Curtonotum balachowskyi Tsacas, 1974

Kirk-Spriggs, Ashley H., 2011, A revision of Afrotropical Quasimodo flies (Diptera: Schizophora; Curtonotidae). Part III - the Malagasy species of Curtonotum Macquart, with descriptions of six new species, African Invertebrates 52 (2), pp. 391-391 : 398-403

Curtonotum balachowskyi Tsacas, 1974

Figs 7 , 20 , 33 , 40, 42, 44 , 84 , 98

Curtonotum balachowskyi: Tsacas 1974: 710 ; figs 4a–d (p. 711); fig. 8f (p. 718). Type locality: “ Madagascar: Mananjary ”.

Curtonotum sp. cf. balachowskyi n. sp. species b (sensu Tsacas 1974: 712).

Differential diagnosis: This species differs from other species occurring on Madagascar in having the medial lobes of the hypandrium (viewed dorsally), parallel-sided, with a narrow medial membranous area clothed in tiny spinules. Interpretaton of its relationships to other species occurring in the Afrotropical Region must await the outsome of phylogenetic study.

Redescription:

Male (primarily based on field­pinned HT).

Measurements: Overall length 2.8–4.8 mm (n = 47, N-T); length of head and thorax combined 2.8 mm; length of thorax and scutellum combined 2.9 mm; wing 4 mm long. Head ( Figs 7 , 20 ). Compound eye probably green-brown iridescent in living examples, in profile gently and evenly rounded anteriorly, slightly triangularly produced posteriorly, eye height/length ratio: 12:7 (HT); frons ( Fig. 20 ) subparallel-sided, slightly wider than long, frons length/width ratio: 7:85 (HT), very slightly wider at vertex than at ventral margin, ground colour pale dirty yellow, faintly darker towards vertex and between orbital plates, otherwise both vittae inconspicuous, surface with a few minute pale to dark brown setulae, positioned at medial margin of orbital plates; orbital plates and ocellar triangle silver-grey pruinose; ocelli clear grey with 4 or 5 minute dark setulae arranged in two closely-approximated regular rows between posterior ocelli; orbital plates extending from vertex of head to 0.9 length of frons, slightly indented at lateral margin between posterior and anterior orbital setae; lateral margins with narrow silver pruinose fascia (adjacent to eye margin), widest at antennal insertions; posterior orbital seta moderately strong, slightly outcurved, shorter than outer vertical seta, with tiny proclinate medial orbital seta inserted anteromedially to socket of posterior orbital seta; anterior orbital seta moderately strong, ca half length of ocellar setae; ocellar setae finer, almost reaching ventral margin of frons; outer vertical seta shorter than inner; postocellar setae strong, cruciate, slightly shorter than outer vertical seta; antennal scape and pedicel dirty pale brown, silver­grey pruinose, flagellomere 1 concolourous with pedicel basally, darkened apically, silver-grey pruinose as in face, longer than wide, apex bluntly-pointed, arista with 9–11 long dorsal branches and 3 or 4 ventral branches in addition to terminal fork; lunule and face uniform silver-grey pruinose throughout, face with broad silver fascia (adjacent to eye margin), facial carina developed as a low ridge, extending half length of face, pre-epistomal line indented; clypeus brown, especially laterally; 1 pair fairly strong vibrissae inserted on posterior lateral margin and 10 much finer setae bordering genal groove; occiput yellow to grey pruinose with moderately strong, black postocular setae; gena narrow, eye height/genal height ratio: 12:1 (HT), silver pruinose, abruptly dirty brown beyond basal angle; palpus black-brown, brown microtrichose.

