Trichocera (Trichocera) marocana, Driauach, Ouafaa, Krzemińska, Ewa & Belqat, Boutaïna, 2015

Driauach, Ouafaa, Krzemińska, Ewa & Belqat, Boutaïna, 2015, Genus Trichocera in Morocco: first records from Africa and a new species (Diptera: Trichoceridae), Zootaxa 4059 (1), pp. 181-190 : 182-184

Trichocera (Trichocera) marocana , n. sp.

Differential diagnosis. Male: sternite 9 broad, posterior margin straight, set with bristles; gonocoxal bridge divided; gonostyle with basal tubercle of variable size; aedeagal complex of the subgenus Trichocera type, with lateral apodemes inclined to basal ones; parameres relatively long and fused only in basalmost section; tip of aedeagus broad, open. The external appearance is similar to that of T. (S.) sardiniensis ; the shape of aedeagal complex is decisive. In T. (S.) sardiniensis the lateral apodemes are declined from basal ones and close to parameres (see Petrašiūnas 2009: fig. 6), i.e., in a way characteristic to the species of the subgenus Saltrichocera as defined by Krzemińska (2002).

Etymology. The new species name is made after the country (Latinized form).

Type material. Holotype male, Morocco, Affluent Oued Akrir, 23.XI. 2012 (leg. O. Driauach & B. Belqat), housed in the Institute of Systematics and evolution of Animals, Polish Academy of Sciences; ul. Sławkowska 17; 31–016 Kraków, Poland. Paratype male of same locality and date, housed in the Laboratory of Ecology, Biodiversity and Environment, Faculty of Sciences, University Abdelmalek Essaâdi, Tétouan, Morocco. Both specimens are stored in ethanol.

Description. Small species; wing size ca. 5 mm. Body colour dark brown (in alcohol; genuine colour may be even darker). Antennae with f1 short, barely twice as long as pedicel; subsequent flagellomeres are of similar size ( Fig. 2 C). Pubescence rather scarce and relatively coarse; verticils 2– 3 x as long as pubescence. Thorax with pleura bare. Tarsal claw of hind leg small, ca. 1/4 of length of fifth tarsomere ( Fig. 2 D). Wing venation as in the genus, proportions of R2+3+4/R2+3 variable. Sc densely set with setae.

Male genitalia ( Fig. 2 A, B, E–G). Sternite 9 very broad, distal margin almost straight, only slightly wavy in both specimens, set with bristles. Gonocoxal bridge not fused medially, low, broad; inner outline of triangular shape, inner margins of the bridge strongly sclerotized and dark ( Fig. 2 A, B). Gonostyles c. 1.3x as long as gonocoxites, almost parallel-sided, with distinct basal tubercle. Adeagal complex ( Fig. 2 E–F) of the subgenus Trichocera type (illustrated by Krzemińska et al. 2009: fig. 57), with lateral apodemes inclined to basal ones. Parameres relatively long as for the subgenus, fused only at base by a strong membrane forming a so-called hood (sensu Wood 1991: 260). Tip of aedeagus straight and widely open ( Fig. 2 E).

Female unknown.

Remark. The divided bridge may suggest classification to the subgenus Saltrichocera ; it is essential therefore to examine the aedeagal complex to confirm determination.

Figures

FIGURE 2. Trichocera (Trichocera) marocana, n. sp., holotype. A, B—scheme and photo of genitalia in ventral view, resp.; C, antenna and palp; D, last tarsomeres of hind leg and tarsal claw; E – G, aedeagal sheath: E, lateral view, G, lateroventral view (right paramere is broken), F, hood and tip of aedeagus (a, aedeagus; ba, basal apodeme; br, gonocoxal bridge; h, hood over tip of aedeagus, produced by membrane connecting parameres; la, lateral apodeme; p, paramere). Bar 0.2 mm.