Limnocoris insularis Champion

Rodrigues, Higor D. D. & Sites, Robert W., 2019, Revision of Limnocoris (Heteroptera: Nepomorpha: Naucoridae) of North America, Zootaxa 4629 (4), pp. 451-497 : 465-467

Limnocoris insularis Champion

( Figs. 7 , 10 A–B, 20B)

Limnocoris insularis Champion, 1901: 359–360 (original description, table 21, fig. 16).

Limnocoris insularis: Kirkaldy & Torre-Bueno 1909: 183 (catalog); La Rivers 1971: 75 (catalog); Stout 1978: 1–11 (ecological study, new record); Stout 1981: 1170–1178 (ecological study); Stout 1982: 75–83 (ecological study); Nieser & López-Ruf 2001: 319 (catalog); Herrera 2013: 227 (catalog).

Limnocoris alcorni La Rivers, 1976: 9–10 (original description) (new synonym).

Limnocoris alcorni: Nieser & López-Ruf 2001: 318 (catalog); Herrera 2013: 226–227 (catalog).

Diagnosis. Specimens of L. insularis are small, measuring 5.90–6.33 mm. The pedicel is quadrate; and the flagellomeres are slender, not partially fused, and with long setae. The pubescent area of the propleuron is distinctly extended posteriorly on the lateral margin (as in Fig. 1A ); the posterior margin of the propleuron is straight at midlength ( Fig. 7D ). The anterior projection of the mesosternal carina can be poorly developed in some specimens ( Fig. 7G ); the region between this projection and the fossa is almost straight ( Fig. 7G ) or slightly sinuated ( Fig. 7F )and without a medial projection ( Figs. 7 F–G); the fossa is shallow, subtriangular, with the anterior margin slightly convex, and the lateral margins converge posteriorly ( Fig. 7D ). The lateral margins of the female subgenital plate lack the tuft of elongate golden setae ( Fig. 7E ).

Measurements (n = 5 males / 5 females): Body length 5.90–6.13/ 6.00–6.33, body width 4.05–4.35/ 4.10–4.51, synthlipsis 1.00/ 1.02–1.05, head length 0.90–0.98/ 0.92–1.02, head width 1.90–2.00/ 1.95–2.10, pronotum length on midline 1.13–1.30/ 1.10–1.22, pronotum width 3.60–3.81/ 3.56–3.90, scutellum length 0.85–1.05/ 0.90–1.10, scutellum width 1.75–2.10/ 1.60–2.15, hemelytra length 4.30–4.50/ 4.40–4.70.

Supplemental description. Antenna not exceeding lateral margin of eye. Maxillary plate tumescent anteriorly. Distal margin of labrum ranging from rounded to slightly acuminate. Propleura with posteromesal corner near prosternellum deflexed ventrally. Region between mesobasisternum and mesoepisternum without longitudinal row of elongate golden setae ( Fig. 7D ). Metasternal carina with fossa ranging from oval to rounded, slightly depressed medially; posterior margin excavated in lateral view ( Fig. 7G ). Lateral margin of abdomen with minute serration; posterolateral corners of II–V narrowly rounded to right angled, not spinose. Abdominal sternum II with an irregular patch of elongate golden setae (as in Fig. 1G ); abdominal sterna without generally dispersed elongate setae throughout. Male: mediotergite VI with accessory genitalic process poorly developed; posterior margin of mediotergite VII forming two pairs of small lobes, one medial and other lateral; lateral and mesal margins of laterotergite VII straight, posterior margin rounded ( Fig. 10A ); lateral lobe of tergum VIII straight in anterior half of lateral margin; left medial lobe angled laterally at apex, distal margin truncate; right medial lobe twisted in distal third ( Fig. 10B ). Female: posterior margin of subgenital plate ranging from rounded to slightly acuminate; laterosternite VII with parallel margins, tapering in apical third ( Fig. 7E ).

Comparative notes. Limnocoris insularis is morphologically similar to L. lutzi , L. nanus n. sp., and L. zacki n. sp. These four species share the general shape and dimensions of the body, pubescence pattern of the ventral surface of the body, shape of the metasternal carina, and shape of male abdominal terga VI–VIII. The main character to distinguish these species is the shape of the mesosternal carina: in L. insularis and L. lutzi the fossa is projected further ventrally than is the anterior projection (both at same level in L. nanus ), and the region between the anterior projection and fossa is without a medial projection (present in L. zacki ). Limnocoris insularis differs from L. lutzi by having the antennal flagellomeres divided and not partially fused (although this can be difficult to discern), the mesosternal carina with the region between the anterior projection and fossa almost straight or shallowly sinuous in lateral view, and male tergum VIII with the apex of the left medial lobe distinctly angled laterally; whereas in the latter species the flagellomeres are partially fused, the mesosternal carina is concave between the anterior projection and fossa in lateral view, and male tergum VIII has the apex of the left medial lobe only slightly angled laterally.

