Molecular phylogeny of the genus Lasiopogon (Diptera: Asilidae) and a taxonomic revision of the bivittatus section
Author
Mcknight, Tristan A.
0000-0001-9400-3445
tristan.mcknight@gmail.com
Author
Cannings, Robert A.
0000-0001-9400-3445
tristan.mcknight@gmail.com
text
Zootaxa
2020
2020-08-24
4835
1
1
115
journal article
8733
10.11646/zootaxa.4835.1.1
2171c1ed-ce68-4577-9dc0-ac4df911dee4
1175-5326
4403133
688C55B3-E241-4687-A751-57289E12B6FB
Lasiopogon actius
Melander
Lasiopogon actius
Melander, 1923: 138
.
Diagnosis
. (
Fig. 33
) A medium-sized pale species from the beach dunes of
Oregon
,
Washington
and
British Columbia
; most setae white except macrosetae black along sides of scutum and on lower leg segments, some individuals also with black macrosetae in dorsocentral, occipital, and ocellar groups; tergites with basal brown tomentum usually as lateral spots (especially in female) but occasionally as a dark band; apical 40% of each tergite covered in grey tomentum. Epandrial halves moderately concave medially, with long white setae; phallus dorsal carina protruding with apex swollen into rounded process. Ovipositor dark brown/black, acanthophorite spines black.
Redescription
. Body length
♂
9.2–12.4 mm
;
♀
9.7–12.4 mm
.
Head
. HW
♂
1.99–2.58mm
;
♀
2.03–2.52mm
. FW
♂
0.45–0.57mm
;
♀
0.48–0.59mm
. VW
♂
0.78–1.05mm
;
♀
0.79–0.95mm
. VW/HW =
♂
0.39–0.42;
♀
0.37– 0.40. FW/VW =
♂
0.53–0.58;
♀
0.59–0.62. VD/VW =
♂
0.13–0.18;
♀
0.16–0.17. GH/GL =
♂
0.38–0.41;
♀
0.30–0.43. Face with silver-yellow tomentum; vertex with silver/light brown tomentum. Mystax, frontal, and most orbital and occipital setae straw-colored; a few black occipital macrosetae behind eye; beard and labial setae white. Occipital macrosetae relatively straight and of average length, those behind the dorsomedial angle of the eye
0.6mm
long and most curved; lateral and ventral macrosetae shorter, straighter. Frontal and orbital setae fine and long.
Antennae
. Black, base of postpedicel dark brown; Setae usually straw-colored, no setae on postpedicel. Postpedicel rectangular, stylus broadly tapering. WPP/LPP =
♂
0.27–0.34;
♀
0.30–0.36. LAS/LPP =
♂
0.71–0.76;
♀
0.60–0.75.
Thorax
. Prothorax light grey/brown, setae white; postpronotal lobes grey to brownish grey, lateral angle ferruginous, setae white. Scutum tomentum grey/tan, darker around the perimeter. Dorsocentral stripes dark brown; acrostichal stripes absent, cuticle subshining. Dorsocentral macrosetae and shorter setae straw-colored, some dorsocentral macrosetae occasionally black; lateral macroseta groups black, some postalars occasionally straw-colored. Anterior dorsocentral macrosetae 8 (to 1.0mm), mixed with finer setae; 5 posteriors. Postalars 2–5, with a few shorter setae; supra-alars 2–4; presuturals 2–4; posthumerals 1–2. Scutellar tomentum yellow; rim inflated, leaving a semi-circular line impressed inside the dorsal edge; apical macrosetae straw-colored, very abundant (10+ on each side) and mixed with many other long setae. Pleural tomentum gold. Katatergite macrosetae straw-colored, 8–13, with a few weaker setae; katepisternal setae sparse, moderately long, white; anepisternal setae 6–9, relatively strong (to
0.8mm
) and mixed with other short setae, a patch of short white setae on dorsal margin of sclerite; anepimeron with 1–3 short wispy setae.