Thorax ( Fig. 7 ). Mesonotum moderately convex, very slightly flattened behind head, with multiple rows of regular, short, black, overlapping setulae; silver-grey pruinose, with four parallel chestnut-brown pruinose vittae on dorsal surface, 2 median vittae extending from anterior margin to region of anterior dorsocentral seta socket, 2 lateral vittae shorter, extending from ⅔ length to region of posterior dorsocentral seta socket, 2 pairs of dorsocentral setae, posterior long and strong (shorter than lateral scutellar seta), anterior shorter and finer (shorter and finer than medial scutellar seta); 1 pair acrostichal setae shorter than anterior dorsocentral seta; presutural seta moderately strong, reclinate, as long and strong as posterior notopleural seta; 2 notopleural setae the anterior slightly longer than posterior; 1 strong, reclinate supra-alar seta slightly exceeding length of posterior dorsocentral seta; 2 reclinate postalar seta moderately strong, same size as acrostichal setae; postpronotum dirty yellow-grey pruinose, with 2 strong postpronotal setae, the more dorsal longer and reclinate, the more ventral shorter and proclinate, with 10–12 finer black­brown setulae; anepisternum silver­grey pruinose with 3 moderately strong anepisternal setae, the dorsal and medial reclinate, stronger and of equal length, the more ventral shorter, slightly dorsally-directed, surface with 18 fine setulae scattered across surface, some larger and arranged in two groups of 3; anepimeron, laterotergite and meron silver-grey pruinose, glabrous; katepisternum silver-grey pruinose, with 2 katepisternal setae, the more ventral strong, slightly dorsally­directed, the more dorsal much smaller and finer, ca 0.2 length of ventral katepisternal setae, surface with 16 short, fine setulae at base and along posterior margin.

Scutellum. Silver-grey pruinose as in mesonotum, with faint medial brown pruinose vitta basally (under some lights); anterior 0.8 clothed in black, irregular, overlapping setulae; 2 pairs of strong scutellar setae, 1 weak basal scutellar setula and 1 weak intermediate scutellar setula, the latter inserted closer to lateral than medial scutellar setae (0.8 distance between medial and lateral scutellar setae).

Legs. Fore coxa silver-yellow pruinose with two moderately strong, brown, ventrally-directed preapical setae and comb of finer setulae medially, with 8–10 brown setulae on anterior surface; mid and hind coxa yellow-grey pruinose, mid coxa with 2 very strong, lateral, ventrally­directed, black setae and comb of finer setae medially and 3 brown setulae; hind coxa with 1 weaker lateral black seta and 1 brown setula; femora, tibia and tarsi uniform dirty yellow; all tibiae with preapical seta; fore tibia with 4 strong setae on lateral margin, the second basal seta shorter than other three, with ctenidium of 10–12 short, sharp, black spinules, separated from each other by one or more basal spinule widths.

Wing ( Fig. 33 ). Long, relatively narrow, tip evenly-rounded, veins chestnut-brown, membrane very faintly infuscate brown throughout, very slightly darker in r 1 and anterior half of r 2+3 and in region of dm–cu crossvein; costa with prominent costal spines in basal 0.8 from costal break; R 4+5 slightly anteriorly-produced in basal third, R 2+3 and R 4+5 subparallel, r 2+3 expanded apically; dm–cu crossvein slightly obliquely angled posteriorly, evenly curved medially; cua 1 relatively long and narrow; A 1 +CuA 2 and A 2 manifested as a fold only; A 2 extending half length of cua 1; haltere dirty yellow.

Abdomen. Ground colour of tergites 1–5 yellow-grey pruinose, clothed in relatively long black, overlapping setulae, arranged in regular rows, those at apical margins longer and stronger; tergite 1 simple, devoid of maculae; tergite 2 with oblique, subrectangular brown-black pruinose dorsolateral macula on either side only; tergites 3–5 with narrow, V-shaped concolourous median fascia and well-separated and reduced concolourous T-shaped dorsolateral macula, lateral margin of tergites 2–5 with subelliptical concolourous macula in basal half; sternite 4, quadrate, sternite 5 rectangular, subparallel­sided, 0.25× longer than sternite 4, both unmodified, with brown setulae arranged in irregular rows, those along apical margins slightly longer and stronger; sternite 6 ( Fig. 84 ) subquadrate (may appear narrower in undissected specimens), narrowed in basal 0.4, with shallow, broad, subtriangular excision apically, with faint brown maculae medially and fascia laterally, merging apically, clothed in short black irregular brown setulae in apical ⅔, those at apical margin longer and more prominent.

