Slaterocoris punctatus (Distant), 2011

Schwartz, Michael D., 2011, Revision And Phylogenetic Analysis Of The North American Genus Slaterocoris Wagner With New Synonymy, The Description Of Five New Species And A New Genus From Mexico, And A Review Of The Genus Scalponotatus Kelton (Heteroptera: Miridae: Orthotylinae), Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 2011 (354), pp. 1-290 : 257-263

Slaterocoris punctatus (Distant) ,

new combination Figures 12, 63A, 64; plates 3, 4L; map 12

Jornandes punctatus Distant, 1893: 448 , pl. 39, fig. 9 (orig. desc.); Carvalho and Dolling, 1976: 805 (desc. holotype); Carvalho 1981: 3 (diag. type).

Guerrerocoris punctatus: Carvalho and China, 1959: 71 , fig. 2 (n. comb.).

Slaterocoris grandis Kelton, 1968: 1131 , fig. 71 (orig. desc.); Schuh, 1995: 198 (catalog). NEW SYNONYMY.

DIAGNOSIS: Distinguished from other punctatus -group species by the large, wide, predominantly black body, completely black head and legs, except for tarsomeres I and II (fig. 12), and dorsal vestiture of moderately dense, brown setae (see pl. 4, cf. L with E, G, P, R). The male is unequivocally recognized by the more or less medially situated, large bifurcate tergal process with perpendicular rami (fig. 64F, M, N). The tergal process in all other punctatus -group species are long, and apically pointed ( elongatus [fig. 60F], maculatus [fig. 61F], simplex [fig. 65G]), bifurcate with parallel rami ( tanydexios , fig. 69C), or broad and rounded ( clavatus , fig. 57H).

REDESCRIPTION: Male: Large, elongate, ovoid; length 5.10–5.80, width 2.18–2.50 (pl. 3). COLORATION: Black, including vertex, antennal segments I and II and legs, except for pale tarsomeres I and II (fig. 12); sometimes antennal segment II with small pale basal region (subequal to length of segment I). VESTITURE: Moderately dense, moderately long, suberect, brown simple setae (pl. 4L). DORSAL SCULPTURA- TION: Frons striate; corium with moderately large, discrete punctures merging with rugosity near claval suture (fig. 63A). STRUC- TURE: Costal margin subparallel. GENI- TALIA: Pygophore: Solitary tergal process situated on aperture right of midline, long, reaching apex of proctiger, with strongly bifurcate, serrate apex, bifurcate rami perpendicular to axis of process (fig. 64M, N); subgenital plate removed from ventral margin of aperture (fig. 64F). Phallotheca: Aperture of sinuate, open on dorsal, distal, and ventral left distal surfaces; left lateral surface slightly compressed (fig. 64D, E). Endosomal spicule: Ventral lobe of uniform thickness throughout apical region, distal portion with variable marginally serration, bifurcate; dorsal lobe bifid, flattened, with wide separation between bifid sections and variable marginal serration (fig. 64A–C). Right paramere: Variable overall length; apical region with large parallel spines; subapical region wide; basal lobe with variable, short, truncate, serrate process; sometimes with additional small tubercle (fig. 64 I –L). Left paramere: Shaft short, in apical view approximately one half length of paramere body in lateral view (fig. 64G, H).

Female: Large, ovate, costal margin convex; length 4.40–5.60, width 2.10–2.58 (pl. 3). COLORATION: Antennal segment II black, sometimes basal half, except for basal annulus pale. STRUCTURE: Vertex wide, eye small, costal margin strongly curved, otherwise as in male. GENITALIA: First gonapophyses: Left overlapping right, in ventral view, comparative size at overlap with left greater than right. Left first gonapophyses: Dorsal surface concave, apex broadly convoluted. Vestibulum, anteroventral margin of anterior wall: Widely sclerotized medially, and sclerotized to lateral margins. Ventral labiate plate: Strongly produced, wide, triangular at base. Second gonapophyses: Anterior medial surface very strongly protuberant. Interramal sclerite: Dorsomedial region strongly narrowly convex, posteromedial portion with tumid process abutting ovipositor bulb, and ventromedial region overlapping ventromedial plate of IRS. Interramal lobe: Dorsomedial margin with broad prominence with narrow lobe.

