Sclerocoelus regularis ( Malloch, 1914 )

Kuwahara, Gregory K., Marshall, Stephen A. & Paiero, Steven M., 2025, A revision of the genus Sclerocoelus Marshall (Diptera: Sphaeroceridae), European Journal of Taxonomy 979, pp. 1-277 : 101-104

Sclerocoelus regularis ( Malloch, 1914)

Figs 9B , 125–127

Leptocera (Limosina) regularis Malloch, 1914: 19 .

Leptocera (Limosina) regularis – Richards 1967: 15.

Leptocera (Scotophilella) regularis – Spuler 1925: 151.

Sclerocoelus regularis – Marshall 1995: 284. — Roháček et al. 2001: 249.

Type material

Holotype (examined by SAM in 1989)

COSTA RICA • ♂; Cartago, Juan Viñas ; 760 m a.s.l.; 3 May 1910; P. Calvert leg.; forest edge, near brook; ANSP .

Paratypes (examined by SAM in 1989)

COSTA RICA – Alajuela • 1 ♀; Alajuela ; 945 m a.s.l.; 9 Sep. 1909; P. Calvert leg.; ANSP • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; 15 Sep. 1909; ANSP . – Cartago • 1 ♀; Cartago ; 1450 m a.s.l.; 19 Feb. 1910; P. Calvert leg.; ANSP • 1 ♂, 2 ♀; Juan Viñas ; 760 m a.sl.; 1–2 May 1910; P. Calvert leg.; forest brook; ANSP . – Guanacaste • 1 ♂; Filadelfia ; 15–21 m a.s.l.; 18 Jan. 1910; P. Calvert leg.; sand/small stone beach by river side; ANSP .

Material examined

BELIZE – Cayo • 3 ♂♂; San Ignacio, Maya Mountain Lodge; 7 Jan. 1991; S.A. Marshall leg.; sweep; DEBU • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; 19 Jan. 1991; sweep trail, morning; DEBU • 2 ♂♂; trail to Xunantunich ; 18 Jan. 1991; S.A. Marshall leg.; DEBU

