Gonioscelis kedros, Londt, 2004

Londt, Jason G. H., 2004, A review of the afrotropical genus Gonioscelis Schiner, 1866 (Diptera: Asilidae), with descriptions of new species, African Invertebrates 45, pp. 21-124 : 55-56

Gonioscelis kedros sp. n.

Figs 64–66 , 151

Etymology: Gr. kedros – cedar. Refering to the occurrence of the species in the Cedarberg mountain range.

Description: Based primarily on holotype ơ (NMSA) which is slightly teneral and a little greasy.

Head: Antenna dark red-brown, pedicel brown distally, setae pale yellow and white. Facial swelling pronounced, mystax confined to gibbosity, mostly black with a few white setae distributed in-between black ones. Frons and vertex black, weakly red-gold pruinose. Ocellar tubercle apruinose with black oc. Occiput black, silver pruinose although somewhat weakly behind vertex, setae short dark-brown dorsally, white centrally and ventrally. Proboscis and palpus dark red-brown, fine white setose.

Thorax: Dark red-brown (mesonotum) to black (pleura), silver (pleura) or red-gold (mesonotum) pruinose. Postpronotal lobes red-brown, somewhat contrasting with adjacent mesonotum, with approx. 10 white setae. Mesonotal macrosetae black: ac approx. 7 pairs; approx. 15 pairs dc, extending along entire length of mesonotum; 3 dark red-brown to black npl; approx. 5 sa; 4 pa. Scutellum dark red-brown to black, with 6 black mrg sct. Wing length 5.7 mm, membrane mostly pale brown-yellow with dark brown spots at major forks. Legs: Femora black with orange-brown distal ends, tibiae orange-brown (slightly darker distally), tarsi dark brown, setae mostly white (black ones on spur and ventrally on tarsi). Prothoracic coxa black, apruinose except for distal part which is silver pruinose, white setose; femoral spur sharply pointed (angle approx. 20°).

Abdomen: Tergites black, silver pruinose hind margins, setae sparse white. Sternites blackish, apruinose except for a small spot mediodistally, setae fine white.

Terminalia ( Figs 64–66 ): Short ep (proctiger projecting beyond level attained by epandrial lobes), lobes hardly tapering distally, with fine setae distally; gcx with two dorsodistal projections, ventrodistal part as a broadly-rounded projection, a few fine setae are associated with these structures; hyp, in ventral view, clearly broader than long, tapering quickly to a broadly-rounded, trilobed distal end equipped with fine setae.

Variation: A constant species showing insignificant individual variation. Although the small sample of seven individuals includes only a single male, it appears that little sexual dimorphism exists.

Type material: SOUTH AFRICA: 1^ paratype, South Africa, Cape Prov. / 2mi. NNE. Pakhuis Farm / Pakhuis Mts , Sept. 14, 1972 / ME& BJ Irwin, 1800ft, 3219 Aa’; 1ơ holotype, 4^ paratypes, ‘ Sth Africa: Cape Prov / NE slopes Pakhuis Mts / 32°07'00"S: 19°03'00"E / J Londt B Stuckenberg / & P Croeser 6.ix.1989 / Rocky area ca 25km E / Clanwilliam 400m’; 1^ paratype, ‘ Sth Africa: Cape Prov / Biedou Valley 300m / 32°06'00"S: 19°19'00"E / J Londt B Stuckenberg / & P Croeser 6.ix.1989 / Rocky gentle N slope / Scrub & wild flowers’ .

Type locality: South Africa: Pakhuis mountains , 25 km E Clanwilliam.

Distribution, phenology and biology (Tables 1–2, Fig. 151 ): Known only from the eastern slopes of the Cedarberg mountains in the Pakhuis Pass area, and adjacent dry Biedouw Valley, an area well known for its endemic fauna and flora.

Similar species: Closely related to other spotted-winged species from the south-western parts of South Africa (i.e. chloris , exouros , punctipennis ). It is found at a similar time of year and only a few kilometres from the only known localities for chloris , which are on the western slopes of the Cedarberg mountains. There are small but consistent morphological differences between males of these two species that support their separation.

Figures

Figs 64–76. Gonioscelis male genitalia. 64–66. G. kedros sp. n. (holotype). 64. Lateral. 65. Dorsal. 66. Ventral. 67–73. G. lacertosus Engel, 1925. 67–69. (Elandsberg). 67. Lateral. 68. Dorsal. 69. Ventral. 70–73. Hypandrial variation. 70. Willowmore. 71. Hantamsberg. 72. Sutherland. 73. Kirkwood. 74–76.G. longulus Ricardo, 1925 (M’fongosi). 74. Lateral. 75. Dorsal. 76.Ventral. Scale lines = 1 mm.

Figs 150–151. Distribution of Gonioscelis species found only along the west coast of South Africa. 150. closed square = ceresae, cross = iota, open circle = melas. 151. closed circle = chloris, open circle = exouros, closed square = kedros, open square = punctipennis.