Bromeloecia ephippium Yau and Marshall, 2018

Yau, Tiffany & Marshall, Stephen A., 2018, A revision of the genus Bromeloecia Spuler (Diptera: Sphaeroceridae: Limosininae), Zootaxa 4445 (1), pp. 1-115 : 95-101

Bromeloecia ephippium Yau and Marshall sp. n.

(Figs. 20.1–20.14)

Description: Body length 1.1–1.6 mm (males), 1.0– 1.6 mm (females).

Head: Flagellomere 1 usually without depression but rarely with 2 very small circle pits on basal outer edge. Genal height 0.5x eye height; gena with 5–6 setulae at genal margin and anteroventral corner.

Wing: Angle between costa and R4+5 70°. Distance between radial fork and r-m 2.5x length of r-m; dm-cu subequal to length of r-m and distance between crossveins 0.25x length of dm-cu. M-pseudovein slightly bent towards costa, leveling off in distal half and ending close to wing margin.

WIPs: Basal angle of distal spot wide, 75°; posterior edge straight.

Legs: Fore femur ventrally with 1 large ventrobasal seta and a row of 4 strong setae distal to it, posteroventrally with a row of 4–5 setae on distal one third, second last seta strong; female with 1 large ventrobasal seta and a continuous row of 8–9 posteroventral setae along length of femur, second last seta strong. Male fore tibia anteroventrally with a comb of 10–11 small stout setae on distal half; comb absent in females.

Male abdomen and terminalia: S5 medially desclerotized, saddle-shaped, posteromedial corners of saddle flaps with dense posteromedially directed setae. Anteroventral arm of synsternite 6+7 apically bent to support membrane of genital pouch. Both left and right anteroventral processes of epandrium articulating with posteromedial hypandrial processes of hypandrium. Subanal plate slightly concave, with a pair of strong setae. Subepandrial sclerite reduced to merge with subanal plate, thin lateral arms present. Cerci straight and converging. Surstylus quadrate, shielding cercus anterolaterally; anteroventral surface covered with setae.

Hypandrium with minimal lateral extension plate; apex of extension plate articulating with slender hypandrial arms. Phallapodeme thick, gradually widened distally. Ejaculatory apodeme and bulb not observed. Distiphallus with FDS slender, apically tapered; SDS slender, meeting medially; MS tadpole-shaped.

Female abdomen and terminalia: Each half of T8 semicircular. S8 quadrate. Epiproct glossy on lateral thirds. Cercus diamond-shaped. Each spermatheca with 1 large apical and 1–2 small basal thimble-shaped pit.

Type specimens: Holotype: ♂: GUYANA: Mazaruni-Potaro : Tukeit Falls, Potaro R., 1° rainforest, 300ʹ, human dung trap, 27–29 Nov 1990, B. Hubley ( ROME).

