Lispe nicobarensis Schiner

Pont, Adrian C., 2019, Studies on the Australian Muscidae (Diptera). VIII. The genus Lispe Latreille, 1797, Zootaxa 4557 (1), pp. 1-232 : 52-56

Lispe nicobarensis Schiner

( Figs 98–107 )

Lispe nicobarensis Schiner, 1868: 297 .

Lispa binotata Becker, 1914: 81 .

Xenolispa albimacula Malloch, 1923: 610 .

Xenolispa albimaculata (error).— Séguy, 1937: 187.

Xenolispa albimacula .— Lee, Crust & Sabrosky, 1956: 306.

Lispe albimacula .— Pont, 1989: 692.

Lispe nicobarensis .— Vikhrev, 2016: 246, fig. 42.

Type-material. L. nicobarensis . Described from a single unsexed specimen from Tellnschong on the Nicobar Is, L. nicobarensis was synonymised with L. sydneyensis Schiner by Stein (1919: 143) who considered L. sydneyensis and L. nicobarensis to be ♂ and ♀ of the same species. However, study of the ♀ holotype of L. nicobarensis , in NMW, shows that it is not the ♀ of L. sydneyensis Schiner but rather of L. albimacula Malloch , which name it must replace. This holotype is in good condition, with only right hind tarsomeres missing. It is labelled "Novara-R. / Nicobar" and "nicobarensis / det. B.B." [Brauer & Bergenstamm].

L. albimacula . The holotype ♂ of L. albimacula , from Babinda, is in USNM and has been studied in the course of this revision. It is in good condition and is labelled as type by Malloch. The presumed allotype and ♂ paratype have also been studied in the USNM. The ♀ paratype is lost ( Lee, Crust & Sabrosky, 1956: 306).

L. binotata was described from: " 13♂, 26♀ aus Tainan, Insel Formosa, Mai 1912; Kankau Sept, 1912; Kosempo Mai 1912; Psilan August 1912 (Sauter)". The primary syntype series is in SDEI ( Rohlfien & Ewald, 1974: 113), where I have studied it and where there are 2♂ 7♀ undoubted syntypes, labelled as identified by Becker (see Pont & Werner, 2006: 28). Other specimens from Taiwan under L. binotata were identified by Stein, Malloch and Karl, and there are also specimens identified by Becker with data other than those given in the original description.

1♂ in excellent condition is from Kankau, ix.1912 (Sauter), and is labelled by Becker as binotata . I have labelled it and designate it herewith as lectotype. The other syntypes in SDEI are labelled as paralectotypes: Pilam [cited by Becker as "Psilan"], viii.1912 (Sauter), 1♂ 1♀; Tainan, v.1912 (Sauter), 2♀; Kankau, ix.1912 (Sauter), 1♀; Kosempo, v.1912 (Sauter), 3♀.

Other syntypes have been located, and labelled as paralectotypes, as follows: 3♂ 4♀ in ZMHU, from Tainan, v.1912 (1♂), Kosempo, v.1912 (1♂), Kankau, ix.1912 (1♂ 3♀), Pilam [not Psilan], viii.1912 (1♀); 1♂ 1♀ (under albimacula ) in USNM, from Kankau, ix.1912, Sauter (♂), and 7.ix.1912 (♀); additionally in USNM (under binotata ), another 1♂ 1♀ from Kankau , 7.v.1912, Sauter, which are not syntypes as the date is not as originally given; 1♀ in SMT from Kosempo , v.1912 ( Pont, 2001a: 465); 1♀ ( BMNH) .

Diagnosis. In the ♂ of this species the armature of the mid tarsomeres ( Fig. 98 ) and of the hind leg ( Fig. 99– 100 ) is unique.