COSTA RICA – Alajuela • 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀; Río Peñas Blancas ; 700 m a.s.l.; 18 Jul. 1986; L. Masner leg.; DEBU • 1 ♀; Volcán Tenorio, Bijagua Biological Station ; 700 m a.s.l.; 20 Jun. 2000; M. Buck leg.; cut wet field, pan traps; DEBU • 91 ♂♂, 43 ♀♀; same data as for preceding; 16 Jun. 2000; sweeping decayed vegetation; DEBU • 1 ♂; Volcán Tenorio, N slope near Bijagua Biological Station ; 700 m a.s.l.; 18 Jun. 2000; S.A. Marshall leg.; sweep over Atta mound; DEBU • 1 ♂; Volcán Tenorio , N slope, trail to laguna; 1000 m a.s.l.; 18 Jun. 2000; S.A. Marshall leg.; sweeping; DEBU . – Cartago • 9 ♂♂, 5 ♀♀; Highway 2, km 67; 6 Aug. 1995; S.A. Marshall leg.; roadside; DEBU • 1 ♂; Nov. 1953; N.L.H. Krauss leg.; USNM • 1 ♂; La Suiza de Turrialba; Aug. ; P. Schild leg.; (“S cotophilella rectangularis Mal. det Spuler ”); USNM • 1 ♂; Río Grande de Orosí, near Tapantí National Park ; 1100–1150 m a.s.l.; 10–11 Oct. 1999; Marshall and Buck leg.; bromeliads, leaf pile, sweeping and pans; DEBU • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; 9 Oct. 1999; floodplain and forest; DEBU • 1 ♂; Tapantí National Park ; 1650–1750 m a.s.l.; 7 Oct. 1999; S.A. Marshall leg.; sweep trail; DEBU • 2 ♂♂; Tapantí National Park, above Ranger Station ; 1250 m a.s.l.; 12 Oct. 1999; S.A. Marshall leg.; sweep trail/road; DEBU • 4 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀; Tapantí National Park , near west entrance, trail to hydro tower/creek; 1150 m a.s.l.; 11 Oct. 1999; Marshall and Buck leg.; sweep; DEBU • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; Tapantí National Park , outside near west entrance; 1150 m a.s.l.; 8–9 Oct. 1999; Marshall and Buck leg.; sweep trail; DEBU • 2 ♂♂; Turrialba, Catie ; 500 m a.s.l.; 4 Sep. 1986; L. Masner leg.; CNCI . – Guanacaste • 1 ♀; Area de Conservacion Guanacaste, Pailas Dos ; 10°45′46.8″ N, 85°20′02.4″ W; 831 m a.s.l.; 11 Oct. 2018; D. Janzen and W. Hallwachs leg.; moist lowland forest, Malaise trap; BIOUG60977 -F02/ PLFDV252-20 sequenced for CO1-5’; BIOUG • 1 ♂; Guanacaste National Park, Cacao Field Station ; 20 Feb. 1996; S.A. Marshall leg.; DEBU • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; Guanacaste National Park, Estación Cacao ; 1100–1200 m a.s.l.; 15 Feb. 1996; S.A. Marshall leg.; DEBU • 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀; same data as for preceding; 1200–1400 m a.s.l.; 20 Feb. 1996; DEBU • 1 ♂; Guanacaste National Park, Estación Cacao, SW side of Volcán Cacao ; 1000–1400 m a.s.l.; Sep.–Dec. 1989; R. Blanco and C. Chavez leg.; MNCR • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; 800–1600 m a.s.l.; 4 Aug. 1993, M.A. Zumbado leg.; MNCR • 1 ♀; Guanacaste National Park, Estación Maritza ; 600 m a.s.l.; 13 Feb. 1996; S.A. Marshall leg.; DEBU • 7 ♂♂; Guanacaste National Park, Estación Mengo, SW side of Volcán Cacao ; 10°55′43″ N, 85°28′10″ W; 1100 m a.s.l.; Feb. 1989; GNP Biodiversity Survey leg.; MNCR • 3 ♀♀; Guanacaste National Park, Estación Pitilla , 9 km S of Santa Cecelia; 700 m a.s.l.; 14 Feb. 1996; S.A. Marshall leg.; DEBU • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; 18 Apr.–19 May 1993, P. Ríos leg.; MNCR • 1 ♂, 3 ♀♀; same data as for preceding; 21 Feb. 1996, S.A. Marshall leg.; DEBU • 3 ♂♂, 1 ♀; Guanacaste National Park, road to Cacao Field Station ; 750 m a.s.l.; 12 Feb. 1996; S.A. Marshall leg.; near stream, sweep, DEBU . – Heredia • 1 ♂, 6 ♀♀; Braulio Carrillo National Park ; 10°10′ N, 84°07′ W; 500 m a.s.l.; 10 Apr. 1985; H. Goulet and L. Masner leg.; CNCI • 1 ♂; Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí, La Selva Biological Station ; 22–25 Apr. 1989; B. Brown and D. Feener leg.; SHo+SOR second growth, Malaise trap; LACM • 5 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀; Santa Domingo, INBio Park ; 9°58′23″ N, 84°05′30″ W; 6–7 Mar. 1996; L. Masner leg.; urban, yellow pans; DEBU . – Limón • 1 ♀; Estrella Valley, Pandora ; 20 Feb. 1984; H. Howden leg.; flight-intercept trap; DEBU . – Puntarenas • 1 ♂, 3 ♀♀; 2000 m a.s.l.; 12 Jul. 1995; S.A. Marshall leg.; DEBU • 1 ♀; Las Alturas Biological Station ; 8°57′ N, 82°58′ W; 1500–1700 m a.s.l.; 12–14 Aug. 1995; S.A. Marshall leg.; DEBU • 1 ♂; Las Alturas ; 1500 m a.s.l.; 12 Aug. 1995; S.A. Marshall leg.; forest-pasture margin, sweep; DEBU • 1 ♀; Monteverde Reserve ; 1500 m a.s.l.; 15–20 Aug. 1986; L. Masner leg.; DEBU • 1 ♀; Monteverde ; 1500 m a.s.l.; 29 Feb. 1980; W. R. Mason leg.; cloud forest, CNCI • 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀; Monteverde, San Luis Ecolodge, Espajito trail; 1–24 Mar. 2007; P.D. Careless leg.; Malaise trap; DEBU • 2 ♂♂; Osa Peninsula, Corcovado National Park, San Pedrillo ; 8°37′00″ N, 83°44′06″ W; 13 Aug. 2001; K.N. Barber leg.; DEBU • 1 ♂; Peñas Blancas, E Monteverde Reserve ; 10°18′ N, 84°49′ W; 900 m a.s.l.; 25 May 1987; A. Norrbom leg.; on rotten banana plants; DEBU . – San José • 1 ♂, 4 ♀♀; “ V:15.VII”; H. Schmidt leg.; USNM • 1 ♂; “ V:16.VII”; H. Schmidt leg.; USNM • 1 ♂; San Antonio de Escazú ; 1300 m a.s.l.; 4–5 Mar. 1996; L. Masner leg.; creek bed, yellow pans; DEBU • 1 ♂; San Carlos , La Virgen; 9°34′50″ N, 84°07′51″ W; 821 m a.s.l.; 24 Feb. 2006; S.A. Marshall leg.; 2° forest, sweep; DEBU • 3 ♂♂, 1 ♀; San Carlos, Riosparaiso Reserve, Pecarí Station , 16 km NNE of Quepos; 13–15 Apr. 2006; S.A. Marshall leg.; DEBU • 1 ♂; Zurquí de Moravia ; 1600 m a.s.l.; 30 May 1998; S.A. Marshall leg.; DEBU • 1 ♀; Zurquí de Moravia ; 1600 m a.s.l.; Mar. 1981; P. Hanson leg.; MNCR .

