Costalampys gen. nov. Silveira, Roza, Vaz & Mermudes

da Silveira, Luiz Felipe Lima, Roza, Andre Silva, Vaz, Stephanie & Mermudes, Jose Ricardo M., 2021, Description and phylogenetic analysis of a new firefly genus from the Atlantic Rainforest, with five new species and new combinations (Coleoptera: Lampyridae: Lampyrinae), Arthropod Systematics & amp; Phylogeny 79, pp. 115-150 : 115

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https://dx.doi.org/10.3897/asp.79.e67185

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Costalampys gen. nov. Silveira, Roza, Vaz & Mermudes
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Costalampys gen. nov. Silveira, Roza, Vaz & Mermudes Figs 6 View Figure 6 , 7 View Figure 7 , 8 View Figure 8 , 9 View Figure 9 , 10 View Figure 10 , 11 View Figure 11 , 12 View Figure 12 , 13 View Figure 13 , 14 View Figure 14 , 15 View Figure 15 , 16 View Figure 16 , 17 View Figure 17 , 18 View Figure 18 , 19 View Figure 19 , 20 View Figure 20 , 21 View Figure 21 , 22 View Figure 22

Type species.

Costalampys delicata sp. nov., by original designation.

Etymology.

Costalampys is proposed in honor of our dear Professor and friend, the entomologist Dr. Cleide Costa, which greatly influenced our lives and the study of beetles. Gender feminine.

Diagnosis.

Antenna with 11 antennomeres, covered in decumbent, short and thin bristles (Fig. 11A-B View Figure 11 , 12L View Figure 12 ), antennal socket wide, about half as wide as eye, close-set, reniform, antennifer process conspicuous (Fig. 12A-F View Figure 12 ). Maxillary palpomere IV fusiform (Fig. 12A-F View Figure 12 ). Labial palpomere III securiform, with sides divergent posteriorly (Fig. 12A-F View Figure 12 ). Pronotum roughly semilunar, with a marginal row of wider, deep punctures; disc convex in lateral view; hypomeron with ventral margin sinuose (Fig. 13A-D View Figure 13 ). Abdominal terga with posterior angles almost right-angled to slightly produced (Fig. 14A View Figure 14 ). Tibial spurs present. Male with antennomeres III-X cylindrical and basally flabellate, lamellae up to five times longer than antennomere, sternum IX exposed, apically rounded (Fig. 14C View Figure 14 ). Phallus with dorsal and ventral plates; dorsal plate basally fused to parameres, with a subapical transversal keel, without transverse groove, apically rounded or acute, not indented (Fig. 16I-L View Figure 16 ). Female with antennae compressed and serrate (Fig. 15C View Figure 15 ).

Description. Head Figs 11A, B View Figure 11 , 12A-F View Figure 12 );

