Aquaelicium brunnescens Distant, 1917

Löcker, Holger, Löcker, Birgit & Holzinger, Werner E., 2009, Revision of the Derbidae of Seychelles Islands (Insecta: Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha), Zootaxa 2221, pp. 1-26 : 6-7

Aquaelicium brunnescens Distant, 1917

( Figs 2, 12 )

Aquaelicium brunnescens Distant, 1917: 290 .

Types. Lectotype, (here designated) 3, SEYCHELLES, Mahé: pinned, genitalia in genital vial, labelled (handwritten) 139, (printed) Mahe ’08-9, Seychelles Exp., (round label with red border) Type, H. T., (handwritten) Aquaelicium brunnescens Type Dist., Seychelle Islands, Percy Sladen Trust Expedition, 1913- 170 (BMNH). Paralectotypes, (here designated) 3, pinned, labelled (handwritten) 139, (printed) Mahe ’08-9, Seychelles Exp., Seychelle Islands, Percy Sladen Trust Expedition, 1913-170 (BMNH), 3, glued on card, labelled (handwritten) 68, Mahe ’08-9, Seychelles Exp., Seychelle Islands, Percy Sladen Trust Expedition, 1913-170 (BMNH), 3, pinned, labelled (handwritten) 79, (printed) Mahe ’08-9, Seychelles Exp., Seychelle Islands, Percy Sladen Trust Expedition, 1913-170 (BMNH), 3, glued, labelled (handwritten) 65, (printed) Mahe ’08-9, Seychelles Exp., Seychelle Islands, Percy Sladen Trust Expedition, 1913-170 (BMNH).

Remarks. The original description does not mention the designation of a holotype, therefore these specimens are regarded as syntypes. The specimen from Mahé labelled Type, H. T., is hereby designated as lectotype to provide a diagnostic reference for the species.

Colour. Upper part of body fuscous-brownish to yellowish, eyes blackish. Vertex of head (excluding apex) ochraceous, obscure pale longitudinal fascia to pro- and mesonotum. Clypeus and legs ochraceous. Forewings pale fuscous with darker veins.

Remarks. The type material examined appears to be slightly discoloured due to its age, therefore the colour description above is based on Distant, 1917.

Morphology. Body length: male 3.7–3.9 mm.

Male genitalia: Anal tube of males as in A. typicum . Aedeagus as in Figs 12 A–B; shaft of aedeagus long and slender; apex of aedeagus with three acute processes and a semicircular lobe.

Distribution. Mahé.

Remarks. This taxon is very similar to A. typicum ; further studies including a larger number of specimens should verify its status as a distinct species.

Figures

FIGURE 12. Aquaelicium brunnescens (lectotype, discoloured by age): A, B aedeagus, (A) left lateral (B) right lateral.