Polytrichophora desmata (Williston)

Mathis, Wayne N. & Zatwarnicki, Tadeusz, 2012, A revision of the new world species of Polytrichophora Cresson and Facitrichophora, new genus (Diptera, Ephydridae), ZooKeys 231, pp. 1-116 : 46-50

Polytrichophora desmata (Williston) Figs 7983

Psilopa desmata Williston 1896: 395. Wirth 1968 a: 9 [Neotropical catalog; listed as an unrecognized species].

Polytrichophora desmata . Mathis and Edmiston 1991: 826 [generic combination]. Mathis and Zatwarnicki 1995: 185 [world catalog]. Zatwarnicki and Mathis 2001: 46 [figs of ♂ terminalia].

Polytrichophora boriqueni Cresson 1930: 77; 1946: 143 [review of Neotropical fauna]. Wirth 1968: 8 [Neotropical catalog]. Mathis and Edmiston 1991: 826 [synonymy].

Diagnosis.

This species is distinguished from congeners by the following combination of characters: Small to moderately small shore flies, body length 1.60-2.05 mm.

Head: Frons mostly black with moderate dusting of gray to whitish gray microtomentum; ocellar triangle slightly lighter in color; fronto-orbits creamy white, narrow. Antenna mostly yellow; basal flagellomere darkened apicodorsally; arista bearing 5 dorsal rays. Face, especially ventrad of antennal grooves, narrow, width less than combined length of scape and pedicel; facial color mostly dark but with investment of gray microtomentum medially; parafacial creamy to yellowish white, contrasted with the much darker midfacies; parafacials with little or no dilation ventrally; gena very short, height much less than height of basal flagellomere; gena-to-eye ratio 0.06-0.08.

Thorax: Mesonotum subshiny to shiny, blackish brown; postpronotum bluish gray; pleural areas blackish brown with sparse to moderate dusting of bluish gray to brownish gray microtomentum. Lacking stout setae along anterior margin of wing; costal vein ratio 0.84-0.86; M vein ratio 0.50-0.53. Forefemur with distinct row of 5-7 moderately long, slightly larger setae along posteroventral surface, lacking stout setae along apical half of anteroventral surface; femora blackish brown; tibiae darkened dorsally, becoming yellowish ventrally and at apices; basal tarsomeres yellow, apical 1-2 brown.

Abdomen: Tergites 1-4 subshiny, thinly microtomentose, blackish brown; tergite 5 of male distinctly more sparsely microtomentose and shinier than tergites 1-4, black. Male terminalia (Figs 79-82): Epandrium in posterior view (Fig. 79) generally as a rounded, elongate triangle, more or less uniformly setulose, dorsal margin broadly rounded, lateral margins tapered medially, both ventral extensions pointed, narrowly connected dorsally, in lateral view (Fig. 80) with ventral apex acutely pointed, cercus comparatively small but conspicuous; aedeagus narrowly tubular, in lateral view (Fig. 80) gradually and slightly tapered to narrowed apex, in posterior view (Fig. 79) moderately narrowly elongate with lateral margins nearly parallel sided; phallapodeme in lateral view (Fig. 82) roughly triangular with extended keel broadly rounded apically, in ventral view (Fig. 81) clavate with basal margin bluntly rounded; gonite in lateral view (Fig. 82) narrowly elongate, shallowly curved, in ventral view (Fig. 81) angularly arched, broader medially, narrowed at each apices; hypandrium in lateral view (Fig. 82) elongate, with lateral, irregular extension, in ventral view (Fig. 81) more or less H-shaped, with anterior portion having a membranous medial portion, posterolateral projections angularly hooked with hook robustly developed.

Type material.

The holotype male of Psilopa desmata is labeled "Type [round label with a red border]/Windward side St. Vincent, W.I. H. H. Smith./W.Indies. 1907-66./Psilopa desmata Will [handwritten, two red submarginal borders]." The holotype is double mounted (pin in a rectangular piece of cardboard), is in poor condition (head missing; mesonotum cracked anteriorly), and is deposited in the BMNH.

The holotype male of Polytrichophora boriqueni is labeled "Adjuntas, P[uerto].R[ico]. June 26, 1915/1105/TYPE Polytrichophora BORIQUENI E. T.Cresson,Jr. [magenta; species and generic names handwritten]." The holotype is double mounted (glued to a paper point), is in fair condition, and is deposited in the ANSP (no type number; Cresson stated that this specimen was to be deposited in the collection of the New York Academy of Sciences). Paratype is as follows: PUERTO RICO. Mayaguez (18°12.1'N, 67°08.7'W), 15-16 1914 (1♂; ANSP).

