Niphta daniellae Pivar, 2021

Pivar, Robert J., Sinclair, Bradley J. & Moulton, John K., 2021, Revision of the genus Niphta (Diptera, Thaumaleidae) Theischinger of South America, with descriptions of nine new species and a new immature morphotype, ZooKeys 1063, pp. 49-104 : 49

publication ID	https://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1063.71180
publication LSID	lsid:zoobank.org:pub:2792B13C-D577-416C-B83D-1C8043701C78
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/2974B173-08B9-4832-991A-A0DD52A1929B
taxon LSID	lsid:zoobank.org:act:2974B173-08B9-4832-991A-A0DD52A1929B
treatment provided by	ZooKeys by Pensoft
scientific name	Niphta daniellae Pivar
status	sp. nov.

Treatment

Niphta daniellae Pivar sp. nov.

Figs 5A View Figure 5 , 7A View Figure 7 , 9D View Figure 9 , 10D View Figure 10 , 24B View Figure 24 , 26A View Figure 26

Type material.

Holotype: ♂, glued to point with abdomen in glycerine microvial pinned beneath, labelled: "Chile: Region IX ( Araucanía)/ Rte. 71, 15.xii.2016/ 38°14'20.6"S 71°53'46.6"W / elev. 953 m, roadside seeps/ J.K. Moulton & R.J. Pivar"; "HOLOTYPE/ Niphta / Niphta daniellae / Pivar [red label]" (CNC). Paratypes: Chile: Region VIII ( Bío Bío): Rte. Q-61, 8.xii.2016, 37°48'22.8"S 71°40'46.6"W, elev. 379 m, cascading creek, J.K. Moulton & R.J. Pivar (1♂).

Recognition.

This species is recognised by the sharply pointed, tapered gonostylus with no projections and not cheliform, unlike all remaining species in the N. nudipennis group. The gonocoxal plate also has a pair of lateral arms projected anteriorly.

Description.

The description of N. daniellae differs from that of N. bifurcata in the following regards:

Male. n = 2.

Length 1.7-2.0 mm.

Colouration (Figs 9D View Figure 9 , 10D View Figure 10 ). Postpronotal lobe and lateral margins of prescutum yellow; scutum shiny with three distinct brown stripes, pleura yellow; postscutum yellow, two lateral brown spots above scutoscutellar suture; scutellum shiny, yellowish; mediotergite shiny, anterior half yellow, posterior half brown; katepisternum dark brown, except yellow at base of fore coxa; anepisternum and paratergite brown; remaining pteropleuron yellow; halter entirely creamy yellow; legs yellowish brown, tarsi dark brown; abdominal tergites brown, posterior margin pale brown, sternites mainly yellow with scattered brown markings; terminalia yellowish brown.

Head. Frons with two to three strong setae. Flagellomere 1 expanded, 1.5 × as wide as next segment, subequal in length to 2 and 3 combined.

Wing. Wing length: 2.2-2.3 mm. Lightly infuscate throughout; bend in R4+5 gentle; M4 with slight apical bend.

Abdomen. Abdominal sternite 2 reduced to slender median sclerite, lacking setae; sternites 3-7 rectangular, setae restricted to posterior two-thirds; sternite 8 strongly reduced, lacking setae.

Terminalia (Figs 5A View Figure 5 , 7A View Figure 7 ). Epandrium quadrate in ventral view, posterior margin rounded, with narrow medial cleft; long, extended beyond gonostyli; without lobes or projections. Gonocoxites oblong, longer than wide, inner margin setose, expanded anterodorsally above gonocoxal plate, closely approximated but not fused; two posteromedially directed spine-like projections, one anterior to gonostylus, one posterior; anterior projection pointed, bare; posterior projection blunt, setose. Gonostylus longer than wide, distal half strongly tapered to pointed apex; dorsoventrally compressed, margins curved slightly ventrally, scoopula-like, heavily sclerotised; a few setae scattered throughout, apex bare. Parameres medially fused, attached basally to arms of gonocoxal plate; surface textured with tiny bumps, except for smooth apex; divided medially into dorsal parameral apodeme and ventral arm; ventral arm projected anteroventrally, expanded medially, apical third rapidly tapered to pointed apex, sharply curved anterodorsally; ventral arm, when retracted, rests ventrally between lateral margin of gonocoxal plate and gonocoxite. Gonocoxal plate broad, well sclerotised; anteroventral margin subtriangular, basal margin cleft forming two ventrally directed projections; pair of dorsal arms connect to parameres; with median expansion projected ventrally between posterior margins of gonocoxites. Cercus ovoid, visible in lateral view; projected anteroventrally; situated within epandrial indentation.

Female. Unknown.

Immature stages.

Unknown.

Additional material examined.

Known only from the type series.

Distribution.

Known from two localities in the Andes of south-central Chile (Fig. 24B View Figure 24 ).

Etymology.

This species is named in honour of RJP’s wife, Danielle Lombardi, for her support during Pivar’s graduate research and entomological endeavours, and for playing an important role in organising the Chilean expedition. Raised in northern Chile (Arica), Danielle’s Spanish skills were critical for translating all communications with government and national park contacts, as well as translating our requests for collecting permits.