Visma bundjalung, Smith & Mitchell & Molero-Baltanás, 2021

Smith, Graeme B., Mitchell, Andrew & Molero-Baltanás, Rafael, 2021, Molecular and morphological studies identify a new genus within the Heterolepismatinae (Zygentoma: Lepismatidae), Zootaxa 5030 (1), pp. 1-118 : 85-93

Visma bundjalung new species

Table 10; Figs. 6 , 20 , 29 , 34 , 40 , 43 , 295–329

Type material. Holotype NSW: 20 mins S Grafton 29.92483°S 153.06923°E 84 m asl, 5 July 2013, Graeme Smith, pyrethrum spray to burn cavity in smooth bark eucalypt, ♂ ( HW 1.20 ) on two slides (K.541530) . Paratype ♀ ( HW 1.25 ), same data as holotype, on two slides (K.541550). Other paratypes : ♂ ( HW 1.25 ), same data as holotype, in alcohol (K.377888l) ; ♂ ( HW 1.20 ), same data as holotype, in alcohol (K.377928) ; ♀ ( HW 1.15 ), same data as holo- type, in alcohol (K.377929); subadult ♂ ( HW 0.94), same data as holotype, in alcohol (K.377930) ; ♂ ( HW 1.05 ), same data as holotype, in alcohol (K.377931); juvenile ♂ ( HW 0.85), same data as holotype, in alcohol (K.377932) ; ♂ ( HW 1.06 ), same data as holotype, in alcohol (K.377933); juvenile ♀ ( HW 0.89), same data as holotype, in alco- hol (K.377934) ; two juveniles, same data as holotype, in alcohol (K.377935). NSW: 20 mins S Grafton 29.92488°S 153.06908°E 105 m asl, 5.vii.2013, Graeme Smith , pyrethrum spray to blotchy soft bark eucalypt, juvenile ♂ ( HW 0.89) on two slides (K.541552); juvenile ♂, same data as previous, in alcohol (K.377871) .

Other material not included in type series: NSW: Boonoo Boonoo National Park , Casuarina Trail , 28.838°S 152.155°E 950 m asl, 19 January 2015, G. Monteith, bark spray to eucalypts , ♂ ( HW 1.55 ) on two slides (K.261286) ; ♀ ( HW 1.55 ) same data as previous, on two slides (K.261288) ; ♂ ( HW 1.20 ) same data as previous, in alcohol (K.377792) ; ♀ ( HW 1.18 ) same data as previous, in alcohol (K.377793) ; ♀ ( HW 1.58 ) same data as previous, in alcohol (K.377794) ; ♀ ( HW 1.25 ) same data as previous, in alcohol (K. 377795 in ethanol); subadult ♀ ( HW 1.10 ) same data as previous, (K. 377796 in ethanol) ; ♂ ( HW 1.48 ) same data as previous, in two pieces (K. 377797 in ethanol) .

Material used for scanning electron microscopy: ♂ ( HW 1.25 ), same data as holotype ( UCO) .

Diagnosis. This species can be distinguished from other species of Visma with two insertion points on each side of the posterior margin of the nota by the number of pairs of abdominal styli (five versus six), the presence of 3–5 combs of two macrochaetae on the meso and metanota (versus 1–3). It can be distinguished from V. advenum by the more anterior position of the anterior trichobothrial area of the pronotum (average 0.36–0.42 versus 0.48).

Description. Medium to large sized Heterolepismatinae , thorax at mesonotum about 20% wider than abdomen which only tapers slightly posteriorly from about the fifth abdominal segment; mottled grey when live, depending on degree of scale loss ( Figs. 6 , 295 ).

H+B length up to 11.3 mm; thorax: length 3.6 mm or 0.32 H+B; width up to 2.4 mm with pronotum and mesonotum slightly wider than the metanotum; antennae length about equal to H+B; terminal filaments mostly damaged but almost equal to H+B in one better preserved specimen.