Legs
. Cuticle dark brown to black, tomentum grey. No coxal peg. Macrosetae on femur usually white, sometimes brown, macrosetae of tibia and tarsi dark brown/black; all finer setae white. Ventral setae on femur dense, longest are longer than femur width. Dorsolateral macrosetae mixed with finer setae: 8–11 on profemur but difficult to distinguish from surrounding finer setae, macrosetae more prominent on mesofemur (4–8) and metafemur (12–18). Protibia with ventral macrosetae about 4 times longer than tibial width. Claws dark brown over basal 60%, apically black.
Wings
. Veins dark brown; membrane faintly grey from microtrichia. DCI = 0.31–0.42. Halter pale brown, with no spot.
Abdomen
. Cuticle dark brown/black; subshining brown tomentum at bases of tergites 1–7, bands of grey tomentum cover apical 40–50% of each tergite, extending anteriorly along lateral margins, and in some individuals anteromedially to divide brown into lateral spots (especially in females). Setae yellowwhite/white; all tergites in male with long lateral setae; females with long setae along tergites 1–3 and shorter setae on 4–7. Lateral macrosetae on first tergite 8–9, long but not strongly differentiated from surrounding setae. Sternite tomentum grey; setae long, yellow-white/white.
Male genitalia
. Epandrium and hypandrium/gonocoxite complex cuticle dark brown; covered in thin grey tomentum except polished medially on hypandrium and sometimes apically on epandrium; with long straw setae, setal brush light brown, dense. Epandrium elongate, in lateral view the width about 45% the length, widest in basal third; apex rounded with ventral tooth. In dorsal view, medial margins of epandrium moderately curved, curvature starts about 35% from base, outer margins gradually tapered; basal sclerite prominent. Phallus paramere sheath dorsally 55% the length of phallus; paramere sheath without ventral ornamentation; dorsal carina divergent from aedeagal tube and extending slightly farther, apex rounded into hemisphere. Ejaculatory apodeme in lateral view strongly to moderately bent dorsally in basal quarter, with broad dorsal carina. Subepandrial sclerite with triangular central unsclerotized area in basal 28% narrowing to a parallel-sided gap in central portion; spines parallel-sided, blunt, densely arranged apically and medially, sparser elsewhere.
Female genitalia
. Undissected: Setae white, abundant, erect. Tergite 8 dark brown/black, occasionally lighter at apex; sternite 8 dark brown; lateral lobe setae strong; hypogynial valves with fine setae concentrated basally. Cerci brown/black with pale setae; acanthophorite spines black.
Type Material
.
LECTOTYPE
(examined)
♂
labelled: “[rectangular white label] IlwacoWash/
July 1917
/ ALMelander”; “[rectangular red label] TYPE/
Lasiopogon
/ actius/ Melander”; “[rectangular white and green label] ALMelander/ Collection/ 1961”; “[rectangular beige label]
Lasiopogon
/ actius/ Mel.”; “[rectangular white label] USNMENT01071654”. Our
lectotype
label “
LECTOTYPE
/
Lasiopogon actius
/ Melander/ des.
T.A. McKnight
2017 [red, black-bordered label]” has been attached to this specimen.
USNM
.
PARALECTOTYPES
(1 examined):
U.S.A.
:
WASHINGTON
:
Pacific Co.
,
Nahcotta
[
46.501
-124.059
],
24.v.1917
,
A.L. Melander
(
1♂
CNC
,
CNC 333
). Our
paralectotype
label has been attached to this specimen
.
Other Material Examined
(
308 specimens
).
