Sundacypha petiolata (Selys)

Orr, Albert G. W., Dow, Rory A. & Steinhoff, Philip O. M., 2024, Descriptions of larvae of four mainly DNA barcode-matched species of chlorocyphids from south-east Asia (Odonata: Chlorocyphidae) with notes on the generic and species level larval identification of Oriental region members of the family., Zootaxa 5486 (3), pp. 301-337 : 316-317

publication ID	https://doi.org/ 10.11646/zootaxa.5486.3.1
publication LSID	lsid:zoobank.org:pub:C7F7E7D5-6F6E-49C8-AF31-9B769EC8B56C
DOI	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13750898
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/0393879E-FFD7-FFC5-DBF7-4CA7FCBB7F3C
treatment provided by	Plazi
scientific name	Sundacypha petiolata (Selys)
status

Treatment

Sundacypha petiolata (Selys) View in CoL

( Figs 4c View FIGURE 4 , 5c View FIGURE 5 , 7c View FIGURE 7 , 8c View FIGURE 8 , 9c View FIGURE 9 , 11b View FIGURE 11 , 12c, g View FIGURE 12 , 14c, d View FIGURE 14 , 15c, d View FIGURE 15 , 16b, f View FIGURE 16 , 17b View FIGURE 17 , 18c View FIGURE 18 )

Material examined. MALAYSIA, 1 ♂ F , 1 ♀ F ( RMNH.5008329, RMNH.5008330), stream in kerangas near Camp C, Planted Forest Project, Bintulu Division , Sarawak, 2.7171N, 113.3463E, 26 iii 2014 ( RMNH.5008329), 27 iii 2014 ( RMNH.5008330), leg. S.G. Butler. GoogleMaps

Habitus: similar to H. biseriata but obviously smaller ( Fig. 4c View FIGURE 4 ). Significantly paler mottling on head and body in specimens examined which have predominantly pale yellowish ground colour. Both head and antennae relatively longer, especially the latter; prothorax lower in profile with anterior tubercles much reduced; prothorax legs proportionally slightly longer, caudal spikes proportionally longer but thinner and more evenly tapered to a point from base.

Head: in dorsal view as illustrated ( Fig. 5c View FIGURE 5 ), similar to H. biseriata but slightly more elongate and antennae proportionally longer (1.63 times maximum head width versus 1.52 in H. biseriata ) and markings weaker, with subtle differences but tip of pedicel with similar dark coloration; scape with longer and mainly longer straighter setae but a few recurved short setae so that wet specimens may appear sparsely warty. Labrum as in H. biseriata but more strongly curved, accommodating long mandibular incisor lobes; ‘moustache’ with 9–10 strong setae. Ventrally, genae bear a cluster of subocular spines shorter and less numerous than in H. biseriata , all main spines except first appear rounded in ventral view ( Fig. 7c View FIGURE 7 right) but these are upturned and acuminate as seen in lateral view ( Fig. 7c View FIGURE 7 left). Head, especially seen in lateral view longer and shallower than previous two species, with other differences as shown ( Fig. 7c View FIGURE 7 ). Mask very long and thin, articulation resting between posterior part of coxae of mesothorax ( Fig. 8c View FIGURE 8 ); prementum narrow basally, gradually flared anteriorly with margins of anterior half straight; lateral margins with sparse fine setae on distal 2/3 rd ( Fig. 9c View FIGURE 9 ) seated in distinctly raised sockets ( Fig. 11b View FIGURE 11 ); anterior median lobe as in H. biseriata but only slightly convex; median cleft very short with tinted area marking point of closure ( Fig. 11b View FIGURE 11 ); lobe of labial palp as in previous species, but with both palpal lobe and movable hook relatively slightly longer relative to anterior breadth of prementum as indicated ( Figs 10a, b,c View FIGURE 10 , 11b View FIGURE 11 ). Maxillae as in previous species ( Fig. 12c View FIGURE 12 ), but with basal pair of secondary denticles on distal tooth well separated as in A. fenestrella and all relatively shorter and lighter than in that species ( Fig. 12g View FIGURE 12 ). Mandibles ( Figs 14c, d View FIGURE 14 , 15c, d View FIGURE 15 )—both left and right with five distinct teeth on incisor visible in internal view, dorsal one small; right with small supplementary tooth basal to strong ventral tooth; right molar crest a low elongate shallow ridge without obvious dentition and lightly sclerotised ( Figs 14c View FIGURE 14 , 15d View FIGURE 15 ); left incisor ( Figs 14d View FIGURE 14 , 15c View FIGURE 15 ) with five well developed teeth, the strongest ventrally; molar crest a strong flat dorso-ventral blade with eight minute denticles along a nearly straight distal margin, with end denticles markedly heavier and longer, especially ventrally ( Figs 14d View FIGURE 14 , 15c View FIGURE 15 ). A strong outer basal seta on both mandibles as in other three species.

