Visma xanthorrhoea, Smith & Mitchell & Molero-Baltanás, 2021

Smith, Graeme B., Mitchell, Andrew & Molero-Baltanás, Rafael, 2021, Molecular and morphological studies identify a new genus within the Heterolepismatinae (Zygentoma: Lepismatidae), Zootaxa 5030 (1), pp. 1-118 : 108-116

Visma xanthorrhoea new species

Table 13; Figs. 9 , 25 , 31 , 36 , 400–439

Type material. Holotype SA: Mt Remarkable NP, Alligator Gorge area, 32.73077°S 138.05921°E 624 m asl, 9 May 2012, Graeme Smith, pyrethrum spray to grass tree (Xanthorrhoea sp. ASPHODELACEAE ) ♀ ( HW 1.38 ) on two slides ( SAMA 05-000004 - 1 and 05-000004-2) . Paratype ♂ ( HW 1.10 ) same data as holotype, on two slides ( SAMA 05-000005 - 1 and 05-000005-2). Other paratypes : ♀ ( HW 1.30 ), same data as holotype, on two slides (K.541536) ; ♀ ( HW 1.28 ) same data as holotype, on two slides (K.261280) ; ♀ ( HW 1.28 ) same data as holotype, in alcohol (K.377811) ; ♂ ( HW 1.08 ) same data as holotype, in alcohol (K.377812) ; one ♂ three juvenile ♀♀ three juveniles, same data as holotype, in alcohol (K.377813) .

Other material examined not included in type series: SA: Mt Remarkable NP, Alligator Gorge area S32.72370° S 138.09003° E 659 m asl, 9 May 2012, Graeme Smith, under bark in old termite workings of dead eucalypt, juvenile ♀ ( HW 0.91) on two slides (K.541544) .

Specimen used for scanning electron microscopy: ♀ ( HW 0.99) same data as holotype ( UCO) .

Diagnosis. This species belongs in the southern group of Visma which have 3+3 combs on urotergite I and lack combs of two macrochaetae on the meso and metanota. It can be distinguished from V. stilivarians and V. powellheueri n. sp. (which also share these characters) by the number of abdominal styli (four pairs rather than five or three respectively) and the wide parameres bearing a region of glandular rods apically (shorter and pointed in V. powellheueri n. sp. but unknown in V. stilivarians ).

Description. Medium sized Heterolepismatinae , thorax widest at pro- and meso-notum, with the metanotum about 10% narrower and the first abdominal tergite about 5% narrower again; abdomen only tapers slightly posteriorly from about the fifth abdominal segment; appearance when live mottled grey with dark pigment patches visible on the end of the femur and tibia, antennae distinctly annulated, terminal filaments almost completely dark ( Figs. 9 , 400 ).

H+B length up to 10.4 mm; thorax: length 3.4 mm or 0.33 H+B; width up to 2.1 mm with mesonotum being slightly wider than the pronotum and much wider than the mesonotum nota; antennae probably about equal to H+B; terminal filaments long, probably about 80% H+B.