Material examined. AUSTRALIA: No locality data, 1♀ ( QDPC) . Northern Territory: 55 km SSW of Darwin , 12.52S, 130.35E, Malaise trap, M. Hoskins, 1♀ ( ANIC) ; E Alligator River, Oenpelli , 25.x.1948, J.E. Bray, 1♀ ( AMS) . Queensland: 4 miles S of Atherton , 2.v.1955, K.R. Norris & I.B.F. Common, 1♀ ( ANIC) ; Babinda , no date, J.F. Illingworth, holotype ♂, allotype ♀ and 1♂ paratype of L. albimacula Malloch ( USNM) ; Bamboo Creek, near Miallo , N of Mossman, 25.iv.1967, D.H. Colless, 3♂ 2♀ ( ANIC, BMNH) ; Bellenden Ker Nat. Park, small pool near Babinda Creek , dense rainforest, 8.x.1995, J. Stein, 1♂ 1♀ ( NMWC) ; Belougery Creek, Warrumbungle Nat. Park , 31.17S, 148.59E, Malaise trap, 13–15.i.1994, M.E. Irwin & D.K. Yeates, 1♀ ( QMBA) ; Big Mitchell Creek, Mareeba-Molloy Road , 4.v.1967, D.H. Colless, 2♂ ( ANIC) ; Brisbane , 9.vii.1955, D.J. Woodland, 1♀ ( QMBA) ; Cairns , 28.xii.1964, C.F. Ashby, 1♀ ( ANIC) ; Cape Tribulation , 16.04S, 145.28E, 17.xii.1986, G. Daniels & M.A. Schneider, 4♀ ( QMBA) ; Claudie River, Mt Lamond, 29.v.1966, D.K. McAlpine, 1♂ ( AMS) ; C.R. E.B. track, Baird Creek crossing, 19 km N of Daintree, rainforest, 27.xi.1985, D.K. Yeates, 5♂ 4♀ ( QMBA) ; Crediton Creek, Eungella N.P., 920 m, rain forest, yellow pans, 30.xi.1992, D.J. Bickel, 1♂ ( AMS) ; Crystal Cascades, Cairns , 19.iv.1967, D.H. Colless, 1♂ ( ANIC) ; Daintree Nat. Park, Cape Tribulation, Oliver Creek , near Maardja Trail , Malaise trap across creek, 16.08S, 145.27E, 2–4.vi.1997, J. & A. Skevington, 4♀ ( QMBA) ; Earl Hill , N of Cairns, 8.v.1967, D.H. Colless, 3♂ 4♀ ( ANIC) ; "Eclectus", Iron Range , 20 m, 12.45.46S, 143.17.10E, 10.vii.1997, G. & A. Daniels, 1♀ ( QMBA) ; same locality, Malaise trap, 16.ix.2000, G. & A. Daniels, 1♀ ( QMBA) ; Ellis Beach , N of Cairns, 21.iv.1967, D.H. Colless, 1♂ ( ANIC) ; Eurimbula, Miriam Vale district , site 4, fruit trap, 26.iii.1975, D.K. McAlpine, 1♀ ( AMS) ; Gillies Highway , 2 miles W of Little Mulgrave, 18.iv.1967, D.H. Colless, 1♀ ( ANIC) ; Dordon Creek area, Claudie River district , some with m. v. lamp , 28.vi–7.vii.1982, G. Daniels & M.A. Schneider, 9♀ ( QMBA, BMNH) ; 7–14 miles W of Herberton, via Watsonville , 1.v.1967, D.H. Colless, 1♂ ( ANIC) ; Herberton Range, 4.5 km W Atherton, rainforest, 1100 m, 25.xi.1985, D.K. Yeates, 