Bromeloecia aculatus Yau and Marshall, 2018

Yau, Tiffany & Marshall, Stephen A., 2018, A revision of the genus Bromeloecia Spuler (Diptera: Sphaeroceridae: Limosininae), Zootaxa 4445 (1), pp. 1-115 : 85-87

Bromeloecia aculatus Yau and Marshall sp. n.

(Figs. 18.1–18.14)

Description: Body length 1.0– 1.3 mm (males), 0.8–1.6 mm (females).

Head: Frons uniformly brown, frontal vitta sometimes paler at base of interfrontal setae. Postocellar setae large and parallel. Paravertical setae small and converging. Interfrontal setae in 4 pairs. Length of anterior fronto-orbital seta 0.8x posterior seta. Flagellomere 1 without depression on basal outer edge. Longest aristal branches three quarters length of basal aristomere. Eye ovoid; genal height 0.4x eye height; gena with 6–7 setulae at genal margin and anteroventral corner. Clypeus height subequal to width of palpus at base.

Thorax: One large prescutellar dorsocentral seta, remaining 2 postsutural dorsocentrals slightly longer than acrostichals. Katepisternum with 1 dorsal seta.

Wing: Costa with 1 costagial seta; costal section between humeral and subcostal break with 2 pairs of setae and a dorsal setula in between; costa ends at 4/5 of wing length. R2+3 straight. Angle between costa and R4+5 70°. Distance between radial fork and r-m 2.5x length of r-m; dm-cu subequal to length of r-m and distance between crossveins 0.5x length of dm-cu. M-pseudovein slightly bent towards costa in distal half and ending close to wing margin. CuA1 extends slightly beyond dm-cu and continues as pseudovein towards wing margin. Distal half of A1- pseudovein straight or only slightly curved.

WIPs: Cell r2+3 generally of uniform colour with a thin compact band of colour pattern at anterior edge. Basal angle of distal spot wide, 80°; ripple pattern skewed, larger gradient length towards wing tip; posterior edge elbowed at distal half. Distal colour incision wide.

Legs: Fore femur anterodorsally with 2 short golden hairs at base and posterodorsal half of femur with 1 strong seta; ventrally with 1 large ventrobasal seta, followed by a row of 4 regularly spaced setae, last setae strong, and a tight comb of 3–4 posteroventrally directed strong setae, anteroventrally with a comb of 3–4 ventrally directed strong setae at third quarter of femur, posteroventrally with 2 distal setae, basal seta stronger; femur shallowly depressed and smooth between ventral comb and posteroventral setae; female with 1 large ventrobasal seta and a continuous row of 8–9 posteroventral setae along length of femur, second last seta strong. Male fore tibia anteroventrally with a comb of 4 small stout setae on distal third quarter; tibia anterobasally depressed, anterodistally swollen, tibiotarsal joint laterally off-centered and peripherally depressed; female tibia simple. Mid tibia with a proximal and a middle anterodorsal seta, and a pair of distal dorsal (anterodorsal and dorsal) setae; ventral surface of mid tibia with small middle seta and no apical large seta. Hind tarsus simple, claws symmetrical.

Male abdomen and terminalia: Sternite 4 unmodified. S5 medially desclerotized, posterolateral corners triangular. Synsternite 6+7 with a hand-like apical lobe on anteroventral arm; medioventral lobe curving anterodorsally, gradually sclerotizing into left posterior lobe of modified sclerite; right posterior lobe of modified sclerite long and supporting membrane of genital pouch; left anterior lobe of modified sclerite broadly connected to anteroventral arm by weakly sclerotized connective plate; right anterior lobe of modified sclerite thimble-shaped, usually with a few tooth-like projections on medial surface; posteroventral lobe simple with medial sclerotized band. Anteroventral process on right side of epandrium long and tapering, articulating with anterior hypandrial apodeme. Subanal plate present with a pair of strong setae. Subepandrial sclerite T-shaped with thin lateral arms. Cerci thimble-shaped and narrowly separated. Surstylus simple with small anteromedial lobe and elongate posterior lobe; ventral surface with scattered setulae.

