Plumarius spiniferus, 2012

Diez, Patricia A., Fidalgo, Patricio & Roig-Alsina, Arturo, 2012, Systematics of the South American genus Plumarius Philippi, 1873, with descriptions of new species (Hymenoptera, Plumariidae), Zoosystema 34 (3), pp. 635-650 : 637-646

Family PLUMARIIDAE Bischoff, 1914 Genus Plumarius Philippi, 1873

REMARKS

The species-group treated in this contribution includes P. hirticornis ( André, 1909) and four new species described below. The hirticornis speciesgroup, as it is here defined, may not be monophyletic, but given the large diversity of Plumarius and the poor knowledge of its species, we have considered it a useful first step to delimit certain preliminary species-groups until a phylogenetic analysis is possible.

The group can be identified by the following combination of characters, which separate it from other species of Plumarius , including those already named.

1) The hind coxa bears on the under surface a specialised setose area. This area, at least in P. hirticornis , is lined internally with a layer of probably glandular tissue (Roig-Alsina 1994). With the exception of P. spiniferus Roig-Alsina n. sp., which only has a coxal setose area, other species of this group also bear a setose area on the ventral surface of the hind trochanter ( Fig. 2 ). All other species of Plumarius known to us bear a setose area on the hind trochanter only.

2) The median ocellus is either crossed by the supra-torular line, or it is above this line by a distance shorter than the ocellar diameter. This feature excludes from the group P. andrei (Bischoff, 1931) , P. baloghi Nagy, 1973 , P. brasiliensis Penteado- Díaz & Scatolini, 2003, P. niger and P. tumidulus Papp, 2000 , which have the median ocellus above the supra-torular line by a distance at least as long as the ocellar diameter.

3) The vertex is smooth and shiny, at most with weak punctures behind the lateral ocellus. This differs from P. chilensis Nagy, 1973 and P. densepunctatus Nagy, 1973 , which have the vertex punctate or rugose.

4) The suboral swelling is well separated from the preoccipital carina, although sometimes connected to it by a ridge. This differs from P. striaticeps ( André, 1913) in which the suboral swelling reaches the occipital carina.

5) The anterior surface of the scutum is sparsely to moderately punctate. This characteristic differs from P. argentinus Nagy, 1973 , which has the anterior surface of the scutum densely, rugosely punctate.

Plumarius hirticornis ( André, 1909) ( Fig. 3 )

Konowiella hirticornis André, 1909: 107 ; 1913: 3, pl. I, fig. 11. — Enderlein 1914: 198. — Bischoff 1914: 61, 62.

Plumarius hirticornis – Bradley 1972: 137. — Nagy 1973: 259, 265. — Roig-Alsina 1994: 81.

TYPE MATERIAL. — Lectotype (by present designation): Argentina, “ Mendoza / Amer. mer.”, “Rep. Arge”, “ Konow ”, “ Museum Paris / collection / Ernest André / 1914”, “TYPE”, “ Konowiella / hirticornis Er. André ” (handwritten), “ LECTOTYPE / Konowiella / hirticornis André / Townes 1977”, 1 ♂ ( MNHN). Townes never published his intended designation. The second specimen of the type series, with the labels “ Mendoza / Amer. mer.”, and “ Konowiella / hirticornis cotype” ( MNHN) is not conspecific with the lectotype, and is a specimen of P. gradifrons Diez n. sp., described below.

OTHER MATERIAL EXAMINED. — Argentina. Province of Mendoza, Ñacuñán , II.1974, A. Roig-Alsina, 1 ♂ ( MACN) ; 3.XII.1981, Claver , 1 ♂ ( IADIZA). — Lavalle, El Retamo, 11.XII.1979, A. Roig-Alsina, 5 ♂♂ ( MACN) ,

