Curtonotum irwini, Kirk-Spriggs, 2011

Kirk-Spriggs, Ashley H., 2011, A revision of Afrotropical Quasimodo flies (Diptera: Schizophora; Curtonotidae). Part III - the Malagasy species of Curtonotum Macquart, with descriptions of six new species, African Invertebrates 52 (2), pp. 391-391 : 416-419

Curtonotum irwini sp. n.

Figs 4 , 17 , 30 , 64, 67, 70 , 81 , 95

Etymology: The species is named in honour of Michael Edward Irwin, in recognition of his contribution to our knowledge of Madagascan Diptera .

Differential diagnosis: This species is probably most closely related to C. parkeri sp. n. and C. coronaeformis sp. n. All share the extensively-developed sclerotised area of the distiphallus and sternite 6 is very similar in all three species. It differs from C. parkeri and C. coronaeformis , however, in lacking a raised lateral, spinose ridge on the distiphallus and in having the right lateral margin of the basiphallus developed into a long, curved, ventrally-directed spine, with smaller spine medially.

Description:

Male (primarily based on ex spirit-preserved HT).

As redescribed for C. balachowskyi , differing in the following respects: Measurements: Overall length 3.85–4.55 mm (n = 8, PT); length of head and thorax combined 2.5 mm; length of thorax and scutellum combined 2.3 mm (HT); wing length 3.2 mm (n = 1, PT).

Head ( Figs 4 , 17 ). As described for C. gladiiformis sp. n., except: eye height/length ratio: 12:8 (HT); frons ( Fig. 17 ), frons length/width ratio: 6:7 (HT); posterior orbital seta moderately strong, slightly shorter than outer vertical seta; arista with 9 or 10 long dorsal branches and 4–6 ventral branches in addition to terminal fork; gena narrow, eye height/genal height ratio: 12:1 (HT), silver pruinose, slightly darker beyond basal angle; palpus pale brown.

Thorax ( Fig. 4 ). Mesonotum as described for C. boeny , except: presutural seta moderately strong, shorter and weaker than posterior notopleural seta; postpronotum with 7 finer black­brown setulae; anepisternum silver­grey pruinose, with silver­yellow pruinose areas, surface with 18 fine setulae, some larger and arranged in 2 groups of 3 and 2; anepimeron, laterotergite and meron silver-grey to silver-yellow pruinose; katepisternum silver-grey to silver-yellow pruinose, with darker macula in anterior half, with dorsal katepisternal setae ca 0.3 length of ventral katepisternal setae, with 18 short, fine setulae at base and along posterior margin.

Scutellum. As described for C. gladiiformis sp. n.

Legs. Fore coxa with 13 brown setulae on anterior surface; mid coxa with 7 brown setulae; fore tibia with ctenidium of 14 spinules.

Wing (as in Fig. 30 ). Veins chestnut-brown, membrane very faintly infuscate brown throughout, very slightly darker in region of dm–cu crossvein; dm–cu crossvein acutely angled with interrupted arc; haltere dirty white.

Abdomen. Tergite 1 simple, devoid of maculae; tergite 2 with oblique, subovoid brown-black pruinose dorsolateral macula on either side only; tergites 3–5 with large broad, V-shaped concolourous median fascia and large concolourous T-shaped dorsolateral macula, these close or adjoining, but not fully merging with median fascia; lateral margin of tergites 2–5 with subelliptical concolourous macula in basal half; sternites 4–5, as described for C. coronaeformis sp. n.; sternite 6 ( Fig. 81 ), narrowed basally, evenly rounded laterally (may appear narrower than Fig. 81 in undissected specimens), with broad, shallow apical excision and brown maculae medially and fascia laterally, merging apically, clothed in long, black, irregular, apically-directed, brown setulae in apical half, those at apical margin much longer and more prominent.

