Mischochalcis Ranjith & Delvare, 2022

Ranjith, A. P., Priyadarsanan, Dharma Rajan & Delvare, Gérard, 2022, Mischochalcis, an enigmatic new genus of Chalcididae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) from the Old World tropics with the description of a new species, Zootaxa 5205 (2), pp. 147-161 : 148-150

publication ID	https://doi.org/ 10.11646/zootaxa.5205.2.3
publication LSID	lsid:zoobank.org:pub:EFD2684D-F51D-4691-B28A-961407A1A9B4
DOI	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7305807
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/835C6BD1-E98B-417E-A83F-06CEFC9D1CB0
taxon LSID	lsid:zoobank.org:act:835C6BD1-E98B-417E-A83F-06CEFC9D1CB0
treatment provided by	Plazi
scientific name	Mischochalcis Ranjith & Delvare
status	gen. nov.

Treatment

Mischochalcis Ranjith & Delvare gen. nov.

Figs 1–8 View FIGURE 1 View FIGURE 2 View FIGURE 3 View FIGURE 4 View FIGURE 5 View FIGURE 6 View FIGURE 7 View FIGURE 8

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:835C6BD1-E98B-417E-A83F-06CEFC9D1CB0

Etymology. The genus name is formed by a combination of ‘ Mischo ’ referring to the presence of a mixture of morphological characters exhibited by Haltichellini and Hybothoracini, and the type genus name, ‘ Chalcis ’, of the family. Gender masculine.

Type species. Mischochalcis enigmatus sp. nov.

Diagnosis. Both mandibles 3-toothed ( Figs 1C, D, F View FIGURE 1 , 2E View FIGURE 2 , 6C View FIGURE 6 ). Lower edge of antennal toruli distant from upper margin of clypeus ( Figs 1C, D, F View FIGURE 1 , 6A View FIGURE 6 ). Interantennal projection moderately raised and sulcate ( Figs 1C, D, F View FIGURE 1 ). Female flagellum clavate with flagellomeres short, the terminal funiculars strongly transverse ( Figs 2A, B View FIGURE 2 ); clava asymmetric ( Fig. 2B View FIGURE 2 ). Mesosoma dorsally flattened with hardly sloping propodeum ( Figs 1A View FIGURE 1 , 2D View FIGURE 2 , 5A View FIGURE 5 , 7A View FIGURE 7 ). Mesoscutellum with evenly convex posterior margin, lacking median or submedian teeth or lobes ( Figs 1B View FIGURE 1 , 2C View FIGURE 2 , 5B View FIGURE 5 , 7B, D View FIGURE 7 ). Axillular plate subtriangular ( Figs 7A, C View FIGURE 7 : axlup). Prepectus with a medioventral tooth ( Fig. 2E View FIGURE 2 ). Mesodiscrimen forming a crest on its dorsal section ending as a sharp projection ventrally and forming a groove on its ventral section ( Fig. 2E View FIGURE 2 ). Metafemur with low basal serrulate tooth or lobe followed by evenly serrulate and slightly convex ventral margin ( Figs 3A View FIGURE 3 , 5A View FIGURE 5 , 8C, D View FIGURE 8 ). Metatibia with outer ventral ( Fig. 3C View FIGURE 3 : ouv) and additional carinae; in addition, tibia with further intermediate oblique carina ( Fig. 3C View FIGURE 3 : ic) continuing as a spine ( Fig. 3C View FIGURE 3 : asp); outer apical spur vestigial but present ( Figs 3C–E View FIGURE 3 , 8C–F View FIGURE 8 ). Fore wing membrane entirely setose ( Figs 1A View FIGURE 1 , 3B View FIGURE 3 , 8A View FIGURE 8 ); parastigma with a single sensillum ( Fig. 8B View FIGURE 8 ); marginal vein somewhat removed from the front margin of wing ( Fig. 8B View FIGURE 8 ); postmarginal vein absent ( Figs 1A View FIGURE 1 , 3B View FIGURE 3 , 8A View FIGURE 8 ).

Description. FEMALE.

Head. Head transverse in dorsal view ( Figs 1E View FIGURE 1 , 6D View FIGURE 6 ). Preorbital carinae present but not continuing on vertex ( Figs 1E View FIGURE 1 , 6D View FIGURE 6 ). Both mandibles with three teeth of about the same length and with somewhat blunt apex ( Figs 1C, D, F View FIGURE 1 , 2E View FIGURE 2 , 6C View FIGURE 6 ). Oral fossa reduced, narrower than malar space ( Figs 1D View FIGURE 1 , 6A, B View FIGURE 6 ). Clypeus moderately bulging ( Figs 1C, D, F View FIGURE 1 , 6A View FIGURE 6 ). Anterior tentorial pits large ( Figs 1C, D, F View FIGURE 1 , 6A View FIGURE 6 ). Lower edge of antennal toruli separated from anterior margin of clypeus by a distance hardly smaller than torulus diameter ( Figs 1C, D, F View FIGURE 1 , 6A View FIGURE 6 ). Interantennal projection not much raised and sulcate ( Figs 1C, D, F View FIGURE 1 , 6A, D View FIGURE 6 : arrow). Malar carina complete and raised ( Figs 1C, F View FIGURE 1 , 6A–C View FIGURE 6 ). Temple with a row of postorbital areolae ( Figs 2D View FIGURE 2 , 5A View FIGURE 5 , 6B, C View FIGURE 6 ).