Paratypes: BELIZE : Cayo: Mountain Pine Ridge, Hidden Valley Institute , broadleaf forest, 2500ʹ, dung traps, 10–15 Jan 1991, S. A. Marshall (26♂, 16♀, DEBU) . BOLIVIA: La Paz: Cumbre Alto Beni, 28 km E Caranavi , 15°40ʹ31ʺS, 067°29ʹ21ʺW, ~ 1400 m, dung pans, 14 Apr 2001, S. A. Marshall (2♂, 1♀, CBFC, DEBU) ; Coroico, 36 km NE on Caranavi Rd. , pan traps, 7–15 Apr 2001, S. A. Marshall (1♂, DEBU) . BRAZIL: Parana: Curitiba , 30 km SE BR 277, dung trap, 6–9 Feb 1990, S. A. Marshall (1♂, 1♀, MZSP) . ECUADOR: Napo: Baeza , 24 km NE, 1300 m, carrion trap, 4–6 Mar 1976, S. Peck (2♂, 1♀, DEBU) ; Baeza , 17 km NE, 1400 m, carrion trap, 3–6 Mar 1976, S. Peck (1♀, DEBU) ; Jatun Sacha Res., 6 km E Misahuallí , 01°04ʹ00ʺS, 077°37ʹ00ʺW, várzea, 450 m, dung pans, 2–7 May 2002, M. Buck (1♂, DEBU) ; Zamora-Chinchipe: Res. Biol. San Francisco , canal trail, 03°58ʹ30ʺS, 079°04ʹ25ʺW, 2000 m, yellow pans, 25 Feb–3 Mar 2009, M. Pollet & A. De Braekeleer (1♀, UTPL) ; Zamora, Podocarpus National Park, Bombuscaro, Higuerones trail, 1000 m, yellow pans, 21–26 Feb 2009, M. Pollet & A. De Braekeleer (2♂, UTPL); ditto, white pans, 26 Feb–4 Mar 2009 (2♀, UTPL) ; ditto, red pans, 15–21 Feb 2009 (1♀, UTPL) . GUYANA: Mazaruni-Potaro: same as holotype (11♂, 2♀, ROME, DEBU) ; W side Potaro R. downstream Tukeit Falls, 1° rainforest clearing, 300ʹ, Malaise-fine , 27–30 Sep 1990, B. Hubley & L. D. Coote (1♂, ROME) ; Rupununi: Kurupukari , Essequibo R., 1° rainforest, 200ʹ, dung traps, 9 Oct 1990, B. Hubley (3♂, 3♀, ROME, DEBU) . PANAMA : Chiriquí: Lagunas, 5 km SW Hato del Volcan , 1360 m, dung, 22–26 May 1977, S. Peck (5♂, 4♀, DEBU) ; Colón: Canal Zone, Madden Forest , carrion trap, 10–13 Jun 1977, S. Peck (3♂, 11♀, DEBU) ; Santa Rita Ridge , 10 mi SE Colón, 270 m, dung trap, 10–12 Jun 1977, S. Peck (2♂, 13♀, DEBU) . VENEZUELA: Aragua: Henri Pittier Natl. Pk., Rancho Grande Biol. Stn. , 10°21ʹ00ʺN, 067°41ʹ00ʺW, 1250 m, May 1998, Ashe, Brooks & Hanley (1♂, MIZA) .

