taxonID	type	description	language	source
A37987E32B40003895EAFEBDFA04625F.taxon	description	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.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B46002795EAFC91FA056601.taxon	description	This species group was originally proposed by J. Polhemus & D. Polhemus (1988) to hold R. novacaledonica Lundblad from New Caledonia and R. biroi Lundblad from eastern New Guinea, with several other species from New Caledonia and the southern Philippines provisionally assigned. Based on a subsequent comparative analysis of male paramere morphology, Zettel (1994) and D. Polhemus (1995) formally proposed the placement of the following additional species in this group: R. pidaxa J. Polhemus & Herring from New Caledonia; R. werneri Hungerford & Matsuda and R. hoogstraali Hungerford & Matsuda from Mindanao; and R. thysanotos Lansbury, R. crinita Lansbury, R. aureospicata Lansbury and R. herzogensis Lansbury from New Guinea. Subsequently, D. Polhemus & J. Polhemus (2011) added another species, R. batantana, from the Raja Ampat Islands, and also provisionally assigned another new species from this archipelago, R. rajana from Batanta Island, to the group. The R. novacaledonica group is characterized by the short pronotum in wingless forms that leaves the posterior and lateral portions of the mesonotum well exposed (Figs. 15, 35, 41, 42, 48,49, 55, 56, 63, 64, 70, 71, 77, 78, 85, 86, 99, 100, 106, 107, 109, 118, 119, 125, 126, 133, 134, 140, 141, 146, 147, 154, 155, 161, 162, 169, 170, 171, 172, 181, 182, 189, 190, 194, 195); the large, elongate male paramere with setiferation on the basal half ventrally, and the distal section often expanded and usually forming a vertical flange apically (Figs. 38, 45, 52, 59, 67, 74, 81, 89, 103, 114, 122, 129, 137, 143, 150, 158, 165, 176, 178, 185, 192, 198); the male proctiger with prominent basolateral lobes, the distolateral lobes being only incipiently developed or absent, and a large, tapering distal cone with an angular apex (Figs. 39, 46, 53, 60, 68, 75, 82, 90, 104, 115, 123, 130, 138, 144, 151, 159, 166, 177, 179, 186, 193, 199); paired dorsal abdominal carinae in winged forms that are short, reaching at most onto abdominal tergite II; and the forewing with four closed cells, the two posterior cells having apices extending into the distal third of the wing (Fig. 10). As currently interpreted, the R. novacaledonica group occupies an elongate geographic range along the western margin of the Pacific Plate, from New