Scipopus (Scipopus) nigripennis ( Hendel, 1922 )

Lindsay, Kate & Marshall, Stephen A., 2023, A revision of Scipopus Enderlein including the subgenera Scipopus s. str., Phaeopterina Frey and Parascipopus subgen. nov. (Diptera, Micropezidae, Taeniapterinae), European Journal of Taxonomy 904, pp. 1-189 : 67-72

Scipopus (Scipopus) nigripennis ( Hendel, 1922)

Figs 26–27

Tanypoda nigripennis Hendel, 1922: 321 .

Scipopus albimanus Enderlein, 1922: 212 .

Scipopus limbativertex Enderlein, 1922: 211 . Syn. nov.

Scipopus limbativertex – Frey 1927: 74 (listed). — Cresson 1930: 328 (diagnosis). — Hennig 1934: 328 (key). — Aczél 1949: 342 (catalog); 1951: 539 (key). — Steyskal 1968: 48.16 (catalog). — Schumann 1988: 99 (catalog). — Ferro & de Carvalho 2014: 60 (listed). — Marshall et al. 2016: 544 (catalog).

Scipopus albimanus – Hennig 1934: 328 (synonymized with S. nigripennis ). — Schumann 1988: 85 (catalog).

Scipopus nigripennis – Hennig 1934: 328 (key). — Aczél 1949: 342 (catalog). — Steyskal 1968: 48.16 (catalog). — Marshall et al. 2016: 544 (catalog).

Differential diagnosis

Scipopus (Scipopus) nigripennis resembles S. (S.) furcifer in having an at least partially white first fore tarsomere and a shiny epicephalon that is clearly delineated from the upper frontal vitta, but it differs by the white microtrichose ventral corner of the katepisternum.

Type material examined

Holotype ( Tanypoda nigripennis , photos provided by Peter Sehnal at NHMW, Oct 2020)

ECUADOR • 1 ♀; Balzapamba; R. Haensch leg.; NHMW .

Syntypes ( Scipopus albimanus , not examined)

COLOMBIA • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; “Cordilliere, terra caliente”; Dr. Thieme leg.; MNBG .

Syntypes ( Scipopus limbativertex , examined and photographed in Berlin, 2002, additional photos provided by Jenny Pohl, MNBG)

COLOMBIA • 1 ♂; Cordillieren (terra caliente); Dr Thieme leg.; MNBG.

BRAZIL • 1 ♀; Matto Grosso ; Rhode leg.; MNBG .

COLOMBIA • 2 ♂♂; Cordillieren (terra caliente); Dr Thieme leg.; MNBG • 1 ♀; Moritz leg.; MNBG • 1 ♀; Muzo ; Rhode leg.; MNBG .

MEXICO • 1 ♀; Soconusco; 30 Jul. 1911; C.A. Purpus leg.; MNBG • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 22 Jul. 1911; MNBG .