CANADA
:
BRITISH COLUMBIA
:
Haida Gwaii
,
Graham Island
,
Masset
,
3.vi.1957
,
E.E. MacDougall
(
1♂
RBCM
,
RBCM
ENT 991-86248
);
Graham Island
,
Masset
,
Skonun Point
[
54.031
-132.078
],
9.vi.1987
,
D. & J.M. Cooper
(
1♀
RBCM
,
RBCM
ENT 987-3770
),
6.vi.1988
,
J.M. Cooper
(
1♀
LACM
,
LACM
ENT 334001
,
1♂
1♀
RBCM
,
RBCM
ENT 991-3647
,
RBCM
ENT 991-3650
);
Graham Island
,
Tlell
,
53.611278
-131.936351
,
25.vi.2009
,
R. Bennett
,
M. Connelly
,
C. & D. Copley
,
J. Heron
,
J. Miskelly
, (
2♂
2♀
RBCM
,
RBCM
ENT 009-5279
,
RBCM
ENT 009-5281
–
RBCM
ENT 009-5283
),
vii.2014
,
B. Wijdeven
(
1♂
[1 EtOH]
RBCM
)
.
U.S.A.
:
OREGON
:
[no loc], [?.?.]1929, F.J.
Spuijt
(
1♂
FSCA
)
;
Clatsop Co.
,
Gerhart Beach
[
46.031
-123.929
],
16.ix.1991
, S. & S.
Frommer
(
2♂
3♀
UCRC
)
;
Seaside
[
45.999
-123.929
],
29.v.1933
, W.W.
Baker
(
4♂
1♀
CAS
)
;
Sunset Beach
[
46.099
-123.942
],
6.viii.1938
, S.E.
Crumb
(
4♂
4♀
FSCA
)
;
Douglas Co.
, Ziolkouski
Beach Park
,
2 mi
W of Winchester
Bay
,
43.66264
-124.2067
,
16.v.2012
, T.A.
McKnight
(
1♂
1♀
RBCM
,
1♂
TAM
,
2♂
2♀
[4 EtOH]
UMMZ
)
;
Lane Co.
,
Baker Beach
, dunes behind [
44.0853
-124.11778
],
27.vi.2012
, J.D.
Pinto
(
1♀
UCRC
,
UCRC
ENT 432939
)
;
Florence
[
44.024
-124.129
],
21.vi.1960
, E.
Ball
(
1♂
2♀
FSCA
)
;
Lincoln Co.
,
Beachside State Park
[
44.381
-124.089
],
11.vi.1988
, D.W.
Webb
(
4♂
INHS
)
;
Devil’s Lake
[
44.9674
-124.0151
],
2.ix.1932
, W.W.
Baker
(
1♀
CAS
)
;
Gleneden Beach
, NW tip of
Salishan Spit
,
44.920078
-124.026942
,
17.v.2012
, T.A. McKnight (
1♂
RBCM
,
3♂
1♀
TAM
,
6♂
3♀
[7 EtOH]
UMMZ
)
;
Governor Patterson State Park
, beach,
44.408
-124.085
,
24.vi.2006
, J.D.
Pinto
(
1♂
UCRC
,
UCRC
ENT 420341
)
;
Newport
, S side
Yaquinna River
mouth, dunes
E of South Jetty Rd
,
44.612546
-124.069057
,
17.v.2012
, T.A.
McKnight
(
1♂
1♀
RBCM
,
1♂
[1 EtOH]
UMMZ
),
21.vi.2013
,
T.A. McKnight
(
1♂
[1 EtOH]
TAM
)
;
Waldport
[
44.4333
-124.0836
],
5.vi.1925
, H.A.
Scullen
(
1♀
OSUC
,
OSUC 194365
)
,
7.vi.1925
, J.E.
Davis
(
1♂
CAS
)
,
vii.1938
, E.C.
Van Dyke
(
1♂
CAS
)
,
15.vii.1938
, E.C.
Van Dyke
(
8♂
3♀
CAS
,
1♂
1♀
FSCA
)
;
Tillamook Co.
,
Nehalem
Bay
,
3 mi
S Manzanita
[
45.6641
-123.9345
],
7.vii.1971
,
J.R.
