Aphaniosoma propinquans Collin, 1949

Ebejer, Martin J., 2023, The genus Aphaniosoma Becker, 1903 (Diptera: Chyromyidae) in the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East, with descriptions of new species, European Journal of Taxonomy 872, pp. 1-161 : 130

Aphaniosoma propinquans Collin, 1949

Fig. 74

Material examined

SPAIN • 1 ♂; Balearic Islands, Mallorca, S’Albufera, Es Cibollar marsh north; 18 Apr. 2001; M.J. Ebejer leg.; MJE .

TUNISIA • 1 ♀; Bizerte, Menzel Bourgiba ; 16 May 1995; M.J. Ebejer leg.; salt-lake; MJE .

Remarks

A species with long dorsocentral setae (1–2+3–4) but no projection on the hind trochanter. It usually has the presutural dorsocentral just a little longer than the first postsutural seta whereas in all other species it is the other way round. The male pregenital sternite was illustrated with a line drawing in the original description. What is not apparent from that drawing is the considerable bending of this sternite at its middle to form a broad midline keel that is deeper towards the caudal end with a U-shaped posterior margin (see Fig. 74A ). The female has the abdominal tergites 5–7 a little raised in the midline giving it a shallow ridge-like appearance, which lined pale yellow ( Fig. 74B ). Ebejer (1998, 219) gave more detail for the identification of both sexes.

Distribution

Czech Republic, Germany, Great Britain, France, Italy (Sicily), Malta, Spain (including Balearics), Turkey ( Collin 1949; Ebejer 1998; Ebejer et al. 2001; Bährmann 2006).

Figures

Fig. 74. Aphaniosoma propinquans Collin, 1949. A. ♂ (MJE), abdomen showing the large pregenital sternite in situ, ventro-lateral view. B. ♀ (MJE), abdomen showing the shallow midline ridge on tergites 5 and 6, dorsal oblique view.