Terminalia ( Figs 64, 67, 70 ). Hypandrium ( Fig. 64 , hy) long, with broad-based rounded-truncate dorsobasal lobe, posterior bridge dorsally and ventrally produced (rounded to slightly angulate in profile); hypandrial arm constricted apically (viewed laterally), with 2 setulae proximal to postgonite, the more lateral strong, ventrally directed, the medial much smaller and weaker (obscured by epandrium on Fig. 64 ), sclerotised area of medial lobes (viewed dorsally), with margins evenly rounded, convex medially, closely abutting, not overlapping; postgonite (obscured by surstylus on Fig. 64 ) long, thin and straight, with slight undulating anterior margin; epandrium ( Fig. 64 , ep) broader dorsally than ventrally (viewed laterally), evenly rounded on dorsal margin, posterior margin slightly angled, ventral margin with extensive row of long, regular to irregular, apically-directed setae; cercus ( Fig. 64 , ce) not prominent, longest setae as long as setae on dorsal margin of epandrium; surstylus ( Fig. 64 , ss) long, widest basally, slightly curved in apical ⅔; phallus (as in Figs 67 , ph, bp, dp, 70, bp, dp) C-shaped, heavily sclerotised, brown; phallapodeme ( Fig. 67 , ph) fused to basiphallus, subtriangular (viewed laterally), with basal margin developed into two flat, narrow, subtriangular projections in basal 0.4, bifurcated at point of connection with hypandrium; ejaculatory apodeme ( Fig. 67 , ea) free, duct inserted at junction of phallapodeme and basiphallus; basiphallus ( Fig. 67 , bp) broad in ca basal half, with slight internal bulge at midlength, then markedly narrowed, strongly constricted in ca apical ⅔ (viewed dorsally); apical section ( Fig. 70 , bp) moderately broad, right lateral margin evenly rounded, left lateral margin developed into long, curved ventrally-directed spine, with smaller spine medially; distiphallus ( Figs 67, 70 , dp) broad basally, sclerotised area extensive, abruptly narrowed towards apex, basal section with membranous window, apical section narrow and spindle-like.

Variation: The length of the larger, curved ventrally-directed spine of the distiphallus is variable in some specimens. Other terminalia characters are constant and this is here interpreted as intraspecific variation only.

Holotype: ♂ “ MADAGASCAR: Tuléar Province / Zombitse National Park / near ANGAP office, 840 m / 22°53.19’S: 44°41.53’E / 28.ii–6.iii.2002 / California Acad of Sciences / R. Harin’Hala, Malaise trap / deciduous spiny forest / MA­02­13A­18 // HOLOTYPE ♂ / Curtonotum / irwini sp. n. / A.H. Kirk-Spriggs 2010 [red card]” ( CAS). In fair condition, wings slightly tattered and mesonotum rubbed; card-pointed; dissected, abdomen and terminalia in micro-vial pinned beneath specimen.

