Curtonotum bicuspis 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 : 108-111

Curtonotum bicuspis Kirk-Spriggs , sp. n.

Figs 122 , 146 , 182 , 268, 271, 274 , 330 , 332 .

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

Curtonotum cuthbertsoni: Braack (1986: 94 , table 1), auctt. misidentification.

Etymology. The specific epithet bicuspis is derived from the Latin bis (= two) and cuspis (= spike), and refers to the two basal 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 1.5–2.6 mm; length of thorax and scutellum combined 1.5–2.5 mm; wing length 2.4–3.9 mm (n = 5, HT, PT).

Head ( Figs 122 , 146 ). Eye height/length ratio: 10:6 (n = 1, HT); frons ( Fig. 146 ) length/width ratio: 6:7 (n = 1, HT); arista with 8–9 long dorsal branches and 3 or 4 ventral branches; 9 fine setae bordering genal groove; gena narrow, eye height/genal height ratio: 10:1 (n = 1, HT).

Thorax ( Fig. 122 ). Postpronotum with 8 fine black-brown setulae; anepisternum with 15 fine setulae, 2 together in posterior corner; katepisternum with 14 short, fine setulae.

Legs. Fore coxa with 17 brown setulae; fore tibia with ctenidium of 12–14 black spinules.

Wing ( Fig. 182 ). Dm–cu crossvein acutely angled posteriorly.

Abdomen. Sternite 6 as in Fig. 305 .

Terminalia ( Figs 268, 271, 274 ). Hypandrium ( Fig. 268 , hy); postgonite (pg); epandrium (ep); cercus (ce); surstylus (ss); phallus (as in Figs 271 , ph, bp, dp; 274, bp, dp); phallapodeme ( Fig. 271 , ph); ejaculatory apodeme (ea); basiphallus ( Figs 271, 274 , bp) wide basally, expanded into narrow quite broad expansion apically; distiphallus (dp) long, scimitar-like (viewed laterally), membranous area broad, with basal “spine” of distiphallus forming a long, straight, erect process, more apical spine broad basally, margins straight, coming to acute point, slightly ventrally-directed (2 “spines” very widely spaced).

♀ Unknown.

Variation. There is some slight variation in the length of the basal spine of the distiphallus. The shape is quite consistent, however, and is here regarded as intraspecific variation only.

Differential diagnosis. Curtonotum bicuspis 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 bicuspis 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 campsite /

