Paraclius pumilio Loew, 1872

Soares, Matheus M. M., Runyon, Justin B., Capellari, Renato S. & Ale-Rocha, Rosaly, 2023, Review of Paraclius arcuatus species-group (Diptera, Dolichopodidae) with description of two new species, Zootaxa 5323 (2), pp. 151-182 : 170-176

publication ID	https://doi.org/ 10.11646/zootaxa.5323.2.1
publication LSID	lsid:zoobank.org:pub:0ABC4CFF-9D2A-449A-B7C2-CFE16DF16004
DOI	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8212585
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03E62055-FF82-000F-FF7B-FAC1FE7B33EA
treatment provided by	Plazi
scientific name	Paraclius pumilio Loew
status

Treatment

Paraclius pumilio Loew View in CoL

( Figs 14–18 View FIGURE 14 View FIGURE 15 View FIGURE 16 View FIGURE 17 View FIGURE 18 , 22 View FIGURE 22 )

Paraclius pumilio Loew, 1872: 90 View in CoL . Type locality: USA, Texas.

Paraclius magnicornis Van Duzee, 1927: 146 View in CoL . Type locality: USA, Idaho, Lewiston. Syn. nov.

Diagnosis. Postpedicel suboval to subtriangular, with rounded apex ( Figs 14A View FIGURE 14 , 15D, F View FIGURE 15 ). Anepisternum without yellow spot above coxa I ( Figs 14A View FIGURE 14 , 15A View FIGURE 15 ). Legs mostly dark brown, except apex of all coxae, trochanters, tibiae I and II and basal 1/4 of dorsal surface of tibia III, basal 1/2 of It 1 and IIt 1 yellow ( Figs 14A View FIGURE 14 , 15A View FIGURE 15 ). Wing hyaline to gently brownish anteriorly; M 1 strongly bowed towards R 4+5, weakly concave posteriorly; CuAx ratio: 0.35 ( Figs 14D View FIGURE 14 , 15E View FIGURE 15 , 18A View FIGURE 18 ). Male tergite 6 with 4 strong lateral setae ( Fig. 16I View FIGURE 16 ). Ventral lobe of surstylus long and narrow, somewhat L-shaped, abruptly curved ventrally, almost forming a 90º angle ( Fig. 16C–E View FIGURE 16 ). Dorsal lobe of surstylus weakly sclerotized, short, subrectangular, with 1 slender apicoventral seta, longer than dorsal lobe of surstylus, and 2 strong setae, 1 at apical margin and 1 subapical at dorsal edge ( Fig. 16F View FIGURE 16 ). Cercus long, suboval, about 1/2 as long as epandrium ( Fig. 16C, D, H View FIGURE 16 ).