5 ♂♂ ( MNHN). — Lavalle, Telteca, 25.IX-31.X.1995, 25.IX-5.XI.1996, 6.XI-3.XII.1996, 15.II-25.III.1996, Flores, A. Roig, 30 ♂♂ ( IADIZA). — Ruta 7 km 1071 c. Cacheuta, 1200 m a.s.l., 13.XII.2006, P. A. Diez, G. Fidalgo, P. Fidalgo, 16 ♂♂ ( MACN). — Province of San Juan, Encon, 15.XI.1982, A. Roig-Alsina, 7 ♂♂ ( MACN). — 35 km N Marayes, 14.XI.1982, A. Roig- Alsina, 12 ♂♂ ( MACN). — Valle del Zonda, 20.I.1982, A. Roig-Alsina, 1 ♂ ( MACN). — Ruta 141 km 197 c. Caucete, 28.I.2006, P. Fidalgo, 2 ♂♂ ( MACN). — Ruta 141 km 104 c. Marayes, 29.I.2006, P. Fidalgo, 1 ♂ ( MACN). — Province of La Rioja, Mascasín, 23.XI.1941, Ogloblin, 2♂♂ ( MLP). — Depto Belgrano, I.1929, M. Gómez, 6 ♂♂ ( MACN 23749). — Chelcos, 4.II.1981, A. Roig-Alsina, 1 ♂ ( MACN). — La Rioja Capital, 6.III.1970, Porter, Stange, 48 ♂♂ ( IFML); 26.X.1954, Hayward, 1 ♂ ( IFML); 20 km N La Rioja, 24.IX.1968, Peña, 3 ♂♂ ( IFML). — Patquia, Breyer, 3 ♂♂ ( MACN 34720); Patquia, Guayapa, 14.X.1954, 18.X.1954, Hayward, 35 ♂♂ ( IFML); Patquia, 26.I.1947, Hayward, 9 ♂♂ ( IFML); Patquia, 25.I.1947, Hayward, Willink, 9 ♂♂ ( IFML). — Ruta 60, between Mazan and Aimogasta, 17.I.1970, P. Fidalgo, 2 ♂♂ ( IFML). — Las Cañas, 7.X.1954, Hayward, 1 ♂ ( IFML). — 12 km SE Chilecito, 16-28.II.1969, Stange, Willink, Porter, 1 ♂ ( IFML); Chilecito, 1.III.1969, Willink, Terán, Stange, 1 ♂ ( IFML). — Santa Teresita, 5.I.2005, 12.II.2005, 19.II.2005, G. Fidalgo, P. Fidalgo, Torréns, 10 ♂♂ ( MACN); 7 km N SantaTeresita, 18.II.2006, G. Fidalgo, P. Fidalgo, 3 ♂♂ ( MACN). — Ruta 141 km 104 c. Marayes, 29.I.2006, P. Fidalgo, 3 ♂♂ ( MACN). — 5 km S Udpinango, 16.III.2005, 3.XII.2005, 6 ♂♂ ( MACN); Udpinando, 16.II.2006, Fidalgo 3 ♂♂ ( MACN).— Ruta 141 c. Mascasín, 12.XII.2006, P. A. Diez, G. Fidalgo, P. Fidalgo, 6 ♂♂ ( MACN). — Pinchas, 16.XI.2007, P. Fidalgo, 1 ♂ ( MACN). — Ruta 27 between San Ramón and Valle Fértil, 14.XII. 2006, 730 m a.s.l., P. A. Diez, G. Fidalgo, P. Fidalgo, 1 ♂ ( MACN). — Province of Catamarca, Belen, 10 km E, Ruta 46, 3.XI.2005, P. Fidalgo, Porter, 5 ♂♂ ( MACN); 12 km Belen, Ruta 46, 20.XII.2005, at light, P. A. Diez, P. Fidalgo, 15 ♂♂ ( MACN). — Ruta 46, 12 km W Andalgalá, 18.III.2005, Torréns,P.Fidalgo, 12 ♂♂ ( MACN).— Ruta 45 km 1280, c. Rio Colorado, 10.IV.2005, P. Fidalgo, 15 ♂♂ ( MACN), 2 ♂♂ ( MNHN). — Saujil, Fiambalá, 23.XI.2005, Porter, P. Fidalgo, P. A. Diez, 1 ♂♂ ( MACN). — Medanitos, 9.IV.2005, at light, P. Fidalgo, 3 ♂♂ ( MACN). — 5 km N Palo Blanco, 23-24.I.2007, 23-24.V.2007, P. A. Diez, P. Fidalgo, 9 ♂♂ ( MACN). — Province of Santiago del Estero, km 511, 1934, M. Gómez, 1 ♂ ( MACN).