Powers (
1♂
5♀
CAS
)
;
Pacific City
,
Bob Straub State Park
, dunes W of parking lot,
45.192474
-123.968284
,
18.v.2012
, T.A.
McKnight
(
1♂
RBCM
,
1♂
TAM
,
1♂
1♀
[2 EtOH]
UMMZ
)
;
Rockaway
[
45.612
-123.946
],
27.vi.1920
, L.P.
Rockwood
(
1♂
1♀
USNM
,
USNMENT1100069
–
USNMENT1100070
)
;
Sand Lake
[
45.288
-123.957
],
27.v.1965
, C.
Henne
(
4♂
1♀
CAS
)
,
7.vii.1962
, R.L.
Fischer
(
1♂
MSUC
)
;
WASHINGTON
:
Grays Harbor Co.
,
Ocean City State Park
, sand dunes [
47.032
-124.172
],
26–27.v.1996
, M.
Kippenhan
(
2♂
3♀
CSUC
)
;
Ocean Shores
,
Taurus Blvd
SW [
46.9721
-124.1704
],
16.v.1994
, R.A.
Cannings
(
1♂
2♀
CSUC
,
2♂
2♀
RBCM
)
;
Twin Harbor State Park
, beach [
46.857
-124.114
],
22.v.2003
,
B. Kondratieff
, J.
Schmidt
(
1♀
CSUC
)
;
Westhaven State Park
, dunes
2 mi
NW of Westport
,
46.90241
-124.12839
,
20.vi.2013
, T.A.
McKnight
(
1♂
1♀
RBCM
,
1♂
1♀
TAM
,
1♂
1♀
UMMZ
)
;
Westport
[
46.887
-124.126
],
8.v.1931
, J.
Wilcox
(
1♂
CNC
)
,
8.v.1932
, J.
Wilcox
(
4♂
1♀
CAS
,
1♂
CUAC
,
1♂
EMEC
,
1♂
MCZ
),
12.v.1932
,
J. Wilcox
(
1♂
OSUC
,
OSUC 194364
)
,
15.v.1932
, J.
Wilcox
(
1♂
2♀
CAS
,
1♀
CUAC
,
1♂
MCZ
),
17.vii.1932
,
C.W. Getzendaner
(
1♀
CAS
)
,
31.vii.1932
, W.W.
Baker
(
4♂
2♀
CAS
,
1♀
CNC,
1♀
EMEC
,
1♂
1♀
FSCA
),
24.v.1933
,
C.H. Martin
(
1♂
FISH
)
,
28.v.1933
, C.H.
Martin
(
2♂
1♀
FSCA
)
,
29.v.1933
, C.H.
Martin
(
1♂
ESUW
,
3♂
2♀
FSCA
),
18.vi.1933
, C.W.
Getzendaner
(
4♂
4♀
CAS
)
,
W.W.
Baker
(
1♂
FSCA
)
,
5.vii.1933
, G.P.
Engelhardt
(
1♂
CAS
)
,
7.vii.1933
, I.
Wilcox
(
4♂
7♀
CAS
,
1♂
FISH
,
1♂
UCRC
), J.
Wilcox
(
1♂
BEZA
,
13♂
6♀
CAS,
2♂
2♀
FISH
,
2♂
4♀
MCZ
),
W.W. Baker
(
5♂
9♀
CAS
,
2♂
2♀
FISH
,
1♂
1♀
FSCA
,
1♀
UCRC
),
19.vii.1933
,
W.W. Baker
(
2♂
CAS
,
1♀
FSCA
),
5.v.1935
, W.W.
Baker
(
1♀
CAS
)
,
24.vi.1935
,
C.W.
Getzendaner (
1♂
1♀
CAS
,
1♀
FISH
),
21.vii.1935
, C.W.
Getzendaner
(
1♀
BEZA
,
5♂
8♀
CAS,
1♀
FISH
),
8.ix.1935
,
W.W. Baker
(
2♀
CAS
)
,
28.iv.1936
, J.
