Lunaceps wilsoni Carriker, 1956

Gustafsson, Daniel R. & Olsson, Urban, 2012, 3377, Zootaxa 3377, pp. 1-85 : 73-74

Lunaceps wilsoni Carriker, 1956 , nomen dubium

Lunaceps wilsoni Carriker, 1956: 76

Lunaceps wilsoni Carriker ; Price et al., 2003: 196

Type host: Charadrius wilsonia wilsonia Ord, 1814

Other host: Charadrius wilsonia beldingi ( Ridgway, 1919)

Discussion: The only Lunaceps described from a Charadrius plover. No material was studied, but Carriker’s (1956) description would place this species near L. incoenis , as the re-entrant heads of the tergites are clearly visible in his drawing. Carriker’s measurements fit well with those of L. incoenis and their genitalia are also similar.

The species was described from a single male—though a second male is mentioned in a footnote—and a partial drawing, lacking the middle segments of the abdomen is included. The shape of the “acetabular bars of the 2nd pair of coxae” is the only distinct character of Carriker’s (1965) description, however similar structures can be seen in many other species, and this seems to be an artefact of mounting caused by the bending of the lateral edges of the dorsal thoracic plates.

While only a study of the original material can establish whether Lunaceps wilsoni is really a distinct species or not, the low number of known individuals, and their similarity to other species makes the status of L. wilsoni uncertain. It is likely to be synonymous with L. incoenis , originating on one of its hosts, but an origin from either C. bairdii or C. fuscicollis cannot be excluded.

Etymology: Named after the host species, which in turn is named in honour of Alexander Wilson

(1766–1813), ornithologist and painter, who published the book series American Ornithology (1808–1814).

Material examined:

None. Attempts have been made to gain access to the holotype, but they have been fruitless.