Type locality. West Indies. St. Vincent, windward side.

Other specimens examined. Neotropical. CUBA. Cienfuegos: Soledad, Jardin Botánico (22°7.5'N, 80°19.2'W), 13 Dec 1994, W. N. Mathis (2♂, 2♀; USNM); Topes de Collantes (5 km WNW; 21°56.5'N, 80°2.3'W; 600 m), 11 Dec 1994, W. N. Mathis (7♂, 3♀; USNM). Pinar del Rio: Soroa (22°47.7'N, 83°W), 4-6 Dec 1994, W. N. Mathis (1♂; USNM). Sancti Spiritus: Topes de Collantes (21°55.2'N, 80°02'W; 350 m), 10 Dec 1994, W. N. Mathis (5♂, 4♀; USNM); Topes de Collantes (21°54.4'N, 80°01.4'W; 670 m), 9-11 Dec 1994, W. N. Mathis (10♂, 9♀; USNM).

DOMINICA. Rosalie (15°22.3'N, 61°15.3'W), 23 Mar 1989, A. Freidberg (1♂, 1♀; USNM); Trafalgar Falls (15°19'N, 61°21'W), 19 Jun 1991, D. and W. N. Mathis (1♂, 1♀; USNM).

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. Barahona: Baoruco (beach and river; 18°04.6'N, 71°05.5'W), 19 May 1998, D. and W. N. Mathis (4♂, 2♀; USNM); Cabral (canals E of Cabral; 18°15.2'N, 71°13.4'W), 16 May 1995, W. N. Mathis (2♂; USNM). Distrito Nacional: Santo Domingo ( Jardín Botanico; 18°32.5'N, 69°57'W), 25 May 1998, D. and W. N. Mathis (7♂; USNM). El Seibo: El Seibo (5 km E; 18°44.73'N, 68°59.2'W; 120 m), 12 May 1995, W. N. Mathis (6♂, 1♀; USNM); Pedro Sáchez (18°51.4'N, 69°6.5'W), 26 May 1998, D. and W. N. Mathis (5♂, 2♀; USNM); Rincón (near; 18°45.3'N, 68°55.7'W), 12 May 1995, W. N. Mathis (1♂, 1♀; USNM). Hato Mayor: Hato Mayor (5.5 km E; 18°46.4'N, 69°12.5'W), 26 May 1998, D. and W. N. Mathis (3♂, 2♀; USNM). La Vega: Jarabacoa (1-2 km S; 19°06.9'N, 70°37'W; 520 m), 8-21 May 1995, 1998, D. and W. N. Mathis (16♂, 10♀; USNM); Jarabacoa (5 km S; 19°05.8'N, 70°36.5'W; 640 m), 8-20 May 1995, W. N. Mathis (2♀; USNM); Salto Baiguate (near Jarabacoa; 19°05.5'N, 70°36.9'W; 570 m), 9 May 1995, 1998, D. and W. N. Mathis (6♂; USNM); Salto Guasara (near Jarabacoa; 19°04.4'N, 70°42.1'W; 680 m), 9 May 1995, W. N. Mathis (9♂, 3♀; USNM); Rio Camu (3.5 km NW La Vega; 19°13.7'N, 70°35.2'W; 100 m), 10 May 1995, W. N. Mathis (2♂, 2♀; USNM). Peravia: Rio Ocoa (San José Ocoa; 18°31.7'N, 70°30.4'W), 21 May 1998, D. and W. N. Mathis (1♂; USNM); San José Ocoa (10 km NE; 18°35'N, 70°25.6'W), 21 May 1998, D. and W. N. Mathis (4♂; USNM). Puerto Plata: Rio Camu (14 km E Puerto Plata; 19°41.9'N, 70°37.5'W), 23 May 1998, D. and W. N. Mathis (3♂; USNM); Sonador (19°35.9'N, 70°36.2'W; 440 m), 18 May 1995, W. N. Mathis (1♂; USNM).

