Curtonotum unicuspis Kirk-Spriggs, 2013

Kirk-Spriggs, Ashley H. & Wiegmann, Brian M., 2013, <p> <strong> A revision of Afrotropical Quasimodo flies (Diptera: Schizophora; Curtonotidae). Part IV — the continental Afrotropical species of <em> Curtonotum </ em> Macquart, with descriptions of thirteen new species and a combined phylogenetic analysis of the Curtonotidae </ strong> </ p>, Zootaxa 3684 (1), pp. 1-166 : 122-125

Curtonotum unicuspis Kirk-Spriggs , sp. n.

Figs 129 , 153 , 190 , 288, 291, 294 , 330 , 335 .

Curtonotum cuthbertsoni: Duda, 1935: 31 , Type V of Tsacas (1977: 153).

Etymology. The specific epithet unicuspis is derived from the Latin unus (= one) and cuspis (= spike), and refers to the single blunt, spike-like extension of the distiphallus of this species.

Description: Male (primarily based on field-pinned HT).

As described for C. uncinatum (above), differing in the following respects:

Measurements: Overall length unknown; length of head and thorax combined 1.6–3 mm; length of thorax and scutellum combined 1.5–2.7 mm; wing length 2.9–4.3 mm (n = 5, HT, PT).

Head ( Figs 129 , 153 ). Eye height/length ratio: 9:6 (n = 1, HT); frons ( Fig. 153 ) slightly wider than long, frons length/width ratio: 6:7 (n = 1, HT); arista with 9 long dorsal branches and 4 ventral branches; 9 fine setae bordering genal groove; gena narrow, eye height/genal height ratio: 9:1 (n = 1, HT).

Thorax ( Fig. 129 ). Postpronotum with 8 fine black-brown setulae; anepisternum surface with 14 fine setulae; katepisternum with 17 short, fine setulae.

Legs. Fore coxa with 17 brown setulae; fore tibia with ctenidium of 14 short, sharp, black spinules.

Wing ( Fig. 190 ). Dm–cu crossvein angled posteriorly with submedial curve.

Abdomen. Sternite 6 as in Fig. 305 .

Terminalia ( Figs 288, 291, 294 ). Hypandrium ( Fig. 288 , hy); postgonite (pg); epandrium (ep); cercus (ce); surstylus (ss); phallus (as in Figs 291 , ph, bp, dp; 294, bp, dp); phallapodeme ( Fig. 291 , ph); ejaculatory apodeme (ea); basiphallus ( Figs 291, 294 , bp) wide basally, gradually narrowed into lateral expansion apically; distiphallus (dp) long, scimitar-like (viewed laterally), membranous area broad, basal “spine” absent, more apical spine relatively narrow and blunt.

♀ Unknown.

Variation. No significant variation is noted.

Differential diagnosis. Curtonotum unicuspis sp. n. belongs to a group of ten species here ascribed to the uncinatum species-group, nine of which are virtually identical externally and are only separable based on minor differences in the male phallus (see Differential diagnosis under C. uncinatum sp. n. for details). Curtonotum unicuspis sp. n. can be separated from other species in the species-group by reference to the above key.

