Amiota uniacuminis, Jones & Grimaldi, 2022

Jones, Lance E. & Grimaldi, David A., 2022, Revision Of The Nearctic Species Of The Genus Amiota Loew (Diptera: Drosophilidae), Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 2022 (458), pp. 1-181 : 79-80

Amiota uniacuminis , sp. nov.

Figures 36C–D ; 39B, C, G, K–M, R ; 89A

DIAGNOSIS: Medium-sized fly (ThL 1.09–1.32 mm); dark brown, legs dark yellow; characteristic markings of postpronotal lobe and face faded, marking on wing base less so; cheek relatively deep (EL/CW 8.57–10.60); similar to other species in complex, including A. biacuminis and A. forceps (defined under A. biacuminis ), but differing from them by the following: epandrium nearly semicircular in terminal view (vs. narrowed dorsally in A. biacuminis and A. forceps ); outer paraphysis with tapered, pointed upper lobe, extended well beyond level of lower lobe, lower lobe with distal end slightly expanded with 2 small points; hypandrium with prominent, wrinkled, median lobe at apex (vs. pair of such lobes in A. biacuminis ), apex not deeply notched (vs. notched in A. forceps ); surstylus with shorter prensisetae (~1/2 length in other species).

DESCRIPTION: Medium-sized fly (ThL 1.09– 1.32 mm); dark brown, legs dark yellow. Katepisternum lighter than remaining pleuron. Markings on postpronotal and face faded, marking on wing base less so comparatively. Frons dark brown dorsally; light brown ventrally, concentrated in ventrolateral corners. Cheek relatively deep (EL/CW 8.57–10.60), white posteriorly. Palp brown. Tergites 1 and 2 lightly colored. Arista: Medium, plumose; longest branch D2; A.R. 0.38; 5 dorsal branches decreasing in length apicad, 4 short ventral branches; aristal trunk with medium-length microtrichia along entire length. Male genitalia: Epandrium wide, virtually semicircular in terminal view; dorsally complete, ventral margin grading with membrane below region. Cercus pendulous, slightly crescentic, faintly grading into membrane dorsally. Surstylus with setulae on ventral half; 12 prensisetae, apices blunt, closely spaced, the innermost medial 4 slightly more spaced; prensisetae relatively short. Subepandrial sclerite well developed, compressed laterally; subepandrial appendage present, nearly triangular in full terminal view, with pointed, nipplelike tip. Outer paraphysis with upper lobe extended well beyond level of lower lobe, upper lobe tapered, pointed; lower lobe with distal end slightly expanded with 2 small points, several scattered sensilla near base. Inner paraphysis lost. Aedeagal apodeme rectangular, width 0.80× length, each margin faintly concave. Hypandrium of uniform thickness, inner margin more sclerotized; apex with a flat, rounded, slightly wrinkled lobe. Ejaculatory apodeme relatively small, half the length of the epandrium, stalk straight. Head and thorax measurements: (n = 3; Am 254, 255, 1511) FL/ FW 0.60 (0.54–0.66), EL/EW 1.30 (1.25–1.35), EL/CW 9.72 (8.57–10.60), FML/FMW 0.23 (0.19–0.26), PR /RR 0.48 (0.40–0.55), ThL 1.19 (1.09–1.32 mm).

TYPE MATERIAL: Holotype: male: 14 mi. SW. El Salto, Dgo. [Durango] MEX., [23.786449, -105.597725], 8000′, June “26” 1964, J.F. McAlpine, attracted to man, Am 1511, [glued directly to pin, dissected]. Deposited in the Canadian National Collection ( CNC). Paratype: 14 mi. SW. El Salto, Dgo. [Durango] MEX., 8000′, June “26” 1964, J.F. McAlpine, attracted to man, 1♂ (Am 1412*, CNC).

OTHER MATERIAL EXAMINED: Mexico: Guerro: 30 klm. N. Chilpancingo, July 1952, leg. M. Wasserman and W.B. Heed, 2266.19, 2♂ (Am 254*, 255*, AMNH).

ETYMOLOGY: Formed from Latin uni - for “one” and acuminis for “point.” In reference to the pointed lobe at the apex of the hypandrium.

DISTRIBUTION: Amiota uniacuminis is known to inhabit a wide swath of Mexico, from Durango and Guerro State.

COMMENTS: This species exhibits the characteristic behavior of attraction to the eyes and face common to many Amiota .

Figures

FIG. 36. Heads and lateral views, A. avipes species group. A–B. A. pseudominor, sp. nov. (Am 256, holotype, lateral image flipped). C–D. A. uniacuminis, sp. nov. (Am 255, lateral image flipped). Lack of white spots is likely an effect due to preservation.

FIG. 39. Male terminalia, A. biacuminis. (D–F, H–J, Q: Am 1485, holotype); A. forceps (A, N–P, S: Am 1452, holotype); A. uniacuminis (B, C, G, K–M, R: Am 1511, holotype). A–B. Epandrium and cerci. C–D. Ejaculatory apodeme. E. Lateral view. F–G. Aedeagal apodeme. H, K, N. Hypandrium. I, L, O. Surstylus. J, M, P. Outer paraphysis. Q–S. Subepandrial sclerite.

FIG. 89. Distribution maps, A. avipes species group. A. A. uniacuminis. A. rufescens species group. B. A. leucostoma Loew. C. A. mcalpinei.