Neotherina xanthosa Sullivan & Chacon

Sullivan, J. Bolling & Chacon, Isidro, 2011, The genus Neotherina Dognin (Geometridae, Ennominae) in Costa Rica, ZooKeys 149, pp. 39-49 : 41-44

Neotherina xanthosa Sullivan & Chacon sp. n. Figures 2c, 2d45c, 5e

Type material.

Holotype male: Costa Rica, Rio Macho. Est. Ojo de Agua. Send. A Torre 47, Cartago Province 2960 m, 26 March 1998, leg. E. Alfaro, B. Gamboa (INBIOCR1002526641) (INBI). Paratypes: (male) same data as type (INBIOCR1002603341); (male) same data as type but 24-28 Feb. 1998 (INBIOCR1002526656); (2 females) Costa Rica, Macizo de la Muerte, Sector de la Esperanza, Cartago Province, 2650 m, Nov. 2002, leg. R Delgado (INB0003534645, 0003554631); (male) same as previous but Sept. 2002, INB0003536193); (male) Costa Rica, San Gerardo de Dota, San Jose Province, 2430 m, 23 Dec. 1981, leg. DH and WH Janzen (INB0004269188); (male) Costa Rica, 4.6 Km E. de Villa Mills, Cartago Province, 2600 m, 21-26 Sept. 1995 (INBIOCR1002435795); (2 females) Costa Rica, Estac. Barva, Braulio Carillo N. P., Heredia Province, 2500 m, G. Rivera (INBIOCR1000089203, 1000089215); (2 females) same, Jan. 1990 (INBIOCR1000121385; 1000206721); (female) same, Feb. 1990 (INBIOCR 1000157034); (female) same but leg. A. Fernandez, Nov. 1989 (INBIOCR1000156409); (female) same, Feb. 1990 (INBIOCR1000125703); (female) same, Apr. 1990 (INBIOCR1000169281) (5 females) same but leg. B. Apu & G. Varela, June 1990 (INBIOCR100220347, 100225846, 1000225866); (male, female) Costa Rica, Est. Los Nimbolos, Cerro de la Muerte, San Jose Province, 3150 m, 24-27 Jul. 2008, J.B. Sullivan, (female) Costa Rica, Villa Mills, Cartago Province, 2841 m 19-21 Mar 2010, J.B. Sullivan (GenBank accession number JF855656)(INBio, JBS, USNM).

Etymology.

The name refers to the yellowish-brown ground color of the maculation.

Diagnosis.

The species is similar only to Neotherina callas , which it can be distinguished from by its yellowish-brown color and larger size (Fig. 2). Certain identification is best made by dissection of a male and examination of the spinulose terminal portion of the furca. In Neotherina xanthosa it is about half the length of the furca (Fig. 5e), whereas in Neotherina callas it is approximately one fourth as long as the furca (Fig. 5d). The female signa on the bursae differ in shape as well (compare Figs 5a, 5b, 5c). Neotherina xanthosa also differs from Neotherina callas (GenBank accession numbers JF855657; JF855658; JN268704; HM878904) by 5.6% in its DNA barcode.

Description.

Male.Fig. 2c, 4a,b,c, 5e. Head - Palps very small, barely extending above middle of eye, scaling straw colored basally becoming chocolate on 2nd and 3rd segments. First segment more than 2 X length of second segment which is more than 2 X length of third segment. Frons brown yellow, square, yellow extending to collar; eyes hemispherical; ocellus absent; tongue normal. Antennae bipectinate, pectinations long at base (5 × shaft width) tapering distally to unpectinated discs in last 8 segments (56-58 segments); bipectinations toward apex with rami swollen distally, more basal bipectinations tubular, not swollen distally. Rami almost chocolate brown, dorsal shaft with scaling brown. Rami originate ventrally just lateral of midline. Scape brown yellow. Thorax and abdomen–Scaling slender, brown and off-white, distinct pad of yellow-brown scales at distal end of metathorax. Dorsal abdominal scaling off white and brown, shorter, thicker scales with multiple points distally (usually 3). Underside similar. Terminal scales on each segment brownish forming poorly-differentiated rings. Legs covered with tightly adhering band and brown scales, those of spurs darker, spurs short, epiphysis slender, long but slightly shorter in length than femur and extending slightly past distal end of femur. Leg scaling extremely difficult to remove. Proportions of leg segments typical. Wings–Forewing venation with two areoles beyond cell, WL 22.03 mm (21-22 mm, N=7). Wing pattern very similar to that of Neotherina callas but ground color in Neotherina callas gray, whereas in Neotherina xanthosa it is brownish yellow. Forewing tip appears scalloped because M3 is extended and there is a similar but smaller extension at M3 on hindwing. Wings of Neotherina callas similar. Male genitalia (Fig. 4b,c, 5e)-Uncus slightly hooked, pencil-like, tapering to a broad base and forming an inverted T. Tegumen very broad, vinculum narrow. Gnathos with arms poorly defined but expanding medially to a broad medial area supporting three or more rows of well-defined spines, extending in height to width of medial pad. Small spines along lateral edge of pad. Furca deflects to right bearing hair-like bristles on inner 20-30%. Furca curves medially, rounded tip. Juxta small, basal area with posterior point. Area medial to furca arm granulated. Valva bulging medially, tapering to tip. Costa sclerotized, broad forming blade-like process at tip of valva. Medial 40% of valve with moderately long setae. Anal edge of valve with bulge medially then tapering to subapical tip. Anellar extensions of costa do not join medially. Female.Figs 2d, 4d,e, 5c. Antenna filiform, otherwise similar to male but slightly larger (WL 23.15 mm; 22-25 mm; n = 22). Female genitalia (Fig. 4e, 5c) - Anal papillae slightly pointed and rounded terminally. Posterior apophyses long, 2 × longer than anterior apophyses. Posterior vaginal plate sclerotized and broadly rounded posteriorly. Anterior plate unsclerotized at base. Ductus bursae short with sclerotized plate dorsally forming collar-like structure. Ductus moderately short. Corpus bursae sac-like with well-defined signum. Dorsal signum round, hollow with star-like basal collar of 13 prongs or points. Center deeply invaginated. Ductus ejaculatorius originates on upper part of corpus bursae below collar on ductus bursae.

Distribution.

Known from above 2400 m in the Talamanca and the Central Volcanic ranges in Costa Rica. In flight throughout the year.

Remarks.

Nothing is known about the biology of this species, or that of any other Neotherina species. Its range probably extends into the other mountain ranges in Costa Rica and northern Panama.