Scipopus (Scipopus) chalybeus Hennig, 1934

Lindsay, Kate & Marshall, Stephen A., 2023, A revision of Scipopus Enderlein including the subgenera Scipopus s. str., Phaeopterina Frey and Parascipopus subgen. nov. (Diptera, Micropezidae, Taeniapterinae), European Journal of Taxonomy 904, pp. 1-189 : 39-42

Scipopus (Scipopus) chalybeus Hennig, 1934

Figs 13–14

Scipopus chalybeus Hennig, 1934: 328 .

Scipopus chalybeus – Aczél 1949: 341 (catalog); 1951: 539 (key). — Steyskal 1968: 48.15 (catalog).

Differential diagnosis

Scipopus (Scipopus) chalybeus resembles other species of Scipopus s. str. with an at least partially white first fore tarsomere and a shiny epicephalon that is clearly delineated from the upper frontal vitta ( S. (S.) brikelos sp. nov., S. (S.) nigripennis , S. (S.) furcifer , S. (S.) lateralis and S. (S.) nitidus sp. nov.), but differs in the entirely white microtrichose clypeus and the strongly convex female cervical sclerite. Some specimens of S. (S.). chalybeus lack the outer vertical seta, and others have a very short T1+2 that is equal in length to T3.

Type material examined

Holotype (photos provided by Uwe Kallweit, Oct. 2020, SMTD)

BOLIVIA • 1 ♀; Mapiri , Sarampioni; 700 m a.s.l.; 28 Feb. 1903; SMTD.

Paratypes (not examined)

BOLIVIA • 1 ♂, 6 ♀♀; Mapiri, S. Carlos; 800 m a.s.l.; 2 Jan. 1903; SMTD • 1?; same locality as for holotype; 19 Jan. 1903; SMTD • 1 ♀; same locality as for holotype; 20 Jan. 1903; SMTD • 6 ♀♀; same collection data as for holotype; Feb. 1903, 3–25 Jan. 1903, 25–28 Feb. 1903, 2 Mar. 1903; SMTD • 1?; same collection data as for holotype; 3 Feb. 1903; SMTD • 1 ♂; San Ernesto; 800 m a.s.l.; 20 Mar. 1903; SMTD • 1 ♀; same locality as for holotype; 26 Mar. 1903; SMTD • 1 ♀; Yungas v. Coroico; 1000 m a.s.l.; 15 Jan 1903; SMTD .

PERU • 1 ♀; Meshagua , Urubamba; 800–2000 m a.s.l.; 1 Jan. 1903; “Laristal”; SMTD .

CHILE? • 1 ♀; MLUH .

Other material examined

BOLIVIA • 1 ♀; La Paz, Heath River Wildlife Centre, ~ 21 km SSW of Puerto Heath; 12°40′ S, 68°42′ W; 29 Apr.–12 May 2007; S.M. Paiero leg.; CBFC (dissected and photographed, Fig. 13E ) • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; DEBU • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; S.A. Marshall leg.; CBFC • 1 ♂, 3 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding; 29 Apr.–11 May 2007; M.D. Jackson leg.; CBFC (♂ dissected and photographed, Fig. 13B, D, F ) • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; debu00289616/MYCRO645-20 sequenced for CO1–5′; DEBU • 1 ♀; La Paz, Arroya Tuhiri W of Mapiri; 15.2908′ S, 68.2581′ W; 10 Apr. 2001; S.A. Marshall leg.; UGIC264-15/MYCRO165-15 sequenced for CO1–5′; CBFC • 1 ♀; Santa Cruz, 4–6 km SSE of Buena Vista, Hotel Flora y Fauna ; 17.50° S, 63.65° W; 6–10 Mar. 2014; Steck et al. leg.; multilure traps; debu01089060/MYCRO647-20 sequenced for CO1–5’; USNM • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; USNM • 1 ♂; Santa Cruz, Potrerillo del Guenda ; 17°40′8″ S, 63°27′25″ W; 403 m a.s.l.; 9–17 Oct. 2014; Sutton et al. leg.; Malaise trap, trail to old river bed; DEBU • 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀; La Paz, San Juanito nr Teoponte ; 15°29′42″ S, 67°47′48″ W; 500 m a.s.l.; 8 April 2001; S.A. Marshall leg.; CBFC • 1 ♀; Depto. La Paz, 5 km W of Mapiri, Arroyo Tuhiri ; 15°17.8′ S, 68°15.6′ W; 750 m a.s.l.; 18 Mar. 2001; S.D. Gaimari leg.; USNM .

