Oxyscelio viator Burks

Burks, Roger A., Masner, Lubomir, Johnson, Norman F. & Austin, Andrew D., 2013, Systematics of the parasitic wasp genus Oxyscelio Kieffer (Hymenoptera, Platygastridae s. l.), part II: the Australian and southwest Pacific fauna, ZooKeys 331, pp. 1-266 : 239-242

Oxyscelio viator Burks sp. n. Figures 403-406; Morphbank104

Description.

Female. Body length 3.4-3.7 mm (n=2).

Radicle color and shade: same as scape, both yellowish or reddish. Pedicel color: at least partially darker than scape. A3: longer than pedicel. A4: longer than broad. A5: broader than long.

Ventral clypeal margin: with slightly convex median lobe. Interantennal process: not elongate. Lower frons at dorsal margin of interantennal process: without transverse carina. Transverse curved rugae extending from frontal depression to eye: absent. Median longitudinal carina in frontal depression: absent. Ventral portion of frontal depression: smooth. Dorsal portion of frontal depression: without transverse carinae. Submedian carina: absent. Frontal depression dorsally: not hood-like, open dorsally. Upper frons major sculpture: umbilicate foveate. Upper frons microsculpture: absent. Hyperoccipital carina: absent. Carina connecting occipital carina to hyperoccipital carina: absent. Occipital carina: present laterally, absent medially. Occiput sculpture: smooth. Extra carina ventral to occipital carina: absent. Gena length: shorter than eye. Major sculpture of gena anteroventrally: umbilicate foveate; absent. Major sculpture of gena posteroventrally: umbilicate punctate; absent. Microsculpture of gena anteroventrally: absent. Microsculpture of gena posteroventrally: absent.

Lateral pronotal area sculpture: anteriorly smooth, posterodorsal corner with dense microsculpture, ventral corner with irregular carinae. Posterior border of central pronotal area: directed posteriorly, epomial carina absent or meeting transverse pronotal carina at arch on lateral surface of pronotum. Mesoscutum anteriorly: not steep, forming less than a right angle. Major sculpture of mesoscutal midlobe anteriorly: umbilicate foveate. Mesoscutal midlobe sculpture at midlength: not different from nearby sculpture. Major sculpture of mesoscutal midlobe posteriorly: umbilicate foveate. Mi crosculpture of mesoscutal midlobe anteriorly: absent. Microsculpture of mesoscutal midlobe posteriorly: absent. Median mesoscutal carina: absent. Major sculpture of mesoscutellum centrally: umbilicate foveate. Major sculpture of mesoscutellum peripherally: umbilicate foveate; umbilicate punctate. Microsculpture of mesoscutellum centrally: absent. Microsculpture of mesoscutellum peripherally: absent. Mesoscutellar rim: not expanded. Mesoscutellar rim medially: without notch. Mesofemoral depression: longitudinally striate dorsally, smooth ventrally. Metascutellum shape: deeply emarginate, with the resulting pair of posterior processes subtriangular and directed dorsally. Metascutellar setae: absent. Metascutellum sculpture: with large smooth posterior fovea. Postmarginal vein: present. Fore wing apex at rest: exceeding metasomal apex. Coxae color brightness: same color as femora. Spines along tibiae: absent. Lateral propodeal carinae: broadly separated, not parallel anteriorly. Setae in metasomal depression: absent. Anterior sculpture of metasomal depression: with median areole or pair of pits. Median propodeal carina: absent.

T1 horn: absent. Number of longitudinal carinae of T1 midlobe: 5. T1 lateral carina: straight. T2 sculpture: with longitudinal striae or rugae, setiferous puncta present between them. T2 sublateral longitudinal foveae: absent. T3 metasomal flanges: absent. T4 sculpture: longitudinally striate to rugose, setal pits spanning interspaces. T4 metasomal flanges: absent. T5 sculpture: mostly smooth, with tiny umbilicate foveae. T5 metasomal flanges: absent. T6: broader than long. Major sculpture of T6: umbilicate punctate. Microsculpture of T6: absent. T6 medially: flat and tapering to a rounded apex, not separated from apical rim. T6 metasomal flanges: absent. T6 raised peripheral rim: absent. S4 sculpture: longitudinally striate or rugose, setal pits spanning interspaces. S5 sculpture: longitudinally striate to rugose, setal pits spanning interspaces. S5 median carina: absent. S6 peripheral carina: absent. S6 apex in relation to T6: not exposed to dorsal view. S6 apex: rounded or acuminate.

Male. unknown.

Diagnosis.

Both sexes: Frontal depression nearly flat; submedian carina absent. Hyperoccipital carina absent. Occipital carina incomplete, lateral portions not approaching hyperoccipital carina. Occiput umbilicate punctate. Metascutellum broad and deeply emarginate. Postmarginal vein present. Coxa same color as rest of leg. T1 lateral carina not expanded laterally. Metasomal flanges absent. Female: A3 longer than pedicel. Mesoscutellum with small umbilicate foveae or pits. T1 midlobe without anterior horn, with 5 longitudinal carinae. Fore wing long enough to reach beyond metasomal apex. T6 broader than long.

Etymology.

Latin noun in apposition, meaning “traveller.”

Link to distribution map.

[http://hol.osu.edu/map-full.html?id=307122]

Material examined.

Holotype, female: VANUATU: Sanma Prov., Espiritu Santo Isl., 900A ground / moist lowland forest, MG09A2, Penaoru, 14°58'00.17"S, 166°39'21.69"E, ~900m, 18. XI– 30.XI.2006, malaise trap, C. Villemant, OSUC 283330 (deposited in MNHN). Paratype: FIJI: 1 female, OSUC 148457 (QMBA).

Comments.

Oxyscelio viator is unique within the flavipes-group in lacking a hyperoccipital carina. A weak swelling occurs in the area, but this is incomplete and not recognizable as a carina. The otherwise unusually smooth head and mesosoma help distinguish this species.