Mystilus antrami Distant, 1909

Yeshwanth, H. M. & Chérot, F., 2019, The Indian Mecistoscelini (Insecta, Heteroptera, Miridae, Mirinae): A preliminary review, Zootaxa 4711 (1), pp. 157-174 : 164

Mystilus antrami Distant, 1909

Mystilus antrami Distant, 1909: 443–444 (as new species). Mystilus antrami: Distant, 1910: 233 (copy of original description); Schuh 1995: 684 (catalog); Schuh 2002 –2013 (online catalog). Mystilus antrammi: Lansbury 1963: 2 , 9 (redescription, parameres) (incorrect subsequent spelling).

Diagnosis. Frons and vertex yellow to brownish, with a darker transverse medial patch between the eyes. Eyes dark reddish-brown. Antennal segments I and II yellowish-brown with brown spots, the first segment yellowish basally and apically. Antennal segments III and IV darker (black according to Lansbury 1963). Pronotal collar yellow. Pronotal disk and callosities yellowish-brown ( Fig. 23 ) or medially black and posteriorly yellow ( Fig. 22 ). Callosities rounded, separated medially, reaching lateral margins in dorsal view. Mesoscutum almost covered, yellowishbrown. Scutellum yellowish-brown to brown, devoid of median longitudinal keel. Hemelytra whitish, translucent. Base of clavii and coria brownish. Apex of corium, cunei and base of membrane with a transverse brown stripe. Male genitalic structures as Figs 26–31 . Left paramere devoid of tertiary apophysis ( Fig 30 ). Right paramere body swollen ( Figs 28–29 ). Apex of right paramere almost in body axis, hooked. Female genitalic structures not described yet. Measurements of Indian specimens in table 1.

Material examined. Types: INDIA: ASSAM, holotype (m) of M. antrami, Cachar, Koomber, Antram leg. ( BMNH) ( Fig. 22 ) . INDIA: Assam, holotype (f) of M. manni, Cachar, Koomber, Antram leg. ( BMNH) ( Fig. 23 ) . Other examined specimens : INDIA: KARNATAKA , 10m, 4f, Mudigere, Ettina Bhuja , 12º98’ N, 75º57’ E, 14.xii.2013, Yeshwanth H.M. leg., Ex: Bamboo ; 6m, Madikeri , 12.42º N, 75.74ºE, 13.iv.2013, Yeshwanth, H.M. leg., Ex: Bamboo ( UASB) .

Distribution. India (Assam: Cachar District and Karnataka: Madikeri and Mudigere).

Discussion. Both nominal species Mystilus antrami and M. manni were described from Cachar (Assam) by Distant (1909, respectively pages 443–444 and page 444), the descriptions being introduced unmodified in appendix of Fauna of British India ( Distant 1910: 233). They are very similar, differing essentially by the darker habitus (head, pronotum and scutellum) of M. antrami , by the order of character states in the text and by Distant’s wording (two factors complicating comparison). According to Distant (1909: 444), M. manni would be “allied to M. antrami by the concolorous cuneus, but differs from it in the different colour of the pronotum and scutellum, the absence of short carinate line between pronotal callosities etc.” Such a tiny line is already difficult to see on M. antrami type ( Figs 22–23 ) and pattern of both nominal species are close, M. manni is slightly lighter than M. antrami . No other difference was observed on available specimens. Consequently, we suggest the following synonymy: Mystilus manni Distant, 1909 new junior subjective synonym = M. antrami Distant, 1909 valid name.

Figures

FIGURES 22–25. Habitus in dorsal view of Mystilus types preserved in BMNH. 22. Mystilus antrami Distant, 1909. 23. Mystilus manni Distant, 1909 (new synonym of M. antrami). 24. Mystilus carinatus Lansbury, 1963. 25. Mystilus priamus Distant, 1904.

FIGURES 26–31. Male genitalia of Mystilus antrami Distant, 1909. 26–27. Pygophore, 28–29. Right paramere.30. Left paramere. 31. Aedeagus