Ascodipteron egeri, Hastriter, 2007

Hastriter, Michael W., 2007, A review of Ascodipterinae (Diptera: Streblidae) of the Oriental and Australasian regions with a description of three new species of Ascodipteron Adensamer and a key to the subfamily, Zootaxa 1636 (1), pp. 1-32 : 8-10

Ascodipteron egeri sp. nov.

( Figs. 2–3 )

Type material. Holotype, dealate female; Malaysia: Perlis, Kaki Bukit , ex. Megaderma spasma (male) (RH- 98), around anus, 20 II 1968, leg. Ratnam (slide BM-1001A) ( BPBM) . Paratypes: 2 dealate females, same data as holotype (slides BM-1001B–C) ( BPBM) .

Diagnosis. The labial theca is distinctly wider basally than it is long, and is readily distinguished from that of other taxa by the presence of numerous long, thin setae on its dorsal surface ( Figs. 2A–B ). Few minute peglike spiniform setae are found on the dorsal surface of the labial theca, whereas the ventral surface is adorned with many equally minute peg-like spiniform setae that are equal in size and nature to those found on gena ( Fig. 2C ).

Description. Head ( Figs. 2A–C , 3A, D ). Labial theca distinctly wider than long. Dorsal labial theca: ca. 80 long slender setae (length equal width of epipharynx), with 2–4 minute peg-like setae towards posterior; medial area over epipharynx devoid of setae. Ventral labial theca: anteromedial patch of long thin setae, posterolateral group of ca. 50 minute sharp, peg-like setae, posterior margin convex. Gena with ca. 20 non-pigmented peg-like spiniform setae, each slightly larger than those on ventral surface of labial theca; anterior margin broadly rounded, broad sclerotization along entire posterior margin. Frons thick and blunt at lateral margins. Antenna with two basal segments adorned with minute sharp tubercles, multi-branched arista arising subapically from distal segment (2 nd) and single long seta near apex of basal segment (1 st). Lateral vertex with 30–34 long setae. Two anterior lobes of occipital sclerite rounded, central anterior margin broadly concave. Thorax ( Figs. 2A , 3A–D ). Scutum with numerous long setae, especially numerous along posterolateral margins; devoid of setae along mid-line. Scutellum quadrate, bearing 2 long setae along posterior margin. Mesopleuron with 3 slender setae anterior to large round spiracle; setae posterior to spiracle of three varieties: 4–5 ventral short, peg-like spiniform setae (ventral), 8–10 longer, sharp spiniform setae (medial), 19–20 long, slender setae (along posterior margin and dorsal). Pteropleuron with 10–14 long setae in dorsal half of sclerite; ventral half devoid of setae. Hypopleuron and sternopleuron without setae ( Fig. 3A ). Coxa 1 with 5–6 peg-like spiniform setae on proximal half. Coxae 2 and 3 each with cluster of 6–8 contiguous minute setae (alveoli more pronounced than setae). Coxa 3 with 7–10 setae on mesal surface and 3–4 setae at lateral apex (ventral view). Trochanters 1 and 2 each with 3–4 minute spiniform setae on anterior apex; 2–3 slender setae on posteroapical margins. Prosternum devoid of setae, mesosternum with 2–3 slender setae, metasternum with horizontal line of 4 slender setae and posterolateral margins distinctly concave ( Fig. 3C ). Genital Aperture ( Fig. 3E ). R1 and R2 with at most indistinct tubercles; R4 with minute thick setae arising from slightly sclerotized basal plate, R3 and R5 with long setae (R5 with 19–20 setae). VSS of 9 long setae (end setae nearly at right angle from gently curved row of 7). MSS with 1 seta near spiracle #7 and 1–2 near spiracle #6. DSS with a dorsally arched row of 6 long setae ( Fig. 3E ). Diameter of cercus ca. 45µ, with 3 setae.

Dimensions. Head and thorax: 1052µ (n = 2, range: 1134– 1070µ); Labial theca, length: 349µ (n = 2, range: 340–458µ); width: 443µ (n = 3, range: 432–455µ), genital aperture, diameter: 1155µ (n = 2, range: 989–1321µ), neosome, length: 3200µ ( Table 1).

Etymology. This species is named in honor of Judith L. Eger, Senior Curator of Mammals, Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Ontario, Canada for her contributions to bat research and for her untiring responses to numerous queries regarding my studies on these intriguing bat endoparasites.

Remarks. Ascodipteron egeri is the first record of an Ascodipterinae parasitizing the bat family Megadermatidae . The clustering of all three specimens around the anus on a single male host that roosts entirely away from other bat species would suggest that this bat species might represent the primary host for this parasite. Its distribution likely follows that of its host. Bat researchers encountering M. spasma throughout its range from India, to eastern Indonesia and the Philippine Islands should examine this host species for this new and little understood taxon.

Figures

FIGURE 2. A–C. Ascodipteron egeri sp. nov., ex. M. spasma, Malaysia. A. Head and thorax, dorsal view (BM-1001B, paratype). B. Labial theca, dorsal view (BM-1001B, paratype). C. Labial theca, ventral view (BM-1001A, holotype). Scale = 200µ.

FIGURE 3. A–E. Ascodipteron egeri sp. nov., ex. M. spasma, Malaysia. A. Thorax, lateral view (BM-1001C, paratype). B. Enlargement of mesopleuron and pteropleuron. C. Sternites (B-1001A, holotype). D. Lateral vertex, right side (BM- 1001B, paratype). E. Genital aperture (holotype). Scale A, E = 200µ, B–D = 100µ.