17°50'01"S 24°36'06"E / 08-10.ii.2004 / A.H. Kirk-Spriggs / Malaise trap // Namibian National / Insect Collection / National Museum / P.O. Box 1203 / Windhoek, Namibia [printed; blue card] // HOLOTYPE ♂ / Curtonotum / bicuspis 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 ♂ / bicuspis sp. n. / A.H. Kirk-Spriggs 2011 [printed; blue card]”): ANGOLA: 1♂, “ ANGOLA (A10) [blue line] / R.Curoca, 7 mils. / NE. P.Alexandre / 25–26.ii.1972 // Southern / African Exp / B.M.1972-1 // CURTONOTUM / cuthbertsoni / Duda / L. TSACAS DET. 1976 [printed & handwritten]” (BMNH); 4♂, “ ANGOLA: / 7 mi. N Vila ♂ / Perreira d’Eca / V-17-[19]58, 1100m // E.S. Ross & / R.E. Leech / Collection // CURTONOTUM / cuthbertsoni / Duda / L. TSACAS DET. 1976 [printed & handwritten] [3 head missing]” (CAS). [ BOTSWANA]: 1♂, “V.—L. Kal. Exp. / Tsotsoroga Pan / 17/6/–9/7/[19]30.” (NMSA). [ DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO]: 1♂, “Congo belge: P.N.U. / Mabwe (r. E. lac Upemba) / (585 m.) 12-19.I.1949 / Mis. G.F. de Witte. 2214a” (RMCA). KENYA: 1♂, “ KENYA / Mombasa / Waa / 26.iii.[19]53 [printed & handwritten] // From felled Cashew tree [handwritten] // COM. INST. ENT. / COLL. NO. 13216 [printed & handwritten] // Pres. by / Com Inst Ent / B M 1953–747 [printed & handwritten] // CURTONOTUM / cuthbertsoni / Duda / L. TSACAS DET. 1976 [printed & handwritten]” (BMNH). [ MOZAMBIQUE]: 1♂, “NYAKA / P. E. Afr. / R. F. Lawrence / [on reverse] Feb. / 1924 [printed & handwritten]” (SANC); 1♂, “Umbeluzi PEA / 19.9.[19]29 / HKMunro [printed & handwritten]” (PPRI). NAMIBIA: 5♂, same data as holotype; 6♂, “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”; 5♂, “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”; 10♂, “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”; 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 pan / 17°50'00"S 24°35'58"E / 01-04.iii.2001 / A.H. Kirk-Spriggs / Malaise trap”; 2♂, “Namibia: WEST CAPRIVI PK. / Kwando River Susuwe / 17°45'37"S 23°20'55"E / 28.ix-02.x.1998 / A.H. Kirk-Spriggs / Malaise trap dry woodland”; 1♂, “Namibia: RUNDU DIST. / Matende River / 17°54'46"S, 19°35'16"E / 20-21.i.1998 / [E.] Marais & [A.H.] Kirk-Spriggs / malaise trap primary forest”; 3♂, “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: BWABWATA PARK / Bum Hill campsite (Kwando R.) / 17°46'42"S, 23°20'28"E / 10-13.ii.2004 / A.H. Kirk-Spriggs / Malaise trap”; 3♂, “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”; 5♂, “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 DISTRICT / Mile 46 Agric. Research Sta. / 18°18'22"S, 19°15'24"E / 21- 24.iv.2001 / [E.] Marais, [S.] Kasch & [K.] Vohland // Acacia dominated interdune / Malaise trap: BIOTA # / 01.101.01.7.04”; 9♂, “ Namibia: KHORIXAS DIST. / Amkarub 269, granite hill at: / 19°49'17"S, 14°39'53"E / 24- 26.v.2001 / A.H. Kirk-Spriggs & E. Marais / Malaise traps” [1 head missing]; 4♂, “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♂, “Ghaub 47 / 19°28'S, 17°00'E / TSUMEB DISTRICT / 16–26 Jul. 1986 / J. Irish / Malaise trapping”; 2♂, “Namibia: RUNDU DIST. / Hamoye Nat. Forest / 18°12'S, 19°43'E / 05-08.iii.1999 / E. Marais / Malaise trap”; 1♂, “Namibia: TSUMKWE DISTRICT. / 2 Km W Xawasha pan / 19°09'57"S 20°52'55"E / 26-27.xii.1998 / [A.H.] Kirk-Spriggs, [E.] Marais & [D.J.] Mann / Malaise traps”; 1♂, “Namibia: KAUDOM GAME PK. / 10 Km W of Dussi / 18°48'32"S 20°43'57"E / 29-30.xii.1998 / [A.H.] Kirk-Spriggs, [E.] Marais & [D.J.] Mann / Malaise traps”; 2♂, “Nakatwa / MUDUMU GAME RESERVE / 18°11'S 23°25'E / 08–13.III.1992 / M.Pusch & E.Marais”; 2♂, “Takuasa / SE 1720 Cd [= Takwasa] / KAVANGO / 14–19 Aug 1971 [State Museum staff] // H 3029”; 4♂, “Namibia: EENHANA DISTRICT / 