Paralecanium busoense Hodgson

Chris J. Hodgson & Douglas J. Williams, 2018, Revision of the soft scale genus Paralecanium (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae) with the introduction of three new genera and twenty new species, Zootaxa 4443 (1), pp. 1-162 : 81-83

Paralecanium busoense Hodgson spec. n.

( Fig. 32 )

Material examined. Holotype f. PAPUA NEW GUINEA: left label: Paralecanium [crossed out] / Podoparalecanium [crossed out] / Paralecanium / busoense / Hodgson / holotype + P. morobeense ? / Hodgson; right label: Timonius sp. / ( Rubiaceae ) / large shiny leaves / PAPUA NEW GUINEA / Morobe Prov. Coast / Buso 28.x.1979 / J.H. Martin coll. 2768 (BMNH): 1/2adff of 2 different species: 1adf of P. busoense (holotype, fg, unsclerotised specimen) + 1 sclerotised specimen of another unknown species close to P. morobeense , with part of dorsum separated). Paratypes ff: Paralecanium [crossed out] / Podoparalecanium [crossed out] / Paralecanium / busoense / Hodgson / paratype + P. morobeense ? / Hodgson; right label: Timonius sp. / ( Rubiaceae ) / large shiny leaves / PAPUA NEW GUINEA / Morobe Prov. Coast / Buso 28.x.1979 / J.H. Martin coll. 2768 (BMNH): 1/2adff (of 2 different species, unsclerotised specimen P. busoensis (g), sclerotised specimen of another unknown species close to P. morobeenese (f)). Paratype ff: Paralecanium [crossed out] / Podoparalecanium [crossed out] / Paralecanium / busoense / Hodgson / paratypes; right label: Ardisia sp. / (Mysinaceae) / PAPUA NEW GUINEA / Morobe Prov. Coast / Buso 5.xi.1979 / J.H. Martin coll. 2802 (BMNH): 1/4adff (mainly g). Paratype f: Paralecanium [crossed out] / Podoparalecanium [crossed out] / Paralecanium / busoense / Hodgson / paratype; right label: indet. mangrove tree / PAPUA NEW GUINEA / Morobe Prov. Coast / Buso 28.x.1979 / J.H. Martin coll. 2767 (BMNH): 1/1adf (g – but missing anal plates; mounted with dorsal test).

Note. The description is based on all the specimens.

Slide-mounted adult female. Body distinctly asymmetrical but broadest posteriorly with rounded posterior margin, broadest across abdomen. Length 1.7–2.1 mm, width 1.2–1.4 mm.

Dorsum. Derm rather uniformly sclerotised without obvious areolations, except just laterad to each anal plate; derm without minute pale spots. Marginal radial lines obscure but indicated by position of submarginal dorsal setae: with 11 lines anteriorly between anterior stigmatic clefts, with possibly 1 from each stigmatic cleft, each side with 3 between clefts and 11 on abdomen. Abdominal clear areas absent. Dorsal setae of 2 sizes: (i) large setae, each about 60–80 µm long, strongly curved, broad throughout most of length and then narrowing abruptly to a sharp point; each basal disc without a surrounding unsclerotised area of derm; distribution highly variable between specimens but usually with at least 1 approximately dorsad to one or both scapes; other large setae on each side may be present as follows: 1 submedially on about prothorax, up to 4 submedially on abdomen and sometimes one more medially anterior to anal plates; and (ii) more normal-sized setae, each 8–12 µm long with parallel sides and a sharp apex; apparently restricted to within marginal radial lines but only 1 in each line, although presence in each marginal radial line rather variable; almost all within broad pale ventral marginal band; apparently absent medially. Dorsal pores of 3 sizes present: (i) larger dorsal pores, each 5.0–6.0 µm wide, appearing as a sclerotised ring surrounded by a narrow unsclerotised area; present sparsely submedially, each side with about 15–25; (ii) small simple pores, each about 1.5 µm wide, situated in a clear spot, and (iii) minute pores, each also situated in a clear spot; both pore types sparse in an apparently polygonal pattern. Anal plates together approximately quadrate; each plate with 1 seta in middle of inner margin plus 2 or 3 near apex and with 0 or 1 small pore; length about 90–100 µm, combined width about 65–78 µm. Anogenital fold with 1 small seta on each side of anterior margin, each lateral margin with 1 anteriorly, 1 near middle and another seta at posterior end.

Margin. Marginal ornamentation present as distinct, quite strong radial sclerotisations, with usually 5 or 6 between marginal setae. Marginal setae oval and broadly fan-shaped; width of each fan 33–38 µm, length 21–28 µm; with 41–48 setae anteriorly between anterior stigmatic clefts, each side with 14–17 between stigmatic clefts, and 43–49 setae along abdominal margin. Stigmatic clefts narrow and quite deep, without a sclerotised inner margin, each with a single stigmatic spine, each spine narrow basally and then broadening and becoming clubshaped distally with a rounded apex; usually not nearly extending out of cleft; length 15–25 µm. Eyespots each oval; width of socket about 30 µm, diameter of lens 16–18 µm.

Venter. Derm membranous but, on mature adults, with a broad marginal band; on asymmetric specimens, on narrow side about 85 µm wide, on broad side up to 200 (mostly about 150) µm wide. Multilocular disc-pores in groups on either side of genital opening and on preceding 2 segments, each side with 5 or 6 on abdominal segment VII, 9–18 on segment VI and 1 (rarely 0) on segment V. Spiracular disc-pores present in a band 1 pore wide between margin and each spiracle, with 11–18 in each anterior band and 17–25 in each posterior band. Ventral microducts minute and very sparse. Antennae well developed, each with 6 segments, without a pseudo-articulation in segment III; total length 220–230 µm; apical segment 50–58 µm long; apical seta 20–23 µm long. Clypeolabral shield small, about 80–95 µm long. Spiracles small, width of each peritreme 16–18 µm. Legs well developed, with reasonably clear trochanterofemoral and tibio-tarsal segmentation; dimensions of hind leg (µm): coxa 68–75, trochanter + femur 103–107, tibia 48–53, tarsus 50–60, claw 8–10. Tarsal digitules slightly longer than claw digitules, with capitate apices; claw digitules both broad but one broader than other; claw without a denticle.

Comments. In having two sizes of dorsal setae, adult female P. busoense spec. n. are extremely similar to those of P. pahanense Takahashi but differ as follows (character-states for P. pahanense in brackets): (i) the stigmatic spines are basically club-shaped, narrow near the socket and broadening about 1/3rd along length, and usually not nearly extending out of cleft (parallel-sided throughout its length and longer, extending out of cleft); (ii) on the basis of the available material, the larger dorsal setae are (a) generally bent and not gradually narrowing to a fine point, and (b) may be found sparsely throughout the dorsum submedially ((a) mainly straight and narrowing gradually, and (b) restricted to submedially on the abdomen); (iii) the larger dorsal pores are more abundant, numbering 15–25 one each side (about 10 on each side), and (iv) the smaller dorsal setae are parallel-sided with a sharp point (with a blunt, more or less capitate apex). However, only a single specimen of P. pahanense was available for study and it is just possible that these differences represent geographical variation.

Host-plants. Timonius sp. ( Rubiaceae ); Ardisia sp. (Mysinaceae); undetermined species of mangrove.

Name derivation. The specific name busoense is taken from the type locality, Buso in Papua New Guinea, combined with the Latin – ense, indicating origin.

Figures

FIGURE 32. Paralecanium busoense Hodgson, spec. n., adult female.