1♂ ( QMBA) ; 14 km W by N of Hope Vale Mission , 15.16S, 144.59E, at light, 7.v.1981, D.H. Colless, 1♀ ( ANIC) ; Iron Range , 13.vi.1971, J. Feehan, 1♂ ( ANIC) ; Kuranda, 15 km NE of Cairns, Jum Rum Creek near small pool, monsoon forest, ca 1000 ft, 6.x.1995, J. Stein, 1♀ ( NMWC) ; Kuranda Range State Forest , 7–8 miles Black Mt. Road, 20.iv.1967, D.H. Colless, 2♀ ( ANIC) ; Little Forks, Annan River , 15.49S 145.14E, Malaise trap, 19.x.1980, D.H. Colless, 1♀ ( ANIC) ; 3 km SW by S of Mt Baird , 15.1S, 145.07E, Malaise trap, 3–4.v.1981, D.H. Colless, 7♂ 8♀ ( ANIC, BMNH; Mt Bartle Frere, east base, 80 feet, 24.iv.1955, K.R. Norris & I.B.F. Common, 1♀ ( ANIC) ; Mt Cook Nat. Park , 15.29S, 145.16E, Malaise trap, 10.v.1981, D.H. Colless, 1♂ ( ANIC) ; 5–8 miles Mt Lewis Road off Mossman—Mt Mulloy Road , 22.iv.1967, D.H. Colless, 2♂ 3♀ ( ANIC) ; Mt Webb Nat. Park , 15.04S, 145.07E, Malaise trap, 28.iv.1981, D.H. Colless, 1♀ ( ANIC) ; 3 km NE of Mt Webb , 15.03S, 145.09E, Malaise trap, 30.iv.1981, D.H. Colless, 1♀ ( ANIC) ; Middle Claudie River , m. v. lamp , 29.vi.1982, M.A. Schneider & G. Daniels, 7♂ 2♀ ( QMBA, BMNH) ; Moses Creek 4 km N by E of Mt Finnigan, Malaise trap, 15.x.1980, D.H. Colless, 1♀ ( ANIC) ; Mossman Gorge, 24.iv.1967, D.H. Colless, 1♀ ( ANIC) ; 2 miles W of Paluma , 3000 ft, m. v. lamp , 13.i.1970, G.A. Holloway, 2♀ ( AMS) ; Murrays Spring, 7 km W of Musselbrook Resource Centre, Lawn Hill Nat. Park , 18.35.15S, 138.04.28E, 200 m, 13.v.1995, G. Daniels & M.A. Schneider, 1♂ ; 13 miles W of Ravenshoe, Mt Garnet Road , 2.v.1967, D.H. Colless, 1♀ ( ANIC) ; Rocky Creek , 7 miles N of Atherton, 3.v.1967, D.H. Colless, 1♂ ( ANIC) ; 5 km W by N of Rounded Hill , 15.17S, 145.10E, Malaise trap, 7–8.x.1980, D.H. Colless, 2♂ 2♀ ( ANIC, BMNH) ; Upper Mulgrave River , 8 miles Goldsborough Road, 9.v.1967, D.H. Colless, 1♀ ( ANIC) ; 3 km NE of Mt Webb , 15.03S, 145.09E, Malaise trap, 2–3.x.1980, D.H. Colless, 3♂ 5♀ ( ANIC, BMNH) ; West Claudie River , 7 km W road junction, 12.43S, 143.12E, m. v. lamp , 29.xi.1986, G. Daniels & M.A. Schneider, 1♂ ( QMBA) ; West Claudie River , 4 km SW road junction, 12.44S, 143.15E, Malaise trap, 29.xi. 1986, G. Daniels & M.A. Schneider, 1♀ ( QMBA) ; Yungaburra ( State Forest 452), 29.iv.1967, D.H. Colless, 1♂ ( ANIC) .

