Curtonotum constance Kirk-Spriggs, 2013

Kirk-Spriggs, Ashley H. & Wiegmann, Brian M., 2013, A revision of Afrotropical Quasimodo flies (Diptera: Schizophora; Curtonotidae). Part IV — the continental Afrotropical species of Curtonotum Macquart, with descriptions of thirteen new species and a combined phylogenetic analysis of the Curtonotidae , Zootaxa 3684 (1), pp. 1-166 : 113

publication ID	https://doi.org/ 10.11646/zootaxa.3684.1.1
publication LSID	lsid:zoobank.org:pub:E922034E-1247-400B-97F6-1778CF766B91
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03E45152-FFEF-FF96-A6AB-FF33569C42F9
treatment provided by	Felipe
scientific name	Curtonotum constance Kirk-Spriggs
status	sp. nov.

Treatment

Curtonotum constance Kirk-Spriggs View in CoL , sp. n.

Figs 124 View FIGURES 124–129 , 148 View FIGURES 142–153 , 184 View FIGURES 182–190 , 270, 273, 276 View FIGURES 268–276 , 331 View FIGURE 331 .

Curtonotum cuthbertsoni: Duda, 1935: 31 View in CoL , Type VIII of Tsacas (1977: 153).

Etymology. The specific epithet constance is a noun in apposition, and is named after the first author’s daughter Constance Marina.

Description: Male (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 2.8 mm; length of thorax and scutellum combined 2.7 mm; wing length 4.4 mm (n = 1, HT).

Head ( Figs 124 View FIGURES 124–129 , 148 View FIGURES 142–153 ). Eye height/length ratio: 11:7 (n = 1, HT); frons ( Fig. 148 View FIGURES 142–153 ) slightly wider than long, frons length/width ratio: 6:8 (n = 1, HT); [posterior orbital and medial vertical setae missing from unique holotype, but positions and socket size indicate similar orientation and seta size as other species in the uncinatum species-group]; flagellomere 1 with slightly pointed apex, arista with 9 long dorsal branches and 4 ventral branches; 10 fine setae bordering genal groove; gena narrow, eye height/genal height ratio: 11:1 (n = 1, HT); palpus tan-brown, brown microtrichose .

Thorax ( Fig. 124 View FIGURES 124–129 ). [The mesonotum is rubbed in the unique holotype and the four parallel chestnut-brown pruinose vittae are not visible; the dorsocentral, acrostichal, anterior notopleural and supra-alar setae are missing, but positions and socket size indicate similar orientation and seta size as other species in the uncinatum speciesgroup]; postpronotum with 12 fine black-brown setulae; [all anepisternal and katepisternal setae and setulae missing, but positions and socket size indicate similar orientation and seta size as other species in the uncinatum species-group].

Scutellum. [Scutellar setae missing, but positions and socket size indicate similar orientation and seta size as other species in the uncinatum species-group].

Legs. Fore coxa with 12 brown setulae; fore tibia apparently with 6 strong setae on lateral margin, with the second basal seta shorter than other five, with ctenidium of 11 short, sharp, black spinules.

Wing ( Fig. 184 View FIGURES 182–190 ). [Conspicuous costal spines missing, but clearly present in undamaged specimens]; dm–cu crossvein acutely angled medially; anal lobe broad; halter dirty yellow.

Abdomen. Sternite 6 as in Fig. 305 View FIGURES 295–305 .

Terminalia ( Figs 270, 273, 276 View FIGURES 268–276 ). Hypandrium ( Fig. 270 View FIGURES 268–276 , hy); postgonite (pg); cercus (ce); surstylus (ss); phallus (as in Figs 273 View FIGURES 268–276 , ph, bp, dp; 276, bp, dp); phallapodeme ( Fig. 273 View FIGURES 268–276 , ph); ejaculatory apodeme (ea); basiphallus ( Figs 273, 276 View FIGURES 268–276 , bp) wide basally, expanded medially with broad lateral expansion apically; distiphallus (dp) long, scimitar-like (viewed laterally), membranous area broad, with basal “spine” of distiphallus partially subdivided into one strongly and one weakly sclerotised short blades, more apical spine quite broad basally with straight dorsal margin and slightly curved ventral.

♀ Unknown.

Variation. Insufficient material is available to assess variability.

Differential diagnosis. Curtonotum constance 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 constance sp. n. can be separated from other species in the species-group by reference to the above key.

Type material examined. ANGOLA: unique holotype ♂, “ ANGOLA: / 7 mi. N. Vila ♂ / Perreira d’Eca / V-17- [19]58, 1100m // E.S.Ross & / R.E.Leech / collectors // CURTONOTUM / cuthbertsoni / Duda / L. TSACAS DET. 1975 [printed and handwritten] // MUSÉUM PARIS // HOLOTYPE ♂ / Curtonotum / constance sp. n. / A.H. Kirk- Spriggs 2011 [printed; red card]” ( MNHN). In good condition, mesonotum rubbed and some legs missing; left wing detached and glued to card; dissected, abdomen and terminalia in micro-vial pinned beneath specimen .

Distribution. Angola ( Fig. 331 View FIGURE 331 ). Only known from a single record on the Angolan/Namibian border in the mesic savanna. The type locality, Vila Perreira d’Eça lies at an elevation of ca. 1150 m.

Bionomics. Occurring in the Angolan Mopane Woodland major habitat type; Tropical and Subtropical Grasslands, Savannas and Shrublands vegetation type (Appendix III) .