Platycranus putoni Reuter, 1879

Knyshov, Alexander & Konstantinov, Fedor V., 2013, A taxonomic revision of the genus Platycranus Fieber, 1870 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Miridae: Orthotylinae), Zootaxa 3637 (3), pp. 201-253 : 220-224

Platycranus putoni Reuter, 1879

Figures 7–11 , 41–45 , 58, 70–71, 77–79, 87, 114–121, 154, 160–161, 171–172, 194

Platycranus putoni Reuter, 1879: 38 [n.sp.]; Carvalho, 1958: 125 [cat.]; Schuh, 1995: 183 [cat.]; Wagner, 1974: 145 [descr.] Platycranus eckerleini Wagner, 1962: 49 [n.sp.]; Schuh, 1995: 182 [cat.]; Wagner, 1974: 144 [descr.] New synonymy Platycranus jordanicus Linnavuori, 1984: 32 [n.sp.]; Schuh, 1995: 182 [catalog] New synonymy

Diagnosis. Distinguished by the following combination of characters: pale coloration ( Figs. 7–11 , 41–45 ), first antennal segment relatively short, 0.4–0.6 × as long as width of head, right paramere with extension at base(Figs. 114–121), interramal lobes distinctly twin-coned ( Figs. 171–172 ). Most similar to P. hartigi and P. lindbergi but differs from the former in the smaller body size and from the latter in a wider head, 1.8–2.4 × as wide as length of the first antennal segment in male and 1.7–2.2 × in female.

Redescription. Male. Middle-sized, 4.8–5.6. COLORATION. Head: uniformly yellow ( Figs. 41–43 ). Thorax: pronotum, exposed part of mesonotum, scuto-scutellar suture, meso- and metapleura yellow. Hemelytron: yellow. Legs: yellow to pale brown, third tarsal segment darker, pale brown to brown. Abdomen: dorsally brown, ventrally yellow. SURFACE AND VESTITURE. Mesial stiff setae on first antennal segment absent; antenna with pale brown simple setae. STRUCTURE. Head: posterior margin slightly concave; vertex 0.93–1.28 × as wide as eye; first antennal segment usually twice as thick as second segment and 0.42–0.55 × as long as width of head; second antennal segment 1.4–1.85 × as long as width of head and 1.27–1.64 × as long as width of pronotum. Thorax: pronotum with straight anterior and posterior margins, 1.65–1.88 × as wide as long and 1.02–1.17 × as wide as head. Hemelytron: cuneus twice as long as wide. Legs: third tarsal segment nearly equal in length to first and second combined; pulvillus relatively short, not reaching midpoint of claw ( Fig. 194 ). GENITALIA: Genital segment with spines near apex on ventral side ( Figs. 70–71 , 77–79 ); left paramere as in Fig. 87 ; right paramere with extension at base (Figs. 114–121).

Female. Middle-sized, 4.1–5.4. COLORATION, SURFACE, AND VESTITURE. As in male. STRUCTURE. Similar to male except larger interocular distance and more oval body shape, vertex 2.0–2.57 × as wide as eye; first antennal segment 0.45–0.59 × as long as width of head; second antennal segment 1.48–1.78 × as long as width of head and 1.27–1.61 × as long as width of pronotum; pronotum 1.7–2.04 × as wide as long and 1.04–1.26 × as wide as head; labium reaching only forecoxa. GENITALIA. Interramal lobes strongly twin-coned ( Figs. 171–172 ); sclerotized rings as in Figs. 160–161.

Distribution. Widely distributed along the south and east coast of the Mediterranean Sea, west to Morocco and east to Jordan and Syria (Fig. 58). The record from Syria appeared in Wagner (1974); however, it might be erroneous as we have found no material of P. putoni from Syria and no records of P. putoni from Syria by other authors.

Host associations. According to Linnavuori (1961, 1964, 1984) the host plant is Retama raetam (Forsskål) Webb. Eckerlein & Wagner (1969) indicated Retama sp., Retama raetam (Forsskål) Webb , and Retama monosperma (L.) Boissier as hosts for specimens from Libya. The same authors ( Eckerlein & Wagner 1965) mentioned Retama raetam and Spartidium saharae (Coss. & Durieu) Pomel as hosts for specimens sampled from Algeria. The latter indication is rather doubtful because all other specimens of P. putoni were collected exclusively from Retama spp . Moreover, all Platycranus spp . are specialized feeders on the legume tribe Genisteae , whereas Spartidium saharae belongs to a different tribe, Crotalarieae , which is however considered to be a sister group to Genisteae ( Boatwright et al. 2008).