HOST: Uncertain. Kelton (1968) mentioned that S. punctatus (as S. grandis ) was collected on species of Helianthus ( Asteraceae ). However, labels noting this plant association were not found attached to any specimen of the junior synonym held in the CNC. There are some specimens with the handwritten word ‘‘pirule’’ on a label which may be a colloquial plant name, perhaps for Sechium edule (Jacq.) Swartz ( Cucurbitaceae ), which would certainly be a sitting record.

DISTRIBUTION: Widely distributed in Mexico, from the Sierra Madre Occidental-Central Plateau of Durango, Jalisco, Nuevo Leon, and San Luis Potosi, the Sierra Transvolcanica of Guanajuato and Mexico, the Sierra Madre de Oaxaca in Oaxaca, and the Sierra Madre del Sur of Guerrero (map 12).

COLLECTION SUMMARY: 154 specimens from 26 collection events spanning July to September.

DISCUSSION: The decision to reassign nominal species punctatus to Slaterocoris and then propose that it is conspecific with S. grandis was confounded by character variation. Specimens from Guerrero, including, the holotype of J. punctatus , have discrete punctures on the pronotum as well as on the hemelytron (fig. 63A), whereas those from Durango have more rugulopunctate sculpturation (discrete punctures on a rugose surface, pl. 4L). The dorsal vestiture of the female holotype of J. punctatus is rubbed off; however, its venter has sparsely distributed brown setae, as do female paratypes of S. grandis . Antennal segment II coloration in females is variable; those from Guerrero, including the type of punctatus , have segment II completely black, but sometimes the middle is broadly pale as in some specimens from Oaxaca and Guanajuato.

The original description of Guerrerocoris ( Carvalho and China, 1959), a new genus erected to contain Jornandes punctatus , mentions that the body coloration is shining black, the vestiture is adpressed (although the setae are reclining where they remain on the venter), the dorsal surface is finely punctate, and the vertex is carinate and smooth. All these characters are found in at least some species of Slaterocoris . Given the range in hemelytral punctation encountered in black North American orthotylines with one endosomal spicule, a more accurate description of the dorsal puncture size in nominal species punctatus would be moderately large, as fine punctures are more likely encountered in species of Jornandes , Josephinus , and Scalponotatus . The only nonblack parts of punctatus are the white tarsomeres I and II, a coloration not noted by Carvalho and China (1959). The tarsomeres of all the species of the breviatus group have such pale markings. Although no information of the male genitalia is available for the nominal species punctatus , the previous discussion of character variation and ease with which specimens from southern Mexico can be placed in S. grandis , I am confident that Jornandes punctatus belongs in Slaterocoris and that it is the senior synonym of S. grandis new synonym. Thus, the new combination S. punctatus is created and Guerrerocoris becomes a junior synonym of Slaterocoris .

Slaterocoris punctatus is the most widely distributed species of the punctatus group (map 12) and some variation in male genitalic features are seen across its range. The endosomal spicule of specimens from Durango and Oaxaca has the identical form, but differs in the number and placement of marginal serrations of the dorsal and ventral lobes (cf. fig. 64A–C). Similarly, the right paramere in specimens from Durango, Oaxaca, and San Luis Potosi is of similar structure, but the number, orientation, and size of the apical spines and basal tubercle are variable. Slaterocoris ambrosiae , not part of the punctatus group, is also widely distributed in Mexico, but is also found across the southwest and central United States to southern Ontario. This latter species also has variable apical spines of the right paramere (cf. fig. 15A–J).

HOLOTYPES: MEXICO: Guerrero: Chilpancingo [17.556 N 99.50006 W, 1402 m], Jun 1890, H.H. Smith, 1♀ ( AMNH _PBI 00085372) ( BMNH) ( S. punctatus [ Jornandes ]: senior synonym). Durango: Navajos, 20 mi E of El Salto [23.783336 N 105.050696 W, 2438 m, 8000 ft], 27 Jul 1964, L.A. Kelton, 18 ( AMNH _PBI 00111795) ( S. grandis : junior synonym).