GRENADA. St. Andrew: Balthazar (12°07.7'N, 61°39.3'W), 19 Sep 1996, W. N. Mathis (4♂; USNM); Grand Étang (lake; 12°05.6'N, 61°41.7'W), 20 Sep 1996, W. N. Mathis (2♂, 2♀; USNM); La Force Bridges (12°07.6'N, 61°39.8'W), 13-19 Sep 1996, 1997, W. N. Mathis (6♂, 1♀; USNM). St. George: Beauséjour River (12°05.6'N, 61°44.3'W), 15 Sep 1996, W. N. Mathis (6♂, 1♀; USNM); Vendôme (1 km E; 12°04.8'N, 61°42.2'W), 14-17 Sep 1996, 1997, W. N. Mathis (7♂, 3♀; USNM). St. John: Concord Falls (12°07.1'N, 61°43'W), 14-21 Sep 1996, W. N. Mathis (9♂, 2♀; USNM); Palmiste (12°08.7'N, 61°44.4'W), 21 Sep 1996, W. N. Mathis (2♂, 1♀; USNM); Palmiste Lake (12°08.3'N, 61°44'W), 19 Sep 1996, W. N. Mathis (3♂; USNM). St. Patrick: Bathway Beach (12°12.6'N, 61°36.7'W), 18-20 Sep 1996, W. N. Mathis (1♀; USNM).

HAITI. Baie de Chouchou (19°49'N, 72°28.5'W), 8 Jun 1978, L. Raccurtt, R. Lowrie (1♂; USNM).

JAMAICA. Clarendon: Rest (3.5 km N; 17°54.1'N, 77°21.1'W), 9 May 1996, D. and W. N. Mathis, H. B. Williams (1♀; USNM); Rest (3 km N; 17°54.3'N, 77°21.4'W), 15 Apr 2000, W. N. Mathis (1♀; USNM). Manchester: Mandevill e (18°03.5'N, 77°31.9'W), 7-13 May 1996, D. and W. N. Mathis, H. B. Williams (1♂, 2♀; USNM). Portland: Crystal Springs (18°12.5'N, 76°37.9'W), 18 May 1996, D. and W. N. Mathis, H. B. Williams (1♀; USNM). St. Andrew: Mavis Bank (1.5 km W; 18°01.4'N, 76°39.9'W), 22 Apr 2000, W. N. Mathis (2♂; USNM). St. Elizabeth: Brae River (18°05.2'N, 77°39.3'W), 10 May 1996, D. and W. N. Mathis, H. B. Williams (1♀; USNM); Elim (18°07.1'N, 77°40.6'W), 10 May 1996, D. and W. N. Mathis, H. B. Williams (1♂; USNM); Ys Falls (18°09.3'N, 77°49.5'W), 17-18 Apr 2000, W. N. Mathis (5♂, 3♀; USNM). St. Thomas: Bath Fountain Spring (17°57.6'N, 76°21.3'W), 15 May 1996, D. and W. N. Mathis, H. B. Williams (3♂; USNM).

PUERTO RICO. Adjuntas (18°09.8'N, 66°43.2'W), 22 Sep 1995, D. and W. N. Mathis (2♂, 2♀; USNM). Jayuya (2 km E; Rio Saliente; 18°12.8'N, 66°33.9'W), 22 Sep 1995, D. and W. N. Mathis (4♂, 4♀; USNM). Maricao (18°11.1'N, 66°58.9'W), 21 Sep 1995, D. and W. N. Mathis (14♂, 1♀; USNM). Maricao, Los Viveros (18°10.5'N, 66°59.2'W), 21 Sep 1995, D. and W. N. Mathis (11♂, 1♀; USNM). Mayaguez (18°12.1'N, 67°08.7'W), 15-16 Feb 1914 (1♂; paratype; ANSP). Rio Hoconuco (18°7.6'N, 67°2.6'W), 20 Sep 1995, D. and W. N. Mathis (4♂; USNM).

ST. LUCIA. Fond St. Jacques (13°50'N, 61°02'W), 13-14 Jun 1991, D. and W. N. Mathis (3♂, 1♀; USNM). Micoud (13°49'N, 60°54'W), 15 Jun 1991, D. and W. N. Mathis (7♂, 2♀; USNM). Soufrière Botanical Garden (13°51'N, 61°04'W), 12 Jun 1991, D. and W. N. Mathis (3♂, 1♀; USNM).

