Leptocera insularum Buck, 2009

Buck, Matthias & Marshall, Stephen A., 2009, Revision of New World Leptocera Olivier (Diptera, Sphaeroceridae), Zootaxa 2039 (1), pp. 1-139 : 109

Leptocera insularum Buck , new species

( Figs. 246–252 )

Description. Male terminalia ( Figs. 246–249 ): Sternite 5 with ca. 14 large scales on hind margin. Epandrium of approximately equal width dorsally and ventrally, not distinctly expanded dorsally. Anterior section of surstylus with angulate anterolateral corner (ventral view), and with two fairly long bristles along inner margin, well visible in lateral view. Anterior process of surstylus of moderate width (narrower than in L. fulva ). Posterior section of surstylus long, dilated apically; with long, medial bristle inserted anteroapically directly above series of apical spines; this bristle with fine, tapered tip (more tapered than in L. fulva ); spines of apical series with tapered tips (unlike L. fulva ). Cercus bifurcate, dorsal arm short and hardly expanded apically and with three, short, ± apical bristles and one bristle near point of bifurcation, longer ventral arm bare, quite abruptly tapered and curved inward apically.

Female terminalia ( Figs. 250–252 ): Sternite 7 with wide but very short median projection, microtrichia of posteromedial third of sclerite directed posteriorly and posteromedially, absent at middle of hind margin. Tergite 10 + cerci with a pair of long bristles near middle plus several shorter setulae.

Type material. Holotype ♂ ( DEBU): PUERTO RICO, Guánica, 4.ii.1989, dry forest, sweep nr. pond, S.A. Marshall . Paratypes: PUERTO RICO. 2 ♀♀ , Mayagüez Co., Hacienda La Juanita , 2.8 km ENE Las Vegas, 18°11'45"N, 67°0'22"W, 10–11.vi.1996, disturbed habitat, C. Young, M. Klingler & W. Zanol ( CMNH) . DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. Monseñor Nouel: 1 ♀, Bonao , 14.i.1989, wet cacao, roadside sweep, S.A. Marshall ( DEBU) .

Etymology. The species name reflects the fact that this species is restricted to islands in the Caribbean (lat. insula: island).

Distribution. At present only known from Hispaniola ( Dominican Republic) and Puerto Rico, where it is much rarer than the widespread L. fulva .

Discussion. This species is morphologically intermediate between L. dicrofulva sp.n. and L. fulva . The male cercus is bifurcate (as in L. dicrofulva sp.n.), but the posterior section of the surstylus has a series of three enlarged apical bristles (as in L. fulva ), and female sternite 7 is slightly produced posteromedially (strongly produced in L. fulva , emarginate in L. dicrofulva sp.n.). The male differs from L. dicrofulva sp.n. by the smaller number of posterior scales of sternite 5, the medially curved apex of the ventral arm of the cercus, and the uppermost cercal bristle inserted near bifurcation point (all near apex of posterior arm in L. dicrofulva sp.n.). It can be distinguished from L. fulva by the tapered spines of the apical series of the posterior section of the surstylus, and the more slender anterior process of the surstylus (similar to L. dicrofulva sp.n.).

Figures

FIGURES 246–252. Leptocera insularum sp.n. (246–249: Puerto Rico, 250–252: Dominican Republic). Male terminalia (phallus and postgonites omitted): (246) lateral, cercus omitted; (247) posterior; (248) ventral, cerci omitted; (249) sternite 5. Female terminalia: (250) dorsal; (251) spermathecae; (252) ventral. ce—cercus, cda—dorsal arm of cercus, cva—ventral arm of cercus.