Redescription. Male (based on photographs of the male syntype and identified specimens). Body length: 2.2–2.8 mm; wing length: 1.9–2.5 mm, width: 0.6–0.9 mm (n = 20). Head ( Figs 14A–C View FIGURE 14 , 15A, B View FIGURE 15 , 18B, C View FIGURE 18 ). Similar to P. arcuatus , except as noted: Upper-most 4–5 postocular setae black, remaining setae white. Frons covered with dense yellowish gray pruinosity, with weak greenish reflections. Face homogeneously obscured by dense silvery pruinosity. Postpedicel suboval or subtriangular, with rounded apex, about 1.2–1.5X longer than wide; arista-like stylus dorsal, arising near base of postpedicel, length about 4/6 of eye height; two-segmented, first segment, short, arched, ending at apex of postpedicel, covered with short pubescence; second segment long, about 3X longer than first segment, covered with short microtrichia. Thorax ( Figs 14A, B View FIGURE 14 , 15A, B View FIGURE 15 ). Mesonotum metallic green with weak purple and coppery reflections, postalar callus covered with silvery pruinosity. Scutellum metallic green, with lateral margins covered with silvery pruinosity. Pleura dark gray, covered with dense silvery pruinosity, with weak greenish and bluish reflection mainly on anepisternum. Metepimeron dark gray. Chaetotaxy: scutellum with 1 pair of strong medial scutellars and 1 pair of smaller setae laterad, about 1/5 as long as medial scutellars. Wing ( Figs 14A, D View FIGURE 14 , 15C, E View FIGURE 15 , 18A View FIGURE 18 ). Membrane grayish; CuAx ratio: 0.35–0.40; plumule yellow to black. Legs ( Figs 14A View FIGURE 14 , 15A View FIGURE 15 ). Mostly dark brown, except apex of all coxae, trochanters, extreme base of all femora, apex of femur I, basal 1/2 of It 1 and IIt 1 and basal 1/3 of dorsal surface of tibia III yellow to dark yellow. Leg I. Podomere ratios: 24, 22, 7/3/2/2/3. Apical 1/2 of anterior surface of coxa I covered with dense silvery pruinosity, apical edge with 2–3 strong setae and 1–2 slender setae. Femur I with anteroventral row of short setae from base to apex (about 1/4 as long as width of femur) ending in 2–3 more conspicuous preapical setae, 2 posteroventral preapical short setae. Tarsus I unmodified. Leg II. Podomere ratios: 32, 32, 12/10/8/5/4. Femur II with row of short anteroventral setae from base to apical 5/6 (about 1/3 as long as width of femur at broadest point), ending in 2 preapical more conspicuous setae, 1 strong anterior preapical seta, 1 posteroventral more conspicuous preapical setae. Leg III. Podomere ratios: 40, 50, 12/15/12/8/5. Femur III laterally compressed, about 1.5X wider than femur II at broadest point. Femur III with anterodorsal row of short setae at basal 1/2, anteroventral row of short setae from base to apical 5/6, ending in 1 longer preapical seta, 2 posteroventral preapical short setae and 1 strong anterior preapical seta. Abdomen ( Figs 14A View FIGURE 14 , 15A View FIGURE 15 , 16A, B, I View FIGURE 16 , 18D View FIGURE 18 ). Metallic green, with weak greenish and coppery reflections. Posterior margin of tergite 5 with long setae, but not overlapping posterior margin of tergite 6. Lateral margin of tergite 6 with 4 strong setae on posterior 1/2 (all shorter than tergite). Tergite 7 covered with weak pruinosity, with narrow and deep concavity at posterior margin, almost dividing tergite in two hemitergites. Sternites pale brown to brown (sternites 1–4 not examined). Sternite 5 U-shaped, as long as sternite 6 and weakly connected with tergite 6. Sternite 8 subovoid, setose on posterior 1/2. Hypopygium ( Fig. 16C–H View FIGURE 16 ). Epandrium dark brown, long and narrow, about 3X longer than high, with acute apicoventral lateral ridge ( Fig. 16C, D View FIGURE 16 ). Basal apicoventral epandrial seta slightly longer than ventral lobe of surstylus and 2X longer than apical seta ( Fig. 16C, D View FIGURE 16 ). Ventral lobe of surstylus long and narrow, somewhat L-shaped, abruptly curved ventrally, almost forming 90º angle, with short and stout modified apical seta and 1 short dorsal seta inserted on short tubercle at base ( Fig. 16C–E View FIGURE 16 ). Dorsal lobe of surstylus weakly sclerotized, short, subrectangular, with 1 slender apicoventral seta, as long as dorsal lobe of surstylus and 2 strong setae, 1 at apical margin and 1 subapical at dorsal edge ( Fig. 16F View FIGURE 16 ). Postgonite plain, well sclerotized and curved ventrally at apex ( Fig. 16E View FIGURE 16 ). Proctiger plain, weakly sclerotized and dorsoventrally flattened ( Fig. 16E View FIGURE 16 ). Hypandrium trough-shaped, with weak connection to epandrium basally, free laterally, apex bifurcate, asymmetrical and somewhat arrow-shaped in ventral view, left lateral margin with 2 dentiform preapical processes, apicalmost process bifid, right lateral margin with 1 preapical bifid process; base of hypandrium projecting up inside epandrial capsule, cradling phallus ( Fig. 16C, G View FIGURE 16 ). Phallus strongly sclerotized, divided in two narrow arms, narrowing at apex, both arms with 1 short subapical dentiform process ( Fig. 16C, E View FIGURE 16 ); ejaculatory apodeme long, about 1/2 as long as epandrium, gradually widening towards apex, laterally compressed and well sclerotized ( Fig. 16C, E View FIGURE 16 ); sperm pump short, somewhat pipe-shaped, about 1/2 as long as ejaculatory apodeme ( Fig. 16C, E View FIGURE 16 ). Cercus long, suboval, about 1/2 as long as epandrium, whitish-yellow, outer surface covered with short setae, ventral edge with long setae ( Fig. 16C, D, H View FIGURE 16 ). Female ( Fig. 17 View FIGURE 17 ). Body length: 2.9–3.3 mm; wing length: 2.5–2.8 mm (n = 12). Similar to male, except as noted: Postpedicel short, oval, about as long as wide; face and clypeus wide, both wider than ocellar tubercle. Abdomen metallic green with weak coppery reflections. Tergites 1–5 setose, with long setae at posterior margins (about 1/2 as long as tergite) and with weak lateral patches of silvery pruinosity. Terminalia as in P. arcuatus , including number of spines on each acanthophorite.