Discussion. Platycranus putoni was originally described from Algeria ( Reuter 1879). Later Wagner (1962) described P. eckerleini from Libya. Since then, many specimens of both species were sampled along almost the entire southern coast of the Mediterranean Sea (see map, Fig. 58): P. putoni from Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Morocco, and Tunisia, and P. eckerleini from Algeria, Egypt, Libya, and Morocco; thus distributional areas of both species highly overlapped. Linnavuori (1984) described closely related P. jordanicus from Jordan, and subsequently this species was reported from Israel ( Kerzhner & Josifov 1999).

After careful examination of authentically determined material and type series of all three species, we believe that Platycranus putoni , P. eckerleini , and P. j o rd a n i c u s are conspecific. Wagner (1962, 1974) distinguished P. eckerleini mainly on the grounds of the huge eyes in male. However, our investigation shows that the relative size of an eye is largely overlapping in males of P. putoni , P. eckerleini , and P. jordanicus (see Table 1, Figs. 9–11 ), and female specimens could not be distinguished at all ( Table 1, Figs. 7–8 ). Male and female genital structures are rather variable and did not allow delimitation of those species (compare Figs. 114–116 for P. eckerleini , Figs. 117– 120 for P. jordanicus , and Fig. 121 for P. putoni ). All three species were sampled from Retama spp . On the grounds of the foregoing discussion, P. eckerleini Wagner, 1962 and P. jordanicus Linnavuori, 1984 are considered as junior synonyms of P. putoni Reuter, 1879 .

Material examined. Holotype of P. p u t o n i: ALGERIA: Geryville [El Bayadh], 33.692 ° N 1.015 ° E, no date provided, collector unknown, 13 ( AMNH _PBI 00336287) ( MNHN).

Holotype of P. eckerleini : LIBYA: 10 km S of Tripoli, 32.78 ° N 13.194 ° E, 30 Apr 1961, Eckerlein, 13 ( AMNH _PBI 00183842) ( ZMUH).

Paratypes of P. eckerleini : LIBYA: 10 km S of Tripoli, 32.78 ° N 13.194 ° E, 30 Apr 1961, Eckerlein, 23 ( AMNH _PBI 0 0 334835, AMNH _PBI 00334836) ( LCRT), 7Ƥ ( AMNH _PBI 00314123- AMNH _PBI 00314129) ( ZISP), 43 ( AMNH _PBI 00336866- AMNH _PBI 00336869), 6Ƥ ( AMNH _PBI 00336871- AMNH _PBI 00336876) ( ZMUH). Zuara, 32.934 ° N 12.079 ° E, 1 m, 29 Apr 1961, Eckerlein, 13 ( AMNH _PBI 00336870) ( ZMUH).

Paratypes of P. jordanicus : JORDAN: Petra, 30.331 ° N 35.417 ° E, 0 4 Nov 1980 - 0 5 Nov 1980, Linnavuori, Retama raetam (Fabaceae) , 33 ( AMNH _PBI 00336301), 1Ƥ ( AMNH _PBI 00336301) ( LCRT), Retama raetam (Fabaceae) , 23 ( AMNH _PBI 00336242), 2Ƥ ( AMNH _PBI 00336242) ( NMWC). nr Tafila, 30.82666 ° N 35.6 ° E, 985 m, 0 3 Nov 1980 - 0 4 Nov 1980, Linnavuori, Retama raetam (Fabaceae) , 23 ( AMNH _PBI 00336302) ( LCRT).