DISTRIBUTION. — Argentina, provinces of Santiago del Estero, Catamarca, La Rioja, San Juan and Mendoza.

DIAGNOSIS. — Bigibbous aspect of face in lateral view, due to convex clypeus and convex supraclypeal area.

REDESCRIPTION OF LECTOTYPE

Length: 10 mm. Colour pale brown, with darker head. Body with short, sparse, evenly distributed setae. Body moderately sculptured, with fine punctures on supraclypeal area and small, dense punctures on anterior surface of scutum.

Head

1.1× wider than high in frontal view. Inner margins of orbits converging ventrally. Ocellocular distance 1.0× diameter of lateral ocellus; postocellar distance 1.1× ocellocular distance. Antennocular distance 0.8× diameter of torulus; interantennal distance 5.0× antennocular distance.Vertex smooth, without striae, but with small punctures behind and between ocelli.Torulus closer to lateral ocellus than to clypeus (23:30). Lateral ocelli in frontal view below upper margin of head. Median ocellus crossed by supratorular line ( Fig. 3A ). Genal carina absent. Area between preoccipital carina and suboral swelling longer than length of swelling (1.3:1.1), without median longitudinal carina, but in larger specimens swelling continued by brief ridge ( Fig. 3B ). Malar area shorter than apical width of first flagellomere (7.0:9.5); with lateral striae. Supraclypeal area, in frontal view with striae and punctures on central region, and lateral striae evident; in lateral view gibbous ( Fig. 3C ). Epistomal suture distinct. Clypeus 1.1× wider than long, with lateral striae; with apicolateral area scarcely bent forwards. Proportional lengths of segments of maxillary palp, from base to apex,?:11:14:16:15:16(first segment not measured). Scape basally rounded. First flagellomere 4.9× as long as apical width, its length shorter than sum of lengths of scape and pedicel (47:59).

Mesosoma

Pronotum with area anterior to pronotal lobe smooth, not forming lower pocket; pronotal lateral carina distinct. Notaulus scarcely marked, as long as admedian line, with evident punctures. Metapostnotum with longitudinal striae reaching posterior margin. Propodeum transverse, swollen behind spiracle. Forewing: marginal cell with anterior margin 3× as long as posterior margin; vein Rs3 shorter than Rs4 (16:24); vein M separated from cu-a by 0.3× length of cu-a, discal cell rectangular. Pterostigma pilose. Hind wing: veins cu-a and M interstitial. Forebasitarsus without outer lateral spines. Hind coxa and hind trochanter with ventral setose area; hind basitarsus 1.4× as long as middle basitarsus; inner hind tibial spur 1.2× as long as outer spur.

Metasoma Genital capsule of lectotype not dissected, Figure 3D depicts genitalia of specimen from 7 km N of Santa Teresita, La Rioja.Aedeagus with apical lateral spines. VARIATION

Length: 7.0-12.0 mm. In some specimens the setose area on the hind coxa is reduced to a rather narrow line of hairs. The distance between M and cu-a on the forewing varies from 0.2× to 0.6× the length of cu-a.

Plumarius willinki Fidalgo n. sp. ( Fig. 4 )

TYPE MATERIAL. — Holotype: Argentina, province of Mendoza, Dique El Nihuil , 10.I.1980, at light, Willink, P. Fidalgo, Claps, Domínguez, 1 ♂ ( IFML).

Paratypes: same data as holotype, 10 ♂♂ ( IFML), 2 ♂♂ ( MNHN), 2 ♂♂ ( MACN).

TYPE LOCALITY. — Argentina, province of Mendoza, Dique El Nihuil.

DISTRIBUTION. — Argentina, province of Mendoza.

ETYMOLOGY. — The species is named after Abraham Willink, distinguished Argentinean hymenopterist.

DIAGNOSIS. — Large ocelli reaching upper margin of head in frontal view; triangular, apically pointed seventh tergum.

DESCRIPTION OF HOLOTYPE

Length: 5.0 mm (paratypes: 4.1-6.6 mm). Colour light brown with the head mostly dark. Body with short, sparse, evenly distributed setae; weakly sculptured.

