Soliga, Ranjith & Priyadarsanan, 2022

Ranjith, A. P. & Priyadarsanan, Dharma Rajan, 2022, A new Darwin wasp genus, Soliga (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Metopiinae), from India, European Journal of Taxonomy 852 (1), pp. 57-76 : 67-69

Genus Soliga gen. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:AC6052D2-5479-4BC8-8B78-52FBB227F04D

Figs 14a–c , 17–20

Type species

Soliga ecarinata gen. et sp. nov.

Comparative diagnosis

The new genus Soliga gen. nov. is found to be unique in having the following combination of characters; propodeum without carinae, first metasomal tergite without dorsal carinae, midtibial spurs are equal in length and epicnemial carina largely incomplete or absent dorsally. We provisionally place the new genus to the group of four genera ( Sciron , Drepanoctonus , Hypsicera and Macromalon ) in having two mid tibial spurs equal in length. Apart from the apomorphic characters, the new genus differs from Sciron in having mesoscutum without notaulus, first metasomal tergite broad basally, laterotergite 3 narrow basally and ovipositor without subapical dorsal notch. Soliga differs from Drepanoctonus in having propodeum without carinae, smooth metapleuron and seventh metasomal tergite distinctly exposed. In addition to this the new genus can be distinguished from Hypsicera and Macromalon from the absence of laterotergite on second metasomal segment. Based on the presence of subequal midtibial spurs, Soliga comes close to Hypsicera along with other similar characters like absence of fore wing areolet, exposed seventh metasomal tergite and the presence of vertical carina anterior to epicnemial carina. But the new genus differs from the former in having propodeum and first metasomal tergite without carinae and posterior transverse carina of mesosternum straight medio-posteriorly. Even though reduction of epicnemial carina is found in one species of Exochus ( E. obezus Gauld & Sithole, 2002 ) the new genus can be distinctly separated from Exochus by following character, midtibial spurs are equal in length (outer spur distinctly shorter than inner spur in Exochus ).

Etymology

The new genus is named after ‘Soligas’, the indigenous tribe inhabiting the forests of Biligiri Rangana Hills and adjoining Male Mahadeshwara Hills of Chamarajnagar district, Karnataka. Largely dependent on the forests for livelihood, Soligas are known for their intimate knowledge about biodiversity and the forests. Recognising their stewardship towards forests and the wildlife, the community Forest rights of Soligas have been legally recognized - a first time inside a Tiger Reserve in India. Now the tiger reserve is co-managed by Soligas and the Karnataka State Forest Department.

Description

HEAD. Head wider than long ( Fig. 17b ). Eyes glabrous ( Figs 17a–e , 18a , 19a ), slightly emarginated near antennal torulus ( Fig. 17b–c ). Face convex in lateral view, distinctly setose ( Fig. 17a, d–e ). Face and clypeus smooth, sparsely setose, upper part of face produced dorso-medially into a triangular projection, not connected dorsally with longitudinal lamella between bases of antennae (although a low, lamella present), lamella not extending posterior to posterior edge of antennal torulus ( Fig. 17c ). Clypeus transverse, apical margin straight, slightly concave medially ( Fig. 17b ). Tentorial pit large ( Fig. 17b ). Malar space as long as basal width of mandible ( Fig. 17b ). Malar groove slightly impressed ( Figs 17b , 18a , 19a ). Mandible stout, not twisted with lower tooth distinctly reduced, upper tooth pointed ( Figs 17b , 18a ). Labrum concealed ( Fig. 17b ). Maxillary palps with five segments. Labial palps with four segments. Frons slightly elevated medially without median longitudinal groove or carina ( Fig. 17c ). Temple roundly narrowed behind eye ( Fig. 17c ). Posterior of head roundly sloping from posterior ocelli to level of occipital carina ( Fig. 17e ). Occipital carina complete dorsally ( Fig. 17c ), ventrally absent, not meeting with hypostomal carina ( Fig. 19a ). Antenna with flagellomeres longer than wide. Terminal flagellomere acuminate ( Fig. 17a ).

MESOSOMA. Mesosoma longer than high, not distinctly depressed ( Fig. 17a, e ). Propleuron not inflated laterally ( Figs 17a, d–e , 19a ). Epomia moderately strong, not meeting with dorsal edge of pronotum ( Figs 17a, d–e , 19a ). Mesoscutum without notauli except for a pair of large pit anteriorly ( Fig. 17f ). Scuto-scutellar sulcus smooth without crenulations ( Fig. 17f ). Scutellum without lateral carina ( Fig. 17f ). Mesopleuron inflated medially ( Figs 17a, d–e , 19a ). Epicnemial carina largely incomplete or absent laterally, extending just dorsal to ventral edge of pronotum ( Figs 17a, d–e , 19a ), present ventrally ( Fig. 18a ). Epicnemium with a short carina anterior to epicnemial carina ( Figs 17a, d–e , 19a ). Sternaulus absent ( Figs 17a, d–e , 19a ). Mesopleural groove not impressed ( Figs 17a, d–e , 19a ). Mesosternum without posterior transverse carina, at most medioventrally produced into a distinct flange ( Figs 17a, d–e , 19a ). Mesosternum with posterior transverse carina absent both medially and laterally, submedially with posteriorly protruding, triangular projections ( Fig. 18a ). Propodeum smooth without trace of carinae ( Fig. 18b ). Pleural carina present ( Fig. 17a, d–e ). Metapleuron with distinct metapleural flange ( Fig. 17d ). Juxtacoxal carina absent ( Fig. 17d ). Submetapleural carina complete, strongly raised anteriorly to a distinct large lobe ( Fig. 17d ).

