Microphorella viticula, Brooks & Cumming, 2022

Brooks, Scott E. & Cumming, Jeffrey M., 2022, New Australasian Parathalassiinae (Diptera: Dolichopodidae sensu lato), Zootaxa 5188 (6), pp. 521-543 : 541

Microphorella viticula sp. nov.

( Figs 1, 2 , 49–55 )

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:B4BCEB5C-323D-48AF-AE00-604896D7A5EC

Type material. HOLOTYPE ♂ labelled: “ AUST: NSW: Blue Mtns. N.P./ Blackheath, Govetts/ Leap [ca 33°38′S 150°19′E], 4.iv.1994 / B.J. Sinclair / ex. dry scler. creek”; “ HOLOTYPE / Microphorella viticula / Brooks & Cumming [red label]” ( CNC).

Diagnosis. Males of M. viticula sp. nov. are distinguished from the other known Australasian Microphorella by the following combination of features: body and legs dark brown with black setation ( Fig. 49 ); palpus dark and narrowly ovate ( Fig. 51 ); hypopygium ( Figs 53–55 ) with phallus greatly elongated, slender and tightly curled; hypandrium relatively small, slightly wider than epandrial lamellae in lateral view.

Description. Male ( Fig. 49 ): Body length 1.32 mm, wing length 1.35 mm. Similar to M. bungle sp. nov. except as follows: Head ( Figs 50, 51 ): 2 pairs of inclinate fronto-orbitals, posterior pair smaller; postocular setae slightly longer and pale brown; postpedicel 2X longer than wide, with basal half round and distal half narrow; arista-like stylus 1.8X length of postpedicel. Thorax ( Fig. 50 ). Legs ( Fig. 49 ). Wing ( Fig. 52 ). Abdomen ( Figs 49, 53–55 ): Hypopygium (some details not visible on unique undissected holotype): Left ventral epandrial process longer. Ventral lobe of right surstylus apparently short, with a few apical setae. Hypandrium with posterior margin drawn into short pointed tip projecting dorsally and supporting protruding phallus. Ventral part of left postgonite lobe (medial to base of left ventral epandrial process) apparently developed into large flap-like lobe. Phallus greatly elongated, slender and tightly curled.

Female. Unknown.

Distribution. This species is known only from the type locality of Govetts Leap in Blue Mountains National Park, New South Wales, Australia ( Figs 1, 2 ).

Etymology. From the Latin viticula , meaning tendril, in reference to the long thin curled phallus of the male.

Remarks. The single holotype male is stated as having been taken in dry sclerophyl habitat near the creek ( Fig. 2 ), but was likely collected where the trail crosses the stream (B.J. Sinclair, pers. comm., 2022). Aside from the difference in phallic structure, the hypopygial morphology of M. viticula sp. nov. is very similar to M. bungle sp. nov. and the species appear closely related.

Figures

FIGURES 1–4. Known geographical distribution and collection localities of Microphorella and Chimerothalassius from Australia and New Zealand. 1. Distribution of M. bungle sp. nov., M. iota Colless and M. viticula sp. nov. 2. Govetts Leap,Australia, type locality of M. viticula sp. nov. (photo by Brad Sinclair). 3. Distribution of C. ismayi Shamshev & Grootaert, C. marshalli sp. nov., Chimerothalassius sp. 1 (female from Takapuna Beach) and “Chimerothalassius” sp. 2 (female from Three Kings Is.). 4. Birdlings Flat, New Zealand, type locality of C. ismayi Shamshev & Grootaert (photo by Rebecca Le Grice).

FIGURES 49–55. Male holotype of Microphorella viticula sp. nov. 49. Habitus. 50. Head and thorax, dorsal view. 51. Head, lateral view. 52. Wing, ventral view. 53. Abdomen and terminalia, left lateral view. 54. Abdomen and terminalia, dorsal view. 55. Abdomen and terminalia, right lateral view.Abbreviations: dm—discal medial cell; dm-m—discal medial crossvein; M1, M2, M4—medial veins; ph—phallus; plp—palpus; R1, R2+3, R 4+5 —radial veins; v epand proc—ventral epandrial process.