OTHER SPECIMENS EXAMINED: MEXICO: Durango: 5 mi W of Durango, 24.833336 N 104.912986 W, 1981 m, 29 Jul 1964, L.A. Kelton, paratypes, 38 (00111810, 00111812– 00111813), 4♀ (00111819–00111822) ( CNC), paratype, 1♀ (00121776) ( UCB). Navajos, 20 mi E of El Salto, 23.783336 N 105.050696 W, 2438 m, 27 Jul 1964, L.A. Kelton, paratypes, 58 (00111796–00111800) ( CNC). Navios, 26 mi E of El Salto, 23.782786 N 104.953816 W, 2438 m, 02 Aug 1964, L.A. Kelton, paratypes, 108 (00111801–00111809, 00111811), 5♀ (00111814–00111818) ( CNC), paratype, 18 (00118615), 1♀ (00118616) ( TAMU), paratype, 18 (00121775) ( UCB). Vicente Guerrero, 23.699196 N 103.977166 W, 1924 m, 17 Sep 1976, J. Carayon, 18 (00243977), 1♀ (00243978) (MNHN). Guanajuato: Ojo de Agua, 20.656 N 100.583336 W, 06 Sep 1969, L.A. Kelton, 68 (00111778– 00111783), ‘‘pirule’’ [ Sechium edule (Jacq.) Swartz ( Cucurbitaceae )?], 9♀ (00111784– 00111792) ( CNC). Guerrero: 1 mi NE of La Laguna, 17.888116 N 101.739436 W, 61 m, 17 Jul 1984, Carroll, Schaffner, Friedlander, 18 (00118635) ( TAMU). 6.2 mi SW of Xochipala, 17.752916 N 99.683636 W, 1728 m, 06 Jul 1987, Kovarik and Schaffner, 2♀ (00118644–00118645) ( TAMU). 6.2 mi SW of Xochipala, 17.752916 N 99.683636 W, 1728 m, 13 Jul 1985, Jones, Schaffner , 1♀ (00118643) ( TAMU); 13 Jul 1985, J.B. Woolley and G. Zolnerowich, 28 (00118632– 00118633) ( TAMU). Jalisco: 10 km NE of Jalostotitlan, 21.263816 N 102.39826 W, 30 Jul 1978, Plitt and Schaffner, 1♀ (00118665) ( CNC), 138 (00118184, 00118445, 00118634, 00118646–00118655), 14♀ (00118446, 00118656– 00118664, 00118666–00118669) ( TAMU). Lagos de Moreno, 21.356 N 101.91676 W, 1873 m, 17 Aug 1953, C. and P. Vaurie, 1♀ (00108182) ( AMNH). Mexico: Atlacomulco, 19.79896 N 99.87446 W, 2591 m, 18 Aug 1954, R.R. Dreisbach, 1♀ (00127330) ( UMMC). Jilotepec, 19.952776 N 99.534726 W, 02 Sep 1969, L.A. Kelton, 18 (00111794), 7♀ (00111772– 00111777, 00111793) ( CNC). Nuevo Leon: 12.4 mi NE of Doctor Arroyo, 23.794016 N 100.044226 W, 08 Jul 1986, Kovarik and Schaffner, 48 (00118620–00118623), 5♀ (00118624–00118628), 68 (00245360–00245365), 3♀ (00245366–00245368) ( TAMU). Oaxaca: 3 mi SE of Matatlan (Microondas road), 16.835816 N 96.351096 W, 2027 m, 17 Jul 1987, Kovarik and Schaffner, 78 (00118672– 00118678), 8♀ (00118679–00118686) ( TAMU). 6 mi NE of Mitla, 16.555616 N 96.105886 W, 20 Jul 1985, Jones and Schaffner, paratype, 1♀ (00118774) ( TAMU). 6.7 mi SW of El Camaron, 17.979466 N 96.797356 W, 1311 m, 19 Jul 1987, Kovarik and Schaffner, 28 (00118227, 00118687), 5♀ (00118688–00118692) ( TAMU). 8 mi NE of El Punto, 17.297526 N 96.494996 W, 1556 m, 18 Jul 1985, Jones and Schaffner, 18 (00118636), 1♀ (00118637) ( TAMU). 10.8 mi S of El Punto, 17.058236 N 96.581116 W, 1859 m, 19 Jul 1987, R. Wharton, 18 (00118641), 1♀ (00118642) ( TAMU). 16.1 mi NW of Totolapan, 16.832156 N 96.472816 W, 21 Jul 1974, Clark, Murray, Ashe, Schaffner, 18 (00113203) ( CNC), 38 (00118638–00118640) ( TAMU). Oaxaca, 17.033336 N 96.733336 W, 20 Jul 1947 – 24 Jul 1947, B. Malkin, 2♀ (00108180– 00108181) ( AMNH). San Luis Potosi: 1 mi S of San Lorenzo, 22.102136 N 99.266666 W, 25 Jul 1976, Peigler, Gruetzmacher, R. and M. Murray, Schaffner, 28 (00118185, 00118670), 1♀ (00118671) ( TAMU). 7 mi E of San Luis Potosi, 22.499966 N 100.389886 W, 07 Jul 1986, Kovarik and Schaffner, 18 (00118629), 2♀ (00118630–00118631), 1♀ (00093036) ( TAMU). 7 mi E of San Luis Potosi, 22.49996 N 100.389886 W, 1897 m, 03 Jul 1987, Kovarik and Schaffner, 18 (00118693) ( TAMU). 19 mi N of San Luis Potosi, 22.432726 N 101.349916 W, 01 Sep 1958, H.F. Howden, paratype, 1♀ (00111823) ( CNC).

