Paraxenos arabicus Benda & Straka, 2023

Benda, Daniel, Pohl, Hans, Nakase, Yuta, Beutel, Rolf & Straka, Jakub, 2023, A new species of the genus Paraxenos Saunders, 1872 (Strepsiptera: Xenidae) from Bembix digger wasps (Hymenoptera: Bembicidae) and a redescription of Paraxenos hungaricus (Székessy, 1955), European Journal of Taxonomy 885 (1), pp. 134-155 : 137-142

publication ID

https://doi.org/ 10.5852/ejt.2023.885.2197

publication LSID

lsid:zoobank.org:pub:16930D00-0D5E-4080-9C2F-EFADE47DC4CD

DOI

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8206026

persistent identifier

https://treatment.plazi.org/id/907A30CD-396F-48AC-B798-36400112966B

taxon LSID

lsid:zoobank.org:act:907A30CD-396F-48AC-B798-36400112966B

treatment provided by

Felipe

scientific name

Paraxenos arabicus Benda & Straka
status

sp. nov.

Paraxenos arabicus Benda & Straka sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:907A30CD-396F-48AC-B798-36400112966B

Figs 1–2 View Fig View Fig , 4F View Fig

Diagnosis

Female cephalothorax

Differing from P. hungaricus and P. krombeini Kifune & Hirashima, 1987 by the maxilla shaped like an orthogonal triangle; maxillary base wide; maxilla narrowing anteromedially in contrast to anteriorly in P. hungaricus and P. krombeini . Maxillary base about 3× as wide as anterior part of maxilla (mxb, mx, Fig. 2A View Fig ), very slightly overlapping with mandible proximally. Mandible completely enclosed in mandibular capsule as in P. hungaricus , in contrast to P. krombeini where the mandible overtops the anterior edge of the head capsule. Mandibular base slightly bulging, separated from genal area by furrow. Labial area between maxillae slightly wider than long (lba, Fig. 2A View Fig ), versus distinctly wider than long in P. hungaricus (lba, Fig. 6C View Fig ). Dorsal labral field distinctly arcuate (dlf, Fig. 2A View Fig ) as in P. krombeini , in contrast to slightly arcuate in P. hungaricus . Mouth opening very slightly arcuate to straight and not distinctly sclerotized around margin (os, Fig. 2A View Fig ), versus conspicuously sclerotized in most specimens of P. hungaricus . Lateral extensions of head capsule dull on ventral side (lehc, Fig. 2A View Fig ), covered by conspicuous and densely arranged dark papillae, cuticle wrinkled between papillae, in contrast to lateral extensions pale, shiny to dull, without densely arranged papillae in P. hungaricus . Lateral region of abdominal segment I below spiracles only slightly darker than dorsal side (asI, Fig. 1D View Fig ), and not distinctly contrasting to pale thorax as in P. hungaricus . Anterior head margin distinctly protruding as in P. krombeini , versus only slightly protruding from head capsule in P. hungaricus .

Male cephalotheca

Paraxenos arabicus sp. nov. differs from P. hungaricus by several characters.In lateral view, cephalotheca rounded anteriorly, versus protruding and acute anteriorly in P. hungaricus . Clypeus (clypeal lobe) not projecting in lateral view (cl, Fig. 2D View Fig ), but prominent in P. hungaricus . Gena around compound eye nearly completely pale (gn, Fig. 2C View Fig ), with dark area around mandibular base reduced; pale stripe between compound eye and mandibular base wide, about 2× as wide as diameter of compound eye; in P. hungaricus about as long as diameter of compound eye. Maxilla not wide at base, about 1.5× as wide as mandible (mx, Figs 2C View Fig , 4F View Fig ), but about 2× as wide as mandibular width in P. hungaricus . Length of clypeal lobe approximately equal to mandibular length (cll, Fig. 4F View Fig ), versus clypeal lobe distinctly wider than length of mandible in P. hungaricus .

Etymology

The specific epithet refers to Arabia, the region of origin of the new species. Adjective.