Type material examined. NAMIBIA: holotype ♂, “Namibia: KATIMA MULILO DIST. / Salambala camp site / 17°50'01"S 24°36'09"E / 01-04.iii.2001 / A.H. Kirk-Spriggs / Malaise trap // Namibian National / Insect Collection / National Museum / P.O. Box 1203 / Windhoek, Namibia [printed; blue card] // HOLOTYPE ♂ / Curtonotum / unicuspis sp. n. / A.H. Kirk-Spriggs 2011 [printed; red card]” (NMNW). In excellent condition; dissected, abdomen and terminalia in micro-vial pinned beneath specimen. Paratypes (all labelled: “ PARATYPE / Curtonotum ♂ / unicuspis sp. n. / A.H. Kirk-Spriggs 2011 [printed; blue card]”): [ BURUNDI]: 1♂, “COLL. MUS. CONGO / Urundi: Rumonge 800 m. / 7-III-1953 / P. Basilewsky // BM [handwritten; blue card] // CURTONOTUM / cuthbertsoni / Duda / L. TSACAS DET. 1975 [printed & handwritten]” (RMCA). [ MOZAMBIQUE]: 1♂, “NYAKA / P. E. Afr. / R. F. Lawrence / [on reverse] Feb. / 1924 [printed & handwritten]”; 1♂, “ INHAMBANE / P. E. Afr. / R. F. Lawrence / [on reverse] Jan. / 1924 [printed & handwritten]” (both SANC); 1♂, “Umbeluzi PEA / 19.9.[19]29 / HKMunro [printed & handwritten]” (PPRI). NAMIBIA: 1♂, same data as holotype; 1♂, “Namibia: KHORIXAS DISTRICT / Leeukop 664 / 19°53'15"S, 14°21'44"E / 26-30.x.2001 / A.H. Kirk-Spriggs & E. Marais / light trap”; 2♂, “Namibia: KATIMA MULILO DIST. / Salambala forest / 17°50'02"S 24°36'20"E / 23-29.xii.2002 / A.H. & M.K. Kirk-Spriggs / Malaise trap sample”; 3♂, “Namibia: KATIMA MULILO DIST. / Salambala camp site / 17°50'01"S 24°36'09"E / 22-24.ii.2001 / A.H. Kirk-Spriggs & E. Marais / Malaise trap”; 1♂, “Namibia: KATIMA MULILO DIST. / Salambala, 4km NE of / 17°49'21"S 24°36'07"E / 25.ii- 01.iii.2001 / A.H. Kirk-Spriggs & E. Marais / Malaise trap sample”; 1♂, “Namibia: KATIMA MULILO DIST. / Salambala camp site / 17°50'01"S 24°36'09"E / 23-28.xii.2002 / A.H. & M.K. Kirk-Spriggs / hanging trap baited mango”; 4♂, “Namibia: WEST CAPRIVI PK. / Fort Doppies / 17°49'28"S 23°18'49"E / 20-21.x.1999 / [A.H.] Kirk-Spriggs [T.] Pape [W.] Hauwanga”; 1♂, “Namibia: RUNDU DIST. / Simanya Okavango River / 17°33'17"S, 18°32'30"E / 23-24.i.1998 / [A.H.] Kirk-Spriggs & [E.] Marais / malaise traps riverine forest”; 1♂, “Namibia: RUNDU DIST. / 1 km S. of Katara / 17°50'25"S, 18°54'26"E / 22-23.i.1998 / [A.H.] Kirk-Spriggs & [E.] Marais / malaise traps primary forest”; 2♂, “Namibia: W. CAPRIVI PARK / Nova, 5km N / 18°09'56"S, 21°44'31"E / 16- 18.xii.1999 / [E.] Marais, [D.J.] Mann, [D.] Newman / MMN8 – warthog burrows”; 1♂, same except: “MMN8 – malaise”; 2♂, “Namibia: RUNDU DIST. / Mile 46 / 18°18'39"S, 19°15'29"E / 25-27.iii.2003 / A.H. Kirk-Spriggs / attracted to decomposing fungi”; 2♂, “Namibia: RUNDU DIST. / Mile 46 / 18°18'39"S, 19°15'29"E / 25- 27.iii.2003 / A.H. Kirk-Spriggs / Malaise traps”; 2♂, “Namibia: RUNDU DIST. / Simanya Okavango River / 17°33'17"S, 18°32'30"E / 23-24.i.1998 / [A.H.] Kirk-Spriggs & [E.] Marais / malaise traps riverine forest”; 1♂, “Namibia: RUNDU DIST. / Hamoye Nat. Forest / 18°12'S, 19°43'E / 05-08.iii.1999 / E. Marais / Malaise trap”; 1♂, “Namibia: RUNDU DIST. / 20 km E Rundu / 17°55'46"S, 19°58'43"E / 17-18.x.1999 / [A.H.] Kirk-Spriggs [T.] Pape [W.] Hauwanga / Malaise trap sample”; 1♂, “Namibia: WEST CAPRIVI / Chwaha River, 3 km NE at: / 17°58'S 22°28'E / 04–10.iv.1990 / E. Marais / pres. & bait traps; 1♂, “Namibia: KATIMA MULILO / DIST. / Simataa: Salambala B6 / 17°48'36"S 24°32'18"E / 24-27.ii.2001 / E. Marais & A.H. Kirk-Spriggs / Malaise traps; 1♂, “Namibia: MUDUMU NAT. PK. / at: 18°10'S 23°25'E / 25.xi-04.xii.1991 / E. Marais / Malaise trap”; 1♂, “ NAMIBIA: Mahango Game Res. / 18°14'S / 21°43'E / 31.xi.2001 / leg. F. KOCH”; 3♂, “ Namibia: KHORIXAS DIST. / River on Amkarub 269 at: / 19°50'12"S, 14°42'16"E / 24-26.v.2001 / A.H. Kirk-Spriggs & E. Marais / Malaise traps” (all NMNW). 