Terminalia ( Figs 40, 42, 44 ). Hypandrium ( Fig. 40 , hy) long, with broad-based rounded-truncate dorsobasal lobe, posterior bridge dorsally and ventrally produced (rounded to slightly angulate in profile); hypandrial arms narrow basally, expanded apically (viewed laterally), with 2 setulae proximal to postgonite, the more lateral ventrally directed, the medial ventromedially directed (obscured by epandrium on Fig. 40 ), sclerotised area of medial lobes (viewed dorsally), parallel-sided, medial membranous area narrow, clothed in tiny spinules, separated in basal half, slightly overlapping in apical half; postgonite ( Fig. 40 , pg) long, thin and straight, with slight undulating anterior margin; epandrium ( Fig. 40 , ep) slightly broader dorsally than ventrally (viewed laterally), evenly-rounded on dorsal margin, posterior margin slightly angled, ventral margin with extensive row of long, regular to irregular, apically-directed setae; cercus ( Fig. 40 , ce) not prominent, longest setae as long as medium setae on ventral margin of epandrium; surstylus ( Fig. 40 , ss) long, widest basally, slightly curved in apical ⅔; phallus (as in Figs 42 , ph, bp, dp; 44, bp, dp) C-shaped, moderately sclerotised, brown; phallapodeme ( Fig. 42 , ph), fused to basiphallus, subtriangular (viewed laterally), with basal margin developed into two short, flat projections in basal 0.4, bifurcated at point of connection with hypandrium; ejaculatory apodeme ( Fig. 42 , ea) free, duct inserted at junction of phallapodeme and basiphallus; basiphallus ( Fig. 42 , bp) narrow and regular for most of its length, with very slight internal bulge at point of first bend in basal three­fifths; apical section ( Fig. 44 , bp) broad, right lateral margin evenly rounded with slightly raised margin, forming even projection apically, left lateral margin with distinct raised fold; distiphallus ( Figs 42, 44 , dp) long, scimitar-like (viewed laterally), narrow (viewed dorsally).

Variation: The even projection on the right anterior margin of the basiphallus is somewhat variable in shape and angle in some specimens, other terminalia characters are consistent, however, and this is here regarded as intraspecific variation only.

Holotype (examined): ♂ MADAGASCAR: “ MADAGASCAR Fia / Mananjary / 11.VIII.[19]58.F.KEISER [pink paper] // HOLOTYPE [red card] // CURTONOTUM / balachowskyi / ♂ holotype n.sp. / L. TSACAS DET. 1974 [printed & handwritten] // MUSÉUM PARIS // Curtonotum / balachowskyi ♂ / Tsacas, 1974 / A.H. Kirk-Spriggs vidit 2008” ( MNHN). In excellent condition; re-staged on new poly mount; dissected, abdomen and terminalia in micro-vial pinned beneath specimen.

Paratypes (all labelled:“ Curtonotum / balachowskyi ♂ [or ♀] / Tsacas, 1974 / A.H. Kirk­Spriggs vidit 2008”): MADAGASCAR : 1♀ same data as holotype except: “// PARATYPE [printed; red card] // CURTONOTUM / balachowskyi n.sp. / ♂ paratype / L. TSACAS DET. 1974 [printed & handwritten]” ; 1♀ same except: “// CURTONOTUM / balachowskyi n.sp. / ♀ paratype / L. TSACAS DET. 1974 [printed & handwritten]” (both NHMB) ; 1♀ same except: “6.VIII.[19]58 // ALLOTYPE [printed; red card] // CURTONOTUM / balachowskyi / ♀ allotype n.sp. / L. TSACAS DET. 1974 [printed & handwritten]” ; 1♂, “Ambila / [?Sunaibo - illegible] [handwritten] // VIII.[19]52 / (R.P.) [= R. Paulian] [handwritten] // INSTITUT / SCIENTIFIQUE / MADAGASCAR [pale grey card] // PARATYPE [red card] // CURTONOTUM / balachowskyi / ♂ paratype n.sp. / L. TSACAS DET. 1974 [printed & handwritten] // MUSÉUM PARIS” [head detached, glued to data label] (both MNHN) ; 1♂, “ MADAGASCAR Tam. / Tamatave / 23.X.[19] 58 F. KEISER [pink paper] // PARATYPE [red card] // CURTONOTUM / balachowskyi / ♂ paratype n.sp. / L. TSACAS DET. 1974 [printed & handwritten]” ( NHMB) .

