Rhagoveliinae, China & Usinger, 1949

Polhemus, Dan A., 2024, Thirty-four new species of Rhagovelia (Heteroptera: Veliidae) from the East Papua Composite Terrane, far eastern New Guinea, Zootaxa 5400 (1), pp. 1-214 : 11

Subfamily Rhagoveliinae China & Usinger, 1949

Genus Rhagovelia Mayr, 1865

Species Groups

For the sake of organizational utility, the treatment of Rhagovelia species assemblages in various regions of the world has involved their subdivision into species groups (J. Polhemus & D. Polhemus 1988, D. Polhemus 1995, 1997; D. Polhemus & Andersen 2010, 2014; Zettel 1994, 1995, 1996, 2003, 2006, 2007). These species groups have been proposed on the basis of shared character states, and in many cases are likely to represent monophyletic clades within the genus, although not all have been phylogenetically validated, nor do they have any formal taxonomic standing under the current Code of Zoological Nomenclature. The Rhagovelia fauna of the EPCT may be assigned to three of these previously defined groups, the species within which are easily recognizable on the basis of their morphology and ecological preferences. Additional subgroups now recognized within these larger species groups are discussed in the present paper.

Key to the Species Groups of Rhagovelia occurring in the EPCT

Males

Female characters also provided where useful.

1. Pronotum short, length along midline shorter than or subequal to length of head as viewed from directly above, leaving mesonotum broadly exposed ( Figs. 15 , 296 ); forewing with two elongate basal cells, followed by two distal cells of similar length and size ( Figs. 10 , 14 )............................................................................ 2

- Pronotum longer, length along midline significantly greater than length of head as viewed from directly above, leaving only extreme posteromedial margin of mesonotum exposed ( Fig. 202 ); forewing with two elongate basal cells, followed by two smaller distal cells of unequal length and size, with the outer distal cell smaller than the inner ( Fig. 12 )................................................................................................. R. papuensis group

2. General coloration black, brown, or orange-brown ( Figs. 15 , 35 , 41 , 48 , 55 , 63 , 70 , 77 , 85 , 99 , 106 , 118 , 125 , 133 , 140 , 146 , 154 , 161 , 169, 171 , 181 , 189 , 194 ); anterior pronotum often with broad transverse band of yellowish coloration extending across entire width of pronotum and onto propleurae; males and females of similar size; male paramere large and elongate, often with distal section expanded ( Figs. 38 , 45 , 52 , 59 , 67 , 74 , 81 , 89 , 103 , 114 , 122 , 129 , 137 , 143 , 150 , 158 , 165 , 176, 178 , 185 , 192 , 198 ); male proctiger with well-developed basolateral lobes ( Figs. 39 , 46 , 53 , 60 , 68 , 75 , 82 , 90 , 104 , 115 , 123 , 130 , 138 , 144 , 151 , 159 , 166 , 177, 179 , 186 , 193 , 199 ); male hind femur incrassate to varying degrees, armed with numerous teeth and spines ( Fig. 37 ); forewing with two elongate basal cells, followed by a one or two shorter distal cells, when two cells present both are of similar length but with the outer distal cell being narrower than the inner ( Fig. 10 ).................................................................................................... R. novacaledonica group

- General coloration silvery grey; anterior pronotum with only a small transversely ovate spot of orange-brown coloration immediately behind head vertex, flanked laterally by grey coloration, orange-brown coloration never extending laterally onto propleurae; sexually dimorphic in terms of size, with males usually smaller than females (except in R. riu ) (Figs. 297, 303, 310, 316, 321); male paramere small and ovate (Figs. 300, 306, 313, 319, 327); male hind femur slender or at most weakly incrassate, armature absent, or limited to a few small teeth ( Fig. 326 ); forewing with two elongate basal cells, followed by one or two much smaller and shorter distal cells of subequal size ( Fig. 14 )............................... R. caesius group

Figures

FIG 202. Rhagovelia yela, wingless female, dorsal habitus; specimen from Rossel Is., Woa River, CL 7196. Young Sohn illustration.

