Odontophotopsis polis Pitts

Pitts, James P., 2007, Revision of Odontophotopsis Viereck (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae), Part 1, with a description of a new Genus Laminatilla, Zootaxa 1619, pp. 1-43 : 11

Odontophotopsis polis Pitts , NEW SPECIES

( Figs. 8, 11, 12 )

Diagnosis. This species differs from the other species in this species-group by the presence of the brush of setae located on the apical third of the parameres along the inner margin ( Figs. 11, 12 ). Also, the ocellar area is usually concolorous with head, the ocellocular distance is approximately twice the width of the lateral ocellus, the ventral margin of the mandible is angulate ( Fig. 8 ), the mesosternal processes are indistinct, the lamellate process of the middle coxa is longer than wide, and the cuspis has four or more thickened apical setae.

Male. Coloration and setal pattern. Coloration and setal pattern similar to other species in species-group.

Head. Ocellocular distance 1.5X length of lateral ocellus, and interocellular distance 1.1X length of lateral ocellus. Clypeus concave and depressed below dorsal margin of mandible. Mandible slightly dilated apically, with three apical teeth, dorsal carina slightly lamellate medially, and with basal angulation on ventral margin ( Fig. 8 ); width at angulation 1.2X basal width of mandible, width at preceding sinus 0.75X basal width of mandible, apical width 0.8X basal width of mandible. Length of first three flagellomeres: 2.3X, 2.6X and 1.2X length of pedicel, respectively; width of F1 1.2X length of pedicel.

Mesosoma. Mesosternum armed with single tubercle anteromedially, indistinct, subequal in height, height less than width apart. Mesocoxa with lamellate process, longer than wide. Marginal cell 1.5X length of stigma.

Metasoma. Similar to other species in species-group.

Genitalia. Cuspis drastically curving dorsally with inner margin bearing a brush of long setae beginning at apical 0.33 ( Figs. 11, 12 ). Cuspis thick apically, ~0.5X free length of paramere ( Figs. 11, 12 ); densely pubescent setal pit present at knobbed region on dorsal margin 0.33 from base ( Figs. 11, 12 ); apex with thickened long setae ( Figs. 11, 12 ); basal 0.33 with venter slightly punctate and moderately setose ( Figs. 11, 12 ). Digitus with basal portion widest, apical portion lobate, laterally flattened, tapering toward apex.

Length. Holotype ~ 9.5 mm. Variation ~7.0– 9.5 mm.

Distribution. The Baja California Desert of Baja California, Mexico.

Type specimens. Holotype: MEXICO: Baja California, Vermillion Sea Research Station, Bahía de Los Angeles, 17–25.Jun.1995, T. Jackson ( EMUS). Paratypes: MEXICO: Baja California, Vermillion Sea Research Station, Bahía de Los Angeles, 2 males, 17–25.Jun.1995, 2 males, May.1996, T. Jackson ( EMUS).

Material examined. MEXICO: Baja California, El Rosario, Hwy 1 S at 115 marker, 24 males, 24– 25.Aug.1992, D.E. Russell ( UCDC).

Etymology. Named in honor of Gary Polis . Treat as a noun in opposition.

Remarks. This species can easily be mistaken for the other species in this species-group and observing the genitalia is the best means to diagnosis this species. If the mesocoxal lamella is overlooked, the species will most likely be confused with the O. parva species-group, specifically with O. ignacio Schuster , which also occurs in Baja California.

Figures

FIGURES 1 – 12. Odontophotopsis cockerelli: Fig. 1. hind leg trochanter; Fig. 2. genitalia, lateral view, penal valve removed; Fig. 3. penal valve lateral view. Odontophotopsis denticoxa: Fig. 4. mandible; Fig. 5. middle coxa. Odontophotopsis dentifera: Fig. 6. mandible; Fig. 7. middle coxa; Fig. 9 genitalia, dorsal view; Fig. 10. cuspis, lateral view, dorsum to left. Odontophotopsis polis: Fig. 8. mandible; Fig. 11. genitalia, dorsal view; Fig. 12. lateral view, penal valve removed.