Other material examined (all labelled: “ Curtonotum balachowskyi Tsacas, 1974 ♂ det. A.H. Kirk­Spriggs 2010”): MADAGASCAR: d’Analalava Prov.: 1♂ Maromandia, R. Decary 1922, “ Curtonotum sp. cf. balachowskyi n. sp. espece b, L. Tsacas det. 1974” ( MNHN) : Fianarantsoa Prov.: 1♂ near Isalo National Park, at stream east of Interpretive Center , 22°37.60'S: 45°21.49'E, 13–19.i. 2002, 750 m, M.E. Irwin & R. Harin’Hala, Malaise trap in open area (MA­02­11A­11) ; 1♂ near Isalo National Park, in dry wash east of Interpretive Center , 22°37.60'S: 45°21.49'E, 12–22.vi. 2002, 885 m, M.E. Irwin & R. Harin’Hala, Malaise trap in open area (MA­02­11B­32) ; 4♂ 50 km S of Farafangana, Mahabo Mananivo, Ampitavananima Forest , 23°7.79'S: 47°43.02'E, 13–20.i. 2007, 34 m, M.E. Irwin, F. Parker & R. Harin’Hala, Malaise trap low altitude littoral rainforest (MG­35­01); same except : 1♂ 20–26.i.2007 (MG­35­02); 1♂ 26.i–4.ii.2007 (MG­35­03); 1♂ 4–10.ii.2007 (MG­35­04); 1♂ 10–17.ii.2007 (MG­35­05); 1♂ 17–24.iii.2007 (MG­35­ 10); 1♂ 24–31.iii.2007 (MG­35­11); 2♂ 14–21.v.2007 (MG­35­18); 5♂ 21–25.v.2007 (MG­35­19); 1♂ 29.v–2.vi.2007 (MG­35­20); 1♂ 2–10.vi.2007 (MG­35­21); 1♂ 10–15.vi.2007 (MG­35­22); 2♂ 15.vi–1. vii.2007 (MG­35­23); 5♂ 14–19.vii.2007 (MG­35­26); 2♂ 3–11.viii.2007 (MG­35­30); 3♂ 11–27.viii.2007 (MG­35­31); 2♂ 27.viii–6.ix.2007 (MG­35­32); 1♂ 6–13.ix.2007 (MG­35­33); 6♂ 13–20.ix.2007 (MG­35-34). Tuléar Prov.: 1♂ Zombitse National Park , near national road, 22°50.43'S: 44°43.87'E, 26 xi–2. xii. 2001, 825 m, R. Harin’Hala, Malaise trap, deciduous spiny forest (MA­02­13B­04) ; 1♂ Beza Mahafaly Reserve, Parcelle I near research station, 23°41.19'S: 44°35.46'E, 15 x–10.xi. 2001, 165 m, M.E. Irwin, F.D. Parker & R. Harin’Hala, Malaise trap in dry deciduous forest (MA­02­14A­01) ; 2♂ Mikea Forest , 97 ft, 22°54.22'S: 43°28.53'E, 6–16 xii.2001, Malaise trap, deciduous dry forest, R. Harin’Hala & M.E. Irwin (MG­18A­05); same except : 2♂ 16–26 xii.2001 (MG­18A­06); 1♂ 26 xi–27 xii.2001 (MG­18A­07); 1♂ 27 xii.2001– 6.i.2002 (MG­18A­08); 1♂ 19.ii–1.iii.2002 (MG­18A­14); 1♂ 8–18.iii.2002 (MG­18A­16); 2♂ 18–29.iv.2002 (MG­18A­20); 1♂ 9–19.v.2002 (MG­18A­22); 1♂ 22.vi–2.vii.2002 (MG­18A­26); 1♂ 2–13.vii.2002 (MG­18A­27); 1♂ 