Myrsidea laciniaesternata Eichler, 1956

Price, Roger D. & Dalgleish, Robert C., 2006, Myrsidea Waterston (Phthiraptera: Menoponidae) from tanagers (Passeriformes: Thraupidae), with descriptions of 18 new species, Zootaxa 1174, pp. 1-25 : 3-5

Myrsidea laciniaesternata Eichler ( Figs. 1–4 )

Myrsidea laciniaesternata Eichler 1956: 137 . Type host: Habia rubica (Vieillot) , Red­crowned Ant Tanager.

Female (10). Metanotum and abdomen as in Fig. 4 . Metanotum much enlarged, with 8–12 marginal setae, with longer setae positioned at medioposterior margin. Anterior abdominal tergites compressed by enlarged metanotum. Tergal setae: I, 20–27, with median setae finer and well anterior from posterior margin; II, 24–29; III, 26–36; IV, 24–34; V, 25–31; VI, 17–24; VII, 12–16; VIII, 8. Postspiracular setae extremely long on IV, very long on III and V, and shortest on VI–VII. Sternal setae: II, 25–30; III, 17–23; IV, 20–26; V, 28–38; VI, 25–34; VII, 16–22; VIII–IX, 16–22. Dimensions: TW, 0.46–0.48; HL, 0.31–0.32; PW, 0.28–0.30; MW, 0.46–0.48; AWIV, 0.57–0.62; ANW, 0.20–0.22; TL, 1.46–1.57.

Male (8). As in Fig. 1 . Metanotum with 6, rarely 7, marginal setae. Tergal setae: I, 13– 17; II, 16–21; III–V, 16–23; VI, 14–18; VII, 11–14; VIII, 8. Sternal setae: II, 22–27; III, 16–20; IV, 18–23; V–VI, 23–28; VII, 15–19; VIII, 4–6. Genital sac sclerite 0.080–0.095 long, as in Fig. 3 . Dimensions: TW, 0.41–0.43; HL, 0.29–0.30; PW, 0.26–0.28; MW, 0.36– 0.38; AWIV, 0.44–0.46; TL, 1.15–1.22.

Material. Ex H. rubica , 15 females, 13 males, TRINIDAD (2 collections).

Remarks. The female of this species is recognized by its much enlarged metanotum with longer setae grouped at the medioposterior margin, the number of setae on its abdominal tergites, and the anterior distribution of setae on tergite I. The male is recognized by its metanotal margin with only 6 (rarely 7) setae and tergite VIII with only 8 setae. Although we have not been able to examine any type material, Eichler (1956), even with his lack of meaningful detail or useful illustration, did mention the “apron shape” of the metanotum. This, along with our material being from the type host, makes us reasonably confident that we have representatives of M. laciniaesternata .

Figures

FIGURES 1–6. 1–4, Myrsidea laciniaesternata. 1, Entire dorsoventral male. 2, Male genitalia. 3, Male genital sac sclerite. 4, Female metanotum and dorsoventral abdomen. 5–6, M. cyanocephalae. 5, Female metanotum and dorsal abdomen. 6, Male metanotum and dorsal abdomen.