Neurepidosis ekdalensis, Jaschhof & Jaschhof, 2019

Jaschhof, Mathias & Jaschhof, Catrin, 2019, New Dicerurini from Europe, mostly Sweden (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae, Porricondylinae), Zootaxa 4559 (2), pp. 245-264 : 253

Neurepidosis ekdalensis sp. nov.

Figs 12–15

The description of N. ekdalensis presented here is based on a single male, whose antennae and legs are for the most part missing, while the genitalia are well preserved and prepared. Being aware of the problems with singletons used for taxonomic description, we deem this a legitimate practice here, since N. ekdalensis (as any other species of Neurepidosis ) is primarily characterized by genitalic traits, all apparent in the holotype.

Diagnosis. Two characters distinguish N. ekdalensis from all other Neurepidosis : the gonocoxal emargination is a large, nearly perfect U-shape ( Fig. 12 , ↓ 1) and the posterior margin of the ninth tergite has a sclerotized protuberance medially ( Fig.13 , ↓ 2). Otherwise this new species resembles N. subalpina Jaschhof, 2013 , but whose gonostylus is stouter ( Jaschhof & Jaschhof 2013: fig. 70C).

Other male characters. Body size 1.3 mm. Head. Eye bridge 0–1 ommatidium long dorsally. Flagellomere necks longer than nodes; circumfila with 2 long posterior extensions ( Fig. 14 ). Wing 3.5 times longer than wide. Genitalia ( Fig. 12 ). Gonocoxae sparsely setose ventrally; ventral bridge with pigmented band below the emargination, and pigmented triangle mediobasally; dorsoposterior portions elongated into rounded lobes; dorsal bridge conspicuously narrow basally (↓ 3), anterior processes bent, weakly sclerotized apically. Gonostylus convex, bent, pointed apically; apex covered with large, dense microtrichia. Tegmen slender, tapered towards apex, lateral edges slightly reinforced, apex blunt-ended. Ejaculatory apodeme thick, strongly sclerotized, apex membranous, base greatly enlarged (↓ 4).

Etymology. The species name refers to Ekdalen, a nature reserve in Uppland, which our studies showed to have Porricondylinae rarely found elsewhere, including five different Neurepidosis .

Type material. Holotype. Male , Sweden, Uppland , Ekdalen Nature Reserve, young herb-rich forest with sparse, old oak trees, 17 July–8 August 2005, Malaise trap, Swedish Malaise Trap Project (trap 27, collecting event 1704) (spm. no. CEC 1601 in NHRS).

Figures

FIGURES 12–19. Neurepidosis ekdalensis, male, holotype. 12: Genitalia, ventral. 13: Posterior portions of gonocoxae and ninth tergite, dorsal. 14: First flagellomere, lateral. 15: Gonostylus, ventral. Neurepidosis emarginata, males. 16: Posterior portion of ninth tergite, dorsal, paratype. 17: Gonostylus, ventral, specimen from Czech Republic. 18: Fourth flagellomere, lateral, paratype. 19: Genitalia, ventral, holotype. Scales for 12, 17–19, 0.05 mm, for 13–16, 0.025 mm. Arrows refer to characters described in the diagnosis.