Khuzimelissa Engel, 2019
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publication ID |
https://dx.doi.org/10.3897/jhr.69.32561 |
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publication LSID |
lsid:zoobank.org:pub:5B2D3ED0-DDC5-43A4-8564-AB18373F1F9B |
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persistent identifier |
https://treatment.plazi.org/id/FF287D5A-51DA-4BE4-A353-B1B896BB858D |
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taxon LSID |
lsid:zoobank.org:act:FF287D5A-51DA-4BE4-A353-B1B896BB858D |
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treatment provided by |
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scientific name |
Khuzimelissa Engel |
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gen. n. |
Khuzimelissa Engel gen. n.
Type species.
Meliturgula deserta Warncke, 1983 [1985].
Diagnosis.
The genus superficially resembles Flavomeliturgula and Belliturgula , particularly the latter in the extensive yellow coloration. However, the genus differs from both in the short, more typical labial palpomeres in which the proximal labial palpomere is elongate, flattened, longer than the combined lengths of the remaining palpomeres (approximately 1.25 × length of remaining palpomeres combined), with the second palpomere flattened and slightly shorter than the length of the third and fourth palpomeres combined; and the third and fourth palpomeres subequal in length and cylindrical (Fig. 13 View Figures 12–15 ). In addition, the glossa is acute (Figs 6 View Figures 5–7 , 15 View Figures 12–15 ) (rather than broadly truncate apically), the glossa is shorter than the head length (Figs 6 View Figures 5–7 , 19-21 View Figures 19–21 ) (rather than greater than the head length in the former two genera), the pretarsal claws are cleft (simple in the former two genera), the metasomal terga have distinctive broad setal bands (Figs 16-18 View Figures 16–18 ) (lacking in the former two genera), and the pygidial plate is apically emarginate (Fig. 25 View Figures 24–26 ) (acutely rounded in the former two genera). Other diagnostic traits include: small species, slightly more than 8 mm in length; integument largely pale yellow with few dark brown to black markings (Figs 6 View Figures 5–7 , 16-18 View Figures 16–18 ); outer subantennal sulcus arched (Fig. 6 View Figures 5–7 ); clypeus gently and weakly convex, scarcely protuberant (Figs 6 View Figures 5–7 , 17 View Figures 16–18 , 19 View Figures 19–21 ), extending in front of compound eye by about 0.5 × compound eye width; labrum wider than long, width 1.7 × length, without lateral oval windows of transparent integument (Fig. 20 View Figures 19–21 ), surface gently and weakly convex with weak subtriangular proximal medial depression; prementum ventrally with abundant, elongate (1.0-1.9 × median ocellar diameter), erect to suberect, simple setae (Figs 15 View Figures 12–15 , 19 View Figures 19–21 , 21 View Figures 19–21 ); galea shorter than stipes; mesoscutum with abundant, appressed, squamose setae (Fig. 18 View Figures 16–18 ), intermixed with sparse, erect, minutely spicate setae (0.8-1.0 × median ocellar diameter); probasitarsus elongate, slender, length approximately 3 × width; mesotibial spur about as long as mesobasitarsus; forewing with r-rs distinctly shorter than 3Rs, 1rs-m distad 1m-cu, and 1cu-a about 4 × as long as 2M+Cu; hind wing with 10 or more distal hamuli arranged in a dense series.
Etymology.
The new genus-group name is a combination of Khuzi, the Middle Persian name for the ancient Susian people, and from which the regional name Khuzestan derives (and encompasses the type locality of the type species), and the Greek, mélissa (μέλισσα), meaning, “bee”. The gender of the name is feminine.
Included species.
The genus presently includes only the type species, Khuzimelissa deserta (Warncke), comb. n., which has been recorded from Iran (Khuzestan) and Pakistan (Balochistan).
No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.