Niphta nudipennis (Edwards)

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/A1B7EFD2-5838-5CEB-B442-0F467047ADE0
treatment provided by	ZooKeys by Pensoft
scientific name	Niphta nudipennis (Edwards)
status

Treatment

Figs 1 View Figure 1 , 5C, D View Figure 5 , 7C, D View Figure 7 , 9G View Figure 9 , 10G View Figure 10 , 11D View Figure 11 , 12D View Figure 12 , 14B View Figure 14 , 15B View Figure 15 , 16B View Figure 16 , 17B View Figure 17 , 18B View Figure 18 , 19B View Figure 19 , 21C, D View Figure 21 , 24B View Figure 24 , 26D, E View Figure 26 , 27A, E View Figure 27

Austrothaumalea nudipennis Edwards, 1930: 113. Stuardo, 1946: 42 (catalogue); Stone, 1966: 1 (catalogue); Arnaud, 1977: 284 (distribution).

Niphta nudipennis (Edwards): Theischinger 1986: 316 (new combination); McLellan 1988: 563 (comments).

Type material examined.

Holotype: ♂, minuten pinned with abdomen mounted in resin, labelled: "Ancud./ 17-19.xii.1926."; " Austrothaumalea / Austrothaumalea nudipennis Edw./ F.W. Edwards/ det. 1930."; "S. Chile:/ Chiloe I./ F. & M. Edwards./ B.M. 1927 - 63."; "HOLO-/ TYPE [white label with red margin]"; “NHMUK010210690”. Allotype: ♀, same label data as holotype (NHMUK). Paratypes: same data as holotype (4♂, 4♀, NHMUK).

Recognition.

This species is recognised by a long, narrow, finger-like projection on the gonostylus that has a medial bend.

Redescription.

The adult and immature descriptions of N. nudipennis differ from those of N. bifurcata and N. brunnea , respectively in the following regards:

Male. n = 22.

Length 1.5-2.3 mm.

Colouration (Figs 9G View Figure 9 , 10G View Figure 10 ). Postpronotal lobe and lateral margins of prescutum orangey-brown; scutum shiny with three distinct brown stripes, pleura orangey-brown (sometimes scutal stripes concolourous with pleura); postscutum orangey-brown, two lateral brown spots above scutoscutellar suture; scutellum shiny, yellowish brown; mediotergite shiny, anterior half yellowish brown, posterior half brown; katepisternum variable in colour, may be mostly brown with orange markings, or mostly yellowish brown with brown lateral markings above mid coxa; remaining pteropleuron mainly orangey-brown to yellowish brown with dispersed brown to light brown markings; base of halter pale yellow, turning brown, knob yellowish orange; terminalia light brown.

Head. Flagellomere 1 subequal in length to 2 and 3 combined.

Wing (Fig. 1 View Figure 1 ). Wing length: 2.0-2.9 mm.

Abdomen. Abdominal sternite 2 with a few setae restricted to laterad on posterior third; sternites 3-7 with setae restricted to posterior two-thirds; sternite 8 lacking setae.

Terminalia (Figs 5C View Figure 5 , 7C 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, wider than long, large C-shaped scallop where gonostyli inserted; anterior margin rounded, somewhat expanded dorsally, not closely approximated, extended anteriorly toward sternite 8; anterior margin with stout spine-like projection; inner margin anterior to spine setose with short, fine setulae; margin around gonostylus setose. Gonostylus quadrate basally; with pointed, finger-like projection emerging from posterolateral corner, bent 45° at midpoint, bearing a few setae at base; inner anterior margin with small, rounded projection bearing a few fine setae; posterior margin with fringe of setae. Parameres medially fused, attached basally to gonocoxal plate; divided medially into dorsal parameral apodeme and ventral arm; ventral arm projected anteroventrally toward gonocoxal plate, strongly curved anteriorly, sickle-shaped, surface textured with tiny bumps, except for smooth apex; ventral arm extends posteroventrally presumably to aid in copulation (Figs 5D View Figure 5 , 7D View Figure 7 ); when retracted, rests ventrally between lateral margin of gonocoxal plate and gonostylus; when extended, gonostyli move inward, finger-like projections crossing and forming an ‘X’ allowing parameres to extend ventrally. Gonocoxal plate broad, well sclerotised; anterior margin rounded, basal margin cleft; pair of dorsal arms connected to parameres; with median expansion projected ventrally between gonostyli, weakly sclerotised. Cercus ovoid, slightly visible in lateral view; projected anteroventrally; situated within epandrial indentation.

Female. n = 6.

Similar to male except as follows: Abdomen. Tergite 9 noticeably more sclerotised than preceding tergites; sternite 8 well sclerotised, with distinct blunt projection at base of hypogynial valve.