Pigment brownish. Flagellum of antennae with distinct annulated rings of moderate pigment in the proximal section of each annulus up to just below the ring of setae, the distal part up to the division with the next suture without pigment; as the repeating sections become longer the unpigmented region becomes longer but is restricted to the most distal annulus or two in each repeating section, the basal two, four, six or more annuli are pigmented; pedicel and scape with pigment over outer and dorsal faces. Terminal filaments with distinct light annulations in the basal third with only a region around the major ring of macrochaetae on the most distal annulation of a repeating section lacking pigment, these lighter areas become increasingly inconspicuous distally until they are hardly visible. Head with pigment around eyes along lateral margins to quite strong pigment in antero-lateral corners anterior to the peri-antennal macrochaetae. Clypeus without pigment. Labrum with patches of scattered pigment on each side. Mandible on some specimens with light pigment among the macrochaetae. Maxillary palp with dark pigment on the sides of the four most distal articles and a distinct unpigmented longitudinal stripe ventrally on second and third articles. Labial palp with quite dark pigment only along lateral margins of the distal three articles as well as a little along the distal margin of the ultimate article. Precoxae with light pigment. Anterior corners of coxae with light pigment and some pigment also along the length of both margins. Trochanter with small dark patch of pigment posteriorly adjacent to suture with femur; femur with obvious dark pigment along much of its posterior margin (especially dark around the bulge) and distally along the anterior margin as well as some over the face; tibia of all legs with pigment on the outer margin, strongest distally, extending slightly on to the faces of the tibia distally but with very little on the posterior margin; first tarsal article darkly pigmented in its distal half, third tarsal articles also with light pigment. Urotergite X and coxites IX pigmented. Styli IX evenly and darkly pigmented except for base near articulation, other styli with some pigment. Pigment can be much lighter in some individuals (e.g. K.261288). Ovipositor white or slightly yellowish.

Macrochaetae smooth, hyaline to brown, apically bifurcate with truncated tips to each bifurcation ( Fig. 401 ). Some macrochaetae on tibia, carrot-shaped.

Major scales quite broad, hyaline, with numerous subparallel ribs that only very slightly surpass the margin of the scale ( Figs. 18 , 402 ). These round scales found on top of head, all nota, all thoracic sterna, and coxae, present on all urotergites and urosternites. Those of the nota, with ribs fairly close together and only a single scale with more widely spaced ribs was observed. Narrow triangular scales of femora with deep apical non-serrated distal notch ( Figs. 25 , 403, 404 ). Narrow triangular scales of tibia converge apically so that they approach lanceolate in shape but still with an apical notch ( Fig. 31 ). Lanceolate or narrow triangular scales present on clypeus ( Fig. 405 ). Basal divisions of terminal filaments with lanceolate scales ( Fig. 36 ). At least one triangular scale observed on apex of scape. Scales absent on styli, trochanter and tarsi.

Head wider than long ( Fig. 406 ), without distinct bushes; anterior margin glabrous in the medial region although there are a couple of large macrochaetae on each side that could be considered as on the anterior margin. Lateral rows of macrochaetae extend along each side of head but there is a small but distinct gap between these rows and the macrochaetae surrounding the eyes; peri-antennal groups small, with a long thin seta which is quite thick at its base and three macrochaetae, the groups not isolated from the marginal macrochaetae. Clypeus with 1+1 rows of macrochaetae near the frons as well as two on each side in the mid-region, otherwise with scattered thin setae and lanceolate or narrow triangular scales. Labrum with several macrochaetae scattered across mid third. Scape and pedicel of antenna ( Fig. 407 ) each with a subapical ring of small macrochaetae and setae on their face, scape with triangular scales on anterior and outer face, there appears to be a few scales on the anterior face of the pedicel. Sutures between the annuli of the basal articles of the flagellum very difficult to discern; each annulus appears to have one or perhaps two rings of setae, trichobothria and some cilia. Each interval splits into two annuli by about the eighth interval, with a trichobothrium in the most distal annulus only. The intervals further subdivide by about the 12 th interval into four. Most distal surviving intervals ( Fig. 408 ) divided into repeated patterns of about eight annuli, with four in each chain, rod-like basiconic sensilla (type B) were sometimes observed in the most distal annulus of each chain.

