Lagaropsylla signata (Walgren, 1903)

Hastriter, Michael W., Miller, Kelly B., Svenson, Gavin J., Martin, Gavin J. & Whiting, Michael F., 2017, New record of a phoretic flea associated with earwigs (Dermaptera, Arixeniidae) and a redescription of the bat flea Lagaropsyllasignata (Siphonaptera, Ischnopsyllidae), ZooKeys 657, pp. 67-79 : 68-71

Lagaropsylla signata (Walgren, 1903) Figs 1-2, 3-6, 7-9

Type species.

Ceratopsylla signata Walgren, 1903, Banjuwangi, Java, 22 V 1899, Carl Aurivillius, Nyctinomus plicatus [= Chaerophon plicata (Buchanan, 1800)] [number or sex of specimens in type series not recorded] (Swedish National Museum, Stockholm, not examined).

Diagnosis.

Both sexes may be distinguished from all other species of Lagaropsylla by a narrow band separating the margin of the frons from a white area anterior to the frontal row of fine setae. This band is hardly wider than that of the marginal layer of the frons (Figs 1-2). Closely allied to Lagaropsylla mera mera Jordan & Rothschild, 1921, males are easily separated by the position of the acetabulum on the basimere. The acetabulum is midway on the basimere of Lagaropsylla signata (Fig. 3) and far distal to the midline of basimere in Lagaropsylla mera mera. The broad concave lobe on the caudal margin of the female S-VII (Fig. 6) differs from all other species of Lagaropsylla Jordan and Rothschild, 1921.

Description.

Walgren (1903) provided only a brief description of Lagaropsylla signata . A detailed description is therefore provided to include illustrations of the species. Unless otherwise specified, counts of spines and setae are for one side of the flea.

Head. Frons evenly rounded with very thin band layered between margin and a broader white area caudad; caudal margin of white zone lined with a dozen small setae from oral angle to upper antennal fossa. Second genal tooth longer than first. Pre-oral tuber short and thick, only half the length of first genal tooth. Eye fused into upper heavily sclerotized margin of genal lobe, hardly discernible as distinct eye. Labial palpus of five short segments; sub-equal to length of maxillary palpus. Occipital area with dorsal incrassations (Figs 1-2).

Thorax. Length of pronotum equal to height of pronotum; 18 sharp ctenidial spines (both sides) equal to length of pronotum. One dorsal incrassation in pronotum; two dorsal incrassations in meso- and metanota. Prosternosome with antero-ventral area expanded ventrad. Pleural rod fused in center of sclerotic dome. Mesosternum and mesoepimeron fused as one; with two tuberculiform sclerotizations at juncture of sternum and epimeron. Pleural ridge feebly developed; pleural arch lacking. Lateral metanotal area dorso-ventrally flattened. Metepimeron with 12 setae in male and 21 or 22 in female (Figs 1-2).

Legs. Oblique suture of mesocoxa only indicated on ventral margin. Notch in metacoxa vestigial. All femora lacking lateral or mesal setation. Dorsal margin of all tibiae with six dorsal notches. Distitarsomeres each with five pairs of lateral plantar bristles; most proximal pair set onto plantar surface between second pair (Figs 8-9).

Unmodified abdominal segments. Abdominal terga I–VII each with a dorsal incrassation. Main rows of setae on T-I–VI interrupted; one seta below level of each spiracle. Spiracles round. One long antesensilial bristle. Sternum II of male without lateral setae. Female S-II with lateral patch of 14 setae; some short and others long and slender (Fig. 2). Both male and female with vertical parallel reticulations on S-II. Male without setae on S-III; one row of setae on S-IV–VII (2, 3, 3, 3). Female with one row of setae on S-III–VI (6, 4, 4, 4).

Modified abdominal segments, male. Saddle of T-IX and manubrium forming an obtuse angle. Basimere more convex on ventral margin than dorsal margin. Basimere with two or three small setae along dorsal margin; two moderately stout setae at apex. Acetabulum of telomere placed approximately midway between base and apex of basimere. Telomere half the length of basimere; slightly angled at ventral apical third terminating as acute angle at apex. Telomere with five or six minute setae along ventral margin; one minute seta at apex and two minute setae on dorsal margin (Fig. 3). Tergum VIII vestigial. Tendon of S-IX long; curved beyond and over apex of aedeagal apodeme (Fig. 5). Left and right halves of S-VIII fused along ventral margin; with dorsal lobe encompassing aedeagus. Two short and two longer setae at juncture of fused sclerites; lateral group of six or seven small setae (Fig. 5). Distal arm of S-IX (DA9) as in Fig. 5; apex with two setae, one slightly spiniform. Ventral margin of apical portion of DA9 with three minute marginal setae. Apex of proximal arm fused with base of aedeagal apodeme (fused area inseparable with dissection). Penis rods sub-equal in length to tendon of S-IX. Dorsal margin of aedeagal apodeme convex; apex acutely terminated. Dorsal spur present; fused with dorsal surface of T-IX. Virga ventralis thick but not darkly sclerotized. Crescent sclerite nearly vertical relative to longitudinal axis of aedeagal apodeme. Median dorsal lobe rounded; distal half more lightly pigmented than that of the surrounding area. Sclerotized inner tube shorter on ventral apical margin than dorsal margin; latter appearing in lateral view as fine, hair-like extension. Dorsal armature on dorsal margin of sclerotized inner tube thorn-like. Ventral surface with similar heavily sclerotized ventral armature. Crochet thin and tapering to apex; peg-like paxillus near ventral base of crochet (Fig. 4).

Modified abdominal segments, female. Tergum VIII with two small setae near spiracle VIII, three or four long lateral setae, and four or five mesal marginal setae (two stout, two or three fine). Sternum VIII tube-like without setae. Caudal margin of S-VII with broad, truncate lobe with slight concavity at middle; with vertical row of four setae. Anal stylet twice length of width; with two minute setae at base of two slender apical setae. Ventral apical seta not much longer than anal stylet; dorsal seta twice length of stylet (Fig. 6). Bulga of spermatheca longer than wide; cribriform area extended slightly beyond margin of bulga. Hilla narrowed at juncture of bulga and enlarged towards apex; apex usually twice width of base. Bursa copulatrix long; base with “C” shaped thin sclerite merging into long and broad duct of bursa copulatrix. Duct of bursa copulatrix with small sclerotizations but no associated sclerites outside of duct. Duct of spermatheca thickened and crinkled at exit of bursa copulatrix, narrowing towards spermatheca (Fig. 7).

Dimensions.

Male average length: 1.6 mm (n =10), range: 1.4-1.8 mm. Female average length: 1.7 mm (n = 7), range: 1.5-1.9 mm.

Material examined.

Malaysia, Sarawak, Deer Cave, Gunung Mulu National Park, 2♂, 3♀ attached to Arixenia esau , 15♂, 35♀ from bat guano, 6 X 2006, KBM. An additional 5♂ and 12♀ were removed from the bodies of five specimens of Arixenia esau collected in January 2009 by GJS.