FIG. 15. Rhagovelia mbo, wingless female, dorsal habitus. Specimen from Rossel Island, Woa River, CL 7196. Young Sohn illustration.

FIG. 296. Rhagovelia woa n. sp., wingless female, dorsal habitus; specimen from Rossel Is., Woa River, CL 7196. Young Sohn illustration.

FIGS. 10, 11. Rhagovelia auga n. sp., wings; specimen from Mas River near Fane, Owen Stanley Mountains, New Guinea, CL 7257. 10. Forewing, showing the presence of two large distal closed cells of subequal length. 11. Hind wing.

FIG. 14. Rhagovelia cheesmanae n. sp., forewing, showing the presence of two small distal closed cells of subequal size; specimen from the Udabe River, Owen Stanley Mountains, New Guinea, CL 7247.

FIGS. 12, 13. Rhagovelia suloga n. sp., wings; specimen from Woodlark Island, CL 7217. 12. Forewing, showing the presence of two distal closed cells of unequal size, with the outer cell much shorter than the inner, and in this case the incipient development of a third cell. 13. Hind wing.

FIGS. 35–39. Rhagovelia tufi n. sp., structural details; specimens from New Guinea, Tufi area, Kofure River, CL 7304. 35. Wingless male, dorsal habitus. 36. Wingless female, dorsal habitus. 37. Male hind leg, dorsal view. 38. Male left paramere, outer lateral view. 39. Male proctiger, dorsal view.

FIGS. 41–46. Rhagovelia bowutu n. sp., structural details; specimens from New Guinea, Kamiali, Aleater River tributary, CL 7243. 41. Wingless male, dorsal habitus. 42. Wingless female, dorsal habitus. 43. Wingless male left hind femur, ventral view. 44. Wingless female left hind femur, ventral view. 45. Male left paramere, outer lateral view. 46. Male proctiger, dorsal view.

FIGS. 48–53. Rhagovelia obscura n. sp., structural details; specimens from New Guinea, Dorobisoro, Mimani River tributary, CL 7264. 48. Wingless male, dorsal habitus. 49. Wingless female, dorsal habitus. 50. Male right hind leg, posterior view. 51. Male right hind leg, dorsal view. 52. Male left paramere, outer lateral view. 53. Male proctiger, dorsal view.

FIGS. 55–60. Rhagovelia upalai n. sp., structural details; specimens from New Guinea, Alotau, Upalai River, CL 7163. 55. Wingless male, dorsal habitus. 56. Wingless female, dorsal habitus. 57. Male right hind leg, posterior view. 58. Male right hind leg, dorsal view. 59. Male left paramere, outer lateral view. 60. Male proctiger, dorsal view.

FIGS. 63–68. Rhagovelia antap n. sp., structural details; specimens from New Guinea, Cloudy Mountains, CL 7175. 63. Wingless male, dorsal habitus. 64. Wingless female, dorsal habitus. 65. Male right hind leg, posterior view. 66. Male right hind leg, dorsal view. 67. Male left paramere, outer lateral view. 68. Male proctiger, dorsal view.

FIGS. 70–75. Rhagovelia udabe n. sp., structural details; specimens from New Guinea, Woitape, CL 7252. 70. Wingless male, dorsal habitus. 71. Wingless female, dorsal habitus. 72. Male right hind leg, posterior view. 73. Male right hind leg, dorsal view. 74. Male left paramere, outer lateral view. 75. Male proctiger, dorsal view.

FIGS. 77–82. Rhagovelia goilala n. sp., structural details; specimens from New Guinea, Fane, CL 7256. 77. Wingless male, dorsal habitus. 78. Wingless female, dorsal habitus. 79. Male right hind leg, posterior view. 80. Male right hind leg, dorsal view. 81. Male left paramere, outer lateral view. 82. Male proctiger, dorsal view.

