Culex (Culiciomyia) eouzani Geoffroy, 1971

Cornel, Anthony John, Mayi, Marie Paul Audrey, Kowo, Cyril, Foncha, David, Andongma, Esack, Anong, Damian Nota, Elad, Mirabel, Djomo, Charlene, Tchuinkam, Timoleon, Brisco, Katherine K. & Sehgal, Ravinder, 2020, New species of Culex (Culiciomyia) (Diptera: Culicidae) from Talangaye Forest in Cameroon and descriptions and identification keys for males of the Afrotropical species of the subgenus, Zootaxa 4858 (4), pp. 451-506 : 476-478

Culex (Culiciomyia) eouzani Geoffroy, 1971

Male. After the genitalia were dissected, the specimen was discarded as it was completely covered with fungal growth. Hence, unfortunately, we cannot comment on features other than those of the genitalia. All features of the gonocoxite appear very similar to those figured by Geoffroy (1971).

Genitalia: Each tergum IX lobe with a row of 7 setae. Ventral surface of gonocoxite with few long setae, each as long as gonocoxite in no obvious configuration, a few irregular rows of 3 or 4 narrow setae in each row along inner margin ( Fig. 18A ), dorsal surface with quite sparsely distributed short setae, no obvious subapical lobe, apex of gonocoxite with group of about 12 delicate setae on a raised lobe or protuberance dorsally at apex below base of gonostylus (drawn as faint setae in Fig. 18A and labelled as delicate setae in Fig. 18A,C ), on ventral surface 4 setae at apex below base of gonostylus, 3 setae (a–c) present, most distal longest and most posteriorly positioned shortest, single quite robust and slightly striated seta (e) attached close to middle of setae a–c and slightly longer than seta c, a further 3 shorter setae (0.5 length of c) attached close to base of c, 4 single and double barbed narrower setae (d 1 –d 4), rather angular foliform seta that broadens gradually towards apex (g) and a narrower more rounded foliform seta (h) shorter than g. Gonostylus with crest of many “spinelets” along dorsal margin that extend from mid-length close to apex ( Fig. 18A,B ), 4 setae close to where gonostylus bends, a single seta on dorsal margin in middle of crested region and a subapical seta, gonostylus ends in an upturned hook with a small folded foliform seta, small membranous flange, basal 0.50 of gonostylus quite setose. Aedeagus with expanded triangular base ( Fig. 19A,B ) with a basal tooth, row of quite broad teeth or denticles along inner margin that extend almost to apex of lateral plate, apices of lateral plate pointed and with pitted membranous appearance apically, row of small denticles next to inner edges of larger teeth. Paraproct with 3 subapical setae and no basal protrusion.

Additional notes: Further notes on this species are mainly based on the description by Geoffroy (1971), which is based on a single male collected in the village of Batalimo, Central African Republic, on the 4 May 1970 (4.06667º N; 17.66667º E). The collection of a second male in the Talangaye Forest by us and a few other males in Nkolbisson, Cameroon ( Rickenbach et al. 1976) confirms that this species is valid (although likely uncommon) and occurs in the deep pristine forests in Central Africa .

The scaling on the head and scutum and the morphology of the antenna and proboscis are like those of Cx. nebulosus . The maxillary palpus bears evenly spaced palpal comb scales that are all similarly shaped and palpomere 4 is half the length of palpomere 5. The thoracic pleura are light brown and there are three long setae on each scutellar lobe. Three setae and some brown scales are borne on the upper region of the mesokatepisternum, three setae on the upper region of the mesanepimeron and one lower mesepimeral seta is present. The abdomen is much like the abdomen of Cx. nebulosus , with dark brown tergal and slightly lighter brown sternal scaling.

In general, Cx. eouzani resembles Cx. grenieri most closely, both having the aedeagus of similar shape that also has tubercles not quite reaching the apex. Culex eouzani differs from Cx. grenieri in the shape of the broad and narrower setae on the subapical lobe. In Cx. eouzani , the narrower seta is rounded apically and there are four barbed setae and a finger-like protuberance with many delicate setae on the apex of the gonocoxite at the base of the gonostylus. In the male from Talangaye, the secondary narrower seta is not obviously rounded apically but rather more sharply pointed. However, the square or angular broad foliform seta is as described by Geoffroy (1971). The subapical lobe is not obviously protruding in the male from Cameroon and appears similar to that described by Geoffroy (1971).

Specimen examined: One male collected in a sweep net from vegetation on the forest floor in the Talangaye Forest in Cameroon. Field accession number CAM 132 7/II/2017 .

Figures

FIGURE 18. Gonocoxite of Culex eouzani. (A) drawn depiction; (B,C) images of the apex of the gonocoxite (400x).

FIGURE 19. Lateral plate-aedeagal sclerite of Culex eouzani. (A) image (400x); (B) drawn depiction.