ST. VINCENT. Charlotte: Montreal (13°12'N, 61°11'W), 26 Mar-9 Jun 1989, 1991, D. and W. N. Mathis (1♂, 3♀; USNM); South Rivers (13°14.6'N, 61°09.3'W), 8 Sep 1997, W. N. Mathis (8♂; USNM); Yambou River (13°09.8'N, 61°08.7'W), 8-10 Sep 1997, W. N. Mathis (3♂; USNM). St. Andrew: Buccament Bay (near beach; 13°11'N, 61°16'W), 4 Sep 1997, W. N. Mathis (1♂; USNM); Vermont (13°13'N, 61°13'W), 5-8 Sep 1997, W. N. Mathis (2♂, 2♀; USNM). St. Patrick: Cumberland River (3 km E Spring Village; 13°15'N, 61°14'W), 10 Jun 1991, D. and W. N. Mathis (8♂, 13♀; USNM).

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO. Tobago. St. John: Charlotteville (beach; 11°19.5'N, 60°32.9'W), 16-18 Apr 1994, D. and W. N. Mathis (2♂, 4♀; USNM); Charlotteville (2 km S; 11°19'N, 60°33'W), 10 Jun 1993, 1994, W. N. Mathis (2♀; USNM); Charlotteville (5 km S; 11°18.9'N, 60°34.5'W), Hermitage River and beach (11°18.9'N, 60°34.5'W), 22 Apr– 11 Jun 1993, 1994, D. and W. N. Mathis (6♂, 6♀; USNM); Kings Bay Reservoir (11°17'N, 60°33'W), 15 Jun 1993, W. N. Mathis (9♂, 10♀; USNM); Parlatuvier (creek; 11°17.9'N, 60°35'W), 14 Jun 1993, W. N. Mathis (4♂, 6♀; USNM); Speyside (11°18'N, 60°32'W), 13-15 Jun 1993, W. N. Mathis (3♀; USNM); Speyside (Doctor River; 1 km NW; 11°18'N, 60°32'W), 12-13 Jun 1993, W. N. Mathis (1♂, 1♀; USNM). St. Paul: Delaford, Kings Bay (11°16'N, 60°32.8'W), 13 Jun 1993, W. N. Mathis (1♂; USNM); Kendall (11°14.3'N, 60°35.7'W), 21 Apr 1994, W. N. Mathis (2♂, 2♀; USNM); Roxborough (6 km NNW; 11°16'N, 60°35.4'W), 20 Apr 1994, W. N. Mathis (1♀; USNM). Trinidad. Caroni: San Rafael (2 km N; 10°34'N, 61°15'W; forest reserve), 22 Jun 1993, W. N. Mathis (1♂, 1♀; USNM); Talparo (2 km N, 10°31'N, 61°17'W), 22 Jun 1993, W. N. Mathis (2♂, 2 ♀; USNM). St. Andrew: Valencia (1 km W; 10°39'N, 61°13'W), Aripo River, 20 Jun 1993, W. N. Mathis (7♂, 1♀; USNM). St. George: Filette (1 km SE; 10°47'N, 61°21'W), Yarra River, 25 Jun 1993; W. N. Mathis (4♂, 4♀; USNM); Lalaja Road (10°43'N, 61°17'W; streamlet), 26 Jun 1993; W. N. Mathis (1♀; USNM); Marianne River (9 km S; 10°46'N, 61°18'W), 25 Jun 1993, W. N. Mathis (7♂, 5♀; USNM); Mount St. Benedict (10°39'N, 61°24'W), 18-21 Jun 1993, W. N. Mathis (1♂, 1♀; USNM); Mount St. Benedict (10°39'N, 61°24'W; creek near base), 19 Jun 1993, W. N. Mathis (8♂, 5♀; USNM); Tacariqua River, Caura Recreational area (10°43'N, 61°17'W), 21 Jun 1993, W. N. Mathis (2♂, 1♀; USNM). Victoria: Basse Terre (7 km E; 10°07'N, 61°14'W), 27 Jun 1993, W. N. Mathis (12♂, 6♀; USNM).

Distribution

(Fig. 83). Neotropical: Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies (Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, St. Lucia, St. Vincent).

Remarks.

Williston (1896: 395), who commented on the specific locality of only one other species ( Ephydra pygmea ) from St. Vincent, noted that the holotype of Psilopa desmata was collected "Near the sea by open stream."

This species belongs to the desmata species group, which in the New World includes only one other species, Polytrichophora pulchra . From the latter species, this species is distinguished by having a subshiny to shiny mesonotum that is bronzish black and the midfacies is either lacking a distinctly colored vitta or if a vitta is present then it is not extended dorsally past the midheight of the face.