FIGS. 85–90. Rhagovelia watuti n. sp., structural details; specimens from New Guinea, Cloudy Mountains, CL 7175. 85. Wingless male, dorsal habitus. 86. Wingless female, dorsal habitus. 87. Male right hind leg, posterior view. 88. Male right hind leg, dorsal view. 89. Male left paramere, outer lateral view. 90. Male proctiger, dorsal view.

FIGS. 99–104. Rhagovelia kalawai n. sp., structural details; specimens from Sideia and Basilaki islands. 99. Wingless male, dorsal habitus, Basilaki Island, CL 7294. 100. Wingless female, dorsal habitus, Sideia Island, CL 7287. 101. Male right hind leg, posterior view. 102. Male right hind leg, dorsal view. 103. Male left paramere, outer lateral view. 104. Male proctiger, dorsal view; 101–104 all from Basilaki Island, CL 7294.

FIGS. 106–109. Rhagovelia dibuwa n. sp., dorsal habitus photos, specimens from Normanby Island. 106. Wingless male, dark form, dorsal habitus. 107. Wingless female, dark form, dorsal habitus; 108. Winged male, dark form, dorsal habitus; 106–108 all from Bunama, Apatabuia River, CL 7228. 109. Wingless female, orange-brown form, dorsal habitus, specimen from Dibuwa River, CL 7230.

FIGS. 118–123. Rhagovelia awaetowa n. sp., structural details; specimens from Fergusson Island. 118. Wingless male, dorsal habitus. 119. Wingless female, dorsal habitus. 120. Male right hind leg, posterior view. 121. Male right hind leg, dorsal view; 118–121 from upper Awaetowa River, CL 7225. 122. Male left paramere, outer lateral view. 123. Male proctiger, dorsal view; 122 and 123 from lower Awaetowa River, CL 7183.

FIGS. 125–130. Rhagovelia torrenticola n. sp., structural details; specimens from Goodenough Island. 125. Wingless male, dorsal habitus, specimen from Yalaauau, CL 7186. 126. Wingless female, dorsal habitus, specimen from Tuabeda River at Kalauna, CL 7184. 127. Male right hind leg, posterior view. 128. Male right hind leg, dorsal view; 127 and 128 from Yalaauau, CL 7186. 129. Male left paramere, outer lateral view. 130. Male proctiger, dorsal view; 129 and 130 from Tuabeda River at Kalauna, CL 7184.

FIGS. 133–138. Rhagovelia auga n. sp., structural details; specimens from New Guinea, Owen Stanley Range. 133. Wingless male, dorsal habitus; specimen from Udabe River, CL 7247. 134. Wingless female, dorsal habitus; specimen from Hane River, CL 7253. 135. Male right hind leg, posterior view. 136. Male right hind leg, dorsal view; 135 and 136 from Mas River, CL 7257. 137. Male left paramere, outer lateral view. 138. Male proctiger, dorsal view; 137 and 138 from Udabe River, CL 7247.

FIGS. 140–144. Rhagovelia peggiae Kirkaldy, structural details; specimens from Dorobisoro, Papua New Guinea. 140. Wingless male, dorsal habitus. 141. Wingless female, dorsal habitus 127. Male right hind leg, posterior view. 128. Male left hind leg, ventral view; 140–142 from tributary to Mimani River, CL 7262. 143. Male left paramere, outer lateral view. 144. Male proctiger, dorsal view; 143–144 from tributary to Mimani River, CL 7263.

FIGS. 146–151. Rhagovelia hirsuta Lansbury, structural details; specimens from New Guinea, Morobe Prov., Kamiali, CL 7241. 146. Wingless male, dorsal habitus. 147. Wingless female, dorsal habitus. 148. Male right hind leg, posterior view. 149. Male right hind leg, dorsal view. 150. Male left paramere, outer lateral view. 151. Male proctiger, dorsal view.

FIGS. 154–159. Rhagovelia kolukolu n. sp., structural details; specimens from Tagula Is., Kolukolu Creek, CL 7194. 154. Wingless male, dorsal habitus. 155. Wingless female, dorsal habitus. 156. Male right hind leg, posterior view. 157. Male right hind leg, dorsal view. 158. Male left paramere, outer lateral view. 159. Male proctiger, dorsal view.

