Amiota cruciatum, 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 : 43-44

Amiota cruciatum , sp. nov.

Figures 16E–F , 19C , 22 , 83C

DIAGNOSIS: Small fly (ThL 1.11–1.24 mm), dark brown; male genitalia very lightly sclerotized with exception of inner and portion of outer paraphyses; inner paraphyses asymmetrical and composed of 2 lobes, each lobe with 3 spines, anterior lobe of inner paraphyses bearing 2 spines, forming a forked structure, spines close and nearly parallel; aedeagal apodeme slightly curved, lightly sclerotized, the distal end squared; similar to A. tormentum and A. antitormentum , but male genitalia in A. cruciatum much more lightly sclerotized and differing in shape of aedeagal apodeme.

DESCRIPTION: Small fly (ThL 1.11–1.24 mm), dark brown, grading lighter ventrally; legs yellow. Frons dark brown, nearly black; numerous hairs on frons, scattered and golden. Characteristic markings on face and postpronotal lobe faded. Haltere bright lemon yellow. Palp yellow. Arista: Medium plumose; longest branch D2; A.R. 0.42; 4 long and 1 short dorsal, 2 ventral branches, none pointed mediad/ laterad; arista trunk with short microtrichia along entire length. Male genitalia: Epandrium split medially, distinct from surrounding membrane; numerous setae clustered on ventral end, single line of setae ascending dorsally toward apex. Cercus somewhat pendulous, long, grading dorsally into surrounding membrane. Surstylus with 11 prensisetae, apices blunt, closely spaced; lobe arising anterior to most lateral prensisetae, extending ventrally. Subepandrial sclerite simple; no subepandrial appendage present, just a weakly sclerotized, narrow shelf. Outer paraphysis laterally flattened; distal end rounded with a sclerotized, preapical-dorsal claw, pointed posteriorly; ca. 20 scattered setulae on lateral surface; 2 heavily sclerotized spines proximal to distal claw, perpendicular to paraphysis, several sensilla between proximal spines and inner paraphysis. Inner paraphysis consisting of 2 lobes, heavily sclerotized, arrayed with asymmetrical spines; anterior lobe with 3 spines, the 2 anteriormost spines forming a forked structure, spines close and nearly parallel; posterior lobe with 3 spines. Aedeagal apodeme not strongly sclerotized, almost translucent, distal end square shaped and lightly concave, the base 3/4 the length. Hypandrium simple, thickness even throughout. Ejaculatory apodeme very small, 1/3 the length of the epandrium. Head and thorax measurements: (n = 5; Am 76, 98, 105, 120, 122) FL/FW 0.85 (0.75–1), EL/EW 1.48 (1.43–1.55), EL/CW 16.79 (12.40–20.33), FML/FMW 0.33 (0.28–0.40), PR /RR 0.6 (0.45– 0.77), ThL 1.16 (1.11–1.24 mm).

TYPE MATERIAL: Holotype: male: Ramsey Canyon, Huachua Mts., Arizona, [31.448243, -110.307832], MR Wheeler and WB Heed, June 1951, 2157:11, Am 97, [glued to paper point, dissected]. Deposited in the American Museum of Natural History ( AMNH). Paratypes: Ramsey Canyon, Huachua Mts., Arizona, MR Wheeler and WB Heed, June 1951, 2157:11, 3♂ and 3♀ (Am 79, 85, 99*, 104, 105*, 106*, 107, AMNH)

OTHER MATERIAL EXAMINED: USA: Arizona: Ramsey Canyon Huachua Mts., 1951-06, leg. M. R. Wheeler and W.B. Heed, 2157.11, 8♂ and 6♀ (Am 80*, 81, 82, 83*, 84, 86, 87*, 88*, 96, 98, 100, 101*, 107*, 108, AMNH) ; 1951-06, leg. M. R. Wheeler and W.B. Heed, 1♂ and 1♀ (Am 118, 119, AMNH) ; 1951-06-15, [no collector], 1♂ and 2♀ (Am 90, 91, 95*, AMNH) ; Roundup Campground, Madera Canyon Rec. Area Coronado Nat’l. For., 1951-06-16 through 1951-06-17, leg. W.B. Heed and M. R. Wheeler, 2160.8, 1♂ and 1♀ (Am 74*, 75*, AMNH) ; Rustler Park Camp, 1951-06, leg. M. R. Wheeler and W.B. Heed, 2155.10, 1♂ (Am 120*, AMNH) ; 20 mi. SW Safford, 1951-06, leg. W.B. Heed and M. R. Wheeler , 1♂ and 1♀ (Am 122*, 123*, AMNH) . New Mexico: Mill Canyon Magdalena Mts., S. Magdalena , 1951-06-26 through 1951-06-27, leg. M. R. Wheeler and W.B. Heed, 2170.9, 1♂ and 1♀ (Am 76*, 77, AMNH) .

ETYMOLOGY: From cruciatus, Latin for “tortured.” Used as a noun in apposition in reference to the mass of twisting spines of the inner paraphyses, which resemble an instrument of torture.

DISTRIBUTION: Amiota cruciatum is found in the mountainous regions of Arizona and New Mexico.

COMMENTS: It is unknown whether Amiota cruciatum is attracted to the eyes and face as other Amiota .

Figures

FIG. 16. Heads and lateral views, A. mariae species group. A–B. A. antitormentum, sp. nov. (Am 55, holotype, lateral image flipped). C–D. A. brayi, sp. nov. (Am 322, holotype). E–F. A. cruciatum, sp. nov. (Am 83, lateral image flipped). Lack of white spots is likely an effect due to preservation.

FIG. 19. Aristae, A. mariae species group. A. A. antitormentum. B. A. brayi. C. A. cruciatum. D. A. incurva. E, G. A. mariae Máca. F. A. texas. H. A. tormentum. I. A. wheeleri. J–K. A. zaliskoi. Not to same scale.

FIG. 22. Male terminalia, A. cruciatum. A. Epandrium and cerci. B. Ejaculatory apodeme. C. Lateral view. D. Aedeagal apodeme. E. Subepandrial sclerite, lateral. F. Paraphyses, ventral view. G. Paraphyses, dorsal view. (Am 97).

FIG. 83. Distribution maps, A. mariae species group. A. A. antitormentum. B. A. brayi. C. A. cruciatum.