Brueelia binhchauensis Najer & Sychra

Najer, Tomas, Sychra, Oldrich, Kounek, Filip, Papousek, Ivo & Hung, Nguyen Manh, 2014, Chewing lice (Phthiraptera: Amblycera and Ischnocera) from wild birds in southern Vietnam, with descriptions of two new species, Zootaxa 3755 (5), pp. 419-433 : 423-426

Brueelia binhchauensis Najer & Sychra , new species

( Figs 1 A–B, 2A–D, 5A–B)

Type host: Megalaima lineata (Vieillot, 1816) —Lineated barbet.

Male (n = 7) ( Figs 1 A, 5A). Head slightly shorter than wide (HL/TW = 0.93–0.95), with postantennal region longer than the preantennal (PAL/POL = 0.95), and a slightly concave anterior margin ( Fig. 2 B, 5B). Marginal carina complete with straight lateral margins and an anterior hyaline margin; anterior portion indented with a rounded area of sclerotization within the indentation (type “b” in Johnson et al. 2002) ( Fig. 2 B). Metanotum with 8 setae (2 short, 4 medium long and 2 long) on each side of posterior margin. The outermost lateral short seta is also included.

Tergal setae: postspiracular seta present on each side of tergites IV–VIII; postspiracular accessory and tergal posterior setae absent on tergites II–VIII; sutural setae short (0.40–0.50) present on each side of tergites VI–VIII. Tergite IX–X narrow and divided medially with 2 long and 4–6 short setae, on each side; tergite XI with 6–8 setae ( Fig. 2 C). Abdominal sterna II–VII with a pair of short lateral setae. Paratergal setae: II–III, 0; IV–V, 0–1; VI, 1–2; VII, 2–3; VIII, 3. Internal incrassations in pleural areas relatively wide, moderately pigmented (type “b” in Johnson et al. 2002). Male genitalia as in Fig. 2 A: with stout parameres with enlarged round bases, one sensilla and one minute subapical seta each; endomeral complex with conspicuous central “hole” with serrated anterior margin and 4–5 short setae on each side. Dimensions: PAW, 0.35–0.37; PAL, 0.18–0.19; TW, 0.42; POL, 0.19–0.20; HL, 0.39– 0.40; PW, 0.27; ML, 0.16–0.17; MW, 0.36–0.39; AWV, 0.52–0.56; AL, 0.78–0.91; TL, 1.44–1.57; GW, 0.10–0.12.

Female (n = 5) ( Figs 1 B, 5B). Head shape as for male (HL/TW = 0.91–0.96), with preantennal region longer than the postantennal (PAL/POL = 1.1). Metanotum with 7 setae (1 very short, 2 short, 1 medium long, 2 long and 1 very long) on each postero-lateral margin. The outermost lateral short seta is also included.

Tergal setae: postspiracular seta present on each side of tergites IV–VIII; postspiracular accessory and tergal posterior setae absent on tergites II–VIII; sutural seta present on each side of tergites VII–VIII. In one specimen, the sutural setae on tergite VII are absent on both sides. Tergite VIII with one medium long and 2 long setae on each postero-lateral corner; tergite IX–X with 1–2 short and 2–3 long setae, on each side. Paratergal setae: II–III, 0; IV–V, 0–1; VI, 1–2; VII, 2–3; VIII, 2–3. Ventral terminalia as in Fig. 2 D, subgenital plate wide; vulval margin significantly convex, with 8–12 spine-like and 10–14 fine minute setae. Dimensions: PAW, 0.39–0.42; PAL, 0.20– 0.22; TW, 0.45–0.47; POL, 0.19–0.21; HL, 0.41–0.45; PW, 0.28–0.30; ML, 0.17–0.20; MW, 0.39–0.42; AWV, 0.63–0.71; AL, 1.05–1.19; TL, 1.78–1.90.

Type material. Holotype ♂ ex Megalaima lineata , VIETNAM: surroundings of the ranger station in the central part of the park, Binh Chau—Phuoc Buu National Park, Ba Ria—Vung Tau Province, Dong Nam Bo Region (10°31' N, 107°28' E), 27 September 2011, Najer & Sychra leg. ( IEBR VAST, O. Sychra V65). Paratypes: 1♂, 2♀ with the same data as holotype ( IEBR VAST, O. Sychra V63 and V65); 2♂, 2♀ with the same data as holotype ( MMBC, O. Sychra V64 and V66); 1♂, 1♀ with the same data as holotype ( BMNH, O. Sychra V67).

Remarks. The holotype male ( Fig. 5A ) has a more concave anterior margin than the paratypes, but it was probably distorted during the preparation of the slide. Despite this fact, we selected this specimen as holotype because it has clearly visible genitalia. On the other hand, all paratype males have an slightly concave anterior margin as in females ( Fig. 5 B), but they have distorted genitalia. Brueelia punjabensis ( Ansari, 1947) , from Megalaima virens (Boddaert, 1783) , and Brueelia binhchauensis are the only species of Brueelia known from the family Megalaimidae . Both species are very close morphologically. In particular, they have the same head shape with preantennal region as long as the postantennal and a straight entire marginal carina with slightly concave anterior margin. This feature places both species close to three other species of Brueelia known from Vietnamese birds: B. alophoixi Sychra, 2009 , B. elbeli Ansari, 1957 and B. glandarii (Denny, 1842) . Both Brueelia binhchauensis and B. punjabensis can be easily separated from B. alophoixi by body shape, the latter being much longer and narrower (see Sychra et al. 2009, figs 1, 3). Brueelia binhchauensis can be separated from B. elbeli and B. glandarii by their different chaetotaxy, especially by the presence of postspiracular acessory and tergal posterior setae on some tergites in both latter species and sutural setae on all tergites in B. glandarii (see Ansari 1956, 1957b). Finally, Brueelia binhchauensis can be separated from B. punjabensis by the following combination of features: (1) a characteristic chaetotaxy, especially with sutural setae on tergites VI–VIII ( Figs 1 A–B); (2) the shape of male genitalia, especially the endomeral complex with large central “hole” ( Fig. 2 A); and (3) a shorter head (HL not more than 0.45 vs. HL 0.47–0.48).

Etymology. The species epithet derives from the name of the Binh Chau—Phuoc Buu National Park, situated in southern Vietnam, which is also the type locality of this new louse species.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Brueelia binhchauensis: A, dorso-ventral view of male. B, dorso-ventral view of female. Scales = 0.50 mm for both figures.

FIGURE 2. Brueelia binhchauensis: A, male genitalia. B, dorso-ventral view of head of male. C, dorsal view of male terminalia. D, ventral view of female terminalia. Scales = 0.10 mm for all figures.

FIGURE 5. A, Holotype male of Brueelia binhchauensis. B, Paratype female of Brueelia binhchauensis. C, Holotype male of Brueelia malacocincla. D, Paratype female of Brueelia malacocincla. Scale = 0.50 mm for all figures.