Thorax: anterior tubercles on prothorax less developed and more centrally placed than in other two species ( Fig. 5c View FIGURE 5 , arrowed), and anterior and posterior flanges defining saddle lower. Otherwise similar. Marking (not illustrated on body) lightly mottled but always with broad pale band between two anterior tubercles on prothorax. Wing sheaths slightly spatulate, not completely obscuring abdomen at sides, forewing reaching to near end of S5, hindwing to 2/3 along S6 ( Fig. 4c View FIGURE 4 ). Legs long and thin, metafemur reaching base of S8, clearly proportionally longer than in H. biseriata which they resemble in all other respects including presence of two rows of pectinate setae on the venter of the tarsus. Unlike the previous two species the tibiae have no markings.

Abdomen: squat, mainly mottled brown with well-defined pale narrow middorsal stripe (not figured). Margins of S3–7 distinctly crimped forming shallow lateral keels; venter of S6–8 with irregular sparse row of tiny submarginal spines; ventrolateral margin of S9 with 5–7 strong, curved spines and scattering of tiny marginal and submarginal spines along venter ( Figs 16b View FIGURE 16 , 17b View FIGURE 17 ); S10 with 3–6 strong ventrolateral spines ( Figs 16b View FIGURE 16 , 17b View FIGURE 17 ) and cluster of smaller spines on venter and ventrally on tergite ( Fig. 16f View FIGURE 16 ); hind-margin S10 with 3–4 strong rearward pointing ventrolateral spines ( Figs 16b, f View FIGURE 16 , 17b View FIGURE 17 ) and small spines along all of hind margin, being sparsest ventrally. Male gonapophyses ( Fig. 17b View FIGURE 17 ) short and conical, well separated, arising near posterior margin S9 and just reaching margin. Outer female gonapophyses ( Figs 16b, f View FIGURE 16 ) arising from base of S9 and extending well beyond hind margin of S10 to about level of epiproct tip ( Fig. 16f View FIGURE 16 ), ventral margin with series of sparse heavy spines to about level of hind margin S10, thence continuing almost directly backward to a sharp point about level with epiproct tip ( Fig. 16f View FIGURE 16 ); inner apophyses smooth, curved smoothly and strongly upward to a rounded point extending well beyond outer apophyses and epiproct. Epiproct, short, subconical, not obviously different from other species studied. Caudal spikes about 65% body length, of medium breadth at their base and tapered almost uniformly to a point ( Fig. 18c View FIGURE 18 ); bearing numerous backward facing strong sharp curved spines, heavy setae, and also long fine setae too matted to assess accurately, but apparently dense.

Measurements (mm): body length, 9.9; lateral caudal spikes 6.4; head width 2.6; prementum 2.65; mandibles 0.75; palpal lobe (to tip of dorsal branch) 0.58; movable hook 0.52 maxillary palp 0.57; galeolacinia to distal tooth 1.2; antennae 1.70, 0.74, 0.80, 0.49, 0.24, 0.15, 0.11 (total 4.23).

Remarks

This species exhibits several distinctive characters when compared with other genera studied: the mask is elongate, as is the head, although the latter is not very obvious. The antennae are long in proportion to head width. The anterior tubercles on the prothorax are reduced and the caudal spikes are very long thin, spiny and distinctively tapered. The posterior segments of the abdomen bear considerably more small spines on the venter and ventral margins than in the other species and the specimens examined were much paler than other genera, but it is unclear if this is a reliable character. Only one other species S. striata is known from the genus, closely related to S. petiolata . It seems likely that its larvae when discovered will be very similar, but it is possible differences occur especially in the shape of the prementum, to judge from known variation in other genera.