Paratypes (all labelled: “ PARATYPE ♂ / Curtonotum / irwini sp. n. / A.H. Kirk-Spriggs 2010 [blue card]”): MADAGASCAR: same data as holotype, except: 2♂ “ 15 x–9 xi.2001, MA­02­13A­01”; 12♂ “ 9–19 xi.2001, MA­02­13A­02”; 3♂ “ 19–26.xi.2001, MA­02­13A­03”; 3♂ “ 26 xi–2 xii.2001, MA­02­13A­04”; 6♂ “ 2–7 xii.2001, MA­02­13A­05”; 1♂ “ 7–14 xii.2001, MA­02­13A­06”; 5♂ “ 14–16. xii.2001, MA­02­13A­07”; 2♂ “ 16–22 xii.2001, MA­02­13A­08”; 1♂ “ 22–29 xii.2001, MA­02­13A­09”; 8♂ “29 xii.2001– 5.i.2002, MA­02­13A­10”; 4♂ “ 5–12.i.2002, MA­02­13A­11”; 1♂ “ 19–26.i.2002, MA­02­13A­13”; 5♂ “ 5–14.ii.2002, MA­02­13A­15”; 12♂ “ 14–21.ii.2002, MA­02­13A­16”; 7♂ same data as holotype; 1♂ “ 6–13.iii.2002, MA­02­13A­19”; 1♂ “ 13–20.iii.2002, MA­02­13A­20”; 9♂ “ 27. iii–3.iv.2002, MA­02­13A­22”; 3♂ “ 3–11.iv.2002, MA­02­13A­23”; 2♂ “ 11–16.iv.2002, MA­02­13A­24”; 2♂ “ 16–23.iv.2002, MA­02­13A­25”; 2♂ “ 23.iv–1.v.2002, MA­02­13A­26”; 3♂ “ 1–9.v.2002, MA­02­13A­27”; 4♂ “ 9–19.v.2002, MA­02­13A­28”; 3♂ “ 19–27.v.2002, MA­02­13A­29”; 2♂ “ 27.v–4. vi.2002, MA­02­13A­30”; 5♂ “ 4–12.vi.2002, MA­02­13A­31”; 1♂ “ 12–23.vi.2002, MA­02­13A­32”; 4♂ “ 3–13.vii.2002, MA­02­13A­34”; 1♂ “ 13–25.vii.2002, MA­02­13A­35”; 3♂ “ 8–19.viii.2002, MA­02­13A­37”; 4♂ “ 19.viii–3.ix.2002, MA­02­13A­38”; 1♂ “ 13–24.ix.2002, MA­02­13A­40”; 2♂ “ 24. ix–5 x.2002, MA­02­13A­41”; 1♂ “ 5–31 x.2002, MA­02­13A­42”; 1♂ “ 31 x–16.xi.2002, MA­02­13A­43”; 2♂ “ 4–20.i.2003, MA­02­13A­47”; 4♂ “ MADAGASCAR: Tuléar / Prov., Zombitse National / Park, near national road / 22°50.43’S, 44°43.87’E / 15 x–9 xi. 2001, 825 m / R. Harin’Hala, Malaise / trap, deciduous spiny forest / MA­02­13B­01”; same except: 1♂ “ 9–19 xi.2001, MA­02­13B­02”; 1♂ “ 19–26. xi.2001, MA­02­13B­03”; 2♂ “ 26.xi–2 xii.2001, MA­02­13B­04”; 2♂ “ 7–14 xii.2001, MA­02­13B­06”; 7♂ “ 14–16 xii.2001, MA­02­13B­07”; 2♂ “ 22–29.xii.2001, MA­02­13B­09”; 7♂ “ 29.xii–5.i.2002, MA­02­13B­10”; 1♂ “ 5–12.i.2002, MA­02­13B­11”; 3♂ “ 26.i–5.ii.2002, MA­02­13B­14”; 1♂ “ 5–14.ii.2002, MA­02­13B­15”; 4♂ “ 14–21.ii.2002, MA­02­13B­16”; 3♂ “ 28.ii–6.iii.2002, MA­02­13B­18”; 3♂ “ 6–13. iii.2002, MA­02­13B­19”; 3♂ “ 13–20.iii.2002, MA­02­13B­20”; 2♂ “ 20–27.iii.2002, MA­02­13B­21”; 1♂ “ 27.iii–3.iv.2002, MA­02­13B­22”; 1♂ “ 16–23.iv.2002, MA­02­13B­25”; 1♂ “ 19–27.v.2002, MA­02­13B­29”; 2♂ “ 27–13.vii.2002, MA­02­13B­30”; 2♂ “ 13–25.vii.2002, MA­02­13B­31”; 1♂ “ 25. vii–1.viii.2002, MA­02­13B­32”; 1♂ “ 1–14.viii.2002, MA­02­13B­33”; 5♂ “ 14–25.viii.2002, MA­02­13B­34 [1 with right wing detached and glued to card]”; 4♂ “ 25.viii–3.ix.2002, MA­02­13B­35”; 1♂ “ MADAGASCAR: Tuléar / Province, Beza Mahafaly / Reserve, Parcelle I near / research station / 23°41.19’S, 44°35.46’E / 15 x–10.xi. 2001, 165 m / M.E. Irwin, F.D. Parker & / R. Harin’Hala, Malaise / trap in dry deciduous forest / MA­02­14A­01”; same except: 2♂ “ 28 xi–4 xii.2001, MA­02­14A­04”; 2♂ “ 4–11.xii.2001, MA­02­14A­05”; 2♂ “ 11–18 xii.2001, MA­02­14A­06”; 2♂ “ 18–25 xii.2001, MA­02­14A­07”; 1♂ “25 xii.2001– 2.i.2002, MA­02­14A­08”; 3♂ “ 2–9.i.2002, MA­02­14A­09”; 1♂ “ 16– 18.i.2002, MA­02­14A­11”; 1♂ “ 25.i–1.ii.2002, MA­02­14A­13”; 2♂ “ 8–15.ii.2002, MA­02­14A­15”; 1♂ “ 22.ii–1.iii.2002, MA­02­14A­17”; 2♂ “ 1–7.iii.2002, MA­02­14A­18”; 1♂ “ 14–22.iii.2002, MA­02­ 14A­20”; 1♂ “ 28.vi–7.vii.2002, MA­02­14A­28”; 1♂ “ 18–28.vii.2002, MA­02­14A­30”; 1♂ “ 28.vii–9. viii.2002, MA­02­14A­31”; 1♂ “ 9–16.viii.2002, MA­02­14A­32”; 1♂ “ 16–28.viii.2002, MA­02­14A­33”; 2♂ “ 9–20.ix.2002, MA­02­14A­35”; 3♂ “ 20.ix–5 x.2002, MA­02­14A­36”; 1♂ “ MADAGASCAR: Tuléar / Province, Beza Mahafaly / Reserve, Parcelle II near / Bellevue, 23°41.39’S, 44°34.53’E / 15.x–10. xi. 2001, 180 m / M.E. Irwin, F.D. Parker & / R. Harin’Hala, Malaise trap / in spiny forest / MA-02-14B-01”; same except: 1♂ “ 4–11 xii.2001, MA­02­14B­05”; 1♂ “ MADAGASCAR: Majunga / Ampijoroa National Park / 160 km N of Maevatanana / on RN 04 / 16°19.16’S, 46°48.80’E / 30 xi–8 xii.2003, 43 m / M.E. Irwin & R. Harin’Hala / Malaise trap in deciduous / Forest / MA­25­25”; 1♂ “ MADAGASCAR: Tuléar Province / Sous Prefecture Fort Dauphin / Andohaeala National Park / Ihazofotsy Parcelle III, 190 ft / 24°49.85’S, 46°32.17’E / 11–22.vi.2003 / Malaise trap, dry/spiny forest / M.E. Irwin, F. Parker & R. Harin’Hala / MG-21-22” (all CAS).