Hypandrium Y-shaped, lateral extension plate starts from distal third of posteromedial hypandrial processes; outer margin of extension plate and hypandrial process articulating with hypandrial arms. Phallapodeme symmetrical, distal end fan-like. Ejaculatory apodeme indistinguishable from ejaculatory bulb. Epiphallus strong, chin-like. Distiphallus WS bifurcated; LFS laterally strong, medially desclerotized; FDS distally flared; SDS basally flat, distally tapered.

Female abdomen and terminalia: S7 simple with 1 row of setae of alternating size across width of S7. Each half of T8 oblique triangle-shaped. S8 quadrate, but highly desclerotized. Epiproct glossy on lateral quarter. Cercus diamond-shaped, apical seta long. Each spermatheca with 1 large apical thimble-shaped pit and 1 shallow basal pit.

Type specimens: Holotype: ♂: ECUADOR: Zamora-Chinchipe: Zamora, Podocarpus National Park , Bombuscaro , El Mirador trail, 1000 m, yellow pans, 26 Feb–4 Mar 2009, M. Pollet & A. De Braekeleer ( UTPL).

Paratypes: BELIZE : Cayo: Mountain Pine Ridge , Hidden Valley Institute, broadleaf forest, 2500ʹ, dung trap, 10–15 Jan 1991, S. A. Marshall (1♂, 2♀, DEBU). COSTA RICA : Puntarenas: Osa Peninsula , Rincón, 2.5 km S, 08°42ʹ01ʺN, 083°30ʹ50ʺW, grassy area at forest margin, ~ 50 m, pan traps, 10–11 Aug 2001, K. N. Barber (1♂, DEBU); R. F. Golfo Dulce 24 km W Piedres Blancas , 200 m, 1 Dec 1990, P. Honson (2♂, 2♀, INBC, DEBU). ECUADOR : Guayas: 78 km N Santa Elena , 27 km S Puerto López , 500ʹ, dung trap, 25–27 Jul 1976, S. Peck (1♂, DEBU) ; Napo: Baeza, 24 km NE, 1300 m, carrion trap, 4–6 Mar 1976, S. Peck (1♂, 1♀, DEBU); Baeza, 17 km NE, 1400 m, carrion trap, 3–6 Mar 1976, S. Peck (3♂, 1♀, DEBU); Yasuní Natl. Pk., Yasuní Res. Stn., rainforest, Malaise trap, 3–20 Nov 1998, Pape & Viklund (1♀, DEBU); Pichincha: 28 km E Alluriquin , Chiriboga Road , moss forest, 5200ʹ, carrion trap, 19–27 Jul 1975, Peck (15♂, 11♀, QCAZ, DEBU); 4 km S Santo Domingo , Rio Palenque Station , 250 m, 17–25 Feb 1979, S. A. Marshall (3♂, 1♀, DEBU); 47 km S Santo Domingo , Rio Palenque , (dung/carrion?) traps, 30–31 May 1975, S. Peck (3♂, 2♀, DEBU) ; Zamora-Chinchipe: Zamora, Podocarpus National Park, Bombuscaro, Higuerones trail, 1000 m, white pan traps, 26 Feb–4 Mar 2009, Pollet & De Breakleer (1♂, 1♀, UTPL) ; ditto, red pans (4♂, 7♀, UTPL) ; ditto, yellow pans (3♂, 3♀, UTPL) ; Zamora, Podocarpus National Park, Bombuscaro, Higuerones trail, 1000 m, yellow pans, 21–26 Feb 2009, Pollet & De Breakleer (8♂, 3♀, UTPL); ditto, white pans (2♂, 3♀, UTPL) ; ditto, blue pans (1♀, UTPL) ; ditto, red pans (1♂, 2♀, UTPL) ; Zamora, Podocarpus National Park, Bombuscaro, Higuerones trail, 1000 m, yellow pans, 15–21 Feb 2009, M. Pollet & A. De Braekeleer (3♀, UTPL); Zamora, Podocarpus National Park, Bombuscaro, El Mirador trail, 1000 m, yellow pans, 21–26 Feb 2009, M. Pollet & A. De Braekeleer (1♂, 2♀, UTPL); ditto, 26 Feb–4 Mar 2009 (1♂, UTPL). MEXICO : Chiapas: Palenque, rainforest, 100 m, carrion trap, 6–9 Jul 1983, S. & J. Peck (1♂, DEBU). PUERTO RICO: Río Grande: El Verde Station , Colorado forest, dung traps, 1–6 Feb 1989, S. A. Marshall (2♂, 3♀, DEBU) ; Liquillo: Liquillo N. F. Lesser Ant., El Junque Rd. Field #, 11.4 km, dung trap, 5 Jul 1977, R. E. Woodruff (2♀, DEBU). GUYANA : Rupununi: Kurupukari, Essequibo R., 1° rainforest, 200ʹ, dung trap, 9 Oct 1990, B. Hubley (1♀, DEBU).