Head capsule about a 1/3 × longer than wide (in dorsal view, Fig. 12A View Figure 12 ), lateral margins slightly convergent posteriorly (Fig. 12A View Figure 12 ), slightly longer than tall (in lateral view, Fig. 12 C View Figure 12 ). Frons slightly prominent and swollen (Fig. 12C View Figure 12 ). Antennal sockets reniform, 1/2 as wide as eye; antennifer process conspicuous (Fig. 12A-D View Figure 12 ). Vertex somewhat convex, posterior margin bisinuose (Fig. 12A, B View Figure 12 ). Antenna with 11 antennomeres, scape constricted proximally, pedicel almost as long as wide and constricted medially, antennomeres III-X subequal in length, with decumbent bristles; Frontoclypeus slightly curved anteriorly (Fig. 12C View Figure 12 ). Labrum connected to frontoclypeus by membrane; about 3 × wider than long, anterior margin straight to somewhat rounded, sclerotized or evanescent (Fig. 12D View Figure 12 ). Mandibles long and slender, monotonically arcuate, apex acute, internal tooth absent, external margin very sparsely setose at basal 1/2, bristles very thin and bright, barely visible (Fig. 12A-D View Figure 12 ). Maxilla with cardo well-sclerotized, triangular; stipe oblong in ventral view, internal margin slightly curved, posterior margins truncate, palp with four palpomeres; palpomere III triangular (dorsal view); IV lanceolate, with internal margin covered with minute, dense bristles, 2-3 × longer than III (Fig. 12A-D View Figure 12 ). Labium with mentum well-sclerotized and bristled, completely divided sagittally, forming two plates, each plate elliptic, with inner margin almost straight, outer margin rounded; submentum sclerotized and bristled, subcordiform, elongate; palp with three palpomeres, palpomere III securiform, sides divergent, apical margin slightly curved (Fig. 12A-D View Figure 12 ). Gular sutures conspicuous; gular bar transverse and strongly emarginate posteriorly, as wide as submentum greater width. Occiput pyriform, about a 1/3 × as wide as head posterior width (Fig. 12F View Figure 12 ). Tentorium long and slender, just slightly curved backwards, projected internally at basal 1/3, projection internally rounded (Fig. 12I-K View Figure 12 ). Thorax (Fig. 13A-L View Figure 13 ). Pronotum semilunar, posterior angles somewhat acute; disc slightly wider than long in dorsal view, convex, regularly punctured, punctures small and bristled; with a line of distinct deep marginal punctures; pronotal expansions well developed, anterior expansion maximal length almost half as long as disc, posterior expansion slightly sinuose, especially where disc meets lateral expansion, and by median line; slightly wider than humeral distance (Fig. 13A-D View Figure 13 ); lateral expansions straight in posterior view (Fig. 13C-D View Figure 13 ). Hypomeron slightly over 2 × longer than tall (Fig. 13C View Figure 13 ). Prosternum about 4 × as wide as its major length (Fig. 13B View Figure 13 ). Proendosternite apically clavate, as long as core prosternum major length (Fig. 12B, D View Figure 12 ). Mesoscutellum with posterior margin rounded (Fig. 13E View Figure 13 ). Elytra ellipsoid, 3-4 × longer than wide, pubescent, secondary pubescence present, with a line of conspicuous punctures all over sutural and lateral margins (Fig. 11 A, B View Figure 11 ). Hind wing well-developed, posterior margin sinuose, slightly over 2 × wider than long, r3 almost as long as r4, radial cell 2.5 × wider than long, almost reaching anterior margin, costal row of setae inconspicuous (Fig. 13L View Figure 13 ); CuA2 crossvein absent, mp-cu crossvein present; RP+MP1+2 as long as 3/4 × r4 length, reaching distal margin, J indistinct (Fig. 13L View Figure 13 ). Alinotum slightly wider than long, lateral margins slightly convergent posteriorly, posterior margin slightly curved; prescutum extending slightly beyond than half metascutum length (Fig. 13E View Figure 13 ); rounded area of scutum weakly sclerotized, scutum-prescutal plates sclerotized and extending ridges to alinotum posterior margin; metascutellum glabrous. Mesosternum weakly sclerotized, posterior margin medially acute (Fig. 13F, G View Figure 13 ). Mesoepimeron connate to metasternum (Fig. 13G View Figure 13 ). Mesosternum-mesepisternum suture barely visible (Fig. 13G View Figure 13 ). Mesepisternum-mesepimeron suture conspicuous (Fig. 13F, G View Figure 13 ). Metasternum strongly depressed by mesocoxae, anterior medial keel prominent up to anterior one third, discrimen reaching basal 1/2 of metasternum length, lateral margins divergent posteriorly up to lateral-most part of metacoxa, then convergent posteriorly, posterior margin bisinuose (Fig. 13F, G View Figure 13 ). Profemur about as long as protibia, meso and metafemora slightly shorter than respective tibiae (Fig. 13I-K View Figure 13 ). Tibial spurs present (Fig. 13I-K View Figure 13 ). Tarsomere I about 2 × longer than II, II 2 × longer than III, III subequal in length to core IV, IV bilobed, lobes reaching two thirds V length, V with claws simple, without inner teeth (Fig. 13I-K View Figure 13 ). Mesendosternum with two parasagittal projections directed outwards, irregularly alate (Fig. 13I-K View Figure 13 ). Metendosternum spatulate, roughly rhomboid, diamond-shaped (2 × longer than wide, median projection acute anteriorly and posteriorly, with two acute lateral laminae) (Fig. 13H View Figure 13 ). Abdomen (Fig. 14A-H View Figure 14 ). Tergum I with anterior margin membranous (Fig. 14A View Figure 14 ), laterotergite membranous, roughly rectangular, with sparse bristles (Fig. 14A View Figure 14 ); spiracle elliptical, obliquely attached to thorax, more vertically so (Fig. 14A View Figure 14 ). Terga II-VII with posterior corners almost right-angled to slightly projected, somewhat rounded, posterior margins somewhat rounded (Fig. 14A, B View Figure 14 ). Sterna II-IX visible (Fig. 14B View Figure 14 ), VI often bearing a rounded lantern, of variable size. Spiracles dorsal, at sternum anterior th (Fig. 14A, B View Figure 14 ). Sternum VIII with lateral “larval” lanterns, posterior margins medially sinuose or mucronate (Fig. 14A, B View Figure 14 ). Pygidium with posterior margin centrally rounded (Fig. 9H View Figure 9 ) or almost truncate (Fig. 17H View Figure 17 ), sometimes posteriorly mucronate (Fig. 14C View Figure 14 ) posterior corners weekly produced or barely present. Male. Antennomeres III-X cylindrical and flabellate, with lamellae long and slender, of variable length, apical antennomere at least slightly longer than subapical one (Fig. 12L View Figure 12 ). Syntergite consisting of paired lateral plates convergent posteriorly (putatively tergite IX or paraproct), median transversal suture absent, anterior margin mildly to strongly convergent (Fig. 14D, E View Figure 14 ); not posteriorly fused to sternum IX. Sternum IX roughly symmetric, posterior margin rounded. Phallus (Fig. 14F-H View Figure 14 ) with a dorsal and a ventral plate; dorsal plate basally fused to parameres, without a transverse groove apically rounded or acute, not indented), curved dorsally or straight (in lateral view), with a subapical transversal keel; ventral plate elongate, with sides straight. Paramere slightly longer than dorsal plate, with a ventral subapical tooth. Female (Fig. 15D-I View Figure 15 ). Antenna compressed and serrate, with apical corners almost right-angled or projected and acute (Fig. 15A-C View Figure 15 ). Sternum VIII as long as wide, spiculum ventrale long and slender, 3/4 × as long as sternum (Fig. 15D, E View Figure 15 ). Internal genitalia with a slightly sclerotized, elongate spermatophore-digesting gland, almost twice as long and slightly wider than the spermatheca, which is membranous and globose (Fig. 15F-I View Figure 15 ). Ovipositor short, valvifers free and slightly curved, slightly over 2 × longer than coxite; proximal plates sclerotized, fused medially in a somewhat C-shaped structure (with sides straight and convergent apically, medially straight anteriorly, posterior margin slightly curved), coxites apically free (i.e. not fused), coxital baculi well-developed, sclerotized, apically convergent; styli as long as 1/4 × coxite length, well-sclerotized; proctiger well-developed, formed by two elongate plates, convergent apically, laterotergite rudimentary, subquadrate in ventral view, weakly sclerotized, barely attached to valvifers (Fig. 15 F,G View Figure 15 ).