BRAZIL • 1 ♀; Novo Airão, AM 352, km-10; 2°42′45″ S, 60°57′12″ W; 20 Jan. 2020; Rafael and Marshall leg.; INPA .

COLOMBIA • 1 ♀; Amazonas, PNN Amacayacu Cabaña Lorena ; 3°0′ S, 69°59′ W; 210 m a.s.l.; 1–15 Sep. 2001; J. Parente leg.; Malaise; M. 2202; IAVH • 1 ♀; Amazonas, PNN Amacayacu, Matamata ; 3°23′ S, 70°6′ W; 150 m a.s.l; 17 Sep.–1 Oct. 2001; D. Chota leg.; Malaise; M.2243; debu01089059/ MYCRO646-20 sequenced for CO1–5′; IAVH (dissected and photographed, Fig. 14B ) • 1 ♀; Caquetá, PNN Chiribiquete, R. Sararamano; 0°04′16″ N, 72°26′48″ W; 7–11 Apr. 2000; E. Gonzalez leg.; IAVH .

PERU • 1 ♀; Cusco, Estación Biológica Villa Carmen ; 12°54′ S, 71°24′ W; 500–700 m a.s.l.; 20 Jul. 2014; trap VC-ML-41; MHNJP • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 29 Jun. 2014; trap VC-ML-40A; MHNJP • 1 ♂, 3 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding; 6 Jul. 2014; MHNJP • 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding; 8 Jun. 2014; MHNJP • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 29 Jun. 2014; trap VC-ML-7B; MHNJP • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 8 Jun. 2014; trap VC-ML-09; MHNJP • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding; 29 Jun. 2014; MHNJP • 2 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding; 20 Apr. 2014; MHNJP • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 8 Jun. 2014; trap VC-ML-8B; MHNJP • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 7 Jun. 2014; trap VC-ML-53; MHNJP • 2 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding; 15 Jun. 2014; trap VC-ML-30; MHNJP • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 20 Jul. 2014; trap VC-ML-81; MHNJP • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 20 Apr. 2014; trap VC-ML-19; USNM • 2 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding; 29 Jun. 2014; trap VC-ML-84; USNM • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding; 8 Jun. 2014; USNM • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; trail 8 mark 8-1724; 702 m a.s.l.; 27 Nov.–20 Jan 2013; Norrbom et al. leg.; trap VC-ML-15; USNM • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; mark 8-1877; 721 m a.s.l.; trap VC-ML-16; USNM • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; garden area; 534 m a.s.l.; 20–26 Jan 2013; Steck et al. leg.; multilure traps; USNM • 1 ♀, 1?; same collection data as for preceding; garden area; 15–27 Nov. 2012; T. Forster leg.; USNM • 5 ♀♀; Cusco, Est. Biol. Villa Carmen, S side of Oroya ; 12.89111° S, 71.41046° W; 527 m a.s.l.; Dec. 2013; Norrbom and Sutton leg.; Malaise trap; USNM • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding; Jan. 2014; M. Choque leg.; USNM • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; trail 8; 600–760 m a.s.l.; 27 Mar. 2014; multilure traps; USNM • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 811 m a.s.l.; 10 Apr. 2014; trap VC-ML-82; USNM • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; trail 0; 530–830 m a.s.l.; 29 Jan. 2014; multilure traps; USNM • 2 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding; trail 5; 520–580 m a.s.l.; 8 May 2014; USNM • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; debu01088996/MYCRO550-19 sequenced for CO1–5′; USNM • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 577 m a.s.l.; 16 Dec 2013; trap VC-ML-30; USNM • 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀, 2?; same collection data as for preceding; stream below waterfall; 543 m a.s.l.; 16–26 Nov. 2012; J.K. Alvarez leg.; trap VC-ML-19; DEBU • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; debu01088987/ MYCRO527-19 sequenced for CO1–5′; USNM • 1 ♂; Madre de Dios, Los Amigos Biol. Stn ; 2–14 Jun. 2006; Paiero and Klymko leg.; DEBU • 1 ♂; Madre de Dios Parque Manu, Pakitza ; 11°56′ S, 71°18′ W; 250 m a.s.l.; 20–23 Sep. 1989; N. Adams leg.; stream at Trl-13; MHNJP .