Other material examined: BELIZE: Cayo: Mountain Pine Ridge, Hidden Valley Institute , grass-pine, 2500ʹ, dung trap, 10–15 Jan 1991, S. A. Marshall (1♀, DEBU). BOLIVIA : La Paz: Caranavi , ca. 10 km NW, road to ENTEL tower, 15°46ʹ35ʺS, 067°35ʹ48ʺW, 1400 m, dung pans, 13 Apr 2001, S. A. Marshall (1♂, DEBU). BRAZIL : Bahia: 15 km NE Porto Seguro (Ecological Reserve “ Pau-Brasil ”), 1° Atlantic forest , Shannon-trap , 19– 27 Feb 1986, Dalton & Vera Cristina S. Amorim (1♀, DEBU). COLOMBIA : Amazonas: Leticia , 28 Feb 1974, V. Nealis (1♂, DEBU) ; Norte de Santander: 20 mi S Cúcuta Quebrada Honda , 2500ʹ, carrion trap, 13–15 May 1974, S. Peck (3♂, DEBU). COSTA RICA : Cartago: Turrialba CATIE , 600 m, 28 Feb 1980, H. & A. Howden (2♀, DEBU); Heredia: La Selva Biol. Stn., 3 km S Puerto Viejo , 10°26ʹ00ʺN, 084°01ʹ00ʺW, 80 m, FIT, 2–5 Jun 2001, S. Chatzimanolis (2♂, DEBU) ; La Selva Biol. Stn., 3 km S Puerto Viejo , 10°26ʹ00ʺN, 084°01ʹ00ʺW, 80 m, FIT, 20–23 Jun 2001, S. Chatzimanolis (3♀, DEBU) ; La Virgen , 16 km SSE, 10°16ʹ00ʺN, 084°05ʹ00ʺW, 1050–1150 m, 21 May 2001 (1♂, DEBU) ; Limon: Estrella Valley Pandora, carrion trap, 20 Feb 1984, H. Howden (1♂, 1♀, DEBU) ; Estrella Valley Pandora, Malaise, 28 Mar 1984, G. V. Manley (1♀, DEBU) ; Puntarenas: Corcovado NP, San Pedrillo , 08°37ʹ15ʺN, 083°44ʹ06ʺW, beach, 1–50 m, sweep, 11 Aug 2001, S. A. Marshall (1♂, DEBU) ; Osa Peninsula , Rincón, 2.5 km S, 08°42ʹ01ʺN, 083°30ʹ50ʺW, secondary forest, ~ 50 m, fish pitfalls, 10–11 Aug 2001 (1♂, 2♀, DEBU) ; Osa Peninsula , Rincón, 2.5 km S, 08°42ʹ01ʺN, 083°30ʹ50ʺW, primary forest, ~ 50 m, dung pitfalls, 11 Aug 2001 (1♀, DEBU) ; Osa Peninsula, Corcovado NP, San Pedrillo , 08°37ʹ02ʺN, 083°44ʹ00ʺW, forest, pan traps, 12–14 Aug 2001, K. N. Barber (1♀, DEBU) ; San José: San Carlos, Rios Paraíso Res., Pecarí Stn., 16 km NNE Quepos , 09°33ʹ53ʺN, 084°07ʹ32ʺW, 400 m, 15 Feb 2003, S. A. Marshall (1♂, DEBU). CUBA : Santiago: Grand Piedra Isabelica , elfin forest, 1100 m, carrion trap, 6–7 Dec 1995, S. Peck (3♂, 5♀, DEBU) ; Grand Piedra Isabelica , elfin forest, 1100 m, FIT, 7–17 Dec 1995, S. Peck (1♀, DEBU) ; Grand Piedra Isabelica, Met. Radar, elfin forest, 1100 m, dung trap, 