Other Specimens Examined: ALGERIA: Bechar: Saharan Atlas Mts, 30 km N of Bechar, 31.876 ° N 2.22 ° W, 14 May 1968, Eckerlein, 2Ƥ ( AMNH _PBI 0 0 314131, AMNH _PBI 00314130) ( ZISP). M'Sila: 40 km E Bou-Saada, 35.2 ° N 4.6 ° E, 0 1 May 1964, Eckerlein, 1Ƥ ( AMNH _PBI 00336291) ( NMPC). Naama: Ain Sefra, 32.75 ° N 0.58333 ° W, no date provided, Vibert, 13 ( AMNH _PBI 00336204) ( HNHM); Jun 1896, collector unknown, 1Ƥ ( AMNH _PBI 00336286) ( MNHN); 0 5 Jun 1896, collector unknown, 1Ƥ ( AMNH _PBI 00336206) ( HNHM). EGYPT: East Sinai: Nuweiba Co.: Dahab rd, ca. 37km S of Nuweiba Dr., 28.7 ° N 34.56666 ° E, 26 Jan 1996, W.G. Ullrich, Retama raetam (Forssk.) Webb & Berthel. (Fabaceae) , 13 ( AMNH _PBI 00160756) ( USNM). South Sinai [Janub Sina]: El Tih [Jabal At Tih] Mts. Range, 29.15167 ° N 33.54194 ° E, 22 Dec 1931, H. Priesner, 1Ƥ ( AMNH _PBI 00314134) ( ZISP). Wadi Abu Tog, Sinai, 0 3 Feb 1925, Wittmer, 1Ƥ ( AMNH _PBI 00336883) ( ZMUH). ISRAEL: HaDarom (Southern District): Ein Avdat, 30.82648 ° N 34.76657 ° E, 10 Aug 1986, Linnavuori, 13 ( AMNH _PBI 00336262) ( LCRT). Revivim, 31.0333 ° N 34.7167 ° E, 276 m, 21 Apr 1986, Linnavuori, 13 ( AMNH _PBI 00336264) ( LCRT). mt Ramon, Es Saharonim, 30.50291 ° N 34.63925 ° E, 1037 m, 0 9 Jul 1986 - 10 Jul 1986, Linnavuori, 13 ( AMNH _PBI 00336267) ( LCRT). nr Dimona, 31.0667 ° N 35.0333 ° E, 580 m, 15 Apr 1986, Linnavuori, 133 ( AMNH _PBI 0 0 336236, AMNH _PBI 0 0 336237, AMNH _PBI 00336239- AMNH _PBI 00336241), 7Ƥ ( AMNH _PBI 0 0 336236, AMNH _PBI 0 0 336237, AMNH _PBI 0 0 336240, AMNH _PBI 00336241) ( NMWC). Sede Boqer, 30.85 ° N 34.76666 ° E, 16 Apr 1986, R. Linnavuori, 13 ( AMNH _PBI 00336238), 3Ƥ ( AMNH _PBI 00336238) ( NMWC). Haifa: Haifa, 32.812 ° N 34.997 ° E, 1909, Sahlberg, 1Ƥ ( AMNH _PBI 00314142), 23 ( AMNH _PBI 0 0 314142, AMNH _PBI 00314143) ( ZISP). Tel Aviv: Herzliya, 32.16583 ° N 34.83667 ° E, 0 4 Jul 1958, R. Linnavuori, 13 ( AMNH _PBI 00314144) ( ZISP). Beer Sheva [Beersheba], 31.244 ° N 34.795 ° E, 14 Apr 1986, Linnavuori, 13 ( AMNH _PBI 00336263) ( LCRT); 29 Apr 1986, Linnavuori, 1Ƥ ( AMNH _PBI 00336255) ( NMWC). JORDAN: Al Balqa: Wadi er Ratam, 31.82 ° N 35.7 ° E, 24 Apr 1966 - 10 May 1966, D. S. Fletcher, 123 ( AMNH _PBI 00337204- AMNH _PBI 0 0 337211, AMNH _PBI 00337213- AMNH _PBI 00337216) ( BMNH). Zarqa Governorate: Azraq Shisan Marsh, 31.83333°N 36.81667°E, 21 Apr 1966, D. S. Fletcher, 13 ( AMNH _PBI 00337212) ( BMNH). Desert High Way Road, 100 km N Al'Aqabah [Aqaba], 30.33333 ° N 35.23333 ° E, 0 2 May 1962, H. Eckerlein, 1Ƥ ( AMNH _PBI 00336292) ( NMPC), 13 ( AMNH _PBI 00315474), 2Ƥ ( AMNH _PBI 0 0 315475, AMNH _PBI 00314135) ( ZISP). LIBYA: Tripolitania: Sert [Serti], 31.2 ° N 16.59 ° E, 332 m, 0 3 May 1963, Eckerlein, 13 ( AMNH _PBI 00336289), 1Ƥ ( AMNH _PBI 00336290) ( NMPC), 23 ( AMNH _PBI 0 0 314100, AMNH _PBI 00314101), 1Ƥ ( AMNH _PBI 00314133) ( ZISP). MOROCCO: Agadir: Agadir, 30.44224 ° N 9.6932 ° W, 0 3 May 1965, collector unknown, 1Ƥ ( AMNH _PBI 00336203) ( ZSM). Kenitra: Mehdia, 34.25 ° N 6.68333 ° W, 0 7 Aug 1959, Eckerlein, 13 ( AMNH _PBI 00336293) ( NMPC), 1Ƥ ( AMNH _PBI 00314136) ( ZISP), 13 ( AMNH _PBI 00336881), 3Ƥ ( AMNH _PBI 00336884- AMNH _PBI 00336886) ( ZMUH). Essaouira [ Mogador], 31.5 ° N 9.76666 ° W, 25 Apr 1926 - 29 Apr 1926, Lindberg, 13 ( AMNH _PBI 00314146) ( ZISP); 0 9 May 1926 - 14 May 1926, Lindberg, 13 ( AMNH _PBI 00314145) ( ZISP). Nr Tanger [ Tangier], 35.787 ° N 5.809 ° W, 1901, G. Buchet, 13 ( AMNH _PBI 00336879) ( ZMUH); 25 Apr 1926 - 29 Apr 1926, H. Lindberg, 13 ( AMNH _PBI 00336880), 3Ƥ ( AMNH _PBI 00336887- AMNH _PBI 00336889) ( ZMUH). Targuamait, 28.83333 ° N 9.55 ° W, 21 Feb 1961, Meinander, 13 ( AMNH _PBI 00336882) ( ZMUH). Safi: Tleta, 26 km W of Safi, 32.26667 ° N 8.98333 ° W, 0 6 May 1967, Eckerlein, 13 ( AMNH _PBI 00314099), 1Ƥ ( AMNH _PBI 00314132) ( ZISP). TUNISIA: Gafsa, Oued Magroun, 35.00028 ° N 8.38583 ° E, no date provided, Vauloger, 13 ( AMNH _PBI 00340433) ( BMNH). Kambout, 32.29447 ° N 10.30713 ° E, no date provided, Vibert, 1Ƥ ( AMNH _PBI 00336205) ( HNHM). Sfax, 34.73333 ° N 10.76667 ° E, no date provided, Vauloger, 1Ƥ ( AMNH _PBI 00340435) ( BMNH). Tabarqah [Tabarka], 36.95444 ° N 8.75806 ° E, no date provided, E.A. Butler coll, 13 ( AMNH _PBI 00340434) ( BMNH).

