Tyrannoseira diabolica, Bellini & Godeiro, 2012

Bellini, Bruno Cavalcante & Godeiro, Nerivania Nunes, 2012, A new species of Tyrannoseira (Collembola: Entomobryidae: Seirini) from the Brazilian coastal region, Zoologia 29 (1), pp. 81-84 : 81-83

Tyrannoseira diabolica sp. nov.

Figs 1-13

Total length of the holotype 1.42 mm. Habitus typically entomobryid ( Fig. 1 ). Color of mounted specimens pale yellow with some dark blue pigment covering the third and fourth antennal segments, eyepatches, labrum area, lateral borders of meso- and metathorax and first three abdominal segments ( Fig. 1 ). Yellowish to brownish rounded scales covering antennal segments I and II, basal halves of antennal segments III and IV, head, thorax, abdomen, legs and furca. Collophore without scales. Fourth antennal segment not annulated, without apical bulb or pin setae ( Fig. 2 ). Eyepatches oval, 8+8 lenses, biggest lens A and smallest lens D, with two interocular feathered macrochaetae ( Fig. 3 ). Pre-labral and labral setae smoth. Labial triangle seta r absent and M1, M2 and E normal and feathered ( Fig. 4 ). Femur of the first pair of legs heavily broadened in males, bearing six strong spines, with four of them grouped ( Fig. 5 ). Tibiotarsus of the first pair of legs in males apically slender with one row bearing approximately eight elongated spine-like setae ( Fig. 6 ). Trochanteral organ with approximately 15 short spine-like setae ( Fig. 7 ). All ungues with three unpaired inner teeth ( Figs 8-10 ). Unguiculi acuminate, with slightly serrated edges ( Figs 8-10 ). Tenent hair capitate, smooth at the edges ( Figs 8-10 ). Venter of manubrium with 5+5 subapical setae. No spine-like setae on manubrium. Mucro typically falcate ( Fig. 11 ). No macrochaeta on first abdominal segment of adults, dorsal chaetotaxy of second and third abdominal segments as shown in Figure 12 . Dorsal macrochaetae distribution on head and body as in Figure 13 . Other characters are listed in Table I .

Material examined ( CM / MNRJ / UFRJ). Holotype female: Brazil, Rio Grande do Norte: Parnamirim, Barreira do Inferno , 04-II-2011. Marques, M. coll. Paratypes: 10 females, 1 male, same data as holotype .

Etymology. The species was named after the type locality Barreira do Inferno (Hell’s Barrier in English).

Remarks. Tyrannoseira diabolica sp. nov. was found in “Barreira do Inferno”, a military protected area in the municipality of Parnamirim, state of Rio Grande do Norte. Within this area are located some spots of preserved “resting” forest, a subtype formation of the Atlantic Rainforest.

The specimens were collected at the end of the dry season (February 2011) on sand dune soil with dead foliage coverage. The climate of the area is ‘As’ according to Koeppen’s system ( KOTTEK et al. 2006), which means an equatorial hot climate with a distinct dry summer – wet winter precipitation regime.

Probably the closest species to T. diabolica sp. nov. is Tyrannoseira sex Bellini & Zeppelini, 2011. Both species share many similarities in the dorsal chaetotaxy, such as the number and disposition of macrochaetae in central head (3, 4 and 5 cephalic regions), regions 1A and 1B in mesothorax, regions A and B in metathorax, and abdominal segment 1. Both species also share a similar color pattern ( BELLINI & ZEPPELINI 2011). On the other hand, T. diabolica sp. nov. can be distinguished from the other species of Tyrannoseira by an unique combination of macrochaetae in cephalic regions 1, 2 and 6, region C of meso- and metathorax and abdominal segment IV. Other striking distinctive characters of T. diabolica sp. nov. are the reduced number of spines in the male femora (only six), the lack of ‘r’ seta in the labial triangle and the lack of the fourth ungual tooth.

Tyrannoseira diabolica sp. nov. is the fourth Tyrannoseira species described. The other three known species are restricted to the semi-arid “caatinga” biome, whereas T. diabolica sp. nov. was collected in the Atlantic Rainforest, a different biome with a higher and more dense vegetation. The occurrence of T. diabolica sp. nov. in its type locality may be explained by a typical condition observed in Rio Grande do Norte: the “caatinga” covers more than 90% of the area of the state and its influence is also seen in areas covered by the Atlantic Rainforest ( ARAÚJO et al. 2005). As some plant species of the “caatinga” reach the coastline, it is expected that some animal taxa associated to the semi-arid can do the same.

Figures

Figure 13. Dorsal macrochaetae distribution of Tyrannoseira diabolica sp. nov.

Figures 1-12. Tyrannoseira diabolica sp. nov.: (1) habitus; (2) apical bulb of the 4th antennal segment; (3) left eyepatch; (4) setae of the labial triangle (right side); (5) male anterior femur; (6) male anterior tibiotarsus; (7) trochanteral organ; (8) first foot complex; (9) second foot complex; (10) third foot complex; (11) distal dens and mucro; (12) dorsal chaetotaxy of second and third abdominal segments.