Monardia (Xylopriona) abbreviata, Jaschhof & Jaschhof, 2020

Jaschhof, Mathias & Jaschhof, Catrin, 2020, An update of Micromyinae (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) taxonomy, with descriptions of a new genus and 13 new species from Northern Europe, Zootaxa 4750 (3), pp. 349-369 : 358-360

Monardia (Xylopriona) abbreviata sp. nov.

Figs 15–16

Diagnosis. Monardia (X.) abbreviata resembles M. (X.) unguifera Berest & Mamaev in possessing a 4-segmented palpus (other species described of the toxicodendri group have 3-segmented palpi, but see the remark below). Differences between these two species are as follows. The aedeagal apodeme of M. (X.) abbreviata consists of a strongly sclerotized, rodlike portion basally and a broader, vaguely contoured portion apically, both equally long ( Fig. 16 , ↓ 1); in M. (X.) unguifera the rod is markedly longer than the broadened, sharply contoured apex ( Jaschhof & Jaschhof 2009: fig. 71B). In both species the tegmen has a broadly rounded apical portion, which in M. (X.) abbreviata is considerably longer (↓ 2) compared with M. (X.) unguifera . Finally, the ventral gonocoxal emargination is V-shaped in M. (X.) abbreviata (↓ 3) as opposed to U-shaped in M. (X.) unguifera ( Jaschhof & Jaschhof 2009: fig. 71A). Females and larvae of M. (X.) abbreviata are unknown.

Other male characters. Body size 1.1–1.2 mm. Head. Postfrons setose. Eye bridge 2–3 ommatidia long dorsally. 9 postocular bristles. Fourth flagellomere with neck and node equally long; node with 1 complete and 2 incomplete crenulate whorls of sensory hairs, 2 roundish, leaf-shaped translucent sensilla distally ( Fig. 15 ). Palpus shorter than head height. Thorax. Pronotum setose. Wing. R 1 2.5–3.0 times as long as Rs. Legs. Claws toothless. Empodia nearly as long as claws. Genitalia ( Fig. 16 ). Ninth tergite almost interrupted medially, inside with two short, pigmented (sclerotized?) lappets (which in M. (X.) unguifera are much larger, see Jaschhof & Jaschhof 2009: fig. 71C). Gonocoxal synsclerite broader than long; a non-setose, membranous triangle medially below the emargination does not reach to the ventroanterior gonocoxal edge; dorsal bridge with slightly sinuous anterior edge. Gonostylus in ventral view about as long as broad; apical tooth gently bent, slightly shorter than gonostylar body. Tegmen with rounded rather than sharply angular shoulders.

Etymology. The Latin adjective abbreviata means abbreviated, referring to the short aedeagal apodeme found in this species.

Type material. Holotype. Male, Sweden, Gotland, Roleks, pine forest grazed by cattle, 8–18 July 2003, Malaise trap, Swedish Malaise Trap Project (trap 28, collecting event 488) (spn. CEC 2776 in NHRS) . Paratype. 1 male, Sweden, Uppland, Knivsta, Rickebasta NR, alder swamp forest, 11 July–7 August 2004, MT, SMTP (trap 9, collecting event 867) (spn. CEC 2777 in SDEI) .

Remark. We know of two unnamed species of the toxicodendri group in southern Sweden, whose tegminal outline is generally similar to that found in M. (X.) abbreviata and M. (X.) unguifera ; one of these species has a foursegmented, the other a three-segmented palpus. This shows that there is no correlation between apically rounded tegmina and four-segmented palpi. Then again, all unnamed species currently subsumed under M. (X.) toxicodendri have subtriangular, apically pointed tegmina and three-segmented palpi.

Figures

FIGURES 15–18. Male morphology of Monardia (Xylopriona) abbreviata (15–16) and Monardia (Xyl.) obscura (17–18), holotypes. 15: Fourth flagellomere, lateral. 16: Genitalia, ventral. 17: Genitalia, ventral. 18: Fourth flagellomere, lateral. Scales 0.05 mm. Arrows refer to characters described in the diagnoses.