Figures

FIGURES 1 – 11. Dorsal habitus of Platycranus speices: 1 – 2, P. e r b e r i: 1 — female, 2 — male; 3 – 4, P. hartigi: 3 — female, 4 — male; 5 – 6, P. lindbergi: 5 — female, 6 — male; 7 – 11, P. p u t o n i: 7 — female (Libya), 8 — female (Egypt), 9 — male (Libya), 10 — male (Morocco), 11 — male (Algeria).

FIGURES 34 – 45. Dorsal view of head and pronotum of Platycranus species: 34 – 36, P. e r b e r i: 34 – 35 — males, 36 — female; 37 – 38, P. hartigi: 37 — male, 38 — female; 39 – 40, P. lindbergi, males; 41 – 45, P. p u t o n i: 41 — male (Morocco), 42 – 43 — males (Libya), 44 — female (Morocco), 45 — female (Libya).

FIGURES 169 – 174. Female genital structures: 169 — P. e r be r i, interramal sclerite; 170 – 174, interramal lobe of interramal sclerite: 170 — P. e r b e r i; 171 – 172 — P. putoni, 171 — Libya, 172 — Israel; 173 — P. lindbergi; 174 — P. hartigi.

FIGURES 188 – 202. Female genital structures: 188 – 189, vestibular sclerites encircling vulva: 188 — P. e r b e r i; 189 — P. metriorrhynchus; 190 – 193, apices of ovipositor: 190 – 191 — P. e r b e r i; 192 – 193 — P. metriorrhycnhus (190, 192 — second gonapophyses; 191, 193 — first gonapophyses); 194 – 202, claws: 194 — P. p u t o n i; 195 — P. h a r t i g i; 196 — P. b i c o l o r; 197 – 198 — P. metriorrhynchus; 199 – 200 — P. re m a ne i; 201 — P. genistae; 202 — P. p i c t u s.

FIGURES 60 – 73. Scanning electron micrographs of selected characters: 60 – 61 — Platycranus erberi, head and pronotum; 62 – 63 — P. e rb e r i, scent gland evaporatory area; 64 – 65 — P. metriorrhynchus, scent gland evaporatory area; 66 – 69, pretarsus: 66 – 67 — P. m e tr i o r rhy c nh us, 68 – 69 — P. e r b e r i; 70 – 71 — P. p u t o n i, genital capsule; 72 — P. metriorrhynchus, vestiture on the first antennal segment; 73 — P. e r b e r i, vestiture on hemelytron.

FIGURES 74 – 79. Male genital segment in dorsal and caudal views: 74 — P. e r b e r i; 75 — P. h a r t i g i; 76 — P. lindbergi; 77 – 79 — P. putoni, 77 — Libya, 78 — Israel, 79 — Algeria.

FIGURES 85 – 88. Left parameres: 85 — P. e r b e r i; 86 — P. hartigi; 87 — P. putoni; 88 — P. lindbergi.