Pigment brownish. Flagellum of antennae light brown with weak annulated rings that are indistinguishable in the distal half of the flagellum, more basal repeating intervals with half to one quarter of the annuli in each lighter in colour (e.g. the most apical annulus of four lighter in colour); pedicel and scape almost without pigment. Terminal filaments annulated light brown with only the distal most annulus or two annuli in each repeated division lacking pigment. Head with pigment around eyes along lateral margins extending mediad around the peri-antennal macrochaetae, pigment absent from clypeus, labrum and mandibles. Maxillary palp with some pigment on the sides of the distal article more obvious basally, penultimate and third articles with moderate pigment along both sides, second article similar but pigment less pronounced. Labial palp with comparatively dark pigment only along lateral margins of the distal three articles. Pigment in anterior corners and along lateral margins of nota. Coxae with weak pigment along outer margin; trochanter with small dark patch of pigment posteriorly; femur with obvious dark pigment along much of its posterior margin and distally on the anterior margin; tibia of all legs with pigment on the outer margin distally extending on to the faces of the tibia and back along most of the lower margin, more obvious on the dorsal aspect covering most of the surface; first tarsal article pigmented except for its distal apex and its basal third. Urotergite X and coxites IX pigmented. Styli IX evenly and darkly pigmented, other styli sometimes with light pigment. Pigment can be much lighter in some individuals (e.g. K.261288) and dark in others, especially at the distal end of the abdomen including very dark epiproct and paraprocts. Ovipositor with even light pigmentation.

Macrochaetae smooth, straw coloured to hyaline, apically bifurcate, some with truncated tips to each bifurcation ( Fig. 296 ), others with minute bifurcations. Some macrochaetae on tibia, stout carrot-shaped. The more anterior lateral insertion point of the posterior combs of the nota, at least on the pronotum with a long, thin trichobothriumlike seta.

Round scales variable in size ( Figs. 20 , 297 ) with ribs quite close together, the ribs not or only just surpassing the distal margin; mostly hyaline ventrally, dorsal scales with brown ribs. Triangular scales of femora with serrated and incised posterior margin ( Fig. 14 ), triangular scales of tibia almost identical, perhaps a little smaller ( Figs. 23 ). Basal tarsal article, third article of maxillary palp, scape and pedicel and scape, styli VI–IX (and possibly also V) also with triangular scales ( Figs. 40 , 298 ). Basal divisions of terminal filaments with lanceolate scales ( Fig. 34 ).

Head wider than long ( Fig. 299 ), without distinct bushes. Frons with glabrous anterior margin, lateral margin with a single row of macrochaetae from the antero-lateral corner, eventually widening to two macrochaetae before the antennae and to about three to four macrochaetae wide behind the antennae; there is a small but distinct gap between these rows and the rows of strong macrochaetae before and above the eyes; peri-antennal group about two macrochaetae wide with some cilia and a long thin trichobothrium at the mediad end. Clypeus quite reduced and folded back somewhat under the anterior margin of the frons, with 3+3 strong macrochaetae distad to the frons and other macrochaetae in the laterad proximal corners, the face of the clypeus covered in narrow triangular scales, some cilia and a few setulae. Labrum longer than clypeus with many strong macrochaetae distributed across the proximal half and some smaller setae in the anterior half. Scape and pedicel of antenna ( Fig. 300 ) with scales on lateral faces, both with a subapical ring of strong setae and some cilia on the pedicel. First and second annuli of flagellum with 1–2 rows of setae with at least one small trichobothrium per row, third to eighth annuli with a single row including also some cilia, sixth annulus shows the beginning of division into two annuli per interval with just a few setae and cilia on the basal part of the interval, clearly divided into two annuli by the ninth interval with the trichobothrium restricted to the most distal annulus, further subdivision visible by the thirteenth interval which are clearly separate annuli by the sixteenth. Most distal surviving intervals (probably about three quarters the length of an intact antenna) ( Fig. 301 ) divided into repeated patterns of eight annuli, each with two rings of fine setae, the most distal annulus of each division with at least one trichobothrium, rod-like basiconic sensilla not seen on holotype but type B basiconic sensilla seen on several annuli of K.541550.