29 km E Okongo / 17°37'22"S 17°28'44"E / 14.x.1999 / A.H. Kirk-Spriggs // At rest in burrows of / Orycteropus afer (Pallas) / Orycteropidae ”; 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: EASTERN CAPRIVI / Menziasubila Mulapo / 17°51'S 23°27'E / 25.xi.1991 - 05.i.1992 / E. Marais / pres. pitf. traps”; 9♂, “ NAMIBIA: Mahango Game Res. / 18°14'S / 21°43'E / 31.xi.2001 / leg. F. KOCH”; 5♂, “ 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); 1♂, “S.W AFRICA (31) / Okahandja / 2-4.ii.1972 // Southern / African Exp / B.M.1972-1 // CURTONOTUM / cuthbertsoni / Duda / L. TSACAS DET. 1975 [printed & handwritten] // MUSÉUM PARIS” (MNHN); 3♂, “S.W.AFRICA (W50) / Gobiswater Fm., / 12 mls. N. / Grootfontein / 5.iv.1972 ♂ // Southern / African Exp / B.M.1972-1 // [2 labelled] CURTONOTUM / cuthbertsoni / Duda / L. TSACAS DET. 1975 [printed & handwritten]” (BMNH); 51♂, “ 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)” (AMGS); 11♂, “ 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)29878–BMSA(D)29888” (BMSA). SOUTH AFRICA: 2♂, “ RSA: Sodwana Bay NP / 27°37'S / 32°41'E / 7-10.iv.2001 / leg. F. KOCH” (NMNW); 4♂, “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”; 1♂, “6656 // SO.AFRICA: Transvaal / Pafuri,N Kruger Nl.Pk. / 22-23.IV.1981 22°27'S / nr. Levuhu Riv. 31°17'E / RM Miller&PA Stabbins // Registered / Specimen / S F McEvey”; 3♂, “South Africa, Natal Prov / Zululand, 20 mi. S Ndumu / Game Res. Camp (2732Aa) / Nov. 29, 1971, ME&BJ Irwin / dry scrub forest; 320 ft // CURTONOTUM / cuthbertsoni / Duda / L. TSACAS DET. 1976 [printed & handwritten] // [1 specimen with label “A second vial / containing ♀ / genitalia of a / second specimen / pinned together [handwritten]]”; 1♂, “ SOUTH AFRICA. Transvaal / Kruger Park 9-XII-1972 / Sabie River 4 km E Skukuza / Ficus gallery forest / B & P Stuckenberg 2431Dc” (all NMSA); 1♂, “ SOUTH AFRICA:Transvaal / n.Kruger National Park / Pafuri. 22°27'S 31°17'E / 15 Jan.1979, L. Braack / ex. Impala carcass [printed & handwritten]” (BMNH); 1♂, “ RSA: Natal, / Richards Bay / 28°46'S, 32°04'E / 24.x.1984 loc. 31 / leg. R. Danielsson” (MZLU); 2♂, “ SOUTH AFRICA / Natal, Mtubatuba / III-24&25-1968 / Paul J. Spangler // CURTONOTUM / cuthbertsoni / Duda / L. TSACAS DET. 1976 [printed & handwritten]” (USNM); 1♂, “S.AFRICA N. ZULULAND / INGWAVUMA MANZEN- / GWENYA 27.15S 32.44E / Malaise trap, coastal / bush P.E.HULLEY / 8. xii [19]82 [printed & handwritten]” (AMGS); 1♂, “ SOUTH AFRICA, Tvl. / D’Nyala Nat Res Ellis / ras 23.45'S 27.49'E / 850m 24-26.ix.1990 / M.W.Mansell // Handnetted / during day” (PPRI); 13♂, “ 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)29855; 29889– 29900”]; 4♂, “ 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” [labelled “// BMSA(D)29856– BMSA(D)29859”] (all BMSA); 1♂, “ SOUTH AFRICA: KZ-Natal / Mambassa Hutted Camp, / 28°42.9'S: 29°36.7'E, / Thornveld, near Tugela / River, 14–17.iv.1998, / R.M. Miller” (NMSA). ZIMBABWE: 1♂, “Zimbabwe, Kotwa / 17°06'S 32°38'E / Chimana Causway, 24.7.1986; M. Lllig/S. Potel [printed & handwritten]; same except: 1♂, “ 26.7.1986 ”; 4♂, “ 27.7.1986 ”; 1♂, “ 28.7.1986 ”; 2♂, “ 29.7.1986 ”; 2♂, “ 31.7.1986 ”; 1♂, “ 4.8.1986 ”; 2♂, “ 5.8.1986 ”; 7♂, “ 9.8.1986 ”; 2♂, “ 10.8.1986 ”; 1♂, “ 14.8.1986 ”; 3♂, “ 15.8.1986 ”; 4♂, “ 16.8.1986 ”; 2♂, “ 17.8.1986 ”; 3♂, “ 18.8.1986 ”; 3♂, “ 19.8.1986 ”; 4♂, “ 20.8.1986 ”; 1♂, “ 21.8.1986 ”; 1♂, “ 24.8.1986 ”; 1♂, “ 26.8.1986 ”; 2♂, “ 27.8.1986 ”; 1♂, “ 28.8.1986 ”; 1♂, “ 29.8.1986 ”; 3♂, “ 30.8.1986 ”; 3♂, “ 31.8.1986 ”; 1♂, “ 1.9.1986 ”; 1♂, “ 2.9.1986 ”; 2♂, “ 3.9.1986 ”; 1♂, “ 5.9.1986 ”; 1♂, “ 6.9.1986 ”; 1♂, “ 7.9.1986 ”; 1♂, “ 8.9.1986 ”; 1♂, “ 10.9.1986 ”; 1♂, “ 17.9.1986 ” (all ZSM).