EL SALVADOR – San Salvador • 5 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀; Los Chorros; 20 Jun. 1963; D.Q. Cavagnaro and M.E. Irwin leg.; CAS .

GUATEMALA – Izabal • 1 ♂; Las Escobas; 15 Jul. 1986; L. LeSage leg.; rainforest, sweeping; CNCI .

HONDURAS – El Paraíso • 1 ♂; Cerro Montserrat ; 1800 m a.s.l.; 24 May 1994; H. Howden leg.; Malaise trap; DEBU .

PANAMA – Chiriquí • 4 ♂; Las Lagunas , 4.5 km SW of Hato del Volcán; 2550 m a.s.l.; 1–8 Jun. 1977; S. and J. Peck leg.; sweeps; DEBU

TRINIDAD – Saint George • 1 ♂; Curepe ; 10°38′ N, 61°24′ W; 17 Dec. 1978; F.D. Bennett leg.; Malaise trap; DEBU

VENEZUELA – Aragua • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; El Limón, Pozo del Diablo ; 570 m a.s.l.; 13 Apr. 1994; L. Masner leg.; DEBU • 1 ♂; Henri Pittier National Park , La Trilla; 200 m a.s.l.; 11 Apr. 1994; L. Masner leg.; CNCI • 1 ♀; Henri Pittier National Park, Portachuelo Pass, Rancho Grande ; 10 Apr. 1994; L. Masner leg.; CNCI • 1 ♀; Maracay, Rancho Grande Biological Station ; 8 Mar. 1995; S.A. Marshall leg.; sweep near station; DEBU • 1 ♂; Rancho Grande ; 26 Feb. 1989; D.A. Grimaldi leg.; AMNH . – Bolívar • 1 ♂; Grande Sabana ; 27 Dec. 1987; M. Sanborne leg.; Malaise edge; DEBU • 3 ♀♀; 26 km N of Guasipati ; 24 Jun.–12 Jul. 1987; S. and J. Peck leg.; sandy seasonally humid forest, flight-intercept trap; DEBU • 1 ♂; Rancho Grande , 12–30 Dec. 1987; M. Sanborne leg.; Malaise-intercept; DEBU . – Carabobo • 1 ♂; Palmichal ; 1000 m a.s.l.; 21 Aug. 1992; L. Masner leg.; DEBU . – Lara • 1 ♂; Yacambú ; 1200 m a.s.l.; 10 May 1981; H. Townes leg.; CNCI • 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; 7 May 1981; cloud forest; CNCI . – Mérida • 1 ♂; 20 km S of Azulita ; 2 Apr. 1988; A. T. Finnamore leg.; cloud forest, sweep; DEBU • 41 ♂♂, 26 ♀♀; La Punta, Rio Chama ; 25 Apr. 1988; S.A. Marshall leg.; sweep; DEBU • 5 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀; Mérida “Fac.” Forest ; 1800 m a.s.l.; 11 May 1981; L. Masner leg.; old coffee plantation; DEBU . – Trujillo • 5 ♂♂, 10 ♀♀; Guaramacal National Park , 14 km NE of Boconó; 2000 m a.s.l.; 25 Aug.–1 Sep. 1992; L. Masner leg.; DEBU • 5 ♂♂; Mosquey near Boconó ; 1500 m a.s.l.; 24 Aug. 1992; L. Masner leg.; coffee plantation, maxinet; DEBU .

Redescription

BODY ( Fig. 125A ). Length 1.8–2.9 mm. Head brown, lower half of frons, face, and antennae orange; gena orange-brown. Frontal width 2.4–2.5 × frontal height. Three pairs of strong interfrontal bristles surmounting a very fine fourth pair; anterior orbital 0.6–0.7 × length of posterior. Palpus yellow. Eye large, greatest height about 3.5 × shortest genal height. Thorax brown, scutum with paler lateral edges. Two pairs of dorsocentral bristles (anterior pair distinct, 0.4× length of posterior pair) separated by 8–9 rows of acrostichal setulae. Membrane around prosternum bare. Legs yellow, hind femur slightly darker. Fore femur with three large ventral preapical setae. Ventral surface of male mid tibia with two rows of stout setae in apical quarter. Wing ( Fig. 9B ) hyaline. CS2 0.7–0.8 × CS3. Halter pale brown.