Mandibles ( Figs. 302, 303 ) robust with a well-developed incisor and molar areas; a group of about 10 short robust macrochaetae and about four setae adjacent to molar region and a bush of about seven macrochaetae externally. Maxilla ( Figs. 304, 305 ) with two thick apically bifurcate macrochaetae externally proximal to the palp; lacinia short and wide, with three strong teeth, one set further back than the other two, followed by seven lamellate processes and a row of seven to ten setae, galea with a stronger setae proximally but otherwise with only short fine cilia; apical article of maxillary palp 5.3 times longer than wide (range 4.75–5.86) and a little longer than the penultimate article (range 1.06–1.32), the ultimate article probably with three slender branched papillae with very short arms (not seen on holotype but seen on other specimens) and a basiconic sensilla (type C) near the apex, last two articles of palp probably with fine setae only but there are scales visible on the sides of the penultimate article in the holotype only, three basal articles with subapical rings of thicker setae. Labium ( Fig. 306 ) wider than long, postmentum with setae arranged in an irregular row across the anterior third, prementum with transverse and short oblique groups of strong setae and with short curved setulae distally; apical article of labial palp, wider than long (L/ W 0.88 in alcohol, range 0.74–1.08) with five papillae of the compact type arranged in a line which can be almost straight or slightly staggered with the second and fourth papillae slightly more proximal than the others (the juvenile K.541552 the papillae are in a cluster arrangement with the first third and fifth in a curved line around the other two similar to the arrangement in Heterolepisma sclerophyllum Smith ), no other sensilla seen; distally with numerous fine short setae, those proximal and medial longer than those distal with many curled setae; basal article with tuft of setae.

Pronotum ( Fig. 307 ) with well-developed setal collar of short apically bifurcate macrochaetae and cilia, the macrochaetae shorter and sparser in the medial region; lateral margins with some stronger and more smaller macrochaetae or apically slightly bifurcate setae, as well as occasional cilia and about five submarginal macrochaetae. Anterior trichobothrium about 0.38 along the margin (range 0.35–0.42), not associated with a submarginal macrochaeta, with a setula or cilium but otherwise without any special chaetotaxy. The posterior trichobothrium mediad of a submarginal macrochaeta with some setulae and 1–2 cilia. Posterior margin with 1+1 posterior combs each of two insertions (a third insertion on the right side of the holotype), the more antero-lateral consisting of a very trichobothrium-like seta, at least on K.541552 when observed in alcohol (lost in all other specimens), these insertions associated with two or three cilia and 1–2 setulae ( Figs. 43 , 308 ). Mesonotum ( Fig. 309 ) with similar lateral chaetotaxy to pronotum except three to five combs anterior to the anterior trichobothrial area consist of two macrochaetae, most combs associated with 1–2 setulae posterior to the comb as well as 1–2 cilia; both trichobothrial areas are more posterior than on the pronotum, the anterior trichobothrial area with a macrochaeta mediad of the trichobothrium and the posterior area as in the pronotum; the 1+1 posterior combs usually consist of two insertion points, but only one on one side of K.541552 and none on K.261288. Metanotum ( Fig. 310 ) similar to mesonotum except the posterior trichobothrial even further posterior and lacking the macrochaeta mediad of the trichobothrium; the 1+1 posterior combs consist of two insertion points on most specimens but sometimes the more medio-posterior insertion is quite small, almost indistinguishable from the size of a setula insertion (e.g. K.541530) and on other occasions only one large insertion is present (K.261286 and K.541552) ( Fig. 311 ).