Additional material examined (all labelled: “ Curtonotum bicuspis sp. n. ♂ [or ♀] det. A.H. Kirk-Spriggs 2006– 2008”): 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) # 0002; 1♂, same except: [in spirit], BMSA (DNA) # 0003 (BMSA).

Distribution. Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe ( Figs 330 , 332 ). Widespread in the mesic savannas of southern Africa, as far north as Kenya, but largely absent from the arid south-west arid region ( Fig. 332 ).

Bionomics. Occurring in 15 major habitat types; predominately in Tropical and Subtropical Grasslands, Savannas and Shrublands and Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests, but also in four other vegetation types (Appendix III). Sampled in Malaise and pitfall traps and from the carcass of an Impala Aepyceros melampus (Lichtenstein, 1812) (Bovidae) , from a felled Cashew tree Anacardium occidentale L. ( Anacardiaceae ), and on the trunk of a Baobab (in company with C. cuthbertsoni Duda and C. unicuspis sp. n.) in South Africa. Attracted to decomposing fungi at dawn (in company with C. uncinatum sp. n. and C. unicuspis sp. n.), and at rest in burrows of the Aardvark (in company with C. uncinatum sp. n., C. unicuspis sp. n.) in Namibia. Also occurring in the same Aardvark burrow as C. cuthbertsoni and C. unicuspis sp. n. in north-eastern 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 118–123. Head and thorax (lateral view) of Afrotropical Curtonotum spp. (male unless stated). 118. C. tsacas sp. n. (♀ PT, South Africa, Kosi Bay Nature Reserve, BMSA). 119. C. gonzo sp. n. (PT, Nigeria, River Bagel, NMWC). 120. C. saheliense (N-T, Nigeria, Katsina, ZSM). 121. C. simile (N-T, Israel, Ne’ot Semadar, TAU). 122. C. bicuspis sp. n. (HT, Namibia, Salambala campsite, NMNW). 123. C. cimbebas sp. n. (HT, Namibia, Tsaobismund 85, NMNW). 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 268–276. Male terminalia of Afrotropical Curtonotum spp. 268–270. Hypandrium and epandrium (lateral view). 268. C. bicuspis sp. n. (PT, Namibia, Susuwe, NMNW). 269. C. cimbebas sp. n. (HT, Namibia, Tsaobismund 85, NMNW). 270. C. constance sp. n. (HT, Angola, 7 mi. N Vila Perreira d’Eça, MNHN). 271–273. Phallus (right lateral view). 271. C. bicuspis (same). 272. C. cimbebas (same). 273. C. constance (same). 274–276. Apical section of phallus (left lateral view). 274. C. bicuspis (same). 275. C. cimbebas (same). 276. C. constance (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.