23.vii–6.viii.2002 (MG­18A­29); 1♂ 19.viii–3.ix.2002 (MG­18A­31); 3♂ 29.vi–6.vii.2003 (MA­02­18A­60); 2♂ 6–17.vii.2003 (MA­02­18A­61); 2♂ 17–27.vii.2003 (MA­02­18A­62); 5♂ 27.vii–3.viii.2003 (MA­02­18A­63); 2♂ Mikea Forest , 22°54.80'S: 43°23.93'E, 20–27. xi. 2001, 120 ft, R. Harin’Hala & M.E. Irwin, Malaise trap, spiny forest (MG-18B-03); same except : 3♂ 6–16 xii.2001 (MG­18B­05); 1♂ 16–26 xii.2001 (MG­18B­06); 1♂ 6–16.i.2002 (MG­18B­09); 1♂ 16–17.i.2002 (MG­18B­10); 1♂ 28.iii–8.iv.2002 (MG­18B­18); 1♂ 18–29.iv.2002 (MG­18B­20); 1♂ 29.iv–9.v.2002 (MG­18B­21); 1♂ 19–29.v.2002 (MG­18B­23); 1♂ 19.viii–3.ix.2002 (MG­18B­31); 1♂ Beroboka village 45 km NE Morondava, 19°58.65'S: 44°39.92'E, 26–30 x. 2007, 420 ft, M.E. Irwin & R. Harin’Hala, Malaise trap, Antsarongaza gallery forest (MG­45B­06); same except : 1♂ 6–13 xi.2007 (MG­45B-08) (all CAS) . Mgjunga Prov.: 1♂ Ampijoroa National Park , 160 km N of MGevatanana on RN 04, 16°19.16'S: 46°48.80'E, 2–9.vii. 2003, 140 ft, M.E. Irwin & R. Harin’Hala, Malaise trap, deciduous forest (MG­25­05); same except : 1♂ 10–17.viii.2003 (MG­25­10) (all CAS) ; 1♂ 7–14.ix.2003 (MA­25­14) [in spirit], BMSA(DNA)#0042 ( BMSA) ; 1♂ 2–9 xi.2003 (MG­25­22); 1♂ 9–20.xi.2003 (MG­25­23); 3♂ 30 xi–8 xii.2003 (MG­25­25); 1♂ 16–27 x.2004 (MG­25­34); 1♂ 21.i–7.ii.2005 (MG­25­ 42); 3♂ 17–19.ii.2005 (MG­25­43). Antananarivo Prov. : 1♂ Ambohitantely , 46 km NE of Ankazobe, 18°11.88'S: 47°16.89'E, 28 xii.2003– 10.i.2004, 2300 ft, R. Harin’Hala & M.E. Irwin, Malaise trap, forêt sclerophylle (MG­27­12) ; 6♂ same except: 10–20.i.2004 (MG­27­13); 1♂ same except: 1–12.ii.2004 (MG­27-15). Majunga Prov.: 2♂ Ambovomamy Belambo , 20 km NW of Port Berger, 15°27.07'S: 47°36.80'E, 4–14.i.2007, 33 m, R. Harin’Hala, M.E. Irwin & F. Parker, Malaise, secondary growth on white sand (MG­33­01); same except : 3♂ 21–22.i.2007 (MG­33­03); 1♂ 22–27.i.2007 (MG­33­04); 1♂ 7–13. ii.2007 (MG­33­07); 1♂ 13–18.ii.2007 (MG­33­08) (all CAS) ; 1♂ 18–25.ii.2007 (MG­33­09) [in spirit], BMSA(DNA)#0044 ( BMSA) ; 1♂ 3–10.iii.2007 (MG­33­11); 1♂ 10–18.iii.2007 (MG­33­12); 1♂ 18– 26.iii.2007 (MG­33­13); 1♂ 6–12.iv.2007 (MG­33­16); 9♂ Besalampy District, Marofototra dry forest, 17 km W of Besalampy, 16°43.30'S: 44°25.42'E, 24.ix–1 x. 