Other material examined: BELIZE (BRITISH HONDURAS): Caves Forest , dung, 23–29 Aug 1972, S. & J. Peck (2♂, DEBU) ; Cayo: Beaver Dam, 39 mi W Belize City , swamp forest dung trap, 6–10 Aug 1972, S. & J. Peck (1♂, DEBU) ; Belmopan, creekside, gallery forest, dung trap, 11–16 Aug 1972, S. & J. Peck & R. Anderson (1♀, DEBU); Caves Branch, forest, dung trap, 23–29 Aug 1972, S. & J. Peck (22♂, 9♀, DEBU); Mountain Pine Ridge , pine, 2500ʹ, dung trap in pines, 14 Jan 1991, S. A. Marshall (5♂, 1♀, DEBU) ; Mountain Pine Ridge Hidden Valley Institute, pine-jungle edge, 2500ʹ, sweep, 14 Jan 1991, S. A. Marshall (2♂, DEBU); Mountain Pine Ridge Hidden Valley Institute , grass-pine, 2500ʹ, dung traps, 10–15 Jan 1991, S. A. Marshall (7♂, 18♀, DEBU). BOLIVIA : La Paz: San Antonio, ca. 8 km S Mapiri , 15°20ʹ56ʺS, 068°13ʹ31ʺW, secondary forest, dung pans, 11 Apr 2001, S. A. Marshall (2♂, 2♀, DEBU). BRAZIL : Parana: Londrina, carrion/ pan traps, 1–2 Feb 1990, S. A. Marshall (2♂, 3♀, MZSP, DEBU) ; Rio de Janeiro: Mury, Pico Sao Joao, ~ 1500 m, dung trap, 10–11 Feb 1990, S. A. Marshall (1♀, DEBU); São Paulo: Estación Biologica Boracea , dung trap, 2 Dec 2008, G. F. G . Miranda (1♂, 1♀, DEBU); USP Biol. Station , human dung, 5–6 Feb 1979, R. Woodruff & J. Runnacles (5♂, 3♀, MZSP, DEBU). COSTA RICA : Alajuela: San Ramón Biol. Stn., Arenal Cons. Area , 700 m, yellow pans, 5 Oct 1995, G. Carballo (1♂, 1♀, DEBU) ; San Ramón Biol. Stn., creek bed, 700 m, yellow pan traps, 24–26 Mar 1996, L. Masner (1♀, DEBU); Cartago: Tapantí Natl. Pk., Ranger Stn., 09°45ʹ22ʺN, 083°47ʹ05ʺW, 1200 m, human dung, hand & traps, 9–12 Oct 1999, Buck & Marshall (26♂, DEBU) ; Turrialba Catie, 600 m, 28 Feb 1980, H. & A. Howden (2♂, DEBU); ditto, 26 Feb 1980 (1♀, DEBU) ; Guanacaste: Maritza Field Station , nr. river, 650 m, large yellow pans, 15–17 Feb 1996, S. A. Marshall (1♂, DEBU) ; Cacao Field Station, along stream, pan traps, 18–20 Feb 1996, S. A. Marshall (1♂, DEBU); Cacao Field Station , 1000 m, carrion trap, 18–20 Feb 1996, S. A. Marshall (5♀, DEBU); Guanacaste Cons. Area , Rincón de la Vieja, Las Pailas, Clusea rosea forest litter, 1400 m, 18 Feb 1996, R. Anderson (1♀, DEBU) ; Heredia: La Selva Biol. Stn., 3 km S Puerto Viejo , 10°26ʹ00ʺN, 084°01ʹ00ʺW, 80 m, FIT, 20–23 Jun 2001, S. Chatzimanolis (1♂, DEBU) ; ditto, 26 Jun–27 Jul 2001 (2♀, DEBU); 10 km N Pto . Viejo, La Selva Verde, FIT, 3 Mar 1991, H. & A. Howden (1♀, DEBU); 10 km W Pto . Viejo, Selva Verde, 2–5 Mar 1991, B. J. Sinclair (1♂, 1♀, DEBU); 10 km W Pto . Viejo, La Selva Verde, 2–4 Mar 1991, H. & A. Howden (1♀, DEBU); La Virgen, 16 km SSE, 10°16ʹ00ʺN, 084°05ʹ00ʺW, 1050–1150 m, transect, 21 Mar 2001 (12♂, 6♀, DEBU); ditto, 11–20 Feb 2001 (2♂, DEBU) ; ditto, 20 Feb 2001 (3♂, 4♀, DEBU) ; ditto, 21 Mar–9 Apr 2001 (6♂, 6♀, DEBU) ; ditto, 9 Apr 2001 (1♂, 2♀, DEBU) ; ditto, 9–21 Apr 2001 (1♂, 2♀, DEBU) ; ditto, 21 Apr 2001 (25♂, 44♀, DEBU) ; ditto, 9–21 Mar 2001 (1♂, DEBU) ; ditto, 21 Feb 2001 (1♀, DEBU) ; ditto, 10–21 Mar 2001 (1♂, DEBU) ; ditto, 21 Feb–9 Mar 2001 (1♀, DEBU) ; La Virgen, 16 km SSE, 10°16ʹ00ʺN, 084°05ʹ00ʺW, 1050–1150 m, 21 May 2001 (3♂, 3♀, DEBU); ditto, 20 Feb 2001 (26♂, 55♀, DEBU) ; ditto, 