Terminalia (Figs 11D View Figure 11 , 12D View Figure 12 ). Hypogynial valve not projected beyond tergite 9; posterior margin deeply cleft in ventral view, forming two subquadrate lobes; lobes densely setose, with both stout, thickened setae and thinner, long setae with slight apical bend; elongate hypogynial protuberance between valves. Tergite 9 subquadrate in lateral view, 2 × as wide as tergite 8, lacking lateral projections. Hypoproct lightly sclerotised, narrow. Cercus quadrate, projected posteroventrally; bearing numerous setae.

Pupa. n = 4 (Figs 14B View Figure 14 , 15B View Figure 15 , 16B View Figure 16 ).

Length 3.0-3.1 mm.

Colouration. Light brown; with black spot above eyes in developing adult.

Thorax. 1.25 × wider than abdomen at widest point. Foreleg sheath projected straight, slightly shorter than wing sheaths; anterior half of midleg visible anterior to wing sheath, then hidden behind foreleg, apices visible, slightly longer than foreleg; hindleg concealed beneath wing sheath, only apex visible between apex of foreleg and wing sheath, longer than foreleg, extended slightly beyond wing sheath but not reaching hind margin of sternite 2. Wing sheaths not reaching posterior margin of abdominal sternite 2. Respiratory organ slightly longer than maxillary sheath, broadest subapically. Tubercle situated posterodorsally to respiratory organ, rounded, projected slightly posterolaterally; apex well separated from respiratory organ. Thorax devoid of setae.

Abdomen. Sternite 8 with small, indistinct lateral projection, directed slightly anterolaterally. Tergites 1-8 quadrate, devoid of setae, with pair of dorsolateral ridges (indistinct on tergites 1-6). Caudal sternite subquadrate, lacking medial lobes; posterior margin with medial longitudinal groove; without distinct caudal hooks.

Larva. n = 27 (Figs 17B View Figure 17 , 18B View Figure 18 , 19B View Figure 19 ).

Length of final instar 4.7-5.4 mm.

Colouration. Head capsule pale brown (sometimes dark brown). Body creamy brown.

Head capsule (Fig. 21C, D View Figure 21 ). Five pairs of tubercles outside of ecdysial lines (not including antennal and ocular tubercle), all smaller than ocular tubercle; 2 tubercles between ecdysial lines, upper tubercle larger than lower.

Thorax. Spiracular protuberance bearing one pair of dorsal setae anterior to spiracle and single lateral seta.

Abdomen. Segments 1-7 with lateral adhesive structure inflatted bearing four setae, two midlateral, two basalateral. Terminal segment with pair of protuberances bearing pair of setae; four lateral setae, two long, two short and fine.

Additional material examined.

Chile: Region X (Los Lagos): Chiloé, Cascada Tocoihue , 10.xii.2016, 42°18'20.3"S 73°26'08.9"W, elev. 32 m, smaller falls, J.K. Moulton & R.J. Pivar (2♂, 4♀ *) GoogleMaps ; Ensenada, nr. Banos de Petrohue , 12.i.1985, J.A. Downes (13♂, 2♀, CNC) ; Isla Chiloé, Ancud, 12.1926, R. & E. Shannon, USNMENT01115824 (1♂, USNM) [Note: There is an additional USNM specimen identified as N. nudipennis from this same collection event; however, abdomen is missing and species identification cannot be confirmed (USNMENT01115825)]; Rte. V-69, 12.xii.2016, 41°19'51.5"S 72°24'40.0"W, elev. 129 m, roadside seep, J.K. Moulton & R.J. Pivar (2♂) GoogleMaps ; Rte. V-69, 12.xii.2016, 41°31'48.8"S 72°17'31.2"W, elev. 39 m, trickling creek, J.K. Moulton & R.J. Pivar (5♂) GoogleMaps ; same data as previous except, larvae/pupae on foliage in splash zone (27 larvae *, 4 pupae, 3 pupal exuviae); Region XIV (Los Ríos): Rte. T-85, 13.xii.2016, 40°19'58.7"S 72°16'54.8"W, elev. 145 m, foliage around waterfalls, J.K. Moulton & R.J. Pivar (1♂) GoogleMaps .

Distribution.

Known from both the Chilean Coastal Range and the Andes of southern Chile (Fig. 24B View Figure 24 ).

Bionomics.

Niphta nudipennis is a low-elevation species inhabiting the Valdivian temperate rainforest. Adults were collected mainly from foliage around splash zones (Figs 26D View Figure 26 , 27A, F View Figure 27 ). The larvae possess the ventral adhesive structures found in the N. halteralis group; however, they were only collected from overhanging vegetation in the splash zone. Vegetation included both living and dead plant tissue, on textures spanning smooth leaf surfaces, to more textured fern fronds and herbaceous stems (Fig. 26E View Figure 26 ). Pupae were collected from the same habitats and also possess adhesive structures. The amount of water splashing on the vegetation appeared to be just enough to keep it damp enough to keep the immatures alive.