2007, 170 ft, M.E. Irwin & R. Harin’Hala, Malaise trap, dry wash in forest (MG­42A­01) ; 1♂ Besalampy District, Marofototra palm forest 17 km W of Besalampy, 16°43.30'S: 44°25.42'E, 1–8 x.2007, 35 ft, M.E. Irwin & R. Harin’Hala, Malaise trap, palm trees on sand (MG­42B­02); same except : 6♂ 8–15 x.2007 (MG­42B­03); 13♂ 15–22 x.2007 (MG­42B­04) [1 head missing]; 6♂ 22–29 x.2007 (MG­42B­05); 2♂ 29 x–5 xi.2007 (MG­42B­06); 5♂ 2–12 xi.2007 (MG­42B­07); 9♂ 12–19 xi.2007 (MG­42B­08); 9♂ 19–26 xi.2007 (MG­42B­09); 5♂ 26 xi–3 xii.2007 (MG­42B­10); 9♂ 3–10 xii.2007 (MG­42B­11); 8♂ 10–17 xii.2007 (MG­42B­12); 5♂ 17–24 xii.2007, (MG­42B­13); 4♂ Maintirano District, Asondrodava dry forest, 15 km N of Maintirano, 17°57.92'S: 44°2.13'E, 27.ix–8 x. 2007, 200 ft, M.E. Irwin & R. Harin’Hala, Malaise trap in dry forest (MG­43A­01); same except : 4♂ 8–15.x.2007 (MG­43A­02); 5♂ 22–29.x.2007 [1 with wing detached and glued to point] (MG­43A­04); 1♂ 29.x–5 xi.2007 (MG­43A­05); 2♂ 5–12 xi.2007 (MG­43A­06); 4♂ 12–17 xi.2007 (MG­43A­07); 1♂ 17 xi–3 xii.2007 (MG­43A­08); 2♂ 3–10 xii.2007 (MG­43A­09); 6♂ 10–17 xii.2007 (MG­43A­10); 26♂ 17–24 xii.2007 (MG­43A­11); 5♂ 24–31 xii.2007 (MG­43A­12); 18♂ 31 xii.2007– 7.i.2008 (MG­43A­13); 23♂ 7–14.i.2008 (MG­43A­14); 18♂ 14–21.i.2008 (MG­43A­15); 27♂ 21–28.i.2008 (MG­43A­16); 28♂ 28.i–4.ii.2008 (MG­43A­17); 23♂ Maintirano District, Asondrodava dry forest 15 km N of Maintirano, 17°57.92'S: 44°2.13'E, 27.ix–8 x. 2007, 200 ft, M.E. Irwin & R. Harin’Hala, Malaise trap, dry forest at dune (MG­43B­01); same except : 7♂ 8–15 x.2007 (MG­43B­02); 12♂ 15–22 x.2007 (MG­43B­03) [1 head missing]; 11♂ 22–29 x.2007 (MG­43B­04); 5♂ 29 x–5 xi.2007 (MG­43B­05); 1♂ 5–12.xi.2007 (MG­43B­06); 3♂ 12–17 xi.2007 (MG­43B­07) (all CAS) ; 1♂ 10–17. xii.2007 (MG­43B­11) [in spirit], BMSA(DNA)#0053 ( BMSA) ; 3♂ 17–24 xii.2007 (MG­43B­12); 5♂ 24–31 xii.2007 (MG­43B­13); 4♂ 31 xii.2007– 7.i.2008 (MG­43B­14) (all CAS) ; 1♂ 14–21.i.2008 (MG­43B­16) [in spirit], BMSA(DNA)#0055 ( BMSA) ; 2♂ 21–28.i.2008 (MG­43B­17). Toamasina Prov. : 1♂ Mobot site, Analalava , 7 km SW of Foulpointe, 17°42'32"S: 49°27'29"E, 15–21.ix.2007, 80 ft, M.E. Irwin & R. Harin’Hala, Malaise trap, low altitude dense humid forest (MG-37A-01) ( CAS) .