Presternum narrow, with dense transverse row of strong macrochaetae ( Fig. 312 ). All thoracic sterna free with hyaline round scales. Prothoracic sternum large trapezoidal (L/ W 0.95 range 0.91–1.05) with fine setae along the whole length of the lateral margins, posterior corners each with one to two submarginal macrochaetae and some longer marginal setae, glabrous along the posterior margin or with some fine setae. Mesosternum ( Figs. 313 ) also slightly trapezoidal just slightly wider than long (L/ W 0.96, range 0.91–0.99), with 1+1 combs of 1–2 macrochaetae submarginally in the posterolateral corners with a largely glabrous region between, small setae and some cilia along the posterior half of the outer margins. Metasternum ( Fig. 314 ) trapezoidal, much wider than long (L/ W 0.71, range 0.69–0.74) with largely glabrous concave to straight margin between the 1+1 small posterolateral combs each of 1–2 macrochaetae, posterior half of lateral margins with numerous fine setae and some cilia.

Legs ( Figs. 312–315 ) progressively longer anterior to posterior with the tibia of PIII being 1.8 times longer than that of PI (range 1.3–1.7) and the tarsus of PIII being 1.5 times longer than that of PI (range 1.3–1.9). Tibia L /W ratio of legs PI 2.8 (range 2.2–3.2), PII 3.2 (range 2.4–3.8), PIII 4.0 (range 3.6–4.5); tarsi L/W ratio PI 6.7 (range 5.3–8.0), PII 8.1 (range 6.8–10.4), PIII 10.3 (range 9.2–11.3). Precoxa of PI with comb of two to five macro chaetae and some setae on the laterad corner. Coxa of PI ( Figs. 312, 315 ) without comb in anterior “shoulder” position. Outer margin with numerous long macrochaetae as well as cilia and some small setae, two to three macrochaetae wide, becoming shorter distally; inner margin with about five short strong setae distally over the articulation and about four stronger setae spaced along the distal third of this margin along with smaller fine setae on the dorsal face. Trochanter with some fine setae as well as a short macrochaeta and 0–2 thicker setae. Femur ventrally with several macrochaetae along the posterior margin and two or three along the anterior margin, the more distal may be in a comb of two, distal anterior corner with some smaller setae over the articulation and a line of several setae subdistally on the ventral face, ventral surface with fine setae in the posterior half while the rest is covered with a dense layer of triangular scales which are very prominent along the anterior margin. Tibia with a strong carrot-shaped macrochaeta distally which is about as long as the apical spur as well as some strong tapered macrochaetae, one about ¼–⅓ along the margin and ½–¾ along the posterior margin as well as several smaller setae, dorsal or outer margin with two macrochaetae almost equally spaced along the length; apical spur distinctly hooked and bearing several small setae; face of tibia also with setae, some quite long as well as numerous triangular scales along the middle of the article. Tarsi of four articles although the suture between the last two or three articles can be difficult to see, the basal tarsal article of PIII about as long as the remaining articles together, bearing some stronger setae below and numerous smaller setae; second article also with two longer setae as well as several smaller setae, this article on all legs also bearing a trichobothrium-like seta about three times as long as the article is wide (lost on PI and PII of holotype), third and fourth articles with longer seta ventrally. Pretarsus with two long curved lateral claws and a much shorter medial claw. PII ( Fig. 313 ) and PIII ( Fig. 314 ) similar to PI except first tarsal article on PIII about equal to the other three together, PIII with long thin trichobothrium-like seta about 2–2½times as long as the tibia is wide located near the proximal macrochaeta on the dorsal surface .

Urotergite I with 2+2 combs (lacking submedial), each lateral comb of two macrochaetae associated with two small marginal setae, 2–3 setulae and 1–3 cilia, each sublateral comb of 2–3 macrochaetae, 1–2 marginal setae or setulae and 0–3 cilia. Urotergites II–VII with 3+3 small combs as shown in Table 10, each lateral comb associated with 1–3 marginal setae and 1–3 setulae between the comb and the margin and 1–4 cilia usually anterior to and between the insertions, each sublateral comb with 1–2 small setae and 1–3 setulae and 1–4 cilia, each submedial comb with 1–3 small setae or setulae plus 1–2 cilia ( Figs. 316–319 ); urotergite VIII with 2+2 combs, lacking the sublateral comb, each lateral comb associated with 3–5 small setae or setulae and 2–4 cilia (submedial comb missing on right side of urotergite VIII in K.541529); urotergite IX without combs but with 2–6 small setae or setulae and a cilium in each infralateral corner ( Fig. 320 ). Urotergite X ( Figs. 321 ) round, short (L/ W 0.36, range 0.32–0.41) with numerous macrochaetae, setae and cilia along the lateral margins, posterior margin glabrous in the middle, lacking posterolateral macrochaetae.