Vikhrev (2016: 246) mentioned the occurrence of this species in Queensland, without specifying any localities.

Other material. INDONESIA, Sulawesi: no further data, 1♀ ( OUMNH) . PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Central Province: Aroana Estate, Aroa River , 29.xi & 3.xii.1963, D.K. McAlpine, 7♂ 3♀ ( AMS, BMNH) ; 12 km NW of Brown River bridge, forest edge, 18.v.1986, J.W. Ismay, 3♂ 1♀ ( BMNH) ; Eilogo Creek , rain forest, 18.vii.1982, J.W. Ismay, 5♀ ( BMNH) ; near Eilogo , rainforest, 10.x.1982, J.W. Ismay, 1♂ ( BMNH) ; Eilogo Creek , 500 m, forest, 18.xi.1984, J.W. Ismay, 1♂ ( BMNH) ; Goldie River Barracks, shaded stream, 11.viii.1985, J.W. Ismay, 1♂ ( BMNH) ; 23 km SE of Kwikila , rainforest, 7.ii.1981, J.W. Ismay, 1♂ 1♀ ( BMNH) ; Laloki , muddy river bank, 2.viii.1984, J.W. Ismay, 1♀ ( BMNH) ; 20 km SE of Port Moresby, bushes, 27.ii.1982, J.W. Ismay, 5♂ 6♀ ( BMNH) ; same locality, stream, 16.v.1981, J.W. Ismay, 3♂ 2♀ ( BMNH) ; same locality, creek bed, 15.viii.1981, J.W. Ismay, 1♂ ( BMNH) ; same locality, swept over mud, 13 & 27.ii.1982, J.W. Ismay, 2♂ 3♀ ( BMNH) ; same locality, swept from mud, 17.vii.1982, J.W. Ismay, 1♂ 3♀ ( BMNH) ; Waitape , 1600 m, river margin, 9.vi.1986, J.W. Ismay, 1♂ ( BMNH) ; East Sepik Province: Imbia, near Maprik , 18.xii.1963, D.K. McAlpine, 1♀ ( AMS) ; Morobe Province: Wau , 1200 m, one on path, 11.ix.1981, J.W. Ismay, 1♂ 1♀ ( BMNH) ; Wau, Wau Ecol. Inst. , 1200 m, Malaise trap, 1–10.viii.1983, S.E. & P.M. Miller, 1♂ ( USNM) ; Oro Province: Mamba , mud, 1.iii.1983, J.W. Ismay, 2♂ 2♀ ( BMNH) ; same locality, riverside, 3.iii.1983, 1♀, J.W. Ismay ( BMNH) ; Western Highlands Province: Mt Hagen, 1600 m, forest and riverside, 6.v.1984, J.W. Ismay, 1♂ 1♀ ( BMNH) . Aitape subdistrict: Marok , vi.1961, R.D. Hoogland, 1♂ ( ANIC) . NEW BRITAIN: Keravat , 23–30.vi.1965, R.W. Crosskey, 1♀ ( BMNH) . BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO: Mussau I., Talumalaus, some in Malaise traps and by mercury light, 18.i–5.ii.1962, Noona Dan Expedition 1961–62, 15♂ 36♀ ( ZMUC, BMNH) . VANUATU: Esp. Santo, Turtle Bay , 11.v–26.vi.1944, J. Laffoon, 3♂ 4♀ ( USNM) .

Description ♂ ♀. Head. Ground-colour black. Frons at broadest point 0.41-0.42, at lunula 0.38, of maximum head-width (frontal view). Eye with an area of facets alongside lunula conspicuously enlarged. Most of frontoorbital plate matt to subshining black, only silvery at lunula; parafacial, facial ridges, face and gena yellow, the face and facial ridges more brown to dark brown; lower half of occiput silvery pruinose, upper half dark brown, subshining at vertex. Ocellar setae short and fine. Vte not distinct from post-ocular setulae. Lower reclinate orbital seta short but usually present. Frontal triangle slender, shining black. Parafacial moderate, at middle 1/2 width of postpedicel; setulae short, fine, in several rows. Antenna black; postpedicel 2.4 (♂) or 2.9 (♀) times as long as broad, falling short of mouth-margin by almost its length. Arista plumose, the hairing at widest point 1.6 (♂) or 2.1 (♀) times width of postpedicel. Vibrissa strong but short, set above mouth-margin (as in L. sydneyensis , Fig. 83 ), vibrissal area otherwise with few setulae. Gena moderate, 0.13-0.14 of vertical eye-length; genal setae rather dense and strong. Palpus yellow, swollen at tips (as in L. sydneyensis , Fig. 84 ).

