Leptomorphus subforcipatus Zaitzev & Šev

Borkent, Christopher J. & Wheeler, Terry A., 2012, Systematics and Phylogeny of Leptomorphus Curtis (Diptera: Mycetophilidae) 3549, Zootaxa 3549, pp. 1-117 : 62-63

31. Leptomorphus subforcipatus Zaitzev & Šev č ík

( Figures 118, 140)

Leptomorphus subforcipatus Zaitzev & Ševčík, 2002: 208 .

DIAGNOSIS: Other than L. quadrimaculatus this is the only extant species of Leptomorphus with both the gonocoxite longer than, and placed apically on, tergite 9, and a triangular, basal, medial-projecting process ( Fig. 118). This species is lighter in colour on the thorax than L. quadrimaculatus and has a slightly bulbous tip to the gonocoxite. See discussion below for more information. This species can be distinguished from the other Palaearctic species by the dark brown or black body with yellow legs ( Fig. 33) and scutum evenly covered with small setae.

DESCRIPTION: Male. Head: dark brown. Antenna dark brown; scape yellow, with yellow setae; flagellomere 6 2X as long as broad. Clypeus yellow to light brown. Palpus yellow. Ocellar triangle light brown. Thorax: Dark brown dorsally, yellow laterally. Scutum dark brown with yellow posterolateral corners. Scutellum brown. Mediotergite yellow with central brown spot. Laterotergite light brown. Halter knob brown. Legs: yellow. Foretibia with strong, double comb of short setae along length of anteroventral surface. Foreleg first tarsomere 1.5X length of foretibia. Wing: Length 7 mm (6–8 mm). Hyaline; apical macula reaching wing tip though fainter towards tip, extending faintly along posterior wing margin into apex of cell cua 1, cup, not joining with medial macula; medial macula present from Sc to M fork. M 4 -CuA fork arising before origin of r-m. Abdomen: Tergites brown. Genitalia ( Zaitzev & Ševčík 2002: 205, figs. 2, 6): Tergite 9 light brown, circular with posterior margin flat except for small medial bump. Gonocoxite placed apicoventrally on T9, lateral margin straight for 3/4 of length then sharply curved medially, almost twice as thick beyond bend than at bend, interior margin flat from base until bend. Gonostylus single geniculate lobe covered in setae.

Female. As for male, except as follows. Legs: Foretibia without comb of short setae on anteroventral surface. Abdomen: Cercus yellow.

Immatures. Unknown.

BIOLOGY: Unknown.

DISTRIBUTION: NW Russia and SE Finland ( Fig. 140), 125–200 masl.

DISCUSSION: The description here is based on the original description ( Zaitzev & Ševčík 2002), as no material was available for study. This species is very similar to L. quadrimaculatus , with the perceived difference in the genitalia ( Zaitzev & Ševčík 2002) being very slight (slightly more bulbous apex of gonocoxite in L. subforcipatus ) and likely due to the membranous nature of the gonocoxite. The species is also lighter in colour on the thorax. Because colour can vary within a species of Leptomorphus , we suspect that L. subforcipatus is a synonym of L. quadrimaculatus . However, until types can be compared we treat the two species as distinct.

MATERIAL KNOWN: Holotype: Adult male, not examined. Label data is given as: RUSSIA, Moscow Reg., Pavlovskaya Sloboda , 10.VII.1982, Zaitzev leg. [ IEE].

Paratypes: 4 ♂ and 1♀ from type locality, 4 ♂ from other locations in northwestern Russia and 1♂ from Finland ( IEE, Zaitzev & Ševčík 2002) .