Material examined

Holotype UNITED ARAB EMIRATES • ♀ (cephalothorax on mounting board); Umm al-Kuvajn, Biyatah env.; 50 m a.s.l.; 28 Feb. 2017; M. Halada leg.; host: Bembix kohli Morice, 1897 ; NMPC.

Paratypes UNITED ARAB EMIRATES • 2 ♀♀, 3 male puparia (MP); same collection data as the for holotype; NMPC 1 MP; Al Dhaid , Šardžá env.; 2 Mar. 2017; L. Bíca leg.; NMPC .

Description

Holotype (female cephalothorax)

SHAPE AND COLORATION. Size of holotype cephalothorax: length 1.32 mm, width 1.68 mm. Anterior head margin distinctly protruding. Thorax slightly widening posteriorly. Cephalothorax displaying multiple light brown shades, cuticle sclerotized and darker only around mandible. Cephalothorax less pigmented medially, darker laterally.

HEAD CAPSULE. Approximately ⅓ as long as entire cephalothorax including lateral extensions. Coloration pale to dark with specific pattern ( Fig. 2A View Fig ). Clypeal area well separated from labral area, protruding anteriorly and forming clypeal lobe. Surface slightly wrinkled on dorsal side. Lateral extensions of head capsule dull ventrally (lehc, Fig. 2A View Fig ), covered by conspicuous dark papillae, with cuticle wrinkled between them. Clypeal sensilla mainly concentrated on clypeal lobe and extending to ventral side of clypeal area. Border between clypeal and frontal regions not clearly recognizable, but present. Frontal region distinctly wrinkled, without dark papillae. Segmental border between head and prothorax indistinct on dorsal side, but indicated by change in cuticular surface structure.

SUPRA-ANTENNAL SENSILLARY FIELD. Slightly wrinkled, with dispersed sensilla, delimited by distinct furrow on medial side (fssf, Fig. 2B View Fig ).

ANTENNA. Morphology of antennal vestige not recognizable.

LABRUM. Ventral field distinctly wider than long, elliptic. Dorsal field distinctly arcuate,> 4× as wide as long in midline. Dorsal field with approximately 25 setae inserted in cavities (dlf, vlf, Fig. 2A View Fig ).

MANDIBLE. Anteromedially directed at an angle of 30°, completely enclosed in mandibular capsule or very slightly protruding from it. Mandibular bulge not distinctly raised, with approximately 15 sensilla. Cuticle almost completely smooth, partially sculptured on articulatory area. Mandibular tooth narrow, pointed, sharply curved anteriorly. Mandibular base slightly bulging, divided by furrow from genal area ( Fig. 2A View Fig ).

MAXILLA. Well-developed and prominent, separated from labial area. Shaped like orthogonal triangle. Very wide basally, narrowing anteriorly, maxillary base about 3× as wide as distal part (mxb, mx, Fig. 2A View Fig ). Anteromedially directed, very slightly overlapping mandible. Cuticle smooth. Vestige of palp present, with more or less distinct plates, located anteriorly on ventral side of maxilla. Submaxillary groove distinctly produced posterolaterally (smxg, Fig. 2A View Fig ).

LABIUM. Labial area between maxillae distinct, delimited anteriorly by mouth opening and posteriorly by birth opening. Flat and slightly wider than long in midline to almost square. Cuticular surface smooth to slightly wrinkled and reticulated.

MOUTH OPENING. Straight, not distinctly sclerotized along margin.

THORAX. Pro-mesothoracic and meso-metathoracic borders distinct on ventral side, separated by mesal furrows (sbpm, sbmm, Fig. 1C View Fig ). On dorsal side only indistinctly indicated by differing cuticular sculpture. Border between metathorax and abdomen formed by ridge in combination with changed cuticular sculpture and coloration. Cuticle of thoracic segments reticulate on ventral side, with small, scattered pigmented papillae. Prosternal extension differentiated by cuticular sculpture and coloration (pst, Fig. 2A View Fig ). Anterior part darker with conspicuous pigmented papillae medially (pstp, Fig. 2A View Fig ), posterior part pale and lacking distinct pigmented papillae. Meso- and metathorax unmodified in shape, transverse. Mesosternum with small paler area posteromedially, without pigmented papillae. Metasternum with large pale area medially without pigmented papillae and width reaching up to ⅔ of metathorax ( Fig. 1C View Fig ). Dorsal side of thorax smooth or slightly reticulated.

