Niphta eurydactyla 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/3F67511B-97D8-4C71-ADF7-29936A99D333
taxon LSID	lsid:zoobank.org:act:3F67511B-97D8-4C71-ADF7-29936A99D333
treatment provided by	ZooKeys by Pensoft
scientific name	Niphta eurydactyla Pivar
status	sp. nov.

Treatment

Niphta eurydactyla Pivar sp. nov.

Figs 5B View Figure 5 , 7B View Figure 7 , 9E View Figure 9 , 10E View Figure 10 , 24B View Figure 24 , 27A View Figure 27

Type material.

Holotype: ♂, glued to point with abdomen in glycerine microvial pinned beneath, labelled: "Chile: Region X (Los Lagos)/Rte. U-99, 10.xii.2016/ 41°08'28.2"S 72°35'16.8"W / elev. 101 m, roadside seeps/ and creek, J.K. Moulton & R.J./ Pivar"; "HOLOTYPE/ Niphta / Niphta eurydactyla / Pivar [red label]" (CNC). Paratypes: Chile: Region X (Los Lagos): Rte. 215, 12.xii.2016, 40°40'32.4"S 72°17'35.6"W, elev. 252 m, trickle falls, J.K. Moulton & R.J. Pivar (1♂); Rte. U-99, 10.xii.2016, 41°08'09.6"S 72°35'43.3"W, elev. 81 m, roadside falls, J.K. Moulton & R.J. Pivar (1♂); Rte. U-99, 10.xii.2016, 41°08'28.2"S 72°35'16.8"W, elev. 101 m, roadside seeps/creek, J.K. Moulton & R.J. Pivar (9♂); Region XIV (Los Ríos): Antilhue, Rte. T-35, 9.xii.2016, 39°49'09.8"S 72°56'22.6"W, elev. 40 m, roadside creek, J.K. Moulton & R.J. Pivar (1♂); Rte. T-29, 14.xii.2016, 39°43'03.4"S 71°55'31.6"W, elev. 340 m, seepage, J.K. Moulton & R.J. Pivar (1♂); 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 (3♂).

Recognition.

This species is recognised by a broad, straight, finger-like projection on the gonostylus.

Description.

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

Male. n = 17.

Length 1.5-1.8 mm.

Colouration (Figs 9E View Figure 9 , 10E View Figure 10 ). Variable colouration, even among specimens from the same population; base colouration of thorax either yellow or orange as follows: postpronotal lobe and lateral margins of prescutum orangey/yellowish brown; scutum shiny with three distinct brown stripes, pleura yellow to yellowish brown; postscutum orangey/yellowish brown, two lateral brown spots above scutoscutellar suture; scutellum shiny, orangey/yellowish brown; mediotergite shiny, anterior half orangey/yellowish brown, posterior half brown; katepisternum mainly pale brown with scattered orange/yellow and black markings, or mostly yellowish brown with brown lateral markings above mid coxae; paratergite brown; remaining pteropleuron mainly orangey-brown to yellowish brown with dispersed markings of brown and black; base of halter creamy grey, knob pale yellow; legs pale brown, apex of tarsi darker; abdomen brown; terminalia pale brown.

Thorax. Antealar ridge bearing three to four setae, middle seta most pronounced.

Wing. Wing length: 1.8-2.2 mm.

Abdomen. Abdominal sternites with setae restricted to posterior two-thirds.

Terminalia (Figs 5B View Figure 5 , 7B 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, large C-shaped scallop where gonostyli inserted; anterior margin rounded, somewhat expanded dorsally, not closely approximated; anterior inner margin with stout spine-like projection; margin around gonostylus setose. Gonostylus subquadrate; with finger-like projection emerging from posterolateral corner, gently tapered toward apex, bearing a few setae; inner anterior margin with small, rounded projection bearing a few fine setae. Parameres medially fused, attached basally to arms of gonocoxal plate; divided distally 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, when retracted, rests ventrally between lateral margin of gonocoxal plate and gonostylus. Gonocoxal plate broad, well sclerotised; anterior margin rounded; pair of dorsal arms connect to parameres; median aedeagal guide trident-shaped, weakly sclerotised. Cercus prominent; ovoid; projected anteroventrally; situated within epandrial indentation.

Female. Unknown.

Immature stages.

Unknown.

Additional material examined.

Known only from the type series.

Distribution.

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

Etymology.

The specific name is from the Greek eury (broad, wide) and daktylos (finger), in allusion to the broad, finger-like projection on the gonostylus.