Distribution ( Fig. 98 ): The most widely distributed species of the genus in Madagascar, distributed in six vegetation types (Appendix II), in the Dry Deciduous Forest, Central Highlands and Evergreen Rainforest biomes. Occurring in nine biogeographical zones and all bioclimatic zones ( Figs 105–107 ; Tables 1–3).

Figures

Figs 1–8. Head and thorax (lateral view) of Curtonotum spp., males: (1) C. keiseri, PT, Mtge. D’Ambre, NHMB; (2) C. stuckenbergi, HT, Ambohitantely, NMHN; (3) C. sternithrix, HT, Antanambe, MNHN; (4) C. irwini sp. n., PT, Zombitse National Park, CAS; (5) C. parkeri sp. n., PT, same, CAS; (6) C. coronaeformis sp. n., PT, near Isalo National Park, CAS; (7) C. balachowskyi, HT, Fia Mananjary, MNHN; (8) C. gladiiformis sp. n., HT, Fianarantsoa, CAS. Not to scale.

Figs 14–26. Frons (dorsal view) of Curtonotum spp., males: (14) C. keiseri, PT, Mtge. D’Ambre, NHMB; (15) C. stuckenbergi, HT, Ambohitantely, NMHN; (16) C. sternithrix, HT, Antanambe, MNHN; (17) C. irwini sp. n., HT, Zombitse National Park, CAS; (18) C. parkeri sp. n., HT, same, CAS; (19) C. coronaeformis sp.n., HT, Fianarantsoa, CAS; (20) C. balachowskyi, HT, Fia Mananjary, MNHN; (21) C. gladiiformis sp. n., HT, Fianarantsoa, CAS; (22) C. rinhatinana sp. n., HT,Ankarafantsika, CAS; (23) C. boeny, HT, Ambato-Boeni, MNHN; (24) C. griveaudi sp. n., HT, Asondrodava dry forest, CAS; (25) C. pauliani, N-T, Ankarafantsika, CAS; (26) C. sakalava, N-T, Andohahela National Park, CAS. Not to scale.

Figs 27–39. Wing of Curtonotum spp., males, unless otherwise stated: (27) C. keiseri, N-T, Joffreville, TAU; (28) C. stuckenbergi, ♀ AT, Ambohitantely, NMSA; (29) C. sternithrix, PT, Manambato, NMSA; (30) C. irwini sp. n., PT, Zombitse National Park, CAS; (31) C. parkeri sp. n., HT, same, CAS; (32) C. coronaeformis sp. n., PT, near Isalo National Park, CAS; (33) C. balachowskyi, N-T, Asondrodava dry forest, CAS; (34) C. gladiiformis sp. n., PT, near Isalo National Park, CAS; (35) C. rinhatinana sp. n., HT, Ankarafantsika, CAS; (36) C. boeny, ♀ PT,Ambata­Boeni, MNHN; (37) C. griveaudi sp. n., N-T, Sambava Beach, TAU; (38) C. pauliani, N-T, Tsingy National Park, CAS; (39) C. sakalava, N-T, Berenty Special Reserve, CAS. Not to scale.

Figs 40–45. Male terminalia of Curtonotum spp.: (40, 41) hypandrium and epandrium, lateral view: (40) C. balachowskyi, N-T, Fianarantsoa, CAS; (41) C. gladiiformis sp. n., PT, same, CAS; (42, 43) phallus, right lateral view: (42) C. balachowskyi, HT, Mananjary, MNHN; (43) C. gladiiformis, HT, Fianarantsoa,CAS; (44,45)basiphallus and distiphallusjunction,dorsal view:(44)C. balachowskyi; (45) C. gladiiformis. Scale bar = 0.5 mm.

Figs 79–91. Sternites 6 (79–85, 87–91) and 4–6 (86) of Curtonotum spp. males: (79) C. keiseri, N-T, Ambohitra, TAU; (80) C. stuckenbergi, HT, Ambohitantely, NMHN; (81) C. irwini sp. n., PT, Zombitse National Park, CAS; (82) C. parkeri sp. n., PT, same, CAS; (83) C. coronaeformis sp. n., PT, Fianarantsoa, CAS; (84) C. balachowskyi, N-T, same, CAS; (85) C. gladiiformis sp. n., N-T, same, CAS; (86) C. sternithrix, PT, Manambato, MNHN; (87) C. rinhatinana sp. n., HT, Ankarafantsika,CAS; (88) C. boeny, N-T, E. Bekopaka,CAS; (89) C. griveaudi sp.n., PT, Mahafaly Reserve, CAS; (90) C. pauliani, N-T, E. Bekopaka, CAS; (91) C. sakalava, N-T, Berenty Special Reserve, CAS. Scale bars = 0.5 mm.

Figs 97–101. Distribution of Malagasy Curtonotom spp.: (97) C. coronaeformis sp. n.; (98) C. balachowskyi; (99) C. gladiiformis sp. n.; (100) C. rinhatinana sp. n.; (101) C. boeny.

Figs 105–107. (105) The biomes of Madagascar (after Yoder & Nowak 2006); (106) biogeographic zonation of Madagascar, following Boumans et al. (2007) and partly Wilmé et al. (2006) (after Glaw & Vences 2007); (107) bioclimatic zonation of Madagascar, following Cornet (1974) and Schatz (2000) (after Glaw & Vences 2007).