Leptocera posteronitens Buck, 2009

Buck, Matthias & Marshall, Stephen A., 2009, Revision of New World Leptocera Olivier (Diptera, Sphaeroceridae), Zootaxa 2039 (1), pp. 1-139 : 123

Leptocera posteronitens Buck , new species

( Figs. 287–289 )

Description. Body length 2.6–3.6 mm. Prosternum with one setula on each side of midline, area around socket usually darkened. Scutum with pruinosity stronger than in L. tapanti sp.n. Scutum with very indistinct pattern: posterolateral areas (lateral of dorsocentral lines and posterior to presutural intra-alar bristle) with slightly bluish reflections. Scutellum hardly velvety. Mid tibia with two short posteroapical bristles of subequal length.

Male unknown.

Female terminalia ( Figs. 287–289 ): Sternite 7 with large, bare (devoid of bristles and microtrichia), shining black posteromedial projection (sternite otherwise with the usual grey pruinosity). Fused tergite 10 + cerci completely rounded posterolaterally.

Type material. Holotype ♀ and 7 ♀♀ paratypes ( DEBU): GUATEMALA, Dpto. Baja Verapaz, 4.8 km E Purulhá, 1,680 m, 29.vi–3.vii.1993, exterior FIT, Ashe & Brooks. Other paratypes: GUATEMALA. Dpto. Baja Verapaz: 1 ♀, 7.4 km S Purulhá, 1,650 m, 2.vii.1993, FIT, Ashe & Brooks ( DEBU). Dpto. Zacapa: 5 mi N San Lorenzo, 1 ♀, 4–18.vii.1986, 1 ♀, 7–10.vii.1986, FIT, J.M. Campbell ( DEBU). MEXICO. Chiapas: 2 ♀♀, Lagos de Montebello, Lago Pojoj , 1,500 m, 2–12.vi.1990, FIT, B. Gill ( DEBU). Note: We decided to name this species even though the male is still unknown. The female has highly distinctive terminalia and is the only representative of this small species group in Mexico and Guatemala. When the male is discovered it will be readily associated with this species.

Etymology. The species name refers to the shining posterior half of female sternite 7 which is diagnostic for this species (Lat. nitens: shining, glittering).

Distribution (Map 11). Only known from southern Mexico (Chiapas) and Guatemala at altitudes between 1,500 and 1,680 m.

Discussion. The female of L. posteronitens sp.n. is easily recognisable by its large, shining black posteromedial projection of sternite 7. Otherwise it is very similar to L. tapanti sp.n. from Costa Rica and Panama.

Figures

FIGURES 287–289. Leptocera posteronitens sp.n. (Guatemala), female terminalia: (287) dorsal; (288) spermathecae; (289) ventral. pp—shining posteromedial projection of sternite 7.