ECUADOR • 1 ♀; Napo, Res. ethnica Waorani , 1 km S of Onkone Gare Camp, Trans Ent.; 0°39′10″ S, 76°26′ W; 220 m a.s.l.; 4 Oct. 1994; T.L. Erwin et al. leg.; insecticidal fogging of mostly bare green leaves, some with covering of lichenous or bryophytic plants in terre firme forest, at Trans 1, Sat. 3, Project MAXUS, Lot 852; USNM (photographed, Fig. 13G ) • 1 ♀; Napo, Tiputini Biodiversity Station ; 0°37′55″ S, 076°08′39″ W; 216 m a.s.l.; 6 Feb. 1999; T.L. Erwin et al. leg.; insecticidal fogging of mostly bare green leaves, some with covering of lichenous or bryophytic plants; Lot 2077, Transect 8; USNM • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding; Lot 2073, Transect 8; USNM • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; Lot 2071, Transect 8; USNM (♀ photographed, Fig. 13C ) • 1 ♀; Napo, Tiputini Biodiversity Stn , vic. Yasuní Natl. Pk.; 14–19 Feb. 1998; D.C. Darling leg.; Malaise trap; QCAZ • 1 ♀; Napo, Tiputini Biodiversity Stn ; 0°36′50″ S, 76°9′1″ W; 7–14 Jan. 2013; P.D. Careless leg.; debu00379841/MYCRO534-19 sequenced for CO1–5′, CO1–3′, 12S, 28S; DEBU • 2 ♀♀; Napo Province, Yasuní National Park, PUCE, Yasuní Research Station ; 76°36′ W, 0°38′ S; 3–20 Nov. 1998; T. Pape and B. Viklund leg.; QCAZ • 1 ♀; same locality as for preceding; 0°40′50″ S, 76°24′2″ W; 250 m a.s.l.; 28 Apr.–8 May 2006; V. Belluz leg.; “attracted to sweat”; QCAZ • 2 ♀♀; same locality as for preceding; 0°40′ S, 76°24′ W; 1–7 Nov. 2002; E.M. Fisher leg.; QCAZ • 1 ♀; same locality as for preceding; May 2011; S.P.L. Luk leg.; on canopy tower; debu00339811/MYCRO558-19 unsuccessfully sequenced for CO1–5′; DEBU • 1 ♀; Napo, Res. ethnica Waorani , 1 km S of Onkone Gare Camp, “Trans.Ent.”; 0°39′10″ S, 76°26′ W; 220 m a.s.l.; 10 Oct. 1994; T.L. Erwin et al. leg.; insecticidal fogging of mostly bare green leaves, some with covering of lichenous or bryophytic plants in terre firme forest, at Trans 3, stn 7, Project MAXUS, Lot 936; USNM • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 4 Oct. 1994; at Trans. 2, stn 4, Lot 863; USNM • 1 ♀; Napo, Jatun Sacha Res. , 6 km E of Misahuali, SOL trail; 1°4′ S, 77°37′ W; 450 m a.s.l.; 1–4 May 2002; Marshall, Paiero and Lonsdale leg.; QCAZ • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 30 Apr.–8 May 2002; S.A. Marshall leg.; QCAZ • 2 ♀♀; Puerto Orellana, Tiputini Biodiversity Station ; 0°38′2″ S, 76°08′9″ W; Aug. 1999; Kotrba leg.; QCAZ • 6 ♂♂, 12 ♀♀; Napo, Narupayacu ; 0°43′30″ S, 77°46′2″ W; 1100 m a.s.l.; 3 May 2019; K. Lindsay leg.; QCAZ • 2 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding; DEBU .

Description

LENGTH. 10–15 mm.

HEAD. Palpus dark brown, paler apically, pale brown microtrichose and setulose on entire surface, narrow (length 4.5 × height). Clypeus light to dark brown, width ~2.1 × height, white microtrichose on entire surface, denser in posterolateral corners. Frontal vitta entirely dull, orange, microtrichose. Epicephalon orange to brown, shiny, bare, narrow or wide, clearly delineated from upper frontal vitta. Paracephalon light to dark brown, slightly convex on posterolateral portions. Outer vertical seta absent or present, all other head chaetotaxy well-developed.

THORAX. Scutum black-brown, black microtrichose, with blue sheen. Female cervical sclerite very strongly convex on anterior half ( Fig. 13C ). Postpronotal lobe black-brown, bare. Notopleuron black-brown. Pleuron black-brown with the following microtrichosity: entirely white on proepisternum and proepimeron, white on anteroventral ½ of anepisternum, remainder brown, entirely white on katepisternum ( Fig. 14D ) or with slight small brown patch directly below ventral corner of anepisternum; entirely white or white with faint median brown spot on katatergite. Legs black-brown with blue sheen; fore tarsomere 1 white, 2–3 white or brown; hind tarsomere 1 white on inner dorsolateral ½ to almost entirely white dorsally.

