Amiota amputata, sp. nov.

Figures 51A–B, 53A, 54, 60D, 91A

DIAGNOSIS: Large fly (ThL 1.51–1.71 mm), dark brown, legs yellow; outer paraphysis laterally flattened, with hook on distal end, 2 short, blunt spines along middle portion of dorsal margin, base minutely serrate; inner paraphysis lost.

DESCRIPTION: Large fly (ThL 1.51–1.71 mm), dark brown, legs yellow. Frons light brown on ventral half, dorsal half of head darker. Facial marking large (FML/FMW 0.29–0.38). Cheek deep (EL/CW 7–13.66), posterior milky white. Marking under wing base prominent, large, milky white, margins clearly defined. Haltere yellow. Tergites 1 and 2 lightly colored. Arista: Short, plumose; longest branches D1 and D2; A.R. 0.28; 3 long dorsal, 2 short ventral branches; branch D3 pointed mediad; arista trunk with short-medium length microtrichia along most of its length. Male genitalia: Epandrium separated at midline with a large gap, margins distinct from surrounding membrane; long lobe ventrally, densely haired, single line of setae ascending dorsally; anterolateral projection small, oriented anteriorly. Cercus semicircular, margins entirely distinct from surrounding membrane. Surstylus approximately rectangular, ventral half covered in scattered setulae; 12 short, peglike prensisetae, apices blunt; small fingerlike lateral lobe, not extending beyond prensisetae. Subepandrial sclerite C-shaped in lateral view, with appendage heart shaped in posterior view, invaginated medially. Outer paraphysis laterally flattened with hook on distal end; 2 short, blunt spines along middle portion in lateral view; small proximal “wing” at base, minutely serrate. Inner paraphysis lost. Aedeagal apodeme as wide as long; curved 90° in lateral view, curved segment forming deep pockets; distal end slightly flared with a deep central emargination. Hypandrium thin, apex with gap; triangular in anterior, accommodating paraphysis; lateral arm with prominent gonopod, triangular, ventrally pointed. Ejaculatory apodeme long, 0.8× length of epandrium. Head and thorax measurements: (n = 5; Am 4, 457, 753, 1483,×1504) FL/FW 0.73 (0.66–0.81), EL/EW 1.30 (1.21–1.43), EL/CW 9.34 (7–13.66), FML/FMW 0.34 (0.29–0.38), PR / RR 0.60 (0.46–0.77), ThL 1.63 (1.51–1.71 mm).

TYPE MATERIAL: Holotype: male: Oak Cr. Canyon, Ariz., [34.912694, -111.726958], VII-9- 41, R.H. Beamer, Am 457, [glued to paper point, dissected]. Deposited in the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH). Paratypes: 14 mi. SW. El Salto, Dgo. [Durango] MEX, [23.786449, -105.597725], 8000′, June “26” 1964, J.F. McAlpine, 4♂ (Am 1448*, 1482*, 1483*, 1556*, CNC)

OTHER MATERIAL EXAMINED: Mexico: Chiapas: 5 mi NE San Cristobal, 1969-05-21, leg. B. V. Peterson, 1♂ (Am 1504*, CNC) ; 5 mi. W San Cristobal, 7500′, 1969-05-06, leg. H.J. Teskey, 1♂ (Am 1427*, CNC) . Durango: 24 mi W La Ciudad, 7000′, 1964-07-11, leg. J.F. McAlpine, 1♂ (Am 1553*, CNC) . Puebla: 9 mi SE Huachinango, 1952-06, leg. M. Wasserman and W.B. Heed, 2260.13, 1♂ (Am 4*, AMNH) . USA: Arizona: Cochise Co., Ramsay Canyon, Mile High Trail. Near Sierra Vista, 1984-07-24, leg. L.B. Carlson, sweep, 1♂ (Am 753*, DEBU) ; Oak Creek Canyon, 1941-07-09, leg. R. H. Beamer, 1♂ (Am 457*, SEMC) .

ETYMOLOGY: From the Latin amputata, feminine past participle, for “pruned” or “amputated,” in reference to the stublike nature of the prongs on the outer paraphyses, which are much longer in other closely related species.

DISTRIBUTION: This species has a large distribution from Chiapas State in Mexico north through central Arizona.

COMMENTS: The paratype described in Máca (2003) as an “aberrant individual” from the type series of A. nebojsa Máca belongs is Amiota amputata . See Comments under that species.