Sigmoleia similis Jaschhof & Kallweit

Jaschhof, Mathias & Kallweit, Uwe, 2009, The Cycloneura Marshall group of genera in New Zealand (Diptera: Mycetophilidae: Leiini), Zootaxa 2090, pp. 1-39 : 12-13

Sigmoleia similis Jaschhof & Kallweit sp. n.

( Figs 15 , 34 , 63–64)

Diagnosis. This species is distinguished from its congeners by the slightly sinuous M1 of which the basal portion diverges from M2 ( Fig. 15 ). In S. melanoxantha , which is a closely similar species, the basal portion of M1 runs almost parallel to M2. Further differences between these two species are found in the male genitalic structures, particularly tergite 9, gonocoxites and gonostyli (see Figs 63–64 versus Figs 55–58).

Description. Male. Head. Nodes of antennal flagellomeres 1.5–1.8 times as long as wide. Apical segment of maxillary palpus longer than preceding segment.

Wing. Fig. 15 . Length 1.3–2.3 mm. C almost reaching to wing apex. M-stem little shorter than M2. M2 slightly sinuous, diverging basally from M2. Ventral setae present on R1, R5, ta, and tb.

Terminalia. Sclerotized portions of tergite 9 barely in touch mesally (Fig. 64). Basal portion of gonocoxites short and setose; ventrolateral processes much longer than basal portion, strongly curved mesally with apices almost in touch (Fig. 63). Stalk of gonostylus flat, not bulging, with large setae (Fig. 64). Tegmen apex subtriangular with rounded edges (Fig. 63).

Female. Head. Nodes of antennal flagellomeres 1.9 times as long as wide.

Wing. Length 3.3 mm.

Distribution and phenology. Endemic to NZ: SO (NN, BR, OL, WD, SL). Confined to South Island where it is widespread. Adults, predominantly males, captured abundantly in beech, podocarp and mixed beech/podocarp forests between August and February.

Etymology. From Latin, similis , similar, referring to the similarity of this species to S. melanoxantha .

Types. Holotype. Male*, New Zealand, South Island, Buller, Maruia Forest, Shenandoah Saddle, 500 m, in beech forest, 9 Oct.–3 Nov. 2001, by Malaise trap, M. & C. Jaschhof (in NZAC). Paratypes. 6* males, same data as the holotype (in NZAC); 7* males, BR, Ahaura, Granville S. F., in forest of hard beech Nothofagus truncata , 170–250 m, Dec. 1994, by Malaise trap, J. Hutcheson (in NZAC); 4* males, SO, NN, Kahurangi N. P., Takaka R. valley (Cobb dam road), 450–800 m, in mixed podocarp/broadleaf forest, 31 Aug.–7 Oct. 2001, by Malaise trap, M. & C. Jaschhof (in SMTD).

Other material. SO. NN: 37 males, Kahurangi N. P., Takaka R. valley (Cobb dam road), 31 Aug.–7 Oct. 2001, M. & C. Jaschhof; BR: 8 males, 2 females, same data as the holotype; 8 males, same loc. but 3–25 Nov. 2001; 2 males, same loc. but 25 Nov. 2001, U. Kallweit; 4 males, L. Daniells Track 7 km E Springs Junction, 9 Nov. 2001, M. Jaschhof; 2 males, same loc. but 24 Nov.–26 Dec. 2001, M. & C. Jaschhof; 1 male, same loc. but 27 Nov. 2001, U. Kallweit; 1 male, 5 km W Maruia Springs, 26 Nov.–25 Dec. 2001, M. & C. Jaschhof; 3 males, Lewis Pass, 26 Nov.–25 Dec. 2001, M. & C. Jaschhof; 2 males, Ahaura, Granville S. F., Dec. 1994, J. Hutcheson; 1 male, Paparoa N. P., 5 km E Punakaiki, Inland Pack Track, 30 Sep.–5 Nov. 2001, M. & C. Jaschhof; OL: 27 males, 6 females, Fiordland N. P., Hollyford R. valley, Moraine Creek Track, 5–24 Jan. 2002, M. & C. Jaschhof; 5 males, S Divide Creek, 6–24 Jan. 2002, M. & C. Jaschhof; 2 males, Eglinton R. valley, Deer Flat, 4–24 Jan. 2002, M. & C. Jaschhof; WD: 2 males, Waiatoto, 16 Oct.–20 Nov. 2001, M. & C. Jaschhof; 8 males, Westland N. P., SE Gillespies Beach, 14 Oct.–21 Nov. 2001, M. & C. Jaschhof; SL: 1 male, Catlins, Purakaunui Scenic Res., 27 Jan.–5 March 2002, M. & C. Jaschhof.

Figures

FIGURES 13 – 18. Wings. 13: Paradoxa fusca Marshall, dorsal view. 14: Sigmoleia melanoxantha Edwards, ventral view. 15: Sigmoleia similis sp. n., ventral view. 16: Sigmoleia separata sp. n., dorsal view. 17: Sigmoleia peterjohnsi sp. n., vental view. 18: Cycloneura triangulata Tonnoir, ventral view.

FIGURES 34 – 37. Thorax, lateral view. 34: Sigmoleia similis sp. n. 35: Waipapamyia dentata sp. n. 36: Cawthronia nigra Tonnoir. 37: Cycloneura Marshall sp. Length of scale bar = 0.5 mm.