Pycnostigmus fossilensis, Noort, Van, 2007

Noort, Van, 2007, A world revision of the Pycnostigminae (Cynipoidea: Figitidae) with descriptions of seven new species, Zootaxa 1392, pp. 1-30 : 9-11

Pycnostigmus fossilensis n. sp. Buffington & van Noort

( Fig. 4 )

Description. FEMALE. Head. Shiny with no sign of microsculpture around ocelli and on vertex ( Figs 4 B & 4C); frons shagreened ( Fig. 4 E), cheeks smooth; setae present only on frons, around ocelli and occiput. Antenna entirely dark brown/black; scape 1.25x length of radicle, short appressed setae on all flagellomeres, 12 flagellomeres present, basally moniliform and gradually becoming filiform towards apex.

Mesosoma. Lateral aspect of pronotum rugulose, shiny, sparsely covered in long setae ( Fig. 4 B). Mesopleuron smooth ventrad of mesopleural triangle and immediately dorsad of mesocoxa; reticulate striations present across remainder of mesopleuron, mesopleural carina indistinct; dorsal and ventral margins of mesopleural triangle clearly visible, setose ( Fig. 4 B). Mesoscutum entirely shiny (lacking microsculpture) with evenly scattered setae present over entire surface; notaulices complete, originating at anterior end of parascutal impression; area between posterior junction of notaulices delineated by teardrop-shaped impression ( Fig. 4 C). Disk of scutellum only smooth at center, remaining surface strongly rugulose; margin of disk well defined by raised, sharp carina ( Fig. 4 C).

Metapleural-propodeal complex. Metapleuron with long, thin setae on dorsal half, glabrous on ventral half ( Fig. 4 B). Propodeum crenulate, setation ranging from sparse to entirely glabrous; area between propodeal carinae weakly carinate, glabrous ( Figs. 4 B & 4C). Nucha crenulate, not striate, protruding posteriorly ( Fig. 4 B).

Metasoma. Petiole striate with no visible setae; petiole not entirely obscured by anterior margin of syntergum. Syntergum smooth and shiny; posterior margin of syntergum, as well as T4, with a few long setae ( Fig. 4 A). Entire metasoma, in lateral view, about as long as deep.

Wings. Pseudostigma weakly sclerotised such that the marginal cell is clearly visible ( Fig. 4 D).

Legs. Coxae and femora moderately setose, dark brown/black, non metallic; remaining portion of legs brown except for light brown, non metallic joints; legs evenly covered with long, non appressed setae entirely to claws ( Fig. 4 A).

MALE. As in female except: 15 antennal flagellomeres present; length of metasoma 1.67x depth.

Diagnosis. Separated from P. m a s t e r s o n a e by the head and mesosoma being non-metallic; from P. incognito and P. hoerikwaggoensis by having the disk of the scutellum smooth in center (weakly carinate in P. incognito , rugose in P. hoerikwaggoensis ); from P. rostratus by having the mesopleuron almost entirely smooth (striate in P. rostratus ) and the center of the disk of the scutellum smooth (entirely rugose in P. rostratus .)

Etymology. Named for the type locality, West Coast Fossil Park, a satellite of Iziko Museums of Cape Town. Phosphate mining operations uncovered a 5 million year old fossil site where bones of over 200 species, including bears and sabre-toothed cats, are preserved.

Distribution. South Africa: Western Cape ( Fig. 13 ).

Material examined. Holotype: SOUTH AFRICA. Western Cape Province. [first label] West Coast Fossil Park, (4km 290o E Langebaanweg), 32o57.512’S 18o06.728’E, [second label] 1–8 Sep 2004, S van Noort, Malaise trap LW02-R7-M318, rehabilitated mine dump. [third label] SAM-HYM P0024403. The holotype is a female mounted on a black card point. Deposited in SAMC.

Additional material. PARATYPES: SOUTH AFRICA. Western Cape Province. Koeberg Nature Reserve, 33°37.622'S 18°24.259'E, 8 Aug–5 Sept 1997, S van Noort, Malaise trap KO97-M07, West Coast Strandveld, SAM-HYM P0024710 (7 females, 6 males) [ CASC, SAMC, ULMZ, USNM]; Koeberg Nature Reserve, 33°37.622'S 18°24.259'E, 8 Aug– Sep 1997, S van Noort & HG Robertson, Pitfall trap KO97-P40, West Coast Strandveld, SAM-HYM P0024709 (1 female) [ SAMC]; Langberg Farm, (3km 270o W Langebaanweg), 32o58.461’S 18o07.344’E, 25.viii–1.ix.2004, S van Noort, Malaise trap LW02-N2-M315, sand plain fynbos, SAM-HYM P0024404 (1 male) [ SAMC]; West Coast Fossil Park, (5.5 km 290° W Langebaanweg) 32°57.402'S 18°05.438'E, 4–11 Sept 2002, S van Noort, Malaise trap LW02-R5-M12, Rehabilitated mine dump, SAM-HYM P0024415 (1 male) [ SAMC].

Image deposition. A MorphBank collection of images of P. f o s s i l e n s i s can be accessed via http://morphbank.net/Show/?id= 110334.

Figures

FIGURE 4. Pycnostigmus fossilensis Buffington & van Noort, holotype specimen, female. A, habitus. B, head and mesosoma, lateral view. C, head and mesosoma, dorsal view. D, left forewing. E, head, anterior view.

FIGURE 13. Distribution map of South African Pycnostigmus and Tylosema species. Solid dots: Pycnostigmus; open squares: Tylosema.