Burmapeza radicis, Grimaldi, 2018

Grimaldi, David A., 2018, Basal Cyclorrhapha In Amber From The Cretaceous And Tertiary (Insecta: Diptera), And Their Relationships: Brachycera In Cretaceous Amber Part Ix David A. Grimaldi, Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 2018 (423), pp. 1-97 : 1-97

Burmapeza radicis , new species

Figures 3 , 28

DIAGNOSIS: As for genus, by monotypy.

DESCRIPTION: (female only). Head: Somewhat flattened anteroposteriad, with broad frontal surface. Eyes bare, occupying all of lateral surface, well separated, no differentiation of facets. Median furrow of frons, interfrontal and fronto-orbital setae not observable (due to preservation); three pairs of small, stout ocellar setae present; row short, stout, postocular setae present near posterior margin of eye. Vibrissa, genal setae absent. Antenna: Scape not visible, apical rim of pedicel with fine setae; arista dorsal; basal flagellomere short, laterall flattened, subcircular in lateral view; three aristomeres present, basal two minute, apical aristomere length 1.5× that of basal flagellomere, with minute micropubescence. Mouthparts: Palp well developed, clavate; labellum barely visible.

Thorax: Scutum relatively flat dorsally. Acrostichals numerous, very fine, not in rows; 3 pairs prescutellar setae (lateralmost pair the dorsocentrals), graded row of dorsocentrals absent; 1 supraalar, 3–4 notopleurals present. Prescutellum present; scutellum relatively large, setulose on dorsal surface, posterior rim with 4 setae and smaller setulae. Wing: Relatively broad, short, width 0.5× the length; membrane entirely covered with dense microtrichia, even in cells. Two prehumeral costal setae present; vein C with 2 long rows of thick setulae that grade to fine setu- lae apicad; C terminates at apex of M 1. Pterostigma absent; slight tint between Sc and R 1. Sc long, terminates near middle of wing; R 1 long, runs very close to Sc at base. R 4+5 terminates at tip of wing, slightly deflexed in middle posteriad. Cells rm and bm complete; crossvein dm-cu 2.5× its length from wing margin; M 1 -M 2 fork asymmetrical (M 1 branch longer, complete), apex of M 2 abruptly incomplete; tips of CuA 1, CuA 2 +A 1 incomplete (gradually faded). Cell cup large, CuA 2 curved. Anal lobe and alula well developed. Legs: Relatively unmodified, generalized. Femora stoutest and longest podomeres, especially metafemur; metatibia slightly curved femorad, with apical circlet of 5 stout, short setae. Legs without dark, bifid scales on tibiae or tarsi; with fine setulae only. Hind tarsomeres not expanded/flattened; tarsomere lengths 1> 2> 3> 4 = 5. Pulvilli and empodium not observable.

Abdomen: Relatively long, slightly flattened dorsoventrally; tergites well developed (8 visible), with fine setae; tergite 7 with 2 pairs of slightly longer setae; sternites well developed but not very visible. Cercus slender, elongate, ventroflexed.

SPECIMENS EXAMINED: Holotype, female, JZC Bu178a, the better preserved of two specimens in the same piece of amber. The other specimen (178b) is partial (sex uncertain), and is designated as a paratype. The species description is taken mostly from the holotype, but features of the head were derived from the paratype because it is better preserved.

ETYMOLOGY: From Latin (“of the root”), in reference to the basal phylogenetic position of the genus and type species within Platypezidae .

Figures

FIG. 3. Burmapeza radicis, n. gen., n. sp. (Platypezidae), holotype female, JZC Bu178a, in Burmese amber. A. Dorsal habitus. B. Frontal view of head.

FIG.28. Burmapeza radicis, n. gen., n. sp.(Platypezidae), holotype female, JZC Bu178a, in Burmese amber.A. Wing. B. Thorax, dorsal, as preserved (slightly distorted by preservation). C. Female terminalia. D. Antenna, lateral.