Thorax. Ground-colour black. Scutum brown dusted, usually with faint traces of 3 darker brown vittae along the dc and acr lines, but these sometimes scarcely discernible; scutellum dark brown dusted on disc and on sides; pleura light grey dusted, notopleuron brown. Anterior spiracle brown. Acr setulae in 2–3(–4) irregular rows at suture. Dc 0+1, preceded by a tiny seta in ♀, otherwise with only ground-setulae along the dc lines. 1 strong pprn. 0+0 ia. 0+1 sa, sometimes a short weak prst setula present. 1 proepisternal seta, with an adjacent setula. 1 proepimeral seta, with 2–4 tiny adjacent setulae. Anepisternum without a short seta in upper anterior corner; posterior row with only 1 strong seta and several setulae. 3 kepst, only the posterior one strong, lower one short and fine, anterior one longer than lower one. Meron bare below spiracle, often with a few tiny setulae above hind coxa. Scutellum with disc sparsely setulose, bare on sides; with some soft pale hairs on ventral surface at tip.

Legs. Mostly black, fore and mid trochanters yellow, mid knee broadly reddish (especially in ♀), and hind leg with extreme tip of femur and base of tibia yellow. Fore coxa bare behind. Fore femur without av setae; with 2–3 short pv setae before apex; pd row short, weak basally. Fore tibia slightly expanded in ♀; without submedian setae; with short d and pv apical setae. Fore tarsus not modified. Mid femur constricted in apical half; without av or pv setae; without preapical ad; 1 p preapical. Mid tibia with 0 ad and 1 p; with 1 long v apical, and shorter a and p and very short d. Mid tarsus without modifications in ♂ except for 2-3 long ventral setulae at apical third of basal tarsomere ( Fig. 98 ). Hind coxa without a seta on posterior apical margin. Hind femur in ♂ ( Fig. 99 ) with 3 long curled setae in basal third, the basal one v, the other two pv; apical 2/3 with a bare ventral strip, fringed anteroventrally by tiny setulae and posteroventrally by a row of longer setulae; ventral surfaces completely bare in ♀; ad row complete, very short in ♂; 0 pd preapical. Hind tibia in ♂ ( Fig. 99 ) short; with 1 short ad seta; without av or pd; in ♂ with 2 long fine setae and several setulae on apical half of v surface, preceded by a few fine setulae on pv surface; d and ad preapical setae absent in ♂, the d present but very short in ♀; with 1 short v at apex but no pv apical. Hind tarsus of ♂ ( Fig. 100 ) with some fine pv setulae, several short stout v setae, and a few short av setulae that continue on to tarsomere 2; not modified in ♀.

Wing. Narrow. Very weakly smoky. Basicosta orange, tegula black. Crossvein r-m placed slightly apicad of the point where vein R1 enters costa; dm-cu straight, longer than apical section of vein CuA1. Vein M running straight to wing-margin. Calypters white to creamy, with yellow margins. Haltere yellow.

Abdomen. Ground-colour black. Segments 4 and 5 modified, asymmetrical ( Fig. 101 ); tergite 4 and sternite 4 fused, but the line of fusion still distinct; sternite 5 withdrawn into segment 5. Tergites subshining black with very thin dark brown dust; ♂ with a dusted pattern as in L. sydneyensis ( Figs 88, 90 ) but without the white spots on tergite 5, so that only tergite 4 has a pair of dorsal white-dusted spots; in ♀ the pattern as in L. sydneyensis ( Fig. 89 ), with the dusting white to grey, or even tinged with yellow along mid-line, the antero-lateral pale spots on tergite 3 absent. ♂ epandrium dusted brown. Sternites 1–4 (♂) or 1–5 (♀) light grey dusted. Setae on tergites very weak, tergite 5 of ♂ with a few pairs of lateral marginal setae, without discals; without setae in ♀. ♂ sternites 2-4 with sparse setulae.