WINGS. Fore wing without areolet ( Fig. 18d ). Vein 1cu-a strongly inclivous and distad M&RS ( Fig. 18d ). Vein 2rs-m distinctly shorter than vein M between 2rs-m and 2m-cu veins ( Fig. 18d ). Vein 2m-cu more or less straight ( Fig. 18d ). Hind wing with distal abscissa of CU distinct ( Fig. 18d ).

LEGS. Robust, all femora thickened ( Fig. 17a ). Fore tarsomeres 2–4 transverse ( Fig. 18a ). Fore tibia without apical tooth ( Fig. 18a ). Fore and mid trochanter undifferentiated ( Fig. 18a ). Hind and mid tibiae with two spurs ( Fig. 18a, c ). Mid tibial spurs equal ( Fig. 18c ). Outer spur of hind tibia shorter than inner spur ( Fig. 18c ). Apical tarsomeres without hooked lobe on inner side. Claws simple ( Figs 18a , 19b ).

METASOMA. Metasoma with seven visible tergites ( Figs 17a , 18e ). Metasomal tergites 1 and 2 separated ( Fig. 18f ). Metasomal tergite 1 slightly longer than posteriorly wide, broad posteriorly with lateral carina, dorsal and midlongitudinal carina absent ( Fig. 18f ). Second metasomal tergite without longitudinal carina ( Fig. 18f ). Metasomal tergites 2–7 wider than long ( Fig. 18f ). Metasomal tergites 3–5 with distinct laterotergites ( Figs 18e , 19b ). Laterotergite of metasomal tergite 2 narrow. Laterotergite of metasomal tergite 3 narrow basally broadly widened and rounded apically ( Fig. 19b ). Laterotergites 3–4 separated by a sharp crease ( Fig. 19b ). Laterotergite 5 not separated by crease ( Fig. 19b ). Metasomal tergite 7–8 distinctly exposed in male and female ( Figs 17a , 18e ). Metasomal sternites moderately sclerotized ( Fig. 19b ). Female subgenital plate straight apically in lateral view ( Figs 17a , 18e ), not incised ventrally. Ovipositor sheath exerted ( Figs 17a , 18e ). Ovipositor short without subapical notch ( Figs 17a , 18e ).

MALE GENITALIA. Paramere straight basally, separated in dorsal view ( Fig. 20a–b ). Paramere semicircularly incised apically forming pointed lobes, with long setae medio-laterally rest glabrous ( Fig. 20a–b ). Outer margin of paramere straight posterior half, diagonally narrowing anterior half ( Fig. 20a–b ). Inner margin of paramere not folded over, concave submedially, straight posterior half ( Fig. 20a–b ). Basal ring dorsally complete, angulate ventro-laterally, straight medially ( Fig. 20a–b ). Apodeme slightly longer than aedaegus ( Fig. 20a–b ).

Biology

Unknown.

Distribution

India (Karnataka and Nagaland) ( Fig. 21 ).

Figures

Fig. 14. a–c. Soliga ecarinata gen. et sp. nov. a. Propodeum, dorsal view. b. Metasomal tergites 1–2, dorsal view. c. Mesosoma, lateral view. d–f. Triclistus sp. d. Propodeum, dorsal view. e. Metasomal tergites 1–2, dorsal view. f. Mesosoma, lateral view. Arrow in Fig. 14a points to the absence of propodeal carinae (compared to the presence of propodeal carinae in Fig. 14d). Arrow in Fig. 14b points to the absence of dorsal carinae on first metasomal tergite (compared to the presence of dorsal carinae on first metasomal tergite in Fig. 14e). Arrow in Fig. 14c points to the incomplete epicnemial carina (compared to the complete epicnemial carina in Fig. 14f).

Fig. 17. Soliga ecarinata gen. et sp. nov., holotype, ♀ (AIMB). a. Habitus, lateral view. b. Head, anterior view. c. Head, dorsal view. d. Head and mesosoma, oblique view. e. Head and mesosoma, lateral view. f. Mesosoma, dorsal view.

Fig. 18. Soliga ecarinata gen. et sp. nov., holotype, ♀ (AIMB). a. Head and mesosoma, ventral view. b. Propodeum, dorsal view. c. Fore and mid legs. d. Fore wing. e. Metasoma, lateral view. f. Metasoma, dorsal view.

Fig. 19. Soliga ecarinatagen. et sp. nov., holotype, ♀ (AIMB). a. Head, ventro-lateral view.b. Metasoma, ventral view.

Fig. 20. Soliga ecarinata gen. et sp. nov., paratype, ♂(AIMB). a. Genitalia, dorsal view. b. Genitalia, ventral view.

Fig. 21. Collection localities of Soliga ecarinata gen. et sp. nov.