Biology.

Five species of Costalampys gen. nov. have been observed active during daytime, namely C. decorata (Olivier, 1888) comb. nov., C. delicata sp. nov., C. joanae sp. nov., C. pauper (Olivier, 1899) comb. nov., and C. tricolor (Gorham, 1880) comb. nov. Males and females were observed perching on leaves of understory bushes and growing trees (as in Fig. 10 View Figure 10 ). Males will sustain the antennae erect and pointed out towards the wind current, very similar to other firefly taxa with flabellate antennae, like many Ethra Laporte, 1833, Amydetes Illiger, 1807 and Cladodes species (L. Silveira pers. ob.). Given the similarity in overall morphology, it is likely that other Costalampys gen. nov. species in the genus are also diurnal. Where observed, lanterns are functional, and individuals will glow if disturbed. Other roles of bioluminescence (e.g., in courtship) are unknown.

Distribution.

In the Atlantic rainforest, with occasional records in adjacent Caatinga patches.

Remarks.

Costalampys gen. nov. superficially resembles the neotropical genera Psilocladus (type genus of Psilocladinae ), Amydetes (type genus of Amydetinae ), and Ethra ( Lampyrinae ) due to the branched antennae. Costalampys gen. nov. was found closer to lampyrine taxa in all our analyses, and never clustered with Amydetes ( Amydetinae ) or Psilocladus ( Psilocladinae ). Therefore, Costalampys gen. nov. is here tentatively placed as Lampyrinae , notwithstanding the lack of definitive diagnostic characters for the Lampyrinae (cf. Jeng 2008, Martin et al. 2019). While the tribal classification within Lampyrinae remains unsteady ( Martin et al. 2019), we place Costalampys gen. nov. as incertae sedis within the subfamily.

Males of Costalampys gen. nov. especially resemble those of Ethra ( Lampyrinae ), and specimens we now recognise as Costalampys were often found in collections identified as Ethra (L. Silveira, unpublished results). However, Costalampys gen. nov. can be distinguished from Ethra by: antennal lamellae (Fig. 12L View Figure 12 ) basally inserted (apically inserted in Ethra ); labial palpi (Fig. 12A-F View Figure 12 ) with sides apically divergent (parallel-sided in Ethra ); and pygidium with sides rounded (Fig. 14C View Figure 14 ) (straight in Ethra ). Females of all Ethra spp. remain unknown.

Costalampys gen. nov. shares several similarities with Scissicauda McDermott 1964, such as: antennal sockets large and close-set; maxillary palp with palpomere IV large and fusiform, submentum cordiform, pronotum semilunar, proendosternite apically clavate, elytral outline ellipsoid; metaendostenrite elongate, rhomboid; abdominal sternum II bearing paired vitreous spots medially; aedeagus with phallus bearing dorsal and ventral plates, dorsal plate enlarged apically, projecting ventrally and partially embracing the internal sac. It is also noteworthy that the genotypic S. disjuncta also has basally flabellate antennae, although its bristles are long and erect ( Silveira et al. 2016b). However, Costalampys differs from Scissicauda by: pronotal disc strongly convex in lateral view (almost flat in Scissicauda ); hypomeron strongly sinuose (mildly sinuose in Scissicauda ); sternum VIII as long as VII, posterior margin medially mucronate or slightly sinuose (at least a 1/5 × longer, and posterior margin strongly sinuose in Scissicauda ); sternum IX visible (concealed in Scissicauda ); male pygidium rounded posteriorly, sometimes mucronate (with sides divergent and posterior margin strongly indented in Scissicauda ); phallus with dorsal plate without a transverse medial groove (present in in Scissicauda ); internal female genitalia with spermatheca (absent in Scissicauda [based on the type species S. disjuncta ]), ovipositor in Scissicauda [based on the type species S. disjuncta ]).

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Arthropoda

Class

Insecta

Order

Coleoptera

Family

Lampyridae