Antenna. Antennal formula 11171 ( Figs 1C, D View FIGURE 1 , 2A View FIGURE 2 , 6E View FIGURE 6 ). Scape linear, not bulging ventrally. Flagellum clavate, with short, transverse funiculars ( Figs 1C, D View FIGURE 1 , 2A View FIGURE 2 , 6E View FIGURE 6 ). Clava 1-segmented, ovoid, depressed ventrally, narrowly rounded at apex and bearing a ventral area of micropilosity ( Figs 1C, D View FIGURE 1 , 2A, B View FIGURE 2 , 5A View FIGURE 5 ).

Mesosoma. Mesosoma dorsally flattened ( Figs 1A View FIGURE 1 , 2D View FIGURE 2 5A View FIGURE 5 , 7A View FIGURE 7 ). Pro- and mesonotum with dense and uniform punctures, the interspaces smooth, and with setae lanceolate, adpressed, reclinate, and at least as long as diameter of punctures ( Figs 1B View FIGURE 1 , 2C View FIGURE 2 , 5A, B View FIGURE 5 , 7A–D View FIGURE 7 ). Pronotal carina restricted to the sides ( Figs 2D View FIGURE 2 , 5A View FIGURE 5 , 7A View FIGURE 7 ). Mesoscutellum virtually flat, with narrowly truncate base, the axillar grooves narrowly separated on transscutal line; posterior margin of mesoscutellum uniformly convex with frenal carina indistinct, thus not forming any teeth or lobes ( Figs 1B View FIGURE 1 , 2C View FIGURE 2 , 5B View FIGURE 5 , 7B, D View FIGURE 7 ). Axillular plate subtriangular ( Figs 7A, C View FIGURE 7 : axlup). Propodeum hardly sloping ( Figs 1A View FIGURE 1 , 2D View FIGURE 2 , 5A View FIGURE 5 , 7A View FIGURE 7 ), with parallel-sided, mesal areola that extend anteriorly to posterior margin of metanotum and interrupting a basal transverse strip of large areolae ( Figs 2F View FIGURE 2 , 5B View FIGURE 5 , 7B View FIGURE 7 ); with large subtrapezoidal areolae on either side of mesal areola ( Figs 2F View FIGURE 2 , 5B View FIGURE 5 , 7B View FIGURE 7 ), and this set of areolae followed by two oblique rows of areolae, the second row bearing sparse, thin and suberect setation; remainder of propodeal surface, with the exception of callus anterolaterally and sides posteriorly, bare ( Figs 2F View FIGURE 2 , 5B View FIGURE 5 , 7B View FIGURE 7 ); lateral oblique carinae raised behind spiracle ( Figs 2F View FIGURE 2 , 5B View FIGURE 5 , 7B View FIGURE 7 ); septa separating areolae thick ( Figs 2F View FIGURE 2 , 5B View FIGURE 5 , 7B View FIGURE 7 ); adpetiolar areola indistinct ( Figs 2F View FIGURE 2 , 5B View FIGURE 5 , 7B View FIGURE 7 ). Prepectus with medioventral tooth. Mesodiscrimen with dorsal section raised into a crest ending ventrally as a beak-like projection (incurved with sharp apex); its ventral section forming an areolate groove. Adscrobal carina raised dorsally, below prepectus. Adscrobal area, ventral shelf of mesepisternum, mesepimeron and metepimeron densely punctured, bearing erect, lanceolate setae ( Figs 2D View FIGURE 2 , 5A View FIGURE 5 , 7A View FIGURE 7 ); femoral scrobe coarsely sculptured, densely rugose, coriaceous anteriorly ( Figs 2D View FIGURE 2 , 5A View FIGURE 5 , 7A View FIGURE 7 ). Supracoxal flange present between posterodorsal angle of metepimeron and propodeum ( Fig. 7B View FIGURE 7 : scxfl). Metepimeron with subcoxal and precoxal teeth on posterior margin blunt and not projecting. Metepisternum rugose-areolate in front of petiolar foramen, reticulate-strigose anteriorly, with vestigial posterior projection.