Head

1.2× wider than high in frontal view; wider in dorsal view than width of scutum between tegulae (47:44). Inner margin of orbits converging ventrally. Ocellocular distance 0.6× diameter of lateral ocellus; postocellar distance 2.0× ocellocular distance. Antennocular distance 0.6× diameter of torulus; interantennal distance 5.7× antennocular distance. Vertex smooth, without striae or punctures anteriorly and weakly punctate behind lateral ocellus. Torulus closer to lateral ocellus than to clypeus (10:17). Lateral ocelli in frontal view reaching upper margin of head. Median ocellus crossed by supra-torular line ( Fig. 4A ). Genal carina present, distinct. Length of area between preoccipital carina and suboral swelling shorter than length of swelling (8:11); this area without median longitudinal carina ( Fig. 4B ). Malar area longer than apical width of first flagellomere (15:8), finely striate anteriorly. Supraclypeal area in frontal view with lateral striae extending to above upper level of torulus; medially with rounded, smooth elevation without striae and punctate. Epistomal suture evident. Clypeus 1.4× wider than long, with lateral striae; with apico-lateral area scarcely bent forwards; apically not truncate; in lateral view weakly rounded medially ( Fig. 4C ). Proportional lengths of segments of maxillary palp, from base to apex, 15:10:15:14:12:15. Scape without basal swelling or projection. First flagellomere 5.7× as long as apical width, its length subequal to sum of lengths of scape and pedicel (32:33).

Mesosoma

Area anterior to pronotal lobe with weak striae; pronotal lateral carina distinct, forming lower pocket. Notaulus weakly marked, as long as admedian line. Anterior surface of scutum without striae, weakly punctate. Metapostnotum with fine longitudinal striae reaching posterior margin. Propodeum transverse, swollen behind spiracle. Forewing: marginal cell with anterior margin 2.1× as long as posterior margin; length of veins Rs3 and Rs4 subequal (25:26); vein M separated from cu-a by 0.2× length of cu-a; discal cell rectangular. Pterostigma pilose. Hind wing: veins cu-a and M interstitial. Forebasitarsus with five outer lateral spines. Hind coxae and hind trochanter with ventral setose areas; length of middle basitarsus and hind basitarsus subequal (31:34); inner hind tibial spur 1.2× as long as outer spur.

Metasoma

Seventh tergum triangular,apically pointed.Genitalia as Figure 4D , aedeagus with apical lateral spines.

VARIATION

In some specimens the dark brown colour of the head is restricted to an area on the vertex. Other specimens have a dark brown metasoma.The distance between M and cu-a on the forewing varies from 0.2× to 0.3× the length of cu-a.

Plumarius filipalpis Roig-Alsina n. sp. ( Fig. 5 )

TYPE MATERIAL. — Holotype: Argentina, province of San Juan, Paso del Agua Negra , 3250 m a.s.l., 22.I.1982, A. Roig-Alsina, 1 ♂ ( MACN en-9890).

Paratypes: Peru. Puno, Sillustani, 12.X.1983, A. Roig- Alsina, 1 ♂ ( MACN). Argentina. Province of Jujuy, Agua de Castilla, 25.XI.1981, A. Roig-Alsina, 5 ♂♂ ( MACN), 2 ♂♂ ( MNHN). — Province of Salta, Cobres, 3800 m a.s.l., X.1988, Genise, 3 ♂♂ ( MACN).— Recta Tin Tin E. Cachi, 2700 m a.s.l., 18.X.1968, Peña, 4 ♂♂ ( IFML). — Province of La Rioja, 20 km N La Rioja, 24.IX.1968, Peña, 1 ♂ ( IFML) TYPE LOCALITY. — Argentina, province of San Juan, Paso del Agua Negra.

DISTRIBUTION. — Argentina, provinces of Salta, Jujuy, La Rioja and San Juan, and Peru, department of Puno.

ETYMOLOGY. — The name of this species refers to its slender, long maxillary palps.

DIAGNOSIS. — Slender, long segments of maxillary palps.

DESCRIPTION OF HOLOTYPE

Length: 9.9 mm (paratypes: 6.0- 9.9 mm). Colour dark brown, with light brown antennae and legs. Body with short, sparse, evenly distributed setae. Species weakly sculptured.