Slaterocoris simplex Kelton Figures 12, 63C, 65, 66; plates 3, 4P; map 12

Slaterocoris simplex Kelton, 1968: 1135 , fig. 24 (orig. desc.); Knight, 1970: 241, fig. 32 (disc.); Schuh, 1995: 199 (catalog).

DIAGNOSIS: One of five species with completely black legs, Slaterocoris simplex can be distinguished from S. argenteoides , S. argenteus , S. digitatus , and S. robustus by the mixed dorsal vestiture of silvery shining, sericeous, adpressed setae (most numerous adjacent to claval suture) and the longer, silvery shining, suberect setae (pl. 4P, fig. 63B). The first three species mentioned above all have pilose vestiture composed of long, fine, apically recurved setae and the last has relatively sparse, black vestiture with somewhat bristlelike, suberect simple setae. The frons of S. robustus is smooth (fig. 71A), whereas the frons is slightly striate in the other species. The basally twisted dorsal lobe of the endosomal spicule and the phallotheca with an additional aperture on the left lateral surface (fig. 65F) will unequivocally separate S. simplex from all congeners.

REDESCRIPTION: Male: Moderately small, subparallel; length 3.90–4.30, width 1.75–2.00 (pl. 3). COLORATION: Black including vertex, antennal segments I and II, coxa, femur, and all tarsomeres (fig. 12). VESTI- TURE: With mixture of long, suberect, silvery, dense simple setae and some sericeous setae near claval suture (pl. 4P). DORSAL SCULPTURATION: Frons striate. STRU- CTURE: Body conformation in both sexes similar. GENITALIA: Pygophore: Tergal process somewhat elongate, triangular, slightly distally serrate, situated medially on dorsal aperture (fig. 65G); subgenital plate removed from ventral margin of aperture. Phallotheca: With two apertures, one distal extending basally on right side, the other on left surface on distal end of lateral prominence (fig. 65A, B, F). Endosomal spicule: Ventral lobe entire, apex thickened, distal portion with variable marginal serration; dorsal lobe twisted at base and situated on far left side of spicule base, bifurcate; lateral and medial rami variably serrate and widely separated; lateral ramus of bifurcate dorsal lobe projecting through left side aperture of phallotheca; ventral lobe and medial ramus of dorsal lobe project through large distal aperture of phallotheca (fig. 65C– F). Right paramere: Apical region with short, narrow parallel spines; subapical region wide; basal lobe with short, variable serrate process (fig. 65J–M). Left paramere: Shaft short, broadly attenuate, in apical view; distal region approximately one-half length of paramere in lateral view (fig. 65H, I).