Other material examined (all labelled: “ Curtonotum irwini sp. n. det. A.H. Kirk-Spriggs 2010”): MADAGASCAR: Tuléar Prov.: 1♂ Zombitse National Park , near ANGAP office, 22°53.19'S: 44°41.53'E, 21–28.ii. 2002, 840 m, R. Harin’Hala, Malaise trap, deciduous spiny forest (MA-02-13A-17) [in spirit], BMSA(DNA)#0018 ; 1♂ same except: [in spirit], BMSA(DNA)#0019; 1♂ Beza Mahafaly Reserve , Parcelle I near research station, 23°41.19'S: 44°35.46'E, 19.v–8.vi. 2002, 165 m, R. Harin’Hala, Malaise trap in dry deciduous forest (MA-02-14A-25) [in spirit], BMSA(DNA)#0059. Majunga Prov .: 1♂ Ampijoroa National Park 160 km N of Maevatanana on RN 04, 16°19.16'S: 46°48.80'E, 8–17 xii.2003, 43 m, M.E. Irwin & R. Harin’Hala, Malaise trap in deciduous forest (MA-25-26) [in spirit], BMSA(DNA)#0058 (all BMSA) .

Distribution ( Fig. 95 ): Occurring in the Western Dry Forest, South Western Dry Spiny Forest-Thicket, Wooded Grassland-Bushland and Western Sub-humid Forest vegetation types, in the Arid Spiny Bush and Dry Deciduous Forest biomes. In the Central and South biogeographical zones and Dry and Subarid bioclimatic zones ( Figs 105–107 ; Tables 1–3; Appendix II).

Figures

Figs 1–8. Head and thorax (lateral view) of Curtonotum spp., males: (1) C. keiseri, PT, Mtge. D’Ambre, NHMB; (2) C. stuckenbergi, HT, Ambohitantely, NMHN; (3) C. sternithrix, HT, Antanambe, MNHN; (4) C. irwini sp. n., PT, Zombitse National Park, CAS; (5) C. parkeri sp. n., PT, same, CAS; (6) C. coronaeformis sp. n., PT, near Isalo National Park, CAS; (7) C. balachowskyi, HT, Fia Mananjary, MNHN; (8) C. gladiiformis sp. n., HT, Fianarantsoa, CAS. Not to scale.