ABDOMEN (J+ ♀). Tergites black-brown. T1 with fine, long, white setae.

FEMALE ABDOMEN. Pleuron pale grey, dark brown or black on P1, patch on dorsal ⅔ of P2 with concave ventral margin, dorsal half of P3–3 dark brown or black, dark grey shading on ventral third of P3–6 ( Fig. 13G ). T1+2 ~1.1–2.0× length of T3. Oviscape black-brown, white microtrichose on anterior ⅓, ~2.0–2.5 × length of T6. Combined spermathecal ducts short ( Fig. 13E ) or long ( Fig. 14B ); common duct narrow or wide, parallel-sided, ½–¾ of entire duct length. Paired spermathecal duct short (5.0– 6.0× length of paired spermathecae), narrow or wide. Paired spermathecal stems slightly longer than spermathecae, with rounded or spiked tubercles. Paired spermathecae ovoid, bent basally. Single spermathecal duct arising from basal ¹/7 to ¹/10 of paired duct, narrow, <½ diameter and ≥ ¾ length of paired duct, sometimes swollen apically. Single spermatheca elongate, teardrop-shaped, inornate or with sparse, minute tubercles.

MALE ABDOMEN. Pleuron pale grey, P1 entirely dark brown or black, dorsal ½ of pleural sac with black patch with concave ventral margin, dorsal half of P3–6 dark brown or black. T1+2 ~2.0× length of T3. Genital fork 2.0 × length of T6, arms converging, inner basal process pointed inward, ~ ¹/6 –⅓ length of arm. Epandrium elongate, 2.0–2.5× as long as high, densely short setose posteroventrally. Basiphallus small, projecting outward, crescent-shaped. Basal distiphallus very short (≈ in length to phallic bulb), ending in phallic bulb. Phallic bulb short and small, length ≈ height, approximately round with upper chamber with round posterior projection and lower chamber. Distal distiphallus long and narrow, ~2.0 × length of epandrium. Phallapodeme narrow, not expanded apically.

Remarks

There is variation in spermathecal duct length, the length of T1+2 relative to T3, and the presence/absence of the outer vertical seta. Despite this unusual level of apparent intraspecific variation, S. (S.) chalybeus is treated as a single species diagnosed by the entirely white microtrichose clypeus and the strongly convex female cervical sclerite.

Distribution

Bolivia, Brazil (new record), Colombia (new record), Ecuador (new record), Peru. The paratype from “ Chile?” listed in Hennig (1934) is unlikely to be from Chile as there are no records of Scipopus or any other Taeniapterinae from Chile. The southernmost record for the genus is S. (S.) diversus from northern Argentina.

Figures

Fig. 13. Scipopus (Scipopus) chalybeus Hennig, 1934. A. Clypeus, anterior view, ♀, non-type. B. Male genital fork, ventral view, Bolivia, non-type (CBFC). C. Head and thorax, dorsal view, ♀, highlighting cervical sclerite, Ecuador, non-type (USNM). D. Male terminalia, ventral view, Bolivia, non-type (CBFC). E. Female spermathecae and associated structures, Bolivia, non-type (CBFC). F. Male terminalia, lateral view, Bolivia, non-type (CBFC). G. Habitus, ♀, Ecuador, non-type (USNM). Abbreviations: b = basiphallus; bdp = basal distiphallus; cd = common duct; cs = cervical sclerite; ddp = distal distiphallus; e = epandrium; h = hypandrium; p = phallapodeme; pb = phallic bulb; pd = paired spermathecal duct; ps = paired spermathecae; pss = paired spermathecal stems; sd = single spermathecal duct; sp = sperm pump; ss = single spermatheca.

Fig. 14. Scipopus (Scipopus) chalybeus Hennig, 1934. A. Left wing, ventral view (USNM). B. Female spermathecae and associated structures, Colombia, non-type (IAVH). C. Living, Ecuador. D. Thorax, left lateral view, illustrating white microtrichosity. Abbreviations: bc = bursa copulatrix; cd = common duct; pd = paired spermathecal duct; ps = paired spermathecae; sd = single spermathecal duct; ss = single spermatheca.