Paragrallomyia brasiliensis new species

(Figs. 12–14)

Description: Body length 7 mm; wing 5 mm. Head and abdomen dark brown, thorax black. Palpus dark brown except for white outer face. Clypeus brown with sparse pale microsetulae. First flagellomere dark brown. Fronto-orbital plate yellowish-brown. Row of katepisternal setae brownish. Fore tibia dark brown. Fore tarsus mostly white, tarsomere one brown on basal ¾ only. Hind femur mostly dark brown, white on basal fifth and with a small angled preapical white ring. Tergites dark brown. Oviscape dark brown, apex brownish.

Head: First flagellomere covered by pale microsetulae. Frontal vitta with a darkened spot anterior to ocellar plate. Frontal vitta flat, not swollen anterior to ocellar plate. Epicephala converging, not immediately merging posterior to ocellar plate (Fig. 12). Epicephalon somewhat swollen above frontal vitta level.

Thorax: Mesonotum with lines of thin brownish microsetulae. Anterior half of postpronotal lobe bare. Femur covered with sparse black microsetulae. Mid and hind tibia cylindrical, without sulcus on outer face. Female cervical sclerite brown and smooth, without swelling. Cell r 4+5 open at the tip of the wing.

Abdomen: Female abdomen: Single spermathecal duct with an apical small swelling. Single spermatheca cylindrical. Paired spermathecal duct with a rounded swelling apically before splitting into stems. Paired spermathecal duct stems tapered on basal third, with a rounded swelling on apical half. Paired spermathecae oval and striate, invaginated apically only (Fig. 13). Male abdomen: Inner basal lobes of the copulatory fork arms absent. Ejaculatory apodeme bigger than epandrium and with a broad blade, bigger than sperm pump.

Type material: Holotype: BRAZIL. Amazonas, Rio Negro, downstream Uaupes, last right tributary of Rio Curicunari, 5.III.1994, M. von Tschirnhaus coll. (1 ♀, DEBU00280365, INPA) . Paratype: BRAZIL. Amazonas, Rio Jaú, 015234S 613515W, 29.VII–08.VIII.2001, Arm. suspensa, lâmina d’água, Henriques & Vidal colls. (1 ♂, DEBU0001088959) .

Distribution: Brazil

Comments: This Brazilian species is distinct for its light brown fronto-orbital plate and the absence of the inner basal lobes on the copulatory fork. The long and cylindrical paired spermathecae are also unusual. The genitalia of the holotype, the only available male of this species, was partially destroyed.