Figs 14–26. Frons (dorsal view) of Curtonotum spp., males: (14) C. keiseri, PT, Mtge. D’Ambre, NHMB; (15) C. stuckenbergi, HT, Ambohitantely, NMHN; (16) C. sternithrix, HT, Antanambe, MNHN; (17) C. irwini sp. n., HT, Zombitse National Park, CAS; (18) C. parkeri sp. n., HT, same, CAS; (19) C. coronaeformis sp.n., HT, Fianarantsoa, CAS; (20) C. balachowskyi, HT, Fia Mananjary, MNHN; (21) C. gladiiformis sp. n., HT, Fianarantsoa, CAS; (22) C. rinhatinana sp. n., HT,Ankarafantsika, CAS; (23) C. boeny, HT, Ambato-Boeni, MNHN; (24) C. griveaudi sp. n., HT, Asondrodava dry forest, CAS; (25) C. pauliani, N-T, Ankarafantsika, CAS; (26) C. sakalava, N-T, Andohahela National Park, CAS. Not to scale.

Figs 27–39. Wing of Curtonotum spp., males, unless otherwise stated: (27) C. keiseri, N-T, Joffreville, TAU; (28) C. stuckenbergi, ♀ AT, Ambohitantely, NMSA; (29) C. sternithrix, PT, Manambato, NMSA; (30) C. irwini sp. n., PT, Zombitse National Park, CAS; (31) C. parkeri sp. n., HT, same, CAS; (32) C. coronaeformis sp. n., PT, near Isalo National Park, CAS; (33) C. balachowskyi, N-T, Asondrodava dry forest, CAS; (34) C. gladiiformis sp. n., PT, near Isalo National Park, CAS; (35) C. rinhatinana sp. n., HT, Ankarafantsika, CAS; (36) C. boeny, ♀ PT,Ambata­Boeni, MNHN; (37) C. griveaudi sp. n., N-T, Sambava Beach, TAU; (38) C. pauliani, N-T, Tsingy National Park, CAS; (39) C. sakalava, N-T, Berenty Special Reserve, CAS. Not to scale.

Figs 64–72. Male terminalia of Curtonotum spp.: (64–66) hypandrium and epandrium, lateral view: (64) C. irwini sp. n., HT, Zombitse National Park, CAS; (65) C. parkeri sp. n., PT, same, CAS; (66) C. coronaeformis sp. n., HT, Fianarantsoa, CAS; (67–69) phallus, right lateral view: (67) C. irwini; (68) C. parkeri; (69) C. coronaeformis; (70–72) basiphallus and distiphallus junction, dorsal view: (70) C. irwini; (71) C. parkeri; (72) C. coronaeformis. Scale bars = 0.5 mm.

Figs 79–91. Sternites 6 (79–85, 87–91) and 4–6 (86) of Curtonotum spp. males: (79) C. keiseri, N-T, Ambohitra, TAU; (80) C. stuckenbergi, HT, Ambohitantely, NMHN; (81) C. irwini sp. n., PT, Zombitse National Park, CAS; (82) C. parkeri sp. n., PT, same, CAS; (83) C. coronaeformis sp. n., PT, Fianarantsoa, CAS; (84) C. balachowskyi, N-T, same, CAS; (85) C. gladiiformis sp. n., N-T, same, CAS; (86) C. sternithrix, PT, Manambato, MNHN; (87) C. rinhatinana sp. n., HT, Ankarafantsika,CAS; (88) C. boeny, N-T, E. Bekopaka,CAS; (89) C. griveaudi sp.n., PT, Mahafaly Reserve, CAS; (90) C. pauliani, N-T, E. Bekopaka, CAS; (91) C. sakalava, N-T, Berenty Special Reserve, CAS. Scale bars = 0.5 mm.

Figs 92–96. Distribution of Malagasy Curtonotom spp.: (92) C. keiseri; (93) C. stuckenbergi; (94) C. sternithrix; (95) C. irwini sp. n.; (96) C. parkeri sp. n.

Figs 105–107. (105) The biomes of Madagascar (after Yoder & Nowak 2006); (106) biogeographic zonation of Madagascar, following Boumans et al. (2007) and partly Wilmé et al. (2006) (after Glaw & Vences 2007); (107) bioclimatic zonation of Madagascar, following Cornet (1974) and Schatz (2000) (after Glaw & Vences 2007).