Type material examined. Paraclius pumilio : SYNTYPE ♁ (based on photographs) ( Fig. 14 View FIGURE 14 ) labelled as: “[ USA], Texas ” [handwritten]; “pumilio” [handwritten]; “Loew | Coll.” “Type | 13028”; “MCZ-ENT | 00013028” ( MCZ) .

Additional material examined. MEXICO: Oaxaca [ca 17°09′46.5″N 96°47′11.8″W], nr 660 km rt 190 [Mexican Federal Highway 190], 09.viii.1962, Paraclius pumilio Loew (1 ♁, dissected CNC); idem, nr km 220 rt 185, (1 ♀, CNC) GoogleMaps . USA: Arizona, Mohave Co., Burro Creek [34°33′13.8″N 113°31′25.1″W] 1900 ft, 15 mi. S Wikieup, 18.viii.1985, R GoogleMaps . Hurley (1 ♁, MTEC) . Arkansas, Scott Co. Bates [ca 34°54′23.6″N 94°23′16.3″W], 8.viii.1988, R GoogleMaps . Hurley (1 ♁, MTEC) . California, Alamo Creek , S.L. Obispo Co. [ca 35°15′39.1″N 120°42′52.2″W], 22.i.1948, W.W. Wirth, Collector, Paraclius magnicornis Van Duzee, Det. F.C.H. Harmston, 1948 (1 ♀, NMNH) GoogleMaps . Colorado, Las Animas Co. Chacuaco Creek [ca 37°30′04.8″N 103°37′43.9″W] 5500 ft 7.5 mi. E Walts Corner 11.viii.1988, R GoogleMaps . Hurley (1 ♁, MTEC) . Illinois, Vermillion Co., Middle Fk, Vermillion River , Potomac [ca 40°18′03.1″N 87°47′52.8″W], 17.vii.1989, R GoogleMaps . Hurley (1 ♁, MTEC) . Indiana, Orange Co., Patoka Lake [ca 38°25′05.0″N 86°39′40.5″W], 4 mi. S Painter Creek, 20.viii.1981, R GoogleMaps Hurley (1 ♁, MTEC) . Kansas, Neosho Co., Canville Creek [ca 37°41′50.1″N 95°11′56.9″W], 2 mi. W Stark, 22.viii.1980, R GoogleMaps . Hurley (1 ♁, MTEC) . Kentucky, Adair Co., 1 mi. S Portland [ca 37°07′16.2″N 85°26′41.5″W], 4.ix.1976, R GoogleMaps . Hurley (1 ♁, MTEC) . Missouri, Caldwell Co., Little Otter Creek , 1 mi. E Hamilton [ca 39°44′40.5″N 94°00′51.3″W], 14.vii.1989, R GoogleMaps . Hurley (1 ♁, MTEC) . Montana, Carbon Co., Pryor Mountains, Gyp Springs , 1410 m, N45°00.36′ W108°25.80′, 4–5.vii.2018, J.B. Runyon (1 ♁, MTEC) GoogleMaps . Oklahoma, Logan Co. [ca 35°56′53.0″N 97°35′32.7″W], 3 mi. S Crescent , 5.viii.1974, R GoogleMaps . Hurley (1 ♁, MTEC) . Pennsylvania, Fulton Co., Little Tonoloway Creek , N39°47.936′ W78°14.489′, 22.vii.2007, J.B. Runyon (1 ♁, MTEC) GoogleMaps . South Dakota, Buffalo Co., Campbell Creek [ca 45°47′27.4″N 103°29′47.3″W], 2.5 mi., W Lees Corner, 23.vi.1987, R GoogleMaps . Hurley (1 ♁, MTEC) . Tennessee, Lincoln Co., Carr Creek , 4.6 mi NE Dellrose [ca 35°07′24.3″N 86°47′41.8″W], 7.viii.1992, R GoogleMaps . Hurley (1 ♁, MTEC) . Texas, Kerr Co., Guadalupe River, Kerrville [ca 30°03′17.0″N 99°09′58.5″W], 24.viii.1985, R GoogleMaps . Hurley (1 ♁, MTEC); Plano [ca 33°03′04.6″N 96°40′16.0″W], July, 1907, E.S. Tucker (2 ♀, NMNH, one dissected) GoogleMaps . Virginia, Wise Co., Cranesnest River , 549 m, N37°02.67′ W82°29.66′, 18.vi.2008, J.B. Runyon (1♁ MTEC) GoogleMaps . West Virginia, Boone Co., Little Coal River , 198 m, N38°10.847′ W81°50.288′, 5.vi.2007, J.B. Runyon (1 ♁, MTEC) GoogleMaps ;