10–21 Apr 2001 (1♀, DEBU) ; ditto, 9 Mar 2001 (4♀, DEBU) ; Limón: Estrella Valley , Pandora, carrion trap, 20 Feb 1984, H. Howden (2♂, 1♀, DEBU) ; ditto, FIT (1♂, DEBU); Estrella Valley , Pandora, Malaise trap, 19 Feb 1984, H. & A. Howden (1♀, DEBU); Estrella Valley, Pandora, FIT, 16 Mar 1984, G. V. Manley & H. F. Howden (1♀, DEBU); Siquerres, Pacuarito, Las Brisas, Río Dantas Biol. Stn. , 275–500 m, Malaise trap, 22–25 Aug 1996, Gustafsson et al. (1♂, DEBU); Puntarenas: Corcovado N. P., San Pedrillo, 08°37ʹ15ʺN, 083°44ʹ06ʺW, beach, 1–50 m, sweep, 11 Aug 2001, S. A. Marshall (1♂, DEBU) ; Corcovado Natl. Pk., 150 m, dung trap, 15–16 Aug 1983, D. H. Lindeman (1♂, DEBU); Las Alturas, 1600 m, Malaise trap, 11–14 Aug 1995, S. A. Marshall (2♀, DEBU); Las Alturas, 1600 m, ground Eciton raid, 15 Aug 1995, S. A. Marshall (1♀, DEBU); Monteverde, 1520 m, FIT, 18–25 Jun 1983, D. H. Lindeman (1♀, DEBU); Monteverde, cloud forest, 1500 m, FIT, 25 Jun–2 Jul 1983, H. F. Howden (1♀, DEBU); Osa Peninsula, Rincón, 2.5 km S, 08°42ʹ01ʺN, 083°30ʹ50ʺW, secondary forest, ~ 50 m, fish pitfalls, 10–11 Aug 2001 (13♂, 3♀, DEBU); ditto, prim. forest, 11 Aug 2001 (3♂, 2♀, DEBU) ; Osa Peninsula, Rincón, 2.5 km S, 08°42ʹ01ʺN, 083°30ʹ50ʺW, by stream, ~ 50 m, yellow pans, 10–11 Aug 2001, M. Buck (1♂, DEBU); R. F. Golfo Dulce 24 km W Piedres Blancas , 200 m, Dec 1990, P. Hanson (4♂, 5♀, DEBU). CUBA : Santiago: Gran Piedra Met Radar, elfin forest, 1100 m, carrion trap, 6–17 Dec 1995, S. Peck (1♀, DEBU). DOMINICAN REPUBLIC : Barahona: 7 km NW Paraiso , rainforest remnant, 200 m, fungus on logs, 27 Nov 1991, S. & J. Peck (1♀, DEBU). ECUADOR : Esmeraldas: La Chiquita, dung, 7–8 Jun 1975, S. Peck (3♂, 5♀, DEBU) ; 11 km SE San Lorenzo, La Chiquita , dung trap, 10–11 Jun 1975, S. Peck (1♂, DEBU) ; 11 km SE San Lorenzo, La Chiquita , 5 m, dung trap, 10–11 Jun 1975, S. Peck (4♂, 3♀, DEBU) ; ditto, 6–7 Jun 1975 (3♂, 3♀, DEBU) ; ditto, carrion, 9–10 Jun 1975 (2♂, 3♀, DEBU); Pichincha: 28 km E Alluriquin , Chiriboga Road , moss forest, 5200ʹ, carrion trap, 19–27 Jun 1975, Peck (5♂, DEBU); 23 km E Alluriquin , Chiriboga Ret. , 4600ʹ, dung trap, 19–27 Jun 1975, S. Peck (1♂, 3♀, DEBU) ; Palenque, trap, 24–25 Mar 1976, S. Peck (1♂, DEBU); Rio Palenque , carrion trap, 25 Feb 1979, S. A. Marshall (1♂, 2♀, DEBU); ditto, dung trap (1♀, DEBU); Rio Palenque , dung trap, 25–26 Feb 1976, S. Peck (1♀, DEBU); Rio Palenque , dung, 27 Feb 1979, S. A. Marshall (2♂, DEBU) ; Rio Palenque Stn. , 47 km S Santo Domingo, 213 m, trap, 30–31 May 1975, S. Peck (1♂, DEBU) ; 22.7 km E. Tandapi, moss forest, 8000ʹ, dung trap, 24–29 Jun 1975, S. Peck (1♀, DEBU); Zamora-Chinchipe: Zamora, Podocarpus National Park, Bombuscaro, Higuerones trail, 1000 m, red pans, 21–26 Feb 2009, M. Pollet & A. De Braekeleer (2♀, UTPL) ; ditto, white pans (1♀, UTPL) ; Zamora, Podocarpus National Park, Bombuscaro, Higuerones trail, 1000 m, yellow pans, 26 Feb–4 Mar 2009, M. Pollet & A. De Braekeleer (1♂, 2♀, UTPL); ditto, red pans (1♂, 2♀, UTPL) ; Zamora, Podocarpus National Park, Bombuscaro, Higuerones trail, 1000 m, yellow pans, 15–21 Feb 2009, M. Pollet & A. De Braekeleer (1♀, UTPL). GUATEMALA : Baja Verapaz: 7.4 km S Purulha , 1650 m, FIT, 2–3 Jul 1993, J. Ashe & R. Brooks (1♀, DEBU) ; Izabal: Morales, 5 km NW, 15°30ʹ48ʺN, 088°51ʹ58ʺW, 2° lowland tropical rainforest, 245 m, Malaise trap, 16–20 May 2009 (1♀, DEBU). GUYANA : Potaro-Siparuni: Kabocalli, Iwokrama Forest Res., 60 m, FIT, 3–5 Jun 2001, Brooks & Falin (5♂, 7♀, DEBU); Mount Wokomung , 05°06ʹ35ʺN, 059°49ʹ15ʺW, 1° rainforest, 1234 m, human dung pitfall trap, 27 Oct–1 Nov 2004, B. Hubley (28♂, 16♀, ROME, DEBU); Mount Wokomung , 05°07ʹ53ʺN, 059°48ʹ31ʺW, 1° forest, 698 m, human dung pitfall trap, 21–26 Oct 2004, B. Hubley (17#, 6♀, ROME, DEBU) ; Mount Wokomung , 05°5ʹ33ʺN, 059°50ʹ35ʺW, 1° rainforest, 1411 m, human dung pitfall trap, 4–8 Nov 2004, B. Hubley (6♂, ROME, DEBU). MEXICO : Chiapas: Palenque, rainforest, 100 m, carrion trap, 6–9 Jul 1983, S. & J. Peck (3♀, DEBU); Oaxaca: 12 mi S Valle Nacional , tropical montane forest, 3200ʹ, carrion shrimp, 22–31 Jul 1971, A. Newton (49♂, 46♀, DEBU) ; 5 mi S Valle Nacional, tropical oak evergreen, 1600ʹ, dung, 20 Jul–1 Aug 1971, A. Newton (4♂, 10♀, DEBU) ; Veracruz: 4 mi N Huatusco , cloud forest, 4100ʹ, dung, 11–16 Jul 1971, A. Newton (2♂, 2♀, DEBU) ; 6 mi NE Catemaco , rainforest, 1500ʹ, human dung, 30 Jul–8 Aug 1970, A. Newton (1♂, DEBU). PANAMA : Chiriquí: Cerro Pando, 10 km W, carrion, 24 May 1977, S. Peck (1♂, DEBU) ; Cerro Punta, 22 km W, 1760 m, dung, 8 Jun 1977, S. Peck (1♂, DEBU); 27 km W Cerro Punta , 1700 m, carrion trap, 5 Jun 1977, S. Peck (1♀, DEBU); Hartmann’s Finca, 15 km NW Hato de Volcán , 1500 m, dung, 20–25 May 1977, S. Peck (1♂, 1♀, DEBU). PERU : Cusco: Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge, 13°03ʹ21ʺS, 071°32ʹ46ʺW, 1380 m, Malaise trap, 18–20 Oct 2006, J. Skevington (6♂, 2♀, DEBU). TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO : Eastern Tobago: 10 km NE Roxborough, Gilpin Trail , rainforest, 450 m, carrion traps, 26–31 Jun 1993, S. & J. Peck (53♂, 58♀, DEBU) ; 10 km NE Roxborough, Gilpin Trail , montane rainforest, 400–500 m, FIT, 26–31 Jun 1993, S. & J. Peck (4♂, 6♀, DEBU). VENEZUELA : Aragua: Rancho Grande Bio. Stn., 10°21ʹ00ʺN, 067°41ʹ00ʺW, 1200 m, FIT, 14 May 1998, Ashe, Brooks & Hanley (2♀, DEBU); Maracay Rancho Grade, cloud forest, 1200 m, FIT, 1–10 Aug 1987, Bordon & Peck (1♂, DEBU); Bolívar: 135 km S El Dorado , 1400 m, dung traps, 20 Jul–7 Aug 1986, B. Gill (6♂, 13♀, DEBU) ; 125 km S El Dorado, 1100 m, 18 Jul–7 Aug 1986, B. Gill (3♂, 5♀, DEBU) ; Táchira: Pregonero, Presa Las Cuevas, rainforest, 650 m, Malaise, 9–31 Jul 1989, S. & J. Peck (1♀, DEBU).

Etymology: This name refers to the saddle-shaped male S5 (Latin ‘ephippium’: saddle, saddle-cloth).

Comments: This is a widespread species that occurs in Central America, South America and the Caribbean at a wide range of elevations. B. ephippium can be easily confused with B. cercarcuata since their external characters are almost identical. In order to differentiate these two species without dissection, note that cerci of B. ephippium are straight and converging but B. cercarcuata cerci are uniformly curved medially and basally webbed, appearing to be elevated from the level of the subanal plate.