Wilcox
(
1♀
CAS
)
,
16.v.1994
, R.A.
Cannings
(
2♀
RBCM
)
;
Pacific Co.
,
Ilwaco
[
46.316
-124.067
],
28.vi.1925
, A.L.
Melander
(
10♂
11♀
USNM
,
USNMENT1100773
–
USNMENT1100776
,
USNMENT1100778
–
USNMENT1100781
,
USNMENT1100783
–
USNMENT1100786
,
USNMENT1100788
–USNMENT1100789, USNMENT1100791–USNMENT1100792, USNMENT1100794, USNMENT1100801–USNMENT1100802, USNMENT1100805, USNMENT1100820)
;
Klipsan Beach
[
46.466
-124.058
],
26.v.1981
, C.V.
Nidek
(
2♂
BEZA
)
;
Long Beach
[
46.353
-124.063
],
1.vii.1949
, C.B.
Philip
(
9♂
CAS
)
,
23.viii.1972
, E.I.
Schlinger
(
1♂
BEZA
)
,
19.v.1977
, V.F.
Lee
(
3♂
2♀
CAS
,
4♂
2♀
FISH
)
;
Ocean Park
[
46.490
-124.058
],
9–10.viii.1950
, M.T.
James
(
1♀
RBCM
)
,
29.vi.1957
, M.T.
James
(
1♂
RBCM
)
;
Seaview
[
46.331
-124.066
],
27.iv.1998
, G.E.
Hutchings
(
4♂
RBCM
)
;
Seaview
, beach dunes at end of 38th
Pl.
,
46.331
-124.066
,
30.v.1995
, R.A.
Cannings
(
1♂
CSUC
,
3♂
LACM
,
LACM
ENT 334002
–
LACM
ENT 334004
)
.
Taxonomic Notes
.
Melander’s original description noted
16 specimens
as “types” which would be interpreted as
syntypes
in modern usage, but one male in the
USNM
collection has been traditionally interpreted and stored as the primary type, even receiving a red label by an unknown worker at some point. For future stability, we are hereby designating this specimen as the
lectotype
, and all others from this series as paralectotypes, though we have only found one specimen from the
paralectotype
series to date
.
Etymology
. No explanation given in the original description, but evidently from the Greek
aktaios
= of the coast or shore.
Distribution
(
Fig. 39
) Nearctic; coast of Pacific Northwest in
USA
:
Oregon
,
Washington
, and
Canada
:
British Columbia
(Haida Gwaii). This distribution skips over Vancouver Island and the Puget Sound area, where
L. actius
is apparently replaced by
L. puyallupi
stat. nov.
; some individuals of
L. puyallupi
even have similar coloration (e.g., partially white mystaces).
Type
locality:
U.S.A.
:
Washington
: Pacific Co., Seaview.
Phylogenetic Relationships
. Member of the
actius
group within the
bivittatus
section, likely as sister to
L. puyallupi
. Not closely related to
L. arenicola
despite
Melander’s (1923)
comment. The close genetic and morphological similarity and complimentary geographical distributions of
L. actius
and
L. puyallupi
suggest that these taxa are likely either a recent divergence with shared ancestral polymorphisms, or a case of introgression.
Natural History
. Habitat: coastal sand dunes, especially on the foredune. Usually perches on bare sand adjacent to beachgrass (
Ammophila
Host
) and other low, scraggly vegetation (
Fig. 6
,
3b
), occasionally found on riprap boulders. Dates collected: April 21 to September 16, most in May and June. Frequently found flying simultaneously with
L. tumulicola
sp. nov.
, though the latter species was typically encountered in the backdune field or backside of the foredune, whereas
L. actius
was typically on the beach side. On Haida Gwaii, flies were collected with
Spiriverpa
Irwin & Lyneborg (Therevidae)
.