Mandibles typical for Heterolepismatinae , not strongly curved ( Fig. 409 ) with well-developed molar and incisor areas; a group of about eight to twelve strong and short or thin and longer, apically bifurcated setae adjacent to the pectinate molar area and a bush of about 50 macrochaetae externally. Maxilla ( Fig. 410 ) with three or four thick apically bifurcate macrochaetae externally proximal to the palp; lacinia not particularly short and wide, with three strong teeth, one set only slightly further back than the other two, followed by about seven lamellate processes and a row of six to eight setae, galea with one stronger seta proximally but otherwise with only short fine cilia or setulae; apical article of maxillary palp 4.1 times longer than wide (range 3.3–4.5) and about 1.13 times the length of the penultimate article (range 1.00–1.20), the ultimate article probably with 2–3 slender simple branched papillae of the thin type in both sexes, and with a single sausage-shaped basiconic sensillum (type C) near the apex (at least in the only slide mounted male specimen); last two articles of palp without thicker setae, third article with some slightly stronger setae towards the distal end as well as two short thin carrot-shaped macrochaetae, two basal articles with subapical rings of thicker setae. Labium ( Fig. 411 ) wider than long, postmentum with macrochaetae and setae in an irregular scattered line across the anterior third, with the strongest macrochaetae forming rows in the antero-lateral region, prementum with transverse and oblique groups of stronger setae and with short cilia and setulae distally; apical article of labial palp about as long as wide (L/ W 0.97, range 0.89–1.04), with five subequal papillae of the compact type arranged in two rows, no basiconic sensilla observed; covered with numerous fine short setae, those proximal and laterally longer than those distal; penultimate article with only slightly stronger setae medially.

Pronotum ( Fig. 412 ) with setal collar of short to medium length macrochaetae and some small setulae and cilia; the macrochaetae less dense in the medial region; entire lateral margins with medium to short setae and some cilia as well as several longer marginal and submarginal macrochaetae. The anterior trichobothrial area ( Fig. 413 ) located 0.43 along the lateral margin (range 0.37–0.46), the trichobothrium not associated with a macrochaeta but with 1–2 setulae. The posterior trichobothrium ( Fig. 414 ) is mediad of a submarginal macrochaeta with a couple of setulae posterior to this group. Posterior margin with 1+1 single insertion points each associated with two cilia and a setula ( Fig. 415 ). Mesonotum ( Fig. 416 ) with similar lateral chaetotaxy to pronotum except the anterior setal collar; none of the submarginal macrochaetae are arranged in combs of two macrochaetae; the anterior trichobothrial areas ( Fig. 417 ) are located about ⅔ along the margin with a macrochaeta located mediad of the short trichobothrium as well as a few setulae; the posterior trichobothrial area ( Fig. 417 ) located about 0.8 the distance along the margin, with a very strong macrochaeta between the trichobothrium and the margin as well as a cilium and a few setulae; 1+1 posterior insertion points as in pronotum. Metanotum ( Fig. 418 ) similar to mesonotum except the trichobothrial areas even more posterior ( Fig. 419 ), there is no macrochaeta associated with the anterior trichobothrial area, the lateral margins also without combs of two macrochaetae; 1+1 posterior insertion points as in pronotum.

Presternum narrow, with an irregular transverse band of strong, mostly apically bifurcate macrochaetae ( Fig. 420 ) as well as some smaller setae and cilia. All thoracic sterna with hyaline scales. Prothoracic sternum trapezoidal, not much longer than wide at base (L/ W 1.04, range 0.99–1.09), most or all of lateral margins with fine setae, postero-lateral corners with 1+1 combs of 2–4 macrochaetae and two strong pointed marginal setae distally; posterior margin between the combs glabrous. Mesosternum ( Figs. 421 ) trapezoidal, also not much longer than wide (L/ W 1.06, range 1.02–1.12) with fine setae along posterior two thirds of each lateral margin, 1+1 postero-lateral combs each of 1–2 long thick marginal seta and two macrochaetae, posterior margin between combs slightly concave and glabrous. Metasternum ( Fig. 422 ) much wider than long (L/ W 0.76, range 0.73–0.80), distal half of lateral margins with fine setae, each postero-lateral corner with a comb of two submarginal macrochaetae and 1–2 strong marginal setae as well as some and cilia, posterior margin between the combs concave and glabrous.

Legs ( Figs. 423–425 ) progressively longer anterior to posterior with the tibia of PI being 0.6 times the length of PIII and the tarsus of PI being only 0.7 the length of PIII (single specimen only). Tibia L/W ratio of legs PI 2.7 (range 2.4–3.0), PII 3.1, PIII 3.7; tarsi L/W ratio PI 6.9 (range 5.9–7.2), PII 7.0 (range 7.0–7.1), PIII 8.2. Precoxa of PI only ( Fig. 423 ) with comb of five strong macrochaetae near the anterolateral corner. Coxae with many strong macrochaetae along the external margin, inner margin with only 1–2 macrochaeta along the margin as well as a group of about six setae distally over the articulation as well as some fine setae distally on the dorsal face. Trochant- er with one macrochaeta and one strong seta as well as several other setae. Femur ventrally with some macrochaetae along the posterior margin, a line of macrochaetae extending along the face subdistally towards the articulation; anterior margin with a strong seta about ⅔ along the margin and a macrochaeta as well as a cluster of three or four setae closer to the distal end. Ventral face of femur with triangular scales in the anterior half and long thin setae in the posterior half. Tibia with three macrochaetae along the dorsal margin and two strong carrot-shaped macrochaetae on the ventral margin as well as some longer setae along the face adjacent to the posterior margin; apical spur distinctly hooked and bearing several small setae; face of tibia also with setae and long thin triangular scales. Tarsi of four articles, the basal tarsal article of PI only slightly less than the length of the remaining articles together, basal article of PII about equal in length to the last three articles together, bearing some stronger setae below; second and third articles of PI short with two long setae and several smaller setae; second article of tarsi of all legs with a trichobothrium. Pretarsus with two long curved lateral claws and a much shorter straight medial claw. PII ( Fig. 424 ) and PIII ( Fig. 425 ) similar to PI except tibia of PIII probably with a trichobothrium-like seta (all lost on dissected specimens but insertion point appears to be present near the more proximal dorsal macrochaeta) and two strong carrot-shaped macrochaetae subdistally on the posterior margin as well as other strong, but not so carrot-shaped more proximally, the basal tarsal article is just a little shorter than the distal three combined.

Urotergites I–VII with 3+3 combs as shown in Table 13, each lateral comb associated with 1–2 marginal setae, 1–4 cilia and 1–4 setulae, each sublateral comb associated with 1–3 cilia, 1–2 marginal setae and 1–2 setulae and each submedial comb with 1–2 cilia and 0–2 setulae ( Figs. 426–429 ); urotergite VIII with 2+2 combs, lacking the sublateral comb, each lateral comb of 2–3 macrochaetae associated with two cilia, two marginal setae and two setulae; urotergite IX without combs but with a cilium and 2–3 small marginal setae or setulae in each infralateral corner ( Fig. 430 ). Urotergite X ( Fig. 431 ) round (L/ W 0.32, range 0.30–0.34) with numerous macrochaetae, setae and cilia along the lateral and slightly away from the margins, posterior margin is glabrous for a short region in the middle of some specimens but not others; lacking posterolateral submarginal macrochaetae.

Urosternite I glabrous, urosternites II– V with 1+1 lateral macrochaetae each associated with a laterad cilium and a setula, urosternites VI – VII ( VIII in male) similar but each bearing a pair of styli, with 1+1 lateral single macrochaetae mediad to each stylus ( Fig. 432 ), each macrochaeta associated with one cilium and 1–2 setulae, the corner laterad of each stylus with a cilium and 1–2 setulae. Coxites VIII of ♀ ( Fig. 433 ), with truncate rounded inner process without setulae along the distal flattened margin but with small setulae along the inner margin, each coxite bearing a single macrochaeta mediad of the base of the stylus and 1–2 setulae, outer process with a cilium and two small setae/setulae. Four pairs of styli present (on urosternites VI – IX) in both sexes, the styli on VI – VIII only half the length of styli IX but still armed with several strong setae apically .

Coxite IX of ♀ ( Fig. 433 ), the internal process acute apically, about 3.4 times longer than the external process (range 2.77–4.03) and 1.6 times longer than wide at its base (range 1.56–1.73), external process with about six robust setae near the apex, internal and external margins of inner process with several strong setae or macrochaetae, inner process without a macrochaeta mediad of the base of the stylus insertion. Ovipositor long about 2.6 times as long as HW (range 2.54–2.65) surpassing the end of the inner process of coxite IX by about five times the length of the inner process, composed of about 45 divisions (range 43–47). Distal divisions of gonapophyses ( Fig. 434 ) with only short fine setae and setulae.

Cerci ( Figs. 435, 436 ) with basal division(s) unclearly subdivided, the most basal appearing to have three nascent rings, following two divisions shorter than wide each with a single ring of setae and trichobothria, next three divisions with two rings, the basal of which may bear lanceolate scales, divisions then progressively longer with four rings from about the seventh division, with larger macrochaetae restricted to the most apical ring, the more basal mostly of lanceolate scales. The lanceolate scales are difficult to see and some of them could also be narrow triangular scales. Subsequent divisions with the number of rings gradually increasing. The most distal surviving divisions with ten or twelve annuli with macrochaetae present on the fifth and the most distal, trichobothria not seen but these annuli are difficult to observe due to the strong pigmentation of the caudal appendages. Median dorsal appendage ( Fig. 435 ) with basal two or three divisions partially covered by the small rounded epiproct, the next three divisions also short with only a single ring of long setae, some trichobothria and cilia, next two divisions increasingly longer with two rings, following divisions with three then four rings with probable lanceolate scales present in the penultimate rings. Most distal surviving divisions similar to those of cerci with ten to twelve annuli but more setae per annulus than the cerci.

Posterior margin of urosternite VIII in male with slightly concave posterior margin ( Fig. 437 ). Each coxite IX ( Fig. 438 ) of ♂ without a macrochaeta mediad of the base of each stylus, several strong macrochaetae along the inner and outer margins of the inner process and apically plus laterally on the outer process; the internal process acute, about 1.2 times longer than wide at its base (range 1.14–1.24) and 2.9 times as long as the outer process (range 2.57–3.28) which is shorter than wide at its base (L/ W 0.60) and rounded. Penis quite bulbous with numerous glandular setae apically, each set on a protuberance. Parameres quite wide with faint suture indicating a division into two segments, with a field of several papilla-like glands near the apex as well as several thin setae .

Styli IX long with several stronger setae distally and along the shaft, the stylus (excluding the apical macrochaetae) a bit longer than twice the length of the internal process.

Juvenile stages. The ovipositor was present but not fully elongated in a specimen with HW 0.99 (gbs002505). This specimen had styli on segments VI–IX. The ovipositor was not at all visible on a juvenile female (K.377813) with HW 0.88 mm (about 5.5 mm H+B). The styli on coxites IX were present in all specimens examined. Rudimentary styli on VII appear in smaller specimens (HW 0.83) before those on VIII (HW 0.88). Styli do not appear on VI until HW 0.99. Parameres were present and well developed on a male with HW0.93 (K.377813). The thoracic sterna were distinctly trapezoidal in all specimens except K.377813 (HW0.76) where the prothoracic sternum was parabolic. The papillae of the labial palp in this specimen were arranged in a tight cluster.

Habitat. Collected using pyrethrum spray to the still attached clump of dead leaves of grass trees, Xanthorrhoea sp. ( ASPHODELACEAE ).

Etymology. Named for the plant genus from which the type series of this species was collected.

Remarks. This species is very close to the redescribed Visma stilivarians from Donnybrook in Western Australia. Our knowledge of V. stilivarians is limited and more material is needed to facilitate molecular data and scanning electron microscopy of scale shapes and antennal sensilla. With only a single specimen from Donnybrook, we have little understanding of the inherent variability of the four characters used here to separate the two species. There is an indication that V. stilivarians has more lanceolate scales than elongate triangular scales but these are difficult to see on slide material and much of the scale cover has been lost from the Donnybrook specimen. More specimens of both species from the type locality as well as other localities to determine which characters are sufficiently consistent to separate the species.

Figures

FIGURES 5–9. 5. Visma advenum n. sp. 6. Visma bundjalung n. sp. 7. Visma bingara n. sp. 8. Visma powellheueri n. sp. 9. Visma xanthorrhoea n. sp.

FIGURES 21–26. Scales of femora. 21. Visma aff. brigalowsum. 22. Visma tenebrosum n. sp. 23. Visma bundjalung n. sp. 24. Visma pallidum n. sp. 25. Visma xanthorrhoea n. sp. 26. Visma aff. stilivarians. Scale bar: 0.01 mm.

FIGURES 27–32. Scales of tibia. 27. Visma aff. brigalowsum. 28. Visma tenebrosum n. sp. 29. Visma bundjalung n. sp. 30. Visma pallidum n. sp. 31. Visma xanthorrhoea n. sp. 32. Visma aff. stilivarians. Scale bar: 0.01 mm.

FIGURES 33–37. Scales of cerci. 33. Visma aff. brigalowsum. 34. Visma bundjalung n. sp. 35. Visma pallidum n. sp. 36. Visma xanthorrhoea n. sp. 37. Visma aff. stilivarians. Scale bar: 0.01 mm.

FIGURES 400–411. Visma xanthorrhoea n. sp. holotype ♀ 400. Habitus, legs missing, antennae incomplete. 401. Macrochaeta of lateral frons. 402. Round scale from urotergite. 403. Triangular scale of femur. 404. Narrow triangular scale from femur. 405. Lanceolate scale of clypeus. 406. Head. 407. Antenna, scape, pedicel and basal intervals of flagellum. 408. Idem, most distal surviving interval. 409. Mandible. 410. Maxilla, smaller setae omitted from palp. 411. Labium, smaller setae omitted from palp. Scale bars = 0.1 mm unless otherwise indicated.

FIGURES 412–420. Visma xanthorrhoea n. sp. holotype ♀ 412. Pronotum, right half. 413. Idem, right anterior trichobothrial area. 414. Idem, right posterior trichobothrial area. 415. Idem, right posterior comb. 416. Mesonotum, left margin. 417. Idem, trichobothrial areas. 418. Metanotum, right margin. 419. Idem, trichobothrial areas of left margin. 420. Presternum, and prothoracic sternum. Scales: 0.1 mm.

FIGURES 421–431. Visma xanthorrhoea n. sp. holotype ♀ unless otherwise indicated by specimen number 421. Mesothoracic sternum. 422. Metathoracic sternum. 423. PI. 424. PII. 425. PIII (SAMA 05-000005). 426. Urotergite V. 427. Idem, right lateral comb. 428. Idem, right sublateral comb. 429. Idem, right submedial comb. 430. Urotergite IX, detail of left infralateral chaetotaxy. 431. Urotergite X. Scales: 0.1 mm.

FIGURES 432–439. Visma xanthorrhoea n. sp. holotype ♀ unless otherwise indicated by specimen number 432. Urosternite VII. 433. Coxites VIII, IX, with styli and ovipositor. 434. Apices of ovipositor valves. 435. Base of cercus and median dorsal appendage. 436. Apical division of cercus. 437. Urosternite IX of ♂ (SAMA 05-000005). 438. Coxites IX of ♂ with styli, penis and parameres (SAMA 05-000005). 439. Paramere with glands indicated (gl) (SAMA 05-000005). Scales: 0.1 mm.

FIGURES 16–20. Notal scales. 16. Visma aff. brigalowsum, note greatly different rib spacings. 17. Visma tenebrosum n. sp. including one of the scales with wider rib spacing. 18. Visma xanthorrhoea n. sp. 19. Visma aff. stilivarians. 20. Visma bundjalung n. sp. Scale bar: 0.01 mm.