Aprionus magnii sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: D0598010-EC92-4FA2-B5D6-B6E565FD0593

Fig. 13

Diagnosis

Male genitalic structures of Aprionus magnii sp. nov. (Fig. 13A) are quite distinctive, so that this species can hardly be mistaken for another Aprionus, either of the halteratus or other species group. The gonostylus appears subglobular in ventral view due to its convex, almost swollen basal portion (↓), which transitions into a narrower, dorsally directed portion apically; the small apical tooth (↓) is escorted by 3–4 subapical bristles. Another unique structure is the tegmen, which has only 2 pairs of large, slightly intersecting fingers and a strongly folded apex (↓) separated from the main portion by a constriction (↓).

Etymology

Magni, one of Thor’s two sons and considered the god of might, is believed to be the only being in the Norse universe stronger than his father.

Material examined

Holotype

SWEDEN: ♂, Öland, Mörbylånga, Västerstad elm-forest Nature Reserve, 56.42° N, 16.42° E, mature elm forest, sweepnet and aspirator, M. and C. Jaschhof leg., 9 Jun. 2014 (NHRS, no. CEC175).

Paratypes

SWEDEN: 1 ♂, same data as for the holotype (DEI, no. CEC 176); 1 ♂, same locality data, MT, MCJ leg. and SMTP (trap 3002, collecting event 3055), 10 Jul.–5 Aug. 2014 (NHRS, no. CEC 177).

Other characters

Body size 1.1 mm. HEAD. Postfrons setose. Eye bridge 2–3 ommatidia long dorsally. A dense row of 9 postocular bristles. Neck of fourth flagellomere shorter than node, 3–4 thick, simply hair-shaped translucent sensilla (Fig. 13B). Palpus 4-segmented, length of segments variable.

WING. ApicR 1 2.5–3.0 times as long as Rs.

LEGS. Claws subrectangular, 1–2 fine teeth. Empodia rudimentary.

TERMINALIA (Fig. 13A). Ninth tergite subrectangular, posterior margin concave, anterior margin almost straight, fully sclerotized. Gonocoxites clearly pointed ventroposteriorly; dorsal bridge extends far anteriorly, subtrapezoid. Subanal plate subrectangular, posterior margin reinforced, darkly marked, with short processes laterally, indistinct, variable dark markings elsewhere.

Distribution and phenology

Sweden (Öland). The three male specimens known of this species were collected in June–August in a tall broadleaf forest predominated by elm trees.

The smirnovi group

Named after Aprionus smirnovi Mamaev, 1961, this large group gathers Aprionus whose tegmina lack finger-like processes, a character found also here and there in other groups. The tooth on the gonostylar apex may be present or absent, a distinction that does not suggest any monophyletic subgroups, though. As discussed above, the smirnovi group is unlikely monophyletic but maintained to aid organizing the wealth of morphological structure within Aprionus .