MALE ABDOMEN ( Figs 125B–C , 126 ). S5 rectangular, 1.1× as long as S4, posterolaterally long setose with a very large desclerotized medial area (extending almost to anterior edge), a large, dark, rectangular, medial patch of very dense setulae, and a large, dark, anvil-shaped posteromedial sclerite.Anterior flange of S6+7 1.5× as long as wide; S6+7 completely separated from completely from S8. Sclerite A small, lightly sclerotized; sclerite B reduced and very narrow; sclerite C absent; sclerite D well sclerotized and L-shaped; sclerite E small, fitting into a depression in distal half of large sclerite F; sclerite G small, about as large as ring sclerite; ring sclerite well sclerotized with a small mesial flange. Epandrium large, 0.7× length of S8, height 1.3× maximum length and 0.7 × maximum width, uniformly long-setose; perianal pads weakly developed but densely setulose. Pseudocercus very small, bearing only a single seta; halves of subepandrial sclerite short and stout, swollen where they contact subcercus and very weakly fused medially. Subcercus large and shield-like with small lobes articulating with surstylus and epandrium. Hypandrium with long, slightly sinuate anteromedial apodeme. Surstylus very large and broad, twice as long as deep, concave, setae largely restricted to around apex (i.e., lateral surface with only a few isolated setae) with a pointed anterobasal lobe and a deep emargination about halfway down an inner anterior ridge. Postgonite relatively short, angulate, concave ventrally, apex swollen with prominent ridges. Phallapodeme large, gradually broadened towards apex; basiphallus expanded posterodorsally with a pointed central lobe and a pair of rounded, downturned lateral lobes; distiphallus largely reduced with a broad dorsal sclerite and a narrow, U-shaped ventral sclerite.

FEMALE ABDOMEN ( Fig. 127 ). T7 broad, posteromedially shortened; T8 divided into a small, pale dorsal sclerite and two dark lateral sclerites with angulate posteroventral corner. Epiproct small, pale, and posteromedially setulose. Cercus narrow and elongate with a large apical seta and a moderate preapical seta. S7 broad, rounded posteriorly with six large posterior setae; S8 reduced to two dark, ovoid lateral sclerites. Three spermathecae present, single one larger than paired ones, bulb bean-shaped and smooth with a slight basal invagination.

Distribution

Costa Rica, El Salvador *, Guatemala *, Honduras *, Panama *, Trinidad *, Venezuela *.

Remarks

Sclerocoelus regularis resembles S. dominicensis sp. nov., S. irregularis sp. nov., and S. pararegularis sp. nov., from which it differs in having a largely bare surstylus and a notched inner ridge on the surstylus; females of these species appear to be indistinguishable on the basis of morphology.

Figures

Fig. 9. Sclerocoelus Marshall, 1995, left wings, ventral view. A. Sclerocoelus recurvatus sp. nov. B. Sclerocoelus regularis (Malloch, 1914). C. Sclerocoelus riparius sp. nov. D. Sclerocoelus synorios sp. nov. E. Sclerocoelus tantus sp. nov. F. Sclerocoelus tridens sp. nov. G. Sclerocoelus turpis sp. nov. H. Sclerocoelus vulgatus sp. nov. I. Sclerocoelus xynos sp. nov. Scale bars: A–H=0.5 mm.

Fig. 125. Sclerocoelus regularis (Malloch, 1914). A. Male habitus, lateral view. B. Male terminalia, posterior view. C. Male terminalia, lateral view. Abbreviations: epa= epandrium; pc=pseudocercus; sc =subcercus; se =subepandrial sclerite; ss =surstylus. Scale bars: A=1.0 mm; B–C = 0.25 mm.

Fig. 126. Sclerocoelus regularis (Malloch, 1914). A. Aedeagus and associated structures, lateral view. B. Male S5 and genital pouch, ventral view. C. Subcercal complex, posterior view. D. Left surstylus, posterior view. Abbreviations: bp =basiphallus; dp =distiphallus; hyp =hypandrium; pg =postgonite; ph =phallapodeme; sc =subcercus; se =subepandrial sclerite; ss =surstylus. Scale bars: A=0.13 mm; B–C = 0.25 mm; D =0.10 mm.

Fig. 127. Sclerocoelus regularis (Malloch, 1914). A. Female terminalia, dorsal view. B. Female terminalia, ventral view. C. Female terminalia, lateral view. D. Spermatheca. Scale bars:A–C =0.25 mm; D =0.03 mm.