Bizarrifrons latifrons Valim and Palma

Valim, Michel P. & Palma, Ricardo L., 2012, Redescriptions of two species and descriptions of three new species of the louse genus Bizarrifrons Eichler, 1938 (Phthiraptera: Ischnocera: Philopteridae), Zootaxa 3273, pp. 28-50 : 35-37

publication ID	https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.208835
DOI	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3503442
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/E1161B34-FF97-082B-20CA-8C252373B4ED
treatment provided by	Plazi
scientific name	Bizarrifrons latifrons Valim and Palma
status	sp. nov.

Treatment

Bizarrifrons latifrons Valim and Palma , sp. nov.

( Figs 17–23 View FIGURES 11 – 17 View FIGURES 18 – 23 )

Type host: Psarocolius angustifrons alfredi (Des Murs, 1856) — Russet-backed oropendola

Diagnosis. The conus of Bizarrifrons latifrons sp. nov. does not exceed the length of the scape, placing this species morphologically close to B. magus and B. wecksteini sp. nov. but, unlike these species, B. latifrons sp. nov.

has a slightly asymmetric frontal head region (markedly asymmetric in B. magus and B. wecksteini sp. nov.). Although the mesomeral complexes in the male genitalia of B. latifrons sp. nov. and B. wecksteini sp. nov. appear to be very similar, small proportional differences can be seen on their callus on the posterior margin (compare Fig. 17 View FIGURES 11 – 17 with Fig. 28 View FIGURES 26 – 30 ). In the only female of Bizarrifrons latifrons sp. nov. studied, the spine-like marginal setae on the latero-distal angles of the vulva are irregularly arranged ( Fig. 23 View FIGURES 18 – 23 ). In addition to the wide frontal head region, the vulvar setae are the most reliable female character to separate B. latifrons sp. nov. from B. wecksteini sp. nov.

Description. Male. Habitus as in Fig. 18 View FIGURES 18 – 23 , coloration similar to Fig. 5 View FIGURES 5 – 8 . Anterior portion of the head superficially asymmetric, similar to Fig. 18 View FIGURES 18 – 23 . Conus long, at most reaching the distal margin of the scape. Antennal flagellomeres distinctly more pigmented than the pedicel, the latter slightly more pigmented than the scape. Pterothorax with the posterior margin brownish and with 8–10 setae on each side. Episterna II and III strongly pigmented. Tergites well developed, with their internal margins slightly rounded, except for IX+X as a very narrow, sclerotized band tapering proximally ( Fig. 19 View FIGURES 18 – 23 ); segments II–VIII with distinct pigmentation, except for large round areas around the spiracles. Postspiracular setae present on segments IV–VII, with alveoli only on IV and V. Tergal chaetotaxy uniform with some individual variation, as follows (on each side): II–III with 1 innermost posterior seta; IV–V with 1 innermost posterior seta and a postspiracular setae (rarely with 1 postspiracular accessory only on one side of the V segment); VI with 1 inner posterior, 1 outer posterior (rarely 2 on one side), a postspiracular setae and 1 postspiracular accessory; VII with 1 inner posterior, 3 outer posterior (rarely two or four on one side), 1 postspiracular setae and 1 postspiracular accessory; VIII with 6–10 posterior and a trichobothrium latero-posterior; IX+X with 9–15 setae, 1 (rarely 2 only on one side) of them longer than the others. The postero-internal angle of tergites VIII bent downwards. One pair of sclerites around the genital opening, small and centrally positioned, sub-rounded to sub-square ( Fig. 19 View FIGURES 18 – 23 ). Sternal plates on II–VI well developed, laterally rounded and pigmented. Sternal chaetotaxy (on each side): segments II–VI with 1 medium long setae. Paratergal chaetotaxy (on each side): segments II–III without setae; IV–V, 2 setae (rarely one in one side); VI–VIII, 3; IX+X, 2; terminal segment with 4–5 dorsal and 6–8 ventral setae. Genitalia as in Fig. 17 View FIGURES 11 – 17 ; subgenital plate as in Fig. 20 View FIGURES 18 – 23 , without fenestra. (The posterior end of the subgenital plate could not be observed with clarity). Measurements (n = 3): POL, 0.27–0.29; POW, 0.37; TW, 0.55–0.57; HL, 0.61–0.62; DPW, 0.11–0.12; PW, 0.35–0.36; MW, 0.51–0.53; AWV, 0.64–0.65; BAL, 0.21–0.22; PL, 0.13–0.14; GW, 0.15–0.21; GL, 0.35; TL, 1.71–1.72.

Female. Coloration similar to Fig. 6 View FIGURES 5 – 8 . Head shape and chaetotaxy as in Fig. 21 View FIGURES 18 – 23 . Similar to the male, but differing in the tergal chaetotaxy and terminal segments. Tergites IX+X fused medially, with a distinct shallow anterior notch in the midline and largely white in coloration ( Fig. 23 View FIGURES 18 – 23 ). Tergal chaetotaxy (on each side): segments II–III with 1 innermost posterior seta; IV–VII with 1 innermost posterior seta and a postspiracular setae; VIII with 1 innermost posterior seta and a trichobothrium latero-posterior; IX+X with 4 setae (five in one side), 2 (or three) of them small, only reaching the terminal plates, and 2 very long, reaching beyond the end of the abdomen. Posterointernal angle of each tergite II–VIII truncated, roughly square. Subgenital plate tapering from its rounded base ( Fig. 22 View FIGURES 18 – 23 ), with 4 small setae laterad, on each side ( Fig. 23 View FIGURES 18 – 23 ). Vulva with 7–8 short marginal setae and 16–17 short spiniform submarginal setae, on each side. The spiniform setae forming almost three rows in the latero-distal angles of the vulvar margin ( Fig. 23 View FIGURES 18 – 23 ). Measurements (n = 1): POL, 0.30; POW, 0.38; TW, 0.59; HL, 0.64; DPW, 0.12; PW, 0.37; MW, 0.53; AWV, 0.65; TL, ~2.05.

Type material. Male holotype (FMNH-INS 28989), ex Psarocolius angustifrons alfredi , PERU: Cuzco, Marcapata 22.V.1949, no collector. Paratypes: 2 males and 1 female (FMNH-INS 28986-28988), same data as holotype. One male paratype (#28988) will be deposited in MZUSP, the remaining type specimens in FMNH.

Etymology. The species epithet derives from lati - (Latin) = broad, wide, and - frons (Latin) = forehead, brow. It refers to the wide aspect of the frontal head region of this species, and is treated as a noun in apposition.