6–17 Dec 1995, S. Peck (1♀, DEBU); Grand Piedra Segundo Chorroito , km8, forest stream, 600 m, FIT, 7–17 Dec 1995, S. Peck (1♀, DEBU). DOMINICAN REPUBLIC : Barahona: 7 km NW Paraiso , rainforest remnant, 200 m, fungus on logs, 27 Nov 1991, S. & J. Peck (1♂, DEBU) ; Pedernales: 28 km N Cabo Rojo , evergreen dry forest, 760 m, carrion trap, 29 Nov–3 Dec 1991, S. & J. Peck (5♂, 4♀, DEBU). ECUADOR : Esmeraldas: La Chiquita , dung, 7–8 Jun 1975, S. Peck (2♀, 4♀, DEBU) ; 11 km SE San Lorenzo, La Chiquita , dung trap, 10–11 Jun 1975, S. & J. Peck (1♀, DEBU) ; 11 km SE San Lorenzo, La Chiquita , 5 m, dung trap, 10–11 Jun 1975, S. Peck (5♂, 8♀, DEBU) ; ditto, 6–7 Jun 1975 (2♂, 2♀, DEBU) ; ditto, carrion trap, 9–10 Jun 1975 (1♀, DEBU) ; Pichincha: 23 km E Alluriquin Chiriboga Ret. , 4600ʹ, dung, 19–27 Jun 1975, S. Peck (11♂, 11♀, DEBU) ; 113 km via Puerto Quito , 738-817 m, dung trap, 25–29 Aug 1976, J. Cohen (1♀, DEBU) ; 47 km S Santo Domingo, Rio Palenque Station , 250 m, dung, 17–25 Feb 1979, S. A. Marshall (6♂, 7♀, DEBU) ; 47 km S Santo Domingo, Rio Palenque Station , 26–27 May 1975, S. Peck (1♀, DEBU) ; Rio Palenque , dung, 25 Feb 1979, S. A. Marshall (11♂, 19♀, DEBU) ; ditto, 27 Feb 1979 (1♀, DEBU) ; Rio Palenque , carrion, 25 Feb 1979, S. A. Marshall (9♂, 9♀, DEBU) ; ditto, 27 Feb 1979 (1♂, 1♀, DEBU) ; Rio Palenque , J. Glasser trap, 26 Feb 1976, S. Peck (2♀, DEBU) ; Tinalandia, wet lower montane rainforest, 1120 m, Malaise head, 9–13 May 1987, L. D. Coote & B. V. Brown (1♂, DEBU) ; Napo: Tena , 12 km SW, dung trap, 8–11 Jul 1976 (1♀, DEBU) ; Tena , 12 km SW, 500 m, dung trap, 8–11 Jul 1976 (2♂, 3♂, DEBU) ; Tena , 12 km SW, 500 m, dung trap, 8–11 Aug 1976, S. Peck (1♂, 3♀, DEBU) ; Zamora-Chinchipe : Zamora, Podocarpus National Park, Bombuscaro, Higuerones trail, 1000 m, yellow pans, 26 Feb–4 Mar 2009, M. Pollet & A. De Braekeleer (1♂, UTPL). GUATEMALA : Izabal: Izabal, 350 m, Malaise trap, 14 Dec 1986, M. J. Sharkey (1♀, DEBU) ; Zacapa: 3.5 km SE La Union , 1500 m, FIT, 25–27 Jun 1993, J. Ashe & R. Brooks (1♀, dEBU). GUYANA : Potaro-Siparuni: Mount Wokomung , 05°06ʹ35ʺN, 059°49ʹ15ʺW, 1° rainforest, 1234 m, human dung pitfall trap, 27 Oct–1 Nov 