Nikandria australis, Jaschhof, Mathias & Jaschhof, Catrin, 2017

Jaschhof, Mathias & Jaschhof, Catrin, 2017, Mycophagous gall midges (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae: Lestremiinae, Micromyinae, Winnertziinae, Porricondylinae): first records in Sweden and descriptions of closely related new species from elsewhere, Zootaxa 4226 (4), pp. 546-570 : 564

Nikandria australis spec. nov.

Fig. 11A–E

Diagnosis. Nikandria australis differs from N. brevitarsis , the only other species of the genus Nikandria , in the following characters. The eye bridge is shorter, i.e. only 0̄1 ommatidium long dorsally; the number of flagellomeres is always 11; the palpi consist of either 2 or 3 segments, whose shape and setosity is variable (see the remarks on variation below) ( Fig. 11D–E); the labella are of normal outline, not merged into a single body ( Fig. 11D); the costal break is indistinct, at least in some of the specimens studied; the gonostyli are slightly more slender and slightly more curved, and the apical tooth is broader ( Fig. 11A); the collar subapically on the tegmen is less pronounced and lacks spikes ( Fig. 11A); and the protrusions formed by the medial gonocoxal bridges are pointed rather than rounded, and directed medially rather than medioposteriorly ( Fig. 11A).

Intraspecific variation. The structure of the palpi is unusually variable, with differences found even in the palpi of one and the same specimen. For example, the apical palpal segment may be anything from short and asetose ( Fig. 11D) to long and setose ( Fig. 11E). Malformations also occur ( Fig. 11E). In several of the specimens studied here the ninth tergite has a concave, not straight, posterior margin, apparently a preparation artifact.

Etymology. The species epithet, australis , a Latin adjective meaning southern, refers to occurrence of this species in the southern hemisphere and the South Island of New Zealand.

Types. Holotype. Male, New Zealand, South Island, Buller , Lake Rotoiti , 640 m, in southern beech forest, 30 Jan. 2001, Malaise trap (no. “6”), Department of Conservation St. Arnaud (in NZAC) . Paratypes. 4 males, 1 female, Buller, Lake Rotoroa , 450 m, in mixed podocarp / southern beech forest , 15 Jan. 2001, Malaise trap (no. “15”), Department of Conservation St. Arnaud; male, Buller, Ahaura, Granville State Forest , 170̄ 250 m, in southern beech forest , Dec. 1994, Malaise trap (no. “2GUL4M”), J. Hutcheson (all in NZAC).