Other material examined

COSTA RICA • 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀; Heredia, Santo Domingo, INBio Pk. ; 19–21 Aug. 2001; S.A. Marshall leg.; DEBU • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; USNM • 1 ♀; Monteverde Cloud Forest ; 1500 m a.s.l.; 21–26 Aug. 1993; E.R. Barr leg.; Malaise traps; MNCR • 1 ♀; Turrialba ; 15 Jul. 1965; P.J. Spangler leg.; USNM • 1 ♂; San Jose, Farm La Caja ; 15 May 1919; H. Schmidt leg.; USNM • 1 ♂; Prov. Puntarenas, 2 km N of Hacienda Barú de Dominical Reserve ; 22–25 Feb. 2008, S.A. Marshall leg.; MNCR • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding; debu00294649/MYCRO545-19 sequenced for CO1–5′; DEBU • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding; debu00294650/MYCRO555-19 sequenced for CO1–5′, CO1–3′, 12S, 28S; DEBU • 1 ♂; Prov. Puntarenas, Golfito, P.N. Corvocado, Sector Los Patos, S of al Mirador ; 130 m a.s.l.; 15 Nov. 2000; K. Caballero leg.; manual; L_S_517200_279665#61791; MNCR • 1?; same collection data as for preceding; UGIC261-15/MYCRO162-15 sequenced for CO1– 5′; L_S_517200_279665#61792; MNCR • 1 ♀; Alaljuela, Volcán Tenorio, N slope nr Bijagua Biol. Stn ; 700 m a.s.l.; 19 Jun. 2000; M. Buck leg.; rain forest; MNCR • 1 ♀; Puntarenas, Corcovado Natl. Pk., San Pedrillo ; 8°37′15″ N, 83°44′6″ W]; 5–50 m a.s.l.; M. Buck leg.; human dung; UGIC129-15/ MYCRO030-15 sequenced for CO1–5′; DEBU • 1 ♀; San José, San Carlos, Riosparaiso Res., Pecari Stn , 16 km NNE of Quepos; 9°33′53″ N, 84°7′32″ W; 400 m a.s.l.; 15 Feb. 2003; S.A. Marshall leg.; MNCR • 4 ♀♀; Puntarenas, Osa Peninsula, 2.5 km D of Rincón ; 8°42′1″ N, 83°30′50″ S; ~ 50 m a.s.l.; 10–11 Aug. 2001; S.A. Marshall leg.; MNCR (dissected and photographed, Fig. 26C ) • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; Alajuela, Volcán Tenorio, N slope nr Bijagua Biol. Stn ; 700 m a.s.l.; 17 Jun. 2000; M. Buck leg.; rain forest; MNCR (dissected and photographed, Fig. 26B, E ) • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 16–20 Jun. 2000; S.A. Marshall leg.; RET over Atta mound; DEBU • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; rain forest; UGIC132-15/MYCRO033-15 sequenced for CO1–5′; DEBU • 2 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding; trail to laguna; ~ 1000 m a.s.l.; rain forest; DEBU • 2 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding; 19 Jun. 2000; Buck and Marshall leg.; pan traps in tree fall; MNCR • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; debu00138141/MYCRO514-19 sequenced for CO1–5′; DEBU • 1 ♀; Alajuela, San Ramon Biol. Res. ; 900 m a.s.l.; May 2000; P. Hanson leg.; MNCR • 1 ♀; San Juan de Peñas Blancas, San Ramón, Soltis Research Centre ; 17 Jul. 2013; S.A. Marshall leg.; debu01088995/ MYCRO547-19 sequenced for CO1–5′, CO1–3′, 12S, 28S; DEBU (photographed, Fig. 26G ) • 2 ♀♀; Alajuela, San Gerardo Biol. Stn ; 10°52′51″ N, 85°23′20″ W; ~ 590 m a.s.l.; 15 Aug 2010; M.D. Jackson leg.; MNCR (photographed, Fig. 26F ) • 1 ♀; San José, San Carlos Riosparaiso Res. Pecari Stn, 16 km NNE of Quepos; 9°33′53″ N, 84°7′32″ W; 400 m a.sl.; 12–15 Apr. 2006; S.A. Marshall leg.; DEBU • 1 ♀; same locality as for preceding, upper trail to Rio Negro ; 26 Feb. 2006; S.M. Paiero leg.; 1° forest; MNCR • 1 ♀; same locality as for preceding, along road from lodge; ~ 1000 m a.s.l.; 15 Apr. 2015; S.A. Marshall leg.; debu00260110/MYCRO546-19 sequenced for CO1–5′; DEBU • 1 ♀; San Jose, Heredia Biodiversity Garden ; 2 Jun. 1998; S.A. Marshall leg.; DEBU • 1 ♀; Guanacaste, Santa Rosa Natl. Pk., hilltop nr La Casona ; 10°50′3″ N, 85°36′41″ W; 320 m a.s.l.; 16 Aug. 2016; M.D. Jackson leg.; DEBU • 2 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀, 2?; Heredia, Santo Domingo, INBio Pk. ; 19–21 Aug. 2001; S.A. Marshall leg.; DEBU • 3 ♂♂, 1 ♀; same locality as for preceding; 3 Oct. 1999; Marshall and Buck leg.; DEBU • 1 ♀; same locality as for preceding; Jun. 2000; M. Buck leg.; DEBU • 1 ♀; Heredia, etac. Biol. La Selva ; 2 Apr. 1993; ALAS exped.; Malaise trap; M/11/058; MNCR • 1 ♀; same locality as for preceding; 2 Mar. 1993; ALAS exped.; MNCR • 1 ♀; Cartago, El Copal. Biol. Res., along Gárvula trail; 9°47′ N, 83°45′ W; ~ 1100 m a.s.l.; 4–7 Aug. 2010; G.F.G. Miranda leg.; DEBU • 1 ♀; Cartago Prov., Turriabla ; 13 Jul. 1965; G. and K. Eickwort leg.; SEMC • 1 ♀, 1?; same locality as for preceding; “4” Jun. 1951; O.L. Cartworth leg.; USNM • 1?; same collection data as for preceding, 6 Jun. 1951; USNM • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 22 May 1951; USNM .

HONDURAS • 1 ♂; Gracias a Dios, Rio Patuca, Krausirpe ; 22–24 May 1994; B.D. Gill leg.; debu00138356/MYCRO563-19 unsuccessfully sequenced for CO1–5′; DEBU • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; debu00138349/MYCRO644-20 unsuccessfully sequenced for CO1–5′; DEBU .

PANAMA • 1 ♂; Potrerillos ; 27 Apr. 1954; D.V. Brown leg.; USNM • 1 ♂; Barro Colo. C.Z.; 22 Apr. 1929; S.W. Frost leg.; USNM • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding; 12 Feb. 1929; USNM • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding; 1 Apr. 1929; USNM • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; Apr. 16 1926; USNM • 1 ♀; Canal Zone Barro Colorado Island ; 25 Mar. 1956; C.W. and M.E. Rettenmeyer leg.; SEMC • 1 ♀; Summit , C.Z.; Nov. 1946; N.L.H. Krauss leg.; USNM • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; Oct. 1946; USNM • 1 ♂; Barro Colorado Isl. Canal Zone; 11 May 1978; Silberglied and Aiello leg.; DEBU • 1 ♀; Barro Colorado Isl. ; 1–9 May 1964; W.D. and S.S. Duckworth leg.; USNM .

Description

LENGTH. 11–15 mm.

HEAD. Palpus dark brown, pale brown microtrichose and setulose on entire surface, microtrichosity denser on ventral edge and apex, narrow (length 5.0× height). Clypeus light brown to black, width 1.2–2.0 × height, bare medially, white microtrichose posterolaterally. Frontal vitta and orbital plate dull, orange, microtrichose. Epicephalon light to dark brown, shiny, mostly bare, white microtrichose near upper fronto-orbital, narrow (width <⅔ of upper frontal vitta width at upper fronto-orbitals), clearly delineated. Paracephalon light to dark brown, slightly convex on outer portions. All head chaeototaxy well-developed.

THORAX. Scutum black-brown, light brown microtrichose, with narrow, anteromedian pale brown vitta flanked by black-brown vittae overlayed with a blue sheen; dull silvery-blue patch anterolaterally to transverse suture. Cervical sclerite slightly convex. Postpronotal lobe black-brown, silvery microtrichose anterodorsally, some black setulae on outer lateral margin. Notopleuron black-brown, pale microtrichose line or spot posterior to anterior notopleural seta extending onto ventral edge. Pleuron with the following microtrichosity: entirely white on proepisternum, almost entirely white on proepimeron, with brown on posterodorsal corner, white on anteroventral ½ and posterodorsal corner of anepisternum, sometimes white on dorsal margin ( Fig. 27 ); ventral corner and remainder brown, almost entirely white on katatergite, at some angles small median brown spot visible. Microtrichosity on katepisternum ranges from entirely white with a small median brown spot ( Fig. 27A ), to large white patches anteriorly and posteriorly, with remainder brown ( Figs 26G , 27B ). Legs black-brown with blue sheen; first fore tarsomere entirely white dorsally, hind tarsomere 1 almost entirely white dorsally. Wing uniformly black-brown infuscate.

ABDOMEN (J+ ♀). T1 with fine, long white setae. Pleuron light grey, microtrichose, P1 and dorsal half of P2–6 dark brown.

FEMALE. T1+2 2.0 × length of T3. Oviscape 2.0–3.0 × length of T6, dark brown, sparsely brown setulose, white microtrichose on anterior ⅓. Combined spermathecal ducts long; common duct ~⅔ of total duct length. Paired spermathecal duct long (8–10 × length of paired spermathecae), parallel-sided, slightly swollen apically. Paired spermathecal stems slightly longer than spermathecae, bare or with sparse pointed tubercles. Paired spermathecae approximately spherical. Single spermathecal duct arising from basal ⅛ of paired duct, narrow, <½ diameter and length of paired duct, swollen apically. Single spermatheca apically round and sclerotized, inornate.

MALE. T1+2 ~2.1× length of T3. Genital fork ~2.5× length of T6, arms converging, nearly touching, inner basal process straight, ~½ length of arm. Epandrium elongate, (length 2.0× height), taller posteriorly, short setose on posteroventral edge. Basiphallus small, frame-like. Basal distiphallus very short (<1.0× phallic bulb length), broad, ending in phallic bulb. Phallic bulb small and short, length ≈ height, upper chamber with or without rounded posterior projection, lower chamber rounded. Distal distiphallus very long and narrow, 3.0 × length of epandrium, distal end coiled, apex expanded and funnel-like. Phallapodeme slender, not expanded apically.

Remarks

Some dried specimens of S. (S.) nigripennis have a very narrow abdomen and lightly infuscate wings. Scipopus limbativertex is considered a junior synonym as it has similar external morphology, identical female terminalia, and very similar male terminalia to S. (S.) nigripennis . The name of Enderlein is treated as a junior synonym since Enderlein (1922) was published several months after Hendel (1922). The syntypes from Mexico appear to be S. (S.) furcifer .

Distribution

Although the type material of this species is from Colombia, Ecuador and Brazil, there are no specimens of this species among the extensive recently collected material that we have examined from those countries. However, the specimens of this species that we have examined from Central America ( Honduras to Panama) match the South American type specimens, so we consider S. (S.) nigripennis to be a widely distributed Neotropical species. The only specimens from Mexico that we have examined are the syntypes we have confirmed to be S. (S.) furcifer , and no additional specimens of S. (S.) nigripennis have been found in other collections, including TAUI, MNBG, and the CNC in particular, which had an extensive collection of micropezids from throughout the country. As such, we are removing Mexico from the known distribution of this species.

Figures

Fig. 26. Scipopus (Scipopus) nigripennis (Hendel, 1922). A. Head, anterior view, ♀, non-type. B. Male genital fork, ventral view, Costa Rica, non-type (MNCR). C. Female spermathecae and associated structures, Costa Rica, non-type (MNCR). D. Wing, close-up of anal (cua) cell (MNCR). E. Male terminalia, lateral view, Costa Rica, non-type (MNCR). F. Head and thorax, dorsal view, ♀, Costa Rica, non-type (MNCR). G. Living, ♀, Costa Rica (DEBU). Abbreviations: a =genital fork arms; b = basiphallus; cd = common duct; ddp = distal distiphallus; e = epandrium; ea = ejaculatory apodeme; epi = epicephalon; fv = false vein; h = hypandrium; ibp= inner basal processes; iv = inner vertical seta; p = phallapodeme; para = paracephalon; pb = phallic bulb; pd = paired spermathecal duct; ps = paired spermatheca; pss = paired spermathecal stems; sd = single spermathecal duct; ss = single spermatheca.

Fig. 27. Variation in white microtrichosity on the left thoracic pleuron of Scipopus (Scipopus) nigripennis (Hendel, 1922). A. Thorax ♂, Costa Rica. B. Thorax, ♀, Costa Rica.