Head

1.1× wider than high in frontal view;in dorsal view narrower than width of scutum between tegulae (49:57). Inner margin of orbits converging ventrally.Ocellocular distance 1.2× diameter of lateral ocellus; postocellar and ocellocular distances equal.Antennocular distance 0.7× diameter of torulus; interantennal distance3.0× antennocular distance.Vertex smooth, without striae or punctures anteriorly, and weakly punctate behind lateral ocellus. Torulus closer to lateral ocellus than to clypeus (8:20). Lateral ocelli in frontal view below upper margin of head. Median ocellus crossed by supra-torular line ( Fig. 5A ). Genal carina present, distinct. Length of area between preoccipital carina and suboral swelling subequal to length of swelling (7:8); this area bearing median longitudinal carina ( Fig.5B ). Malar area longer than apical width of first flagellomere (20:12), striate anteriorly. Supraclypeal area in frontal view, with lateral striae extending to above upper level of torulus; medially with rounded elevation without punctures or striae.Epistomal suture evident. Clypeus 1.3× wider than long, with lateral striae; with apico-lateral area bent forwards; apically truncate; in lateral view, weakly rounded medially ( Fig.5C ).Proportional lengths of segments of maxillary palp, from base to apex, 10:10:15:25:23:20. Scape without basal swellings or projections.First flagellomere 8.0× as long as apical width, its length subequal to sum of lengths of scape and pedicel (32:33).

Mesosoma

Area anterior to pronotal lobe smooth; pronotal lateral carina distinct, forming lower pocket. Notaulus marked, as long as admedian line, with evident punctures around notaulus and between notaulus and admedian line; anterior margin of scutum aciculate. Metapostnotum with fine longitudinal striae reaching posterior margin. Propodeum transverse, swollen behind spiracle.Forewing:marginal cell with anterior margin 2.3× as long as posterior margin; vein Rs3 shorter than Rs4 (32:35); vein M separated from cu-a by 0.3× length of cu-a; discal cell rectangular. Pterostigma with median scarcely pilose area. Hind wing: veins cu-a and M interstitial. Forebasitarsus without outer lateral spines. Hind coxa and hind trochanter with ventral setose areas; hind basitarsus 1.3× as long as middle basitarsus; inner hind tibial spur 2.1× as long as outer spur.

Metasoma

Genitalia as in Figure 5D ; aedeagus with apical lateral spines.

VARIATION

Specimens from Peru and Jujuy have a pale spot between the upper margin of the toruli and the median ocellus. The anterior margin of the clypeus varies from rather truncate to roundly produced. The median longitudinal carina between the preoccipital carina and the suboral swelling is weak to absent in some specimens from Salta. The mesoscutum presents distinct, large punctures between and around the notauli; in some specimens (Puno, La Rioja and Cachi) this punctation is extended laterally, but away from the anterior margin. The distance between M and cu-a on the forewing varies from 0.1× to 0.5× the length of cu-a. Most specimens come from high altitudes in the Andes mountains, except a specimen from La Rioja.

Plumarius spiniferus Roig-Alsina n. sp. ( Fig. 6 )

TYPE MATERIAL. — Holotype: Argentina, province of La Rioja, Anguiñán, Chilecito, 1-15.II.1969, Malaise trap, Willink , Terán , Stange , 1 ♂ ( IFML).

Paratypes: same data as holotype, 1-15.XII.1969, 16-31.V.1969, 3 ♂♂ ( IFML). — Patquia, Guayapa, 4.X.1954, Hayward, 1 ♂ ( MACN). — Province of Catamarca, Ruta 46, km 66 between Belén and Andalgalá,

2.II.2006, P. A. Diez, P. Fidalgo, 8 ♂♂ ( MACN), 2 ♂♂ ( MNHN), 2 ♂♂ ( MLP), 2 ♂♂ ( IADIZA). — Andalgalá, 24.XII.1971, at light, D. Brothers, 1 ♂ ( MACN).

TYPE LOCALITY. — Argentina, province of La Rioja, Anguiñán.

DISTRIBUTION. — Argentina, provinces of La Rioja and Catamarca.

ETYMOLOGY. — The name of this species refers to the ventro-basal spiniform projection of the scape.

DIAGNOSIS. — Scape with basal spiniform projection; lack of apical lateral spines on aedeagus; large median ocellus, placed above supra-torular line.