2♂, “S.W.AFRICA (W50) / Gobiswater Fm., / 12 mls. N. / Grootfontein / 5.iv.1972 ♂ // Southern / African Exp / B.M.1972-1 // CURTONOTUM / cuthbertsoni / Duda / L. TSACAS DET. 1975 [printed & handwritten]” (both BMNH); 16♂, “ NAMIBIA: Katima Mulilo Dist. / Ndopu village, 1km SE Bukalo / - 17.7166667, 24.5166667 / 20.iv.2006 / A.H. Kirk-Spriggs / From single burrow // Resting in burrow of / Ardvaark / ( Orycteropus afer / (Orcycteropidae)” (all AMGS); 4♂, “ NAMIBIA: Katima Mulilo Dist. / Ndopu village, 1 km SE Bukalo / -17.7166667, 24.5166667 / 20.iv.2006 / A.H. Kirk-Spriggs / resting in burrows of Aardvark” [labelled “// BMSA(D)29874–29877” (all BMSA). SOUTH AFRICA: 1♂, “ SOUTH AFRICA:Transvaal / n.Kruger National Park / Pafuri. 22°27'S 31°17'E / 31 Jan.1979, L. Braack / [on reverse] Day 1 31/1/79 / 1200 4AD / Bird [printed & handwritten]” (BMNH); 1♂, SOUTH AFRICA / Trsvl. Mooketsi / 14-18-Feb.1968 / Krombein & Spangler” (USNM); 1♂, SOUTH AFRICA / Natal, Mtubatuba / III-24&25-1968 / Paul J. Spangler // CURTONOTUM / cuthbertsoni / Duda / L. TSACAS DET. 1975 [printed & handwritten] // MUSÉUM PARIS” (MNHN); 3♂, “S AFRICA: N. Province #64 / Blouberg Nature Reserve / 23°02'S: 29°04'E 2900 ft / Date: 22.xi.1997 / Coll. [D.A.] Barraclough & [S.] James / On trunk of Baobab tree”; 2♂, “Ndumu Reserve / Ingwavuma District / Tongaland, S. Africa / B. & P. Stuckenberg / 1–10 December 1963 // CURTONOTUM / cuthbertsoni / Duda / L. TSACAS DET. 1976” (all NMSA); 3♂, “ RSA: Natal, / Richards Bay / 28°46'S, 32°04'E / 24.x.1984 loc. 31 / leg. R. Danielsson” (MZLU); 1♂, “ RSA: KZN, Ndumo Game R. / main camp area at: / 26°54.652'S, 32°19.719'E / 27–30.xi.2009 / A.H. Kirk-Spriggs // Malaise traps / broad-leafed deciduous / woodland // BMSA(D)29860”; 7♂, “ RSA: KZN, Ndumo Game R. / main road at: / 26°54.288'S, 32°17.974'E / 4–8.xii.2009 / A.H. Kirk-Spriggs // Malaise traps / sand [forest] & broad-leafed / deciduous forest” [labelled “// BMSA(D)29901– 29907]”; 1♂, “ RSA: KZN, Ndumo Game R. / pan at: / 26°54.288'S, 32°17.974'E / 9–10.xii.2009 / A.H. Kirk- Spriggs // Malaise traps / grassy / floodplain // BMSA(D)29931” (all BMSA). [ TANZANIA]: 1♂, “COLL. MUS. CONGO / Tanganyika: Moba, 780 m. / VIII-X-1953 / H. Bomans // CURTONOTUM / cuthbertsoni / Duda / L. TSACAS DET. 1975 [printed & handwritten]” (RMCA). [ ZIMBABWE]: 1♂, “Balla-Balla / S. Rhodesia, / Jan. 1933 / A. Cuthbertson [printed & handwritten; black border] // 3475 [handwritten; red ink] // [bottom front specimen on mount only]” (all PPRZ); 2♂, RHODESIA / Victoria Falls / Nat’l Park / IV-3-6-1968 / Paul Spangler // [1 labelled] CURTONOTUM / cuthbertsoni / Duda / L. TSACAS DET. 1975 [printed & handwritten]” (both USNM); 1♂, “Zimbabwe, Kotwa / 17°03'S 32°46'E / Broken Causeway / 28.7.1986 / M. Lllig/S. Potel [printed & handwritten]; 1♂, “Zimbabwe, Kotwa / 17°06'S 32°38'E / Chimana Causeway, 27.7.1986; M. Lllig/S. Potel [printed & handwritten]; same except: 1♂, “ 29.7.1986 ”; 1♂, “ 4.8.1986 ”; 1♂, “ 5.8.1986 ”; 1♂, “ 6.8.1986 ”; 1♂, “ 7.8.1986 ”; 2♂, “ 9.8.1986 ”; 1♂, “ 17.8.1986 ”; 2♂, “ 18.8.1986 ”; 1♂, “ 20.8.1986 ”; 1♂, “ 23.8.1986 ”; 1♂, “ 26.8.1986 ”; 1♂, “ 27.8.1986 ”; 2♂, “ 29.8.1986 ”; 1♂, “ 30.8.1986 ”; 1♂, “ 2.9.1989 ”; 1♂, “ 3.9.1989 ”; 1♂, “ 4.9.1989 ”; 3♂, “ 10.9.1989 ”; 1♂, “ 12.9.1989 (all ZSM).

