Paralimosina paraustralis, Papp, 2013

Papp, László, 2013, The first record of the genus Paralimosina L. Papp (Diptera: Sphaeroceridae) in the Afrotropical Region, with descriptions of six new species, African Invertebrates 54 (2), pp. 315-315 : 323-325

publication ID	https://doi.org/ 10.5733/afin.054.0202
DOI	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7649626
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03B1675D-FF8E-FFD7-BAE9-FA6117A8FC1B
treatment provided by	Felipe
scientific name	Paralimosina paraustralis
status	sp. nov.

Treatment

Paralimosina paraustralis View in CoL sp. n.

Figs 31–37 View Figs 31–37

Etymology: From Latin par (equal, like) and australis (southern), in reference to similarity of this species to P. australis .

Description:

Male.

Measurements in mm: body length 2.56, wing length 2.30, wing width 1.07.

Body dark brown; frons with M-shaped pattern.

As regards body features, the male of the new species is very similar to P. australis sp. n. but differs in the following: mid tibia without a row of thick black setae ventrally, but apical 0.4 has long dense hairs; no va on male mid tibia; fore coxa with some longer hairs only; costal index 1.0.

S5 large and very long ( Fig. 31 View Figs 31–37 ), even longer medially; that medial extension with a very short medio-caudal edge, which does not bear a seta. The medio-caudal part is only slightly more melanised. S5 medially with a pair of long subcaudal setae, short setae present between them and also laterally. S6 part of synsternite ( Fig. 32 View Figs 31–37 ) rather large, comparatively long and broad, ‘right side sclerites’ less distinct than in P. australis . S7 part of synsternite with an exceptionally large dorsal part. S8 part small. Hypandrial arms ( Fig. 37 View Figs 31–37 ) rather short and broad, not curved, medial part strong, with a lower sagittal ridge and an anteriorly curved, asymmetrical process ( Fig. 37 View Figs 31–37 ). Subepandrial sclerite ( Fig. 34 View Figs 31–37 ) rather similar to that of P. australis . Cercal lobes of epandrium can be regarded as reduced but sagittal bridge definitely broader (i.e. higher). Surstylus with extremely large, intricately structured anterior lobe: anterior and dorsal parts less strongly sclerotised ( Fig. 35 View Figs 31–37 ). Posterior lobe of surstylus ( Fig. 35 View Figs 31–37 ) much smaller, with a double-curved long black bristle ( Figs 34, 35 View Figs 31–37 ); posterior lobe strongly sclerotised and melanised and bears several setae of medium length. Phallapodeme ( Fig. 33 View Figs 31–37 ) less strong, ca 0.23 mm long and with anterior part ventrally curved in lateral view. Basiphallus ( Figs 26, 27 View Figs 23–30 ) short and high, ventral apex blunt and slightly curved. Distiphallus short ( Fig. 33 View Figs 31–37 ), in contrast to that of P. australis , with several apical processes and a ventral process. Postgonite ( Fig. 36 View Figs 31–37 ) shorter than in P. australis (less than 0.2 mm from apex to base), thinner and less curved than that of P. australis , basal part not strongly broadened, with blunt apex.

Female. Unknown.

Holotype: ♂ SOUTH AFRICA: KwaZulu-Natal: Eshowe, Ngoye Forest Reserve [28°51'S 31°41'E], 2839DC, 29.ix.2006, G.B.P. Davies ( NMSA, abdomen and genitalia preserved in glycerol in a plastic microvial). GoogleMaps

Remark:The discovery of two such closely related species of the Afrotropical Paralimosina must make us aware of the possible existence of similar sister species in the region, i.e. of the need for genitalia preparations from specimens in the future.