Urosternite I glabrous, urosternites II–IV with 1+1 sublateral macrochaetae each associated with 0–1 cilia and 1–2 small marginal setae or setulae ( Fig. 322 ), urosternites V–VII (VIII in male) also with styli, the 1+1 sublateral combs each of a single macrochaeta mediad to stylus, ( Figs. 323, 324 ), each macrochaeta associated with a marginal seta, a cilium and 3–5 fine setulae, the corner laterad to each stylus with 1–2 marginal setae, a cilium and 3–5 fine setulae; the posterior margins of urosternites II–VIII slightly concave, the posterior margin of urosternite VIII in male distinctly convex ( Fig. 325 ). Six pairs of styli present (on urosternites IV–IX), those on segments IV–VIII less than half the length of the styli on coxites nine, but still armed with several strong setae apically.

Each coxite IX ( Fig. 326 ) of male with numerous strong macrochaetae along the inner and outer margins of the inner process and apically plus laterally on the outer process; the internal process bluntly acute, about 1.3 times longer than wide at its base (range 1.2–1.5) and 3.6 times as long as the outer process (range 3.1–4.1) which is shorter than wide at its base (L/ W 0.6, range 0.56–0.64). Styli IX long with several stronger setae distally and along the shaft, the stylus (excluding the apical macrochaetae) about two and a quarter times the length of the internal process. Penis typical with numerous glandular setae apically, each set on a protuberance. Parameres long, conical with about 25 long thin setae; the holotype has some short setae apically but these apical setae are long and thin like all the other fine setae of the parameres on all other males examined ( Figs. 326, 327 ).

Coxites VIII of ♀ ( Fig. 328 ) with rounded inner processes each with a macrochaeta subapically adjacent to the stylus, inner margin with several setae. Coxite IX of ♀ with narrow apically acute internal process narrow about 3.8 times longer than the external process (range 3.3–4.4) and 1.8 times longer than wide at its base (range 1.7–1.9) usually with a macrochaeta inserted mediad of the stylus (insertion often difficult to see or possibly absent), external process shorter than wide at its base (L/ W 0.6, range 0.5–0.7) with about five or six robust setae near the apex, internal and external margins of inner process with several strong setae or macrochaetae. Ovipositor ( Fig. 328 ) long about 2.0 times as long as HW (range 1.83–2.26) surpassing the end of the inner process of coxite IX by almost four times the length of the inner process, composed of about 40 or more divisions (range 39–41). Distal divisions of gonapophyses ( Fig. 329 ) with only short fine setae and setulae.

Terminal filaments not well preserved on mounted material from type locality ( Fig. 330 ). Cerci with three or four basal divisions not well defined, each with a ring of setae, trichobothria and cilia, following division short with similar ring, next two divisions with two rings, the basal of which appears to have some triangular scales, following division with three rings, the scales probably restricted to the middle ring, following divisions lost in all mounted specimens. Median dorsal appendage with first division covered by the epiproct, the next three or four divisions shorter with only a single ring of long setae, next two divisions increasingly longer with two rings, following divisions lost.

Habitat. Bark spray to soft bark of Eucalyptus trees and to burn cavity within base of Eucalyptus .

Etymology. Named after the Bundjalung aboriginal people whose ancestral nation covers the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales from where this species was collected.

SOUTHERN GROUP

Figures

FIGURE 14. Visma pallidum n. sp., slender branched papilla of apical article of maxillary palp. Scale bar: 0.01 mm.