2004, B. Hubley (1♂, DEBU). MEXICO : Tabasco: 46 mi SE Villahermosa , km 74, 2° veg. rainforest, 150ʹ, human dung, 8–15 Aug 1971, A. Newton (1♂, DEBU). PANAMA : Panamá: Canal Zone, Madden Forest , carrion trap, 10–13 Jun 1977, S. Peck (13♂, 4♀, DEBU). PERU : Cusco: Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge, NE Paucartambo , 13°03ʹ18ʺS, 071°32ʹ42ʺW, 1120 m, FIT, 4–9 Nov 2007, D. Brzoska (1♂, DEBU) ; Madre de Dios: Amazonas Lodge, N of Atalaya , 12°52ʹ12ʺN, 071°22ʹ36ʺW, 480 m, FIT, 10–13 Nov 2007, D. Brzoska (1♀, DEBU) ; Manu Natl. Pk. Cocha Cashu Biol. Sta., 380 m, Malaise trap, 23–30 Aug 1986, D. C. Darling (2♂, DEBU). PUERTO RICO : Río Grande: El Verde , dung traps, 1–6 Feb 1989, S. A. Marshall (4♂, 1♀, DEBU). TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO : Eastern Tobago: 10 km NE Roxborough, Gilpin Trail , rainforest, 450 m, carrion traps, 26–31 Jun 1993, S. & J. Peck (2♂, DEBU) ; 10 km NE Roxborough, Gilpin Trail , montane rainforest, 400–500 m, FIT, 26–31 Jun 1993, S. & J. Peck (1♂, DEBU). VENEZUELA : Aragua: Henri Pittier National Park, Rancho Grande La Toma , 9 Apr 1994, L. Masner (1♂, DEBU) ; Bolívar: 135 km S El Dorado , 1400 m, dung traps, 20 Jul–Aug 1986, B. Gill (1♂, 2♀, DEBU) ; Quebrada de Jaspe , 19–20 Jul 1986, B. Gill (1♀, DEBU) ; Táchira: 20 km NE San Cristóbal, 4000ʹ, dung trap, 18–22 May 1974, S. Peck (1♀, DEBU).

Etymology: Bromeloecia aculatus is named for the pointed posterolateral angles of male S5 (Latin ‘acuo’: make pointed, sharpen, whet; Latin ‘latus’: side, flank)

Comments: Some additional specimens from Costa Rica (Heredia, La Virgen) and Panama (Chiriqu í, Lagunas) (not included here) are almost identical to B. aculatus except for a huge dark palpus laterally covered with dense microtrichia and subtle differences in the shape of the surstylus and cercus.

Although B. aculatus antennae have comparatively long aristal branches, approximately three quarters as long as the basal aristomere (usually shorter in other Bromeloecia species), they are not as long as those of B. bromeliarum . In the latter species, the silhouette of the arista is relatively broad, more so in basal and distal portions.