Australosagola yongsooni sp. nov.

Figs 1 K, 2 I, 12, 14

Type material.

Holotype. Australia: South Australia: • ♂ (aedeagus dissected; ANIC), “ AUSTRALIA: S. Aust., / 16 km SE Adelaide, / Cleland Conservat. / Pk., Pill Box Track // 500 m, IV- 25-1993 / DSChandler, grass / & Eucalypt litter / cut dry sclerophyl ” Paratypes (n = 6; 2 ♂♂, 4 ♀♀). Australia: South Australia: • 3 ♀♀ (1 ♀ slide-mounted; UNHC), same data as holotype; • 1 ♂ 1 ♀ (1 ♂ slide-mounted; SAMA), Mt. Lofty summit, 26 VI 1988, soil & litter under Euc. obiqua, R. V. Southcott TX 284 ; 1 ♂ (aedeagus dissected; SAMA), Mt. Lofty Rgs., in moss, R. J. Burton .

Diagnosis.

Australosagola yongsooni sp. nov. can be distinguished from other Australosagola species by its short elytra. Although the overall body size of A. yongsooni is comparable to that of other congeners, its elytra are distinctly shorter, measuring only 0.44 mm in length, whereas those of other species typically range from 0.57–0.88 mm (Figs 2 I, 12 J).

Male description.

Length. 1.8–2.2 mm. Head. Head broader than long, widest across eyes. Head with frontal sulcus and frontal fovea continuous, frontal sulcus widening posteriorly to form teardrop shape (Fig. 12 C, white arrow, H). Vertexal foveae well visible ventrally, but indistinct dorsally (Fig. 12 C, H). Antennomere 1 longer than wide; 2 subquadrate and longer than wide; 3 subconical, smallest, and as long as wide; 4–8 subquadrate and as long as wide; 9 and 10 subquadrate, wider than long (Fig. 12 A, G). Thorax. Prothorax as long as wide (Fig. 12 I). Elytra short 0.44 mm, as long as wide (Fig. 12 J); two subbasal elytral foveae, three basal elytral foveae (1 being fovea at base of sutural stria), discal elytral foveae with short discal striae, and fovea in sutural striae (Fig. 12 J). Hind wings fully developed (Fig. 12 L). Metatrochanter with ventral margin convex (Fig. 12 E, K). Lateral metaventral foveae enlarged (Fig. 12 K, black arrow). Abdomen. Only abdominal sternite 5 (VII) medially concave, with pair of short setal rows at apex of median projection (Fig. 12 E, M). Abdominal tergite 2 (V) ~ 2 / 3 length of tergite 3 (VI). Genitalia. Length 0.37 mm, aedeagus symmetrical, relatively narrow, apical 1 / 2 comparatively weakly sclerotized (Fig. 12 N, O). Projections from midpoint straight, apices slightly divergent in ventral and basoventral views (Fig. 12 N, O), longer than parameres (Fig. 12 P). V-shaped projection at base of median lobe fused at base in ventral view, straight in lateral view, phallobase short, indistinct, with lateral margins evenly curved in ventral view (Fig. 12 N – P).

Female sexual characters.

Antennomere 1 thicker than that of male and longer than wide; 2 subquadrate and longer than wide; 3 subconical, smallest, and as long as wide; 4–6 subquadrate and as long as wide; 7–10 subquadrate and transverse (Fig. 12 B). Abdominal sternite 5 (VII) lacking median impression and setal rows (Fig. 12 F).

Comment.

Although this species has short elytra, the male has long hind wings, and the relatively narrow aedeagus with the straight basal and medial projections of the median lobe that are both forked apically allow the species to be readily identified.

Etymology.

This species is named a respected mentor of the first author, a plant-microorganism interaction specialist, Dr. Yong-Soon Park.

Distribution.

South Australia (Fig. 14, black star).

Habitat.

Specimens of this species were collected by sifting soil, grass, and Eucalyptus litter beneath Eucalyptus trees in dry sclerophyll forests.