DESCRIPTION OF HOLOTYPE

Length: 6.5 mm (paratypes: 4.5-7.6 mm). Colour dark brown, with mandibles, antennae and legs light brown. Body with short, sparse, evenly distributed setae. Species weakly sculptured.

Head

1.4× wider than high in frontal view; width, in dorsal view, subequal to width of scutum between tegulae (31:32). Inner margin of orbits converging ventrally. Ocellocular distance 1.5× diameter of lateral ocellus; postocellar distance 0.9× ocellocular distance. Antennocular distance 1.0× diameter of torulus; interantennal distance 2.8× antennocular distance.Vertex smooth, without striae or punctures anteriorly, and weakly punctate behind lateral ocellus. Torulus closer to lateral ocellus than to clypeus (1.3:1.5). Lateral ocelli in frontal view below upper margin of head. Median ocellus above supra-torular line by 0.8× its maximum diameter ( Fig. 6A ). Genal carina present, distint. Length of area between preoccipital carina and suboral swelling subequal to length of swelling (11:10); this area without median longitudinal carina ( Fig. 6B ). Malar area longer than apical width of first flagellomere (17:10), finely striate anteriorly. Supraclypeal area in frontal view, with lateral striae extending to above upper level of torulus; medially with rounded elevation with striae and evident punctures. Epistomal suture distinct. Clypeus 1.2× wider than long, with lateral striae; with apico-lateral area scarcely bent forwards; apically not truncate. Proportional lengths of segments of maxillary palp from base to apex, 15:10:15:14:12:15. Scape with a ventral-basal spiniform projection ( Fig. 6C ). First flagellomere 2.8× as long as apical width, its length shorter than sum of lengths of scape and pedicel (25:29).

Mesosoma

Area anterior to pronotal lobe smooth; pronotal lateral carina distinct, not forming lower pocket. Notaulus weakly marked, as long as admedian line. Anterior surface of scutum weakly striate and punctate. Metapostnotum with fine longitudinal striae reaching posterior margin. Propodeum transverse, swollen behind spiracle. Forewing: marginal cell with anterior margin 2.6× as long as posterior margin; vein Rs3 longer than Rs4 (30:35); vein M separated from cu-a by 0.4× length of cu-a; discal cell rectangular. Pterostigma pilose. Forebasitarsus without outer lateral spines. Hind coxa and hind trochanter with ventral setose areas; hind basitarsus 1.4× as long as middle basitarsus; inner hind tibial spur 2.0× as long as outer spur.

Metasoma

Genitalia as in Figure 6D ; aedeagus without apical lateral spines.

VARIATION

The specimen from Patquia lacks striae on the supraclypeal area, which is sparsely punctate and smooth, shiny between punctures.

Figures

FIG. 2.— Plumarius filipalpis Roig-Alsina n.sp.:setose areas on hind coxa (Cx) and hind trochanter (Tr), ventral view.Scale bar:0.1 mm.

FIG. 3. — Plumarius hirticornis (André, 1909): A, B, paratype from the province of La Rioja, Santa Teresita, head, frontal view (A) and ventral view (B); C, paratype from Argentina, province of Mendoza, Lavalle, El Retamo, head, lateral view; D, genital capsule, ventral view. Scale bars: 0.5 mm.

FIG. 4. — Plumarius willinki Fidalgo n. sp., paratype from Argentina, province of Mendoza, Dique El Nihuil: A, head, frontal view; B, head, ventral view; C, head, lateral view; D, genital capsule, ventral view. Scale bars: 0.5 mm.

FIG. 5. — Plumarius filipalpis Roig-Alsina n. sp.: A, paratype from the province of Jujuy,Agua de Castilla,head,frontal view;B, paratype from Peru, Puno, Sillustani, head, ventral view; C, paratype from the province of Jujuy, Agua de Castilla, head, lateral view; D, genital capsule, ventral view. Scale bars: 0.5 mm.

FIG. 6. — Plumarius spiniferus Roig-Alsina n. sp.: A, paratype from Argentina, province of La Rioja, Anguiñán, Chilecito, head, frontal view; B, holotype, head, ventral view;C, another paratype from Argentina,province of La Rioja, Anguiñán, Chilecito,head,lateral view (the structure is spiniform, but the profile photo does not show well); D, genital capsule, ventral view. Scale bars: 0.5 mm.