Female: Moderately small, ovate; length 3.80–4.40, width 1.85–2.15 (pl. 3). STRUC- TURE: vertex wider, eyes smaller, costal margin strongly curved otherwise as in male. GENITALIA: First gonapophyses: Left overlapping right, in ventral view, right lateral surface small, comparative size at overlap with left greater than right. Left first gonapophyses: Dorsal surface concave, apex broadly convoluted. Vestibulum, anteroventral margin of anterior wall: Sclerotized medially and to lateral margins of bursa copulatrix. Ventral labiate plate: Strongly produced, moderately wide, triangular at base. Second gonapophyses: Anterior medial surface strongly sclerotized, slightly convex. Interramal sclerite: Dorsomedial region strongly and narrowly convex, posteromedial portion with narrow sclerotized fold abutting ovipositor bulb (fig. 66A), ventromedial region not greatly overlapped by lateral interramal sclerites. Interramal lobe: Dorsomedial margin not broadly produced; with narrow lobe posterodorsal to medial margin; anteroventral margin with short gradually attenuate apex (fig. 66B).

HOST: Kelton (1968) stated that S. simplex was collected on Helianthus . Two genera of Asteraceae , Artemisia and Helianthus , are the only plant records. Both could conceivably be breeding hosts.

DISTRIBUTION: Previously known only from Durango, this Mexican species is now known to be widely distributed in northern Mexico from the Sierra Madre Occidental – Central Plateau of Durango and Coahuila and in the south from the Sierra Transvolcanica of Mexico and Puebla states (map 12).

sclerite of S. simplex is also present in S. punctatus . The marginal serration of the endosomal lobe (fig. 65C–F) and the large serrate tubercle on the basal lobe of the right paramere (fig. 65J–M) in specimens from Durango and Puebla, Mexico, show variability to that seen in other widely distributed Slaterocoris species.

HOLOTYPE: MEXICO: Durango: Navios, 26 mi E of El Salto [23.78278 ° N 104.95381 ° W, 2438 m], 11 Aug 1964, L.A. Kelton, 18 ( AMNH _PBI 00111833) ( CNC).

COLLECTION SUMMARY: 44 specimens from six collection events spanning the dates of July and August are known for this sparsely collected but widespread Mexican species.

DISCUSSION: Slaterocoris simplex and S. clavatus are the only species that have the dorsal lobe of the endosomal spicule clearly attached to the far left basal margin of the spicule. Such formation of the dorsal lobe is observed in species of Jornandinus , Josephinus , and Scalponotatus , whereas all other Slaterocoris species have the dorsal lobe shifted medially on the shaft of the ventral endosomal lobe. Unique to S. simplex is the second aperture on the left side of the phallotheca. The lateral ramus of the endosomal dorsal lobe projects from this opening in repose and when the spicule is extended. The narrowly folded structure of the dorsomedial margin in the interramal

OTHER SPECIMENS EXAMINED: MEXICO: Coahuila: 33 mi SE of Saltillo, near Jame, 25.397966 N 100.661956 W, 2286 m, 10 Jul 1963, H. and A. Howden, paratype, 1♀ (00111859) ( CNC). Durango: Navajos, 20 mi E of El Salto, 23.7836 N 105.049086 W, 2438 m, 27 Jul 1964, L.A. Kelton, Asteraceae , paratype, 1♀ (00111405), Helianthus sp. ( Asteraceae ), paratypes, 48 (00111847– 00111850), 7♀ (00111851–00111857) ( CNC). Navios, 26 mi E of El Salto, 23.782786 N 104.953816 W, 2438 m, 02 Aug 1964, L.A. Kelton, paratypes, 48 (00111404, 00111842– 00111844), 2♀ (00111845–00111846) ( CNC), paratype, 18 (00245375) ( TAMU), paratype, 18 (00121780), 1♀ (00121781) ( UCB); 11 Aug 1964, L.A. Kelton, paratypes, 38 (00111834–00111836), 5♀ (00111837–00111841) ( CNC), paratype, 1♀ (00245376) ( TAMU). Mexico: Rio Frio , 19.356 N 98.66676 W, 3026 m, 28 Aug 1969, L.A. Kelton, Artemisia sp. ( Asteraceae ), 88 (00111824–00111831), 1♀ (00111832) ( CNC). Puebla: Xometla, 1 mi E of Chalchicomula [Cuidad Serdan], 18.98336 N 97.456 W, 2438 m, 28 Aug 1951, Uzzell and Mosimann, 28 (00127325–00127326), 1♀ (00127327) ( UMMC).