Legs. Metacoxa with basodorsal blunt tooth and a short longitudinal carina beneath the tooth ( Figs 1A View FIGURE 1 , 2D View FIGURE 2 , 3A View FIGURE 3 ). Metafemur with low basal serrulate tooth followed by serrulation, its ventral margin uniformly convex beyond the basal tooth ( Figs 3A View FIGURE 3 , 5A View FIGURE 5 , 8C, D View FIGURE 8 ). Metatibia with an intermediate carina ( Fig. 3C View FIGURE 3 : ic) between the usual, outer ventral carina ( Fig. 3C View FIGURE 3 : ovc) and the additional external one ( Fig. 3 View FIGURE 3 : aec), the former almost complete, but not completely extending to tibial apex; in addition, a subapical oblique carina ( Fig 3C View FIGURE 3 : ic), situated between them, extending to apex of the tibia where continued as a ventral apical spine ( Figs 3C View FIGURE 3 : asp, D, E, 8C–F); outer spur of tibia vestigial, visible only at large magnification, thus easily overlooked ( Figs 1A View FIGURE 1 , 3A, C–E View FIGURE 3 , 8C–F View FIGURE 8 ). Metatarsus as long as tibia ( Figs 1A View FIGURE 1 , 3A View FIGURE 3 , 5A View FIGURE 5 , 8C, D View FIGURE 8 ). Tarsal claw without basal lobe ( Figs 3A View FIGURE 3 , 8D View FIGURE 8 ).

Wings. Wing membrane entirely setose, setae dark ( Figs 1A View FIGURE 1 , 3B View FIGURE 3 , 8A View FIGURE 8 ). Marginal vein somewhat removed from front margin of wing ( Fig. 8B View FIGURE 8 ); postmarginal vein absent ( Figs 1A View FIGURE 1 , 3B View FIGURE 3 , 8A View FIGURE 8 ); parastigma with a single sensillum ( Fig. 8B View FIGURE 8 ); sensilla on stigma represented as wavy line.

Metasoma. Metasoma broadly sessile, truncate anteriorly and with submedian carina basally ( Figs 1B View FIGURE 1 , 4A, B View FIGURE 4 , 5A, B View FIGURE 5 , 7E View FIGURE 7 ). Gaster lanceolate with acute apex ( Figs 1B View FIGURE 1 , 4B View FIGURE 4 ). First gastral tergite large, dorsally smooth, its posterior margin strongly curved posteriorly ( Figs 1B View FIGURE 1 , 4B View FIGURE 4 , 5B View FIGURE 5 , 7E View FIGURE 7 ). Following tergites short, with incurved posterior margins ( Figs 1B View FIGURE 1 , 4B View FIGURE 4 , 5B View FIGURE 5 , 7E View FIGURE 7 ). Syntergum short and smooth with thin transverse carina in front of cercal plates ( Figs 1A View FIGURE 1 , 4A View FIGURE 4 , 5A View FIGURE 5 ). Gastral sternites smooth, setose only medially ( Figs 1A View FIGURE 1 , 4A View FIGURE 4 , 5A View FIGURE 5 ). Hypopygium pointed apically, its tip with level of cercal plates ( Figs 1A View FIGURE 1 , 4A View FIGURE 4 , 5A View FIGURE 5 ).

MALE.As for female except clava with false suture suggested by internal infuscate thickening of the integument ( Figs 6E, F View FIGURE 6 : fsu). Male genitalia broadly truncate at apex.

Recognition. The new genus, Mischochalcis is distinguished by the presence of an additional longitudinal carina ( Figs 3C View FIGURE 3 , 8F View FIGURE 8 : ic) obliquely joining the additional external carina ( Figs 3C View FIGURE 3 , 8F View FIGURE 8 : eac) to the outer ventral carina ( Figs 3C View FIGURE 3 , 8F View FIGURE 8 : ovc) on the metatibia, which is otherwise not recorded in Haltichellini, and thus apparently an autapomorphic character of the genus. Mischochalcis is also easily distinguished from other haltichelline genera by the presence of an apical ventral spine on the metatibia ( Figs 3C View FIGURE 3 : asp, 8F). In addition, 3-toothed mandibles are otherwise possessed only by the hybothoracine genera Lasiochalcidia , Hybothorax Ratzeberg and Neohybothorax . However, in Lasiochalcidia the mesosoma is quite convex and the mesoscutellum shows upturned submedian projections, and the latter two genera have slender hind legs, quite different from Mischochalcis . No other haltichelline genera have 3-toothed mandibles, with at least the left mandible 2-toothed; in addition, other haltichelline have a more convex mesosoma, the mesoscutellum has a median or submedian apical teeth or lobes and the postmarginal vein is nearly always expanded at least as a stub.