Arenivaga trypheros, Hopkins, Heidi, 2014

Hopkins, Heidi, 2014, A revision of the genus Arenivaga (Rehn) (Blattodea, Corydiidae), with descriptions of new species and key to the males of the genus, ZooKeys 384, pp. 1-256 : 116-119

Arenivaga trypheros sp. n. Figures 37, 150-151

Type locality.

USA, California, Imperial County, 1 mi. S of Glamis.

Material examined.

Holotype: ♂ in EMEC labeled "CAL: Imperial Co., 1 mi. S Glamis, 31-III-1978, J. Powell, coll., in pitfall trap" "HOLOTYPE Arenivaga trypheros Hopkins, 2012" [red label with black border].

Paratypes (18): USA: CA, Imperial Co., 17 mi. NW of Glamis, 6/27/1978, D & J Powell, blacklight trap (6, EMEC); CA, Imperial Co., 3 mi. SW of Glamis, 7/12/1974, J Doyen, blacklight trap (2, EMEC); CA, Imperial Co., 2 mi. W of Glamis, 6/2/1971, AJ Gilbert, pit trap,71F7-28 (1, CSCA); AZ, Yuma Co., Goldwater Military Range, San Cristoball Dunes, 3/4/1997, CA Olson, Pitfall traps (2, UAIC); AZ, Yuma Co., Yuma desert 9 mi. E of San Luis, 3/16/1980, Werner,Olson,Metz & MacLachlan (1, UAIC); AZ, Yuma Co., Large sand dunes SE of Yuma, 4/16/1994, 32.27N, 114.25W, WB Warner (1, WB Warner). MEXICO: BC, 10 mi. S of San Felipe, 3/25/1961, EL Sleeper (2, CAS); BC, Sierra Pinta Dunes, 6.5 mi. S of Mexicali, 4/?/1953, ER Tinkham, died 8/15/1953 (1, USNM); BC, San Felipe, 3/25/1963, GI Stage (1, HEH); BC, 3 mi. N of La Puerta, 4/20/1973, Chandler & Levin (1, UAIC). All paratypes labeled "Paratype Arenivaga trypheros Hopkins 2012" [blue label with black border].

Etymology.

The name is an adjective in the nominative singular. This species is named trypheros, Greek for "delicate, dainty, soft" because it is very delicate and dainty in its morphology.

Distribution.

This species is found in far southwestern Arizona, far southeastern California, northeastern Baja California, Mexico and a short distance down the western coast of the Sea of Cortez. See Fig. 151.

Diagnosis.

Arenivaga trypheros sp. n. is characterized by its long, narrow iridescent wings that extend a long distance beyond the end of the abdomen. The genitalia are indistinguishable from that of Arenivaga darwini , a sympatric species that is otherwise phenotypically quite different. See Fig. 37.

Description.

Male.Measurements. Holotype TL = 20.9 mm, GW = 7.4 mm, PW = 4.87 mm, PL = 3.57 mm, TL/GW = 2.82, PL/PW = 0.73. One of the longest and narrowest species of Arenivaga . EW = 0.35 mm; OW = 0.3 mm. The only notable difference in measurements among paratypes was in total length; the holotype total length is equal to the longest observed, the shortest TL = 16.7 mm.

Head. Two ocelli large, ovoid and strongly protruding (0.45 × 0.30 mm); vertex brown with small ridges in rays around upper apices of eyes and extending onto ocellar tubercles; interocellar space deeply concave, brown anteriorly fading to lighter brown towards frons. Posterior frons deeply concave, light brown; anterior frons bulbous and light brown; anteclypeus broad, flat, light brown. See Fig. 150d.

Pronotum. Pronotum pale, waxy beige-gold; anterior half of dorsal surface of pronotum covered in fine pale setae with scattering of thicker golden setae throughout; pronotal pattern ranges in color from same waxy beige-gold of background, to orange-brown, brown and very dark brown depending on specimen, "panther face" pattern, not well-defined or detailed in its presentation; no aura. See Fig. 150c.

Body. Wing brace present. Two tarsal claws present. Legs and body light waxy beige-gold, subgenital plate dramatically asymmetrical with strongly emarginated posterior edge and pointed apices. See Fig. 140b.

Forewings. Wings extended well beyond abdominal apex (> 50% of wing length); color varies from pale iridescent gold to iridescent grey-brown. See Fig. 150a.

Genitalia. Right dorsal phallomere composed of large bulbous lightly sclerotized hook-shaped lobe, articulated with right ventral phallomere on lateral side; unmodified. Small central sclerite consists solely of thin half circle of sclerotized material beginning near front of right ventral phallomere and sweeping around to rear of same phallomere; right ventral phallomere extends from articulation to form structure rounded at posterior apex and expanding to shagreened and more sclerotized area dorsally; attached anteriorly is U-shaped shagreened lobe bordered by rolled shagreened lip. Left phallomere unmodified. Genital hook with long extension to pointed head and short hook; arm with shallow curve. See Fig. 37.

Habitat and natural history.

This species occurs in sparsely vegetated sand dunes that are extremely dry and hot. All other life history elements remain unobserved.