Ƌ terminalia. Epandrium separated from tergite 5 by syntergosternite 8, which has 2 spiracles; tergite 6 absent. Sternite 6 absent. Surstylus absent, i.e. fused to epandrium without trace ( Fig. 102 ). Cercal plate ( Fig. 103 ) moderately divided. Epandrium with numerous incurved setae, curled towards tips and enclosing the anus. Hypandrium attached at lower anterior corner of inner side of epandrium via an apparent praegonite, with 1–2 setae at posterior end; posterior attachment of hypandrial+phallic complex made by an extension from base of phallus to wall of epandrium close to inner dorsal tip of cercal plate. Phallic complex ( Fig. 104 ): an apparent praegonite present, appearing at first sight to be a surstylus ( Figs 102, 104 ) but firmly fused along its base to hypandrium and only loosely attached to epandrium from which it easily detaches during dissection; postgonite hook-like; phallapodeme enlarged, extending anteriorly over hypandrium and fused to it at mid-length by a plate; phallus simple, fully sclerotised, with no apparent juxta or spinulation, with a rod-like projection at mid-length anteriorly, with a posterior extension that attaches to cercal plate.

♀ ovipositor ( Figs 105–107 ). Tergites 6 and 7 large, complete; tergite 8 not usually divided dorsally, the two halves usually weakly connected together and to the epiproct, but sometimes separated. Sternites 6 and 7 broad, plate-like; sternite 8 reduced to a pair of tiny platelets or absent. Epiproct not or only weakly divided, V-shaped, with only setulae. Hypoproct not greatly elongated, without spines apically. Cercus with 2 apical spines. 3 spermathecae.

Measurements. Wing-length, 3.0– 3.5 mm (♂), 3.0– 4.5 mm (♀). Body-length, 4.0– 4.5 mm (♂), 4.5–6.0 mm (♀).

Biology. Another common species. Adults are found on the coast and at inland rivers, creeks, lakes and in rainforest.

Marked territorial behaviour was observed by J. Stein at Bellenden Creek: two specimens landing close to each other would face each other, vibrate, and then one would fly away. The voucher specimen collected was a male.

Egg. 20 large brown eggs were found in the abdomen of a dissected ♀, their size and structure as in L. nigrimana ( Fig. 76 ).

Distribution. Australia (NT, Q), Papua New Guinea (new record), New Britain (new record), Bismarck Archipelago (new record). Widely distributed in the Oriental and Australasian regions, from India and Sri Lanks in the west to New Caledonia and Vanuatu.

Figures

FIGURES 98–100. Lispe nicobarensis Schiner. 98. ♂ mid tarsomeres, anterior view. 99. ♂ hind leg, anterior view. 100. ♂ hind tarsomeres 1 and 2, dorsal view. (98, 99, Q, Bamboo Creek; 100, Q, Big Mitchell Creek.)

FIGURES 101–104. Lispe nicobarensis Schiner, ♂ terminalia. 101. Sternites 1–4. 102. Hypopygium, lateral view. 103. Cercal plate, dorsal view. 104. Phallic complex, lateral view. (Q, 3 km NE of Mt Webb.)

FIGURES 105–107. Lispe nicobarensis Schiner. ♀ ovipositor. 105. Dorsal view. 106. Ventral view. 107. Lateral view. (Q, Earl Hill.)

FIGURES 83–87. Lispe sydneyensis Schiner. 83. ♂ head, lateral view. 84. ♀ palpus. 85. ♂ fore tarsomeres, dorsal view. 86. ♂ hind leg, anterior view. 87. ♂ hind tarsomere 1, dorsal view. (83, WA, Mt Ragged; 84, ACT, Doughboy Creek; 85–87, NSW, Ku Ring Gai.)

FIGURES 88–90. Lispe sydneyensis Schiner. 88. ♂ abdomen, dorsal view. 89. ♀ abdomen, dorsal view. 90. ♂ abdomen, lateral view. (WA, Thames River Estuary.)

FIGURES 73–76. Lispe nigrimana (Malloch), ♀ ovipositor. 73. Dorsal view. 74. Ventral view. 75. Lateral view. 76. Ovarian egg, lateral view. (NT, 32 km WNW of Alice Springs.)