ABDOMINAL SEGMENT I AND SPIRACLES. Lateral region of abdominal segment I below spiracles only slightly darker on dorsal side, not distinctly contrasting to pale thorax (asI, Fig. 1D View Fig ). Spiracles on posterior half of cephalothorax slightly elevated, with lateral or laterodorsal orientation.

VARIABILITY OF FEMALE CEPHALOTHORAX. Cephalothorax compact, nearly as long as wide or distinctly wider than long. Size slightly variable, length 1.18–1.32 mm, maximum width 1.32–1.68 mm. Dorsal labral field with about 21 to 25 setae inserted in cavities. Mandible anteromedially directed at an angle of 30–45°. Mandibular bulge not distinctly raised, with approximately 12–18 sensilla. Mouth opening very slightly arcuate to straight.

Male cephalotheca

SHAPE AND COLORATION. In frontal view rounded, slightly flattened, elliptic, length 0.66–0.82 mm, width 1.30–1.46 mm; in lateral view rounded anteriorly, not acute apically. Coloration predominantly pale with some dark areas forming specific pattern ( Fig. 2C View Fig ).

CEPHALOTHECAL CAPSULE. Compound eyes pale, with darker individual cornea lenses recognizable. Gena around compound eye almost completely pale, dark area around mandibular base missing; pale area between compound eye and mandibular base about 2× as wide as diameter of compound eye (gn, coe, Fig. 2C View Fig ). Clypeus pale medially and darker laterally. Clypeal lobe straight in frontal view, blunt and not prominent in lateral view. Length of clypeal lobe nearly equal to mandibular length (cll, Fig. 4F View Fig ). Sensilla mainly concentrated on clypeal lobe, visible. Frontal region with paired furrow of supra-antennal sensillary field, lacking impression or clearly recognizable occipital bulge (fssf, Fig. 2C View Fig ). Occipital bulge indistinct (ob, Fig. 2C View Fig ). Diameter of genae between maxillary base and compound eye more than 2× as long as diameter of vestigial antenna.

SUPRA-ANTENNAL SENSILLARY FIELD. Predominantly pale to partly dark (ssf, Figs 2C View Fig , 4F View Fig ), kidney-shaped and bulging, delimited medially by distinct furrow. Furrows wide, not connected anteriorly. Dark sensilla distinctly visible on pale surface.

ANTENNA. Of standard shape, pale or dark, small, with small plates, sensilla and complete torulus (a, Figs 2C View Fig , 4F View Fig ). Periantennal area not clearly delimited from supra-antennal sensillary field, pale or dark.

LABRUM. Labral area distinct. Dorsal field conspicuous, pale, with dispersed setae well visible. Ventral field darker ( Fig. 2C View Fig ).

MANDIBLE. Nearly medially directed. Tooth apically pointed, wide basally, but not reaching area of mandibular bulge. Coloration mostly pale, especially middle region, with darker parts apically and basally. Mandibular bulge with sensilla, separated from tooth. Length between mandibles nearly equal to mandibular length.

MAXILLA. Distinct, prominent, with darker and paler parts. Vestige of palp present, conspicuous (mxp, Figs 2C View Fig , 4F View Fig ). Not very wide at base, approximately 1.5× as wide as mandible (mx, Figs 2C View Fig , 4F View Fig ).

LABIUM AND HYPOPHARYNX. Labium distinct, located between and below maxillae, darker. Praementum and postmentum more or less distinctly separated by furrow ( Fig. 2C View Fig ). Hypopharyngeal protuberance absent.

MOUTH OPENING. Visible, not covered by ventral labral field, slightly arcuate, sclerotized around margin.

Host

Bembix kohli Morice, 1897 .

Distribution

United Arab Emirates.

NMPC

Czech Republic, Prague, National Museum (Natural History)

NMPC

National Museum Prague

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Arthropoda

Class

Insecta

Order

Strepsiptera

Family

Xenidae

Genus

Paraxenos

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