Remarks. Paraclius pumilio possesses mostly brown to dark brown legs, similar to P. angustipennis and P. xibun sp. nov., but can be differentiated from P. angustipennis by the IIt 1 yellow at basal 1/2 ( Fig. 15A View FIGURE 15 ) and phallus plain, lacking fringe of short spines ( Fig. 16E View FIGURE 16 ) versus IIt 1 wholly brown ( Figs 7A View FIGURE 7 , 8A View FIGURE 8 ), and phallus with fringe of short spines in P. angustipennis ( Fig. 9B–D View FIGURE 9 ), and from P. xibun sp. nov. by the male tergite 6 with row of 3–4 strong lateral setae increasing in length towards posterior margin ( Fig. 16I View FIGURE 16 ), sternite 5 U-shaped ( Fig. 16A View FIGURE 16 ) and dorsal lobe of surstylus subrectangular, with 1 slender apicoventral seta, longer than dorsal lobe of surstylus, and 2 strong setae, 1 at apical margin and 1 subapical at dorsal edge ( Fig. 16F View FIGURE 16 ) versus tergite 6 with two rows of 7–8 subequally long lateral setae ( Fig. 19E View FIGURE 19 ), sternite 5 divided in two narrow hemitergites ( Fig. 20A View FIGURE 20 ) and dorsal lobe of surstylus suboval, with dorsal row of short setae at basal 1/2, ending in 1 strong seta at middle ( Fig. 20D View FIGURE 20 ) in P. xibun sp. nov.

After the examination of photographs and subsequently the specimen of the male holotype of Paraclius magnicornis Van Duzee, 1934 housed at CAS ( Fig. 18 View FIGURE 18 ), we concluded that P. magnicornis is conspecific and should be synonymized under P. pumilio . The main difference between the two species is the shape of the postpedicel, suboval in the holotype of P. pumilio ( Fig. 15D View FIGURE 15 ) and subtriangular in P. magnicornis ( Fig. 18B View FIGURE 18 ). However, we have examined several specimens of P. pumilio with postpedicel subtriangular ( Fig. 15F View FIGURE 15 ) and the male terminalia matches specimens with suboval postpedicel. Paraclius pumilio is the most widespread species in the arcuatus species-group, occurring across much of the USA to southern Mexico and presents a wide morphological variation e.g.: postpedicel can be subtriangular to suboval, wing varying from hyaline to brownish and the plumule can vary from yellow to dark brown.

Distribution. Southern Mexico (Oaxaca) and widespread in USA (Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Nebraska, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia ( Pollet et al. 2004)) and newly recorded from Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Montana, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota and West Virginia ( Fig. 22 View FIGURE 22 ).

MCZ	USA, Massachusetts, Cambridge, Harvard University, Museum of Comparative Zoology
CAS	USA, California, San Francisco, California Academy of Sciences
MTEC	USA, Montana, Bozeman, Montana State University
NMNH	USA, Washington D.C., National Museum of Natural History, [formerly, United States National Museum]
MCZ	Museum of Comparative Zoology
CAS	California Academy of Sciences
CNC	Canadian National Collection of Insects, Arachnids, and Nematodes
R	Departamento de Geologia, Universidad de Chile
MTEC	Montana State Entomology Collection
NMNH	Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History

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No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.

Taxonomy

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Arthropoda
Class	Insecta
Order	Diptera
Family	Dolichopodidae
Genus	Paraclius