Platyna, Wiedemann

Hauser, Martin, Woodley, Norman E. & Fachin, Diego A., 2017, Taxonomic changes in African Stratiomyidae (Diptera), Zootaxa 4263 (1) : -

Genus PLATYNA Wiedemann

Platyna Wiedemann, 1824: 12 . Type species, Stratiomys hastata Fabricius, 1805 , by monotypy. Placyna: Bigot, 1856: 63. Incorrect subsequent spelling.

Platyna hastata (Fabricius) .

Stratiomys hastata Fabricius, 1805: 84 . ST 2 ♀ [ UZMC]: Guinea.

Platyna denudata Grünberg, 1915: 43 . ST 2 ♂ [ZMHU]: Equatorial Guinea: Río Muni, Benito region, Alen; ST 1 ♀ [ZMHU]: Cameroun: “Neu-Kamerun”; ST 2 ♂ [ZMHU]: Cameroun: Johann-Albrechtshöhe; ST 1? [ZMHU]: Togo: Bismarckburg. Syn. nov.

The very distinct Platyna hastata is a widespread species in the tropical parts of Africa, and is characterized by its very broad triangular shaped abdomen, the long antenna and the scutellum elongated into a spine. When Grünberg described P. denudata he stated that the main difference between it and P. hastata is the lack of the silver pubescence on the abdomen and he mentioned that he had several males and females of the new species. After examining the syntype specimens it became clear that he had only females ( Fig. 9 ) of P. hastata , which have much less silver pubescence on the abdomen than the males ( Fig. 8 ). Therefore we synonymize P. denudata under P. hastata .

Figures

FIGURES 7 – 12. Stratiomyidae habitus. 7. Neopachygaster stigma Lindner, female syntype [IRSNB]. 8. Platyna hastata (Fabricius), male abdomen. 9. Platyna hastata (Fabricius), female abdomen. 10. Brachyphleps tristis Lindner, male holotype [IRSNB]. 11. Psapharomydops procera Lindner, female holotype [MRAC]. 12. Gobertina mercurialis Lindner, male holotype [MRAC].