FIGS. 161–166. Rhagovelia mbo n. sp., structural details; specimens from Rossel Is., Woa River, CL 7196. 161. Wingless male, dorsal habitus. 162. Wingless female, dorsal habitus. 163. Male right hind leg, posterior view. 164. Male right hind leg, dorsal view. 165. Male left paramere, outer lateral view. 166. Male proctiger, dorsal view.

FIGS. 169–172. Rhagovelia aviavi n. sp., dorsal habitus photos, specimens from New Guinea, Lakekamu River basin, Gulf Prov., Papua New Guinea. 169. Wingless male; specimen from Sapoi River tributary, CL 7148. 170. Wingless female; specimen from Ivimka Creek, CL 7149. 171. Wingless male; upland variant; specimen from Wampupayo River, CL 7153. 170. Wingless female; upland variant; specimen from Wampupayo River, CL 7153.

FIGS. 181–186. Rhagovelia tekadu n. sp., structural details; specimens from New Guinea, Lakekamu River basin, Papua New Guinea. 181. Wingless male, dorsal habitus; specimen from Sapoi River tributary, CL 7148. 182. Wingless female, dorsal habitus. 183. Male right hind leg, posterior view. 184. Male right hind leg, dorsal view. 185. Male left paramere, outer lateral view. 186. Male proctiger, dorsal view; 182–186 from streamlets at Tekadu, CL 7157a.

FIGS. 188–193. Rhagovelia sapoi n. sp., structural details; specimens from New Guinea, Sapoi River tributary, CL 7148. 188. Wingless male, dorsal habitus. 189. Wingless female, dorsal habitus. 190. Male right hind leg, posterior view. 191. Male right hind leg, dorsal view. 192. Male left paramere, outer lateral view. 193. Male proctiger, dorsal view.

FIGS. 194–199. Rhagovelia mimani n. sp., structural details; specimensfrom New Guinea, Mimani River basin, nearDorobisoro. 194. Wingless male, dorsal habitus; specimen from Mimani River tributary, CL 7262. 195. Wingless female, dorsal habitus. 196. Male right hind leg, posterior view. 197. Male right hind leg, dorsal view; 195–197 from Mimani River tributary, CL 7263. 198. Male left paramere, outer lateral view. 199. Male proctiger, dorsal view; 198 and 199 from Mimani River tributary, CL 7259.

FIGS. 110–115. Rhagovelia dibuwa n. sp., structural details; specimens from Normanby Island. 110. Male right hind leg, weakly developed individual, posterior view. 111. Male right hind leg, weakly developed individual, dorsal view. 112. Male right hind leg, strongly developed individual, posterior view. 113. Male right hind leg, strongly developed individual, dorsal view; 110–113 from Dibuwa River, CL 7230. 114. Male left paramere, outer lateral view. 115 Male proctiger, dorsal view; 114 and 115 from Bunama, Apatabuia River, CL 7228.

FIGS. 173–179. Rhagovelia aviavi n. sp., structural details; specimens from New Guinea, Lakekamu River basin, Gulf Prov., Papua New Guinea. 173. Male ventral terminal abdomen. 174. Male right hind leg, posterior view. 175. Male right hind leg, dorsal view. 176. Male left paramere, outer lateral view. 177. Male proctiger, dorsal view; 173–177 from Sapoi River tributary, CL 7148. 178. Male left paramere, outer lateral view. 179. Male proctiger, dorsal view; 178 and 179 from Wampupayo River, CL 7153.

FIGS. 325–328. Rhagovelia cheesmanae n. sp., structural details; specimens from New Guinea, Udabe River, CL 7247. 325. Male left foreleg, dorsal view, showing bowed shape to facilitate phoresy. 326. Male left hind leg, dorsal view. 327. Male left paramere, outer lateral view. 328. Male proctiger, dorsal view.