Additional material examined (labelled “ Curtonotum unicuspis sp. n., det. A.H. Kirk-Spriggs 2011 ”): SOUTH AFRICA: 1♂, Namibia: Katima Mulilo Dist. , Ndopu village, 1 km SE Bukalo, -17.7166667, 24.5166667, 20.iv.2006, A . H. Kirk-Spriggs, resting in burrows of Aardvark [in spirit], BMSA (DNA) # 0004; 1♂, same except: [in spirit], BMSA (DNA) # 0005 (both BMSA).

Distribution. Burundi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania and Zimbabwe ( Figs 330 , 335 ). Virtually confined to the mesic savannas of southern Africa, with a single record for Burundi farther north.

Bionomics. Occurring in 12 major habitat types; predominantly in Tropical and Subtropical Grasslands, Savannas and Shrublands and Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests, plus three other vegetation types (Appendix III). Sampled at UV-light, in Malaise and pitfall traps and hanging trap baited with mango in Namibia. In Warthog burrows and attracted to decomposing fungi (in company with C. bicuspis sp. n. and C. uncinatum sp. n.) in Namibia. In same Aardvark burrow as C. bicuspis sp. n. and C. cuthbertsoni Duda in north-eastern Namibia. On the trunk of a Baobab (in company with C. bicuspis Duda and C. unicuspis sp. n.) in South Africa. In primary and riverine forests in Namibia.

Figures

FIGURE 330. Distribution of continental Afrotropical species of Curtonotum. Major humidity zones of Africa: C. bicuspis sp. n., C. cuthbertsoni, C. uncinatum sp. n. and C. unicuspis sp. n.

FIGURES 124–129. Head and thorax (lateral view) of Afrotropical Curtonotum spp. (all males). 124. C. constance sp. n. (HT, Angola, 7 mi. N Vila Perreira d’Eça, MNHN). 125. C. cuthbertsoni (N-T, South Africa, Hartbeespoort, TAU). 126. C. litoralis sp. n. (PT, [Tanzania], Zanzibar, BMNH). 127. C. pauliani (N-T, Namibia, Ekuju, NMNW). 128. C. uncinatum sp. n. (PT, Namibia, Kubunyana camp, NMNW). 129. C. unicuspis sp. n. (PT, Namibia, Mile 46, NMNW) [head of C. mcgregor sp. n. missing from HT and PT cannot be illustrated]. Not to scale.