FIGURE 40. Visma bundjalung n. sp. Scales of abdominal stylus. Scale bar: 0.01 mm.

FIGURE 43. Visma bundjalung n. sp., posterior comb insertions of pronotum. Scale bar: 0.01 mm.

FIGURES 5–9. 5. Visma advenum n. sp. 6. Visma bundjalung n. sp. 7. Visma bingara n. sp. 8. Visma powellheueri n. sp. 9. Visma xanthorrhoea n. sp.

FIGURES 16–20. Notal scales. 16. Visma aff. brigalowsum, note greatly different rib spacings. 17. Visma tenebrosum n. sp. including one of the scales with wider rib spacing. 18. Visma xanthorrhoea n. sp. 19. Visma aff. stilivarians. 20. Visma bundjalung n. sp. Scale bar: 0.01 mm.

FIGURES 27–32. Scales of tibia. 27. Visma aff. brigalowsum. 28. Visma tenebrosum n. sp. 29. Visma bundjalung n. sp. 30. Visma pallidum n. sp. 31. Visma xanthorrhoea n. sp. 32. Visma aff. stilivarians. Scale bar: 0.01 mm.

FIGURES 33–37. Scales of cerci. 33. Visma aff. brigalowsum. 34. Visma bundjalung n. sp. 35. Visma pallidum n. sp. 36. Visma xanthorrhoea n. sp. 37. Visma aff. stilivarians. Scale bar: 0.01 mm.

FIGURES 295–306. Visma bundjalung n. sp. holotype ♂ 295. Habitus, legs, antennae and terminal filaments incomplete. 296. Macrochaeta of frons. 297. Round scale of pronotum. 298. Triangular scale of stylus IX. 299. head (cross-hatched area obscured by eye pigment). 300. Antenna, scape, pedicel and basal intervals of flagellum. 301. Idem, most distal surviving interval. 302. Mandible. 303. Idem, incisor and molar regions. 304. Maxilla, smaller setae omitted from palp. 305. Idem, apex of lacinia. 306. Labium. Scale bars = 0.1 mm unless otherwise indicated.

FIGURES 307–315. Visma bundjalung n. sp. holotype ♂ unless otherwise indicated by specimen number 307. Pronotum, right side. 308. Posterior comb of pronotum of K.541552, showing long thin trichobothrium-like seta. 309. Mesonotum, right margin. 310. Metanotum, right margin. 311. Idem, left posterior. 312. Presternum, prothoracic sternum and precoxa, coxa and trochanter of PI. 313. Mesothoracic sternum and PII. 314. Metathoracic sternum and PIII. 315. PI of K.541550. Scales: 0.1 mm.

FIGURES 316–325. Visma bundjalung n. sp. holotype ♂ unless otherwise indicated by specimen number 316. Urotergite VI. 317. Urotergite II, left lateral comb. 318. Idem, left sublateral comb. 319. Idem, submedial comb. 320. Left infralateral comb of urotergite IX. 321. Urotergite X. 322. Urosternite II: 323. Right posterior macrochaeta insertion of urosternite III. 324. Left stylus of urosternite VI. 325. Urosternite VIII of male. Scales: 0.1 mm.

FIGURES 326–330. Visma bundjalung n. sp. holotype ♂ unless otherwise indicated by specimen number 326. Urosternite IX, penis, parameres and styli IX. 327. detail of right paramere. 328. Coxites VIII and IX, styli and ovipositor of K.541550. 329. Detail of apex of ovipositor valves K.541550. 330. Base of cercus and median dorsal appendage. Scales: 0.1 mm.

FIGURES 21–26. Scales of femora. 21. Visma aff. brigalowsum. 22. Visma tenebrosum n. sp. 23. Visma bundjalung n. sp. 24. Visma pallidum n. sp. 25. Visma xanthorrhoea n. sp. 26. Visma aff. stilivarians. Scale bar: 0.01 mm.