (Öland), Germany (Brandenburg, Baden-Württemberg). Adults collected in and near deciduous and coniferous forest from March/April (southwest Germany) to July (southeast Sweden). Possibly a thermophilic species, given that all collection sites are favoured by a warm climate.

Figures

Fig. 10. Monepidosis heterocera sp. nov., Ƌ. A. Genitalia, ventral, holotype. B. Genitalia, ventral (paratype). C. Processes at ventroposterior gonocoxal margin, ventral, paratype. Scale lines: 0.05 mm.