FIGURES 142–153. Frons of Afrotropical Curtonotum spp. (all males). 142. C. tsacas sp. n. (PT, South Africa, Kosi Bay Nature Reserve, BMSA). 143. C. gonzo sp. n. (PT, Nigeria, River Bagel, NMWC). 144. C. saheliense (N-T, Nigeria, Katsina, ZSM). 145. C. simile (PT, Arabia [= South Yemen], S. Othman, MNHN). 146. C. bicuspis sp. n. (HT, Namibia, Salambala campsite, NMNW). 147. C. cimbebas sp. n. (HT, Namibia, Tsaobismund 85, NMNW). 148. C. constance sp. n. (HT, Angola, 7 mi. N Vila Perreira d’Eça, MNHN). 149. C. cuthbertsoni (N-T, Uganda, Ankole, USNM). 150. C. litoralis sp. n. (HT, Kenya, Muhaka Field Station, NMNW). 151. C. pauliani (N-T, Namibia, Ejuju village, NMNW). 152. C. uncinatum sp. n. (PT, Namibia, Salambala campsite, NMNW). 153. C. unicuspis sp. n. (PT, Namibia, Mile 46, NMNW) [head of C. mcgregor sp. n. missing from both HT and PT cannot be illustrated]. Not to scale.

FIGURES 182–190. Wing of Afrotropical Curtonotum spp. (all males). 182. C. bicuspis sp. n. (PT, Namibia, Salambala forest, NMNW). 183. C. cimbebas sp. n. (PT, Namibia, Tsams Ost spring, NMNW). 184. C. constance sp. n. (HT, Angola, 7 mi. N Vila Perreira d’Eça, MNHN). 185. C. cuthbertsoni (N-T, Zimbabwe, Chimana Causeway, ZSM). 186. C. litoralis sp. n. (HT, Kenya, Muhaka Field Station, NMNW). 187. C. mcgregor sp. n. (HT, Nyasaland [= Malawi], Port Herald, BMNH). 188. C. pauliani (N-T, Namibia, Ekuju village, NMNW). 189. C. uncinatum sp. n. (PT, Namibia, Salambala campsite, NMNW). 190. C. unicuspis sp. n. (HT, Salambala campsite, NMNW). Not to scale.

FIGURES 286–294. Male terminalia of Afrotropical Curtonotum spp. 286–288. Hypandrium and epandrium (lateral view). 286. C. pauliani (N-T, Namibia, Ekuju village, NMNW). 287. C. uncinatum sp. n. (PT, Namibia, Kubunyana, NMNW). 288. C. unicuspis sp. n. (PT, Namibia, Salambala, NMNW). 289–291. Phallus (right lateral view). 289. C. pauliani (same) [ejaculatory apodeme missing]. 290. C. uncinatum (same). 291. C. unicuspis (same). 292. Junction basiphallus and distiphallus (dorsal view), C. pauliani (same). 293–294. Apical section of phallus (left lateral view). 293. C. uncinatum (same). 294. C. unicuspis (same). Scale bars = 0.5 mm.

FIGURES 332–335. Distribution of continental Afrotropical species of Curtonotum. 332. Major Habitat Types: C. bicuspis sp. n. 333. C. cuthbertsoni. 334. C. uncinatum sp. n. 335. C. unicuspis sp. n. The implied range of each species indicated with dashed red line.

FIGURES 295–305. Male sternites of Afrotropical Curtonotum spp. 295. C. angolense (N-T, Angola, 10 mi. NE of Sá da Bandeira [= Lubango], CAS). 296. C. campsiphallum (N-T, Cameroon, Limbe (shore), TAU). 297. C. freidberg sp. n. (PT, Malawi, Viphya Mts., TAU). 298. C. hay sp. n. (HT, Uganda, Mujenge, HNHM). 299. C. quinquevittatum (N-T, Malawi, Viphya Mts., TAU). 300. C. sao (N-T, Nigeria, Gadau, BMNH). 301. C. tsacas sp. n. (PT, Kenya, Kainuk, TAU). 302. C. gonzo sp. n. (PT, [Ghana], Kwadaso, HNHM). 303. C. saheliense (N-T, Nigeria, Yankari Game Reserve, NMWC). 304. C. simile (N- T, UAE, Wadi Maidan, NMWC). 305. C. uncinatum sp. n. (PT, Namibia, Kubunyana, NMNW). Scale bars: 295–301, 303–305 = 0.5 mm; 302 = 0.6 mm.