Discussion. We examined the holotypes of L. insularis and L. alcorni ; these two species are very similar morphologically, including the morphology of the mesosternal carina, the main diagnostic character. La Rivers (1976) differentiated L. alcorni from L. insularis by the condition of the hemelytra, in which the former species has evident claval and intraclaval sutures, the hemelytral commissure is shorter, and hindwings are developed, whereas in the latter species the claval and intraclaval sutures are absent, the hemelytral commissure is longer, and the hindwing are reduced. This difference in hemelytral condition is a result of hindwing polymorphism, a common phenomenon within the family; the holotype of L. insularis is a brachypterous specimen and the type series of L. alcorni is composed, with the exception of one specimen, of macropterous specimens. Thus, L. alcorni is here considered a junior synonym of L. insularis .

Distribution. This species is distributed in Belize ( Belize, Cayo, Orange Walk, Stann Creek, and Toledo), Costa Rica (Guanacaste and Heredia), Guatemala (Baja Verapaz, El Progresso, Guatemala, and Santa Rosa), Honduras (Islas de la Bahía), Mexico (Chiapas and Veracruz), and Nicaragua (Jinotega and Región Autónoma del Atlántico Norte) ( Fig. 20B ). Limnocoris insularis was collected in localities ranging from sea level to elevations up to 1,355 meters.

Published records. Belize: Belize, Cayo, Orange Walk, Stann Creek, Toledo ( Sites et al. 2018) ; Costa Rica: Heredia ( Stout 1978, 1981, 1982) ; Guatemala: Santa Rosa ( La Rivers 1976) ; Honduras: Islas de la Bahía ( Champion 1901) .

Type material examined. HOLOTYPE of L. insularis , ♀ brachypterous, HONDURAS, Islas de la Bahía, Bonacca, Gaumer ( BMNH) . HOLOTYPE of L. alcorni , ♀ macropterous, GUATEMALA, Santa Rosa, El Molino , 2.August.1956, A.A. Alcorn, Type No 13418 ( CAS) . PARATYPES of L. alcorni , 1♂ brachypterous, 13♂ macrop- terous, 9♀ macropterous, same data as holotype ( CAS) .

Additional material examined. In addition to all BELIZE Material examined in Sites et al. (2018): BELIZE, Cayo, Augustine, 8 km N, 25.May.1986, colln 19, collected from little Vaquero Creek, 450 m alt., Paul J. Spangler & Robin Faitoute (1♀ macropterous, USNM). Stann Creek, Kendal, 12 Km W, 26.April.1987, collected from South Stann Creek at cockscomb, Wildlife Sanctuary, Spangler & Faitoute (1♂ brachypterous, USNM) . COSTA RICA, Alajuela, Rio Cataratas, on road from San Ramon to Fortuna , 25 Nov. 2002, W.D. Shepard, WDS-A- 1498 (2♂ macropterous, UMC) . Guanacaste, Las Canas , 23.VII.1965, P.J. Spangler (1♀ brachypterous, USNM) ; same data, except 13.VII.1965 (1♂ brachypterous, USNM) ; Colorado , 31.March.1988, W.E. Steiner, J.M. Hill, J.M. Swearingen & J.M. Mitchell (1♀ brachypterous, USNM) ; 1 km N Caimito, Rio Piñallas , 280 ft, 15 June 2001, W.D. Shepard, WDS-A-1388 (3♂, 1♀, all brachypterous, UMC) . Limon, Shirolles, Rio Shirolles , 280 ft, 12 June 2001, W.D. Shepard, WDS-A-1383 (1♂, 1♀, all macropterous, UMC) . San Jose, 1 km NE La Palma, Rio Pedregosa , 2000 ft, 22 June 2001, W.D. Shepard, WDS-A-1392 (5♂, 3♀, all brachypterous, UMC) . GUATEMALA, Baja Verapaz, Rio Quilila, Rt 5, old rd to Salama from CA-14, 1355 m, 15°13.913’N / 90°17.662’W, 15 Sept 2009, R.S. Zack & J. Monzon collectors (1♂, 1♀, all brachypterous, 1♂, 1♀, all macropterous, UMC) ; same locality, 5 June 2011, R.S. Zack (1♀ macropterous, 1♀ brachypterous, 5 nymphs, WSU) . El Progresso, El Progresso / Zacapa Depts. border, Rt. RD-1, Tambor River , 05.June.2011, 14°55.763’N / 89°49.092’W, 284 m, R.S. Zack collector (1♀ macropterous, UMC) ; Sn. Augustine AC., 13.VIII.1965, Paul J. Spangler (2♂ brachypterous, 1♂ macropterous, 5♀ brachypterous, USNM) ; Rio Las Pericas , 1040 ft, 11 km W El Rancho Jnct, 12 July 2001, W.D. Shepard, WDS-A-1408 (1♂ bra- chypterous, UMC) . Guatemala, 35 Km SE of Guat. City, 12.March.1946, R.R. Miller (2♂ brachypterous, USNM) . Izabal, Rt 7E, Rio Sauce nr El Sauce, N 15°33.642’/ W89°17.036’ 6 June 2011, R.S. Zack (1♂, 3♀ macropterous, WSU) ; Rio Juan de Paz, 10 km W Das Amates , 400 ft, 15 July 2001, W.D. Shepard, WDS-A-1424 (2♂ brachyp- terous, UMC) ; unnamed stream 2 km SW Montufar , 360 ft, 15 July 2001, W.D. Shepard, WDS-A-1425 (8♂, 7♀, all brachypterous, UMC) . Zacapa, Rt CA-9, “Ojo de Agua” river at Monte Grande E of Teculutan, N15°00.806’/ W89°39.580’, 24 July 2007, R.S. Zack (2♂, 2♀ macropterous, WSU; 2♂ macropterous, 2♀ macropterous, 1♀ brachypterous, UMC) ; Rio Cayo, 2.3 km E, Santa Cruz , 830 ft, 14 July 2001, W.D. Shepard, WDS-A-1420 (1♂, 1♀ macropterous, UMC) . MEXICO, Chiapas, Rio Huixtla at Huixtla , 31 March 2015, L-1899, colls. Reynoso- Velasco, Sites, and Shepard, 64 m, 15°8.999'N, 92°27.077'W, gravel and rocks (1♂ brachypterous, MZUSP) ; Mpio. Benemérito de las Americas, Flor de Cacao , tributary of Rio Salinas , 30 March 2015, L-1891, gravel, cobble riffles, 145 m, 16°9.407’N / 90°29.632’W, Reynoso-Velasco, Sites, Shepard & Barr (1♂, UMC; 1♂, 2♀, MZUSP—all bra- chypterous) . Veracruz, Municip. Tlapacoyan, Rio Ixtacuaco , rocky stream thru cattle farm, L-1121, 20°01.921’N / 97°07.073’W, 111 m, 07.XI.2009, Sites, Cervantes & Novelo (1♂ brachypterous, UMC) . NICARAGUA, Jinotega, Mayangna, Sauni Bu, Rio Amak , 14°14’7.0”N / 85°08’58.0”W, 171 m, 31.V.2003, G. Camilo (6♂, 6♀, all brachyp- terous, 2♂ macropterous, UMC) ; Raiti, Kipla Sait Tasbaika, Rio Coco , 14°35’33”N / 85°01’49.7”W, 27.V.2003, G. Camilo (1♂, 1♀, all brachypterous, 1♀ macropterous, UMC) . Rio San Juan, unnamed stream, Refugio Bartola , 8 Aug. 2002, W.D. Shepard, WDS-A-1490 (1♂ brachypterous, UMC) . Región Autónoma del Atlántico Norte, Tuburus, Miskito , Indian Tasbaika , Rio Geo , 14°16’36”N / 85°10’40”W, 22–23.V.2003, G. Camilo (3♂ brachypterous, 3♀ macropterous, UMC) .

Figures

FIGURE 1. Structures of Limnocoris. (A–D) Propleuron, white arrows indicate posterior end of pubescent area, yellow arrows indicate mid-lateral region of posterior margin, (A) L. zacki n. sp., (B) L. inornatus, (C) L. virescens, (D) L. chaetocarinatus n. sp. (E–H) Part of abdominal segments, showing pubescence patterns of sternum II (circled), (E) L. moapensis, (F) L. submontandoni, (G) L. nanus n. sp., and (H) L. stali. pa = pubescent area, pra = pruinose area.

FIGURE 7. Limnocoris insularis Champion. (A) Dorsal habitus and (B) ventral habitus of female holotype, hindwing brachypterous (BMNH), (C) dorsal habitus of female holotype of L. alcorni n. syn., hindwing macropterous (CAS), (D) ventral view of part of thorax, (E) terminal abdominal sterna of female, (F) lateral view of mesosternal carina of holotype, and (G) lateral view of meso- and metasternal carinae of holotype of L. alcorni n. syn. Size bar = 1.00 mm and applies only to Figs. A–C.

FIGURE 10. Structures of male terminalia. (A, C, E) 6th and 7th abdominal terga, (B, D, F) 8th abdominal tergum. (A–B) Limnocoris insularis, (C–D) L. lutzi, and (E–F) L. major n. sp.

FIGURE 20. (A–B) Distribution records for species of Limnocoris in North America.