Allotrichoma (Neotrichoma) baliops, Mathis, Wayne N. & Zatwarnicki, Tadeusz, 2012

Mathis, Wayne N. & Zatwarnicki, Tadeusz, 2012, Revision of New World Species of the Shore-fly Subgenus Allotrichoma Becker of the Genus Allotrichoma with Description of the Subgenus Neotrichoma (Diptera, Ephydridae, Hecamedini), ZooKeys 161, pp. 1-101 : 72-75

Allotrichoma (Neotrichoma) baliops sp. n. Fig. 8085

Description.

This species is distinguished from congeners by the following combination of characters: Small shore flies, body length 1.00-1.35 mm (Fig. 80). Head: Frons distinctly 2-toned, mostly uniformly blackish brown but with distinct gray, microtomentose spots at anterior apex of triangular mesofrons and at each posterior angle near vertex, 2 gray, microtomentose spots on anterior fronto-orbits; pseudopostocellar setae subequal in length to ocellar setae. Pedicel with well-developed, proclinate, dorsal seta. Facial coloration distinctly 2-toned, background blackish brown to black, with silver to silvery gray spots dorsad of antennal bases, at dorsal apex of pedicel, in antennal grooves, 2 spots on lateral portion of face, along epistomal margin; parafacial silvery gray; face with dorsal 2/3 between antennal grooves shallowly carinate, becoming more prominent ventrad of facial grooves, slightly tuberculate; clypeus silver to silvery gray; maxillary palpus blackish.

Thorax: Mesonotum generally dark brown, with silvery gray, microtomentose spots medioanteriorly just lateral of acrostichal setulae, 4-5 spots lateral spots in irregular row from anterior portion to near posterior margin, postpronotum with posteromedial border with silvery gray stripe; notopleuron with silvery gray spotx ventrally, and posteriorly; anepisternum with 2 spots along dorsal margin and medially near posterior margin; katepisternum with dorsal, elongate spot; chaetotaxy generally well developed; prescutellar acrostichal setae much larger than other acrostichal setulae and more widely set apart; presutural supra-alar seta evident, length subequal to notopleural setae; katepisternum with 2 setae, 2nd seta smaller and inserted ventrad of larger seta. Wing mostly hyaline; veins behind costa brownish; alular marginal setulae short, less than 1/2 alular height; costal vein ratio 0.63-0.83; M vein ratio 0.35-0.40. Legs: tibiae dark, concolorous with femora.

Abdomen: 5th sternite transversely narrow, slightly expanded laterally, bearing numerous setulae. Male terminalia (Figs 81-84): Epandrium in posterior view (Fig. 81) uniformly U-shaped, in lateral view (Fig. 82) narrow, elongate, curved anteriorly on ventral half; cercus in posterior view (Fig. 81) becoming broader ventrally, ventral margin rounded, dorsal margin pointed medially, in lateral view (Fig. 82) with anterior margin nearly straight, posterior margin rounded, slightly narrower ventrally than dorsally; surstylus a rod-like, slender process that bears an apical, prominent setula; aedeagus in ventral view (Fig. 83) elongate, slightly narrower apically, apex pointed, in lateral view (Fig. 84) gently arched, broadened subapically, thereafter tapered to a sharp point; phallapodeme in lateral view (Fig. 84) semirectangular, slightly tapered toward apex of keel, in ventral view (Fig. 83) T-shaped; gonite in lateral view (Fig. 84) very broad basally, abruptly narrowed to form a relatively short, posteroapical extension that apically bears 2 setulae and a short, digitiform process, in ventral view (Fig. 83) elongate, unevenly tapered toward apex, base irregularly excavated at basal margin; hypandrium in ventral view (Fig. 83) subquadrate with rounded corners and with posterior, short projections, in lateral view (Fig. 84) leg-like, elongate, broader basally, shallowly angulate.

Type material.

The holotype male Allotrichoma baliops is labeled "USA. FL. Monroe: Key West (Willie Ward Park; 24°32.9'N, 81°47.9'W), 12 Jan 2007, D. & Wayne N. Mathis/HOLOTYPE ♂ Allotrichoma baliops W. Mathis & T. Zatwarnicki USNM [red]/USNM ENT 00117962 [plastic bar code label]." The holotype male is double mounted (minuten in a block of plastic elastomer), is in excellent condition, and is deposited in the USNM. Twelve paratypes (6♂, 6♀; USNM) bear the same locality data as the holotype (dates from 12 Jan-11 Feb 2000, 2007). Other paratypes are as follows: FLORIDA. Monroe: Key West (Dog Beach; 24°32.8'N, 81°47.7'W), 12 Jan 2007, D. and W. N. Mathis (5♂, 2♀; USNM).

Type locality.

United States. Florida. Monroe: Key West (Willie Ward Park; 24°32.9'N, 81°47.9'W).

Other specimens examined from the New World.

Neotropical: BRAZIL. PARANÁ. Antonina (25°28.4'S, 48°40.9'W; beach/mangal), 9 Apr 2010, D. and W. N. Mathis (1♂; USNM).

PERU. Lima: Callao (12°04.1'S, 77°08.7'W), 17 Nov 1950, A. E. Michelbacher, E. S. Ross (1♂; CAS).

Distribution.

(Fig. 85) Nearctic: United States (Florida). Neotropical: Brazil ( Paraná), Peru (Lima).

Etymology.

The species epithet, baliops, is of Greek derivation, meaning spotted, and is a noun in apposition that alludes to the spotted face of this species.

Remarks.

The known distribution of this species is obviously disjunct, which is undoubtedly the result of sampling error, i.e., a lack of field work and collecting. Al though specimens are apparently uncommonly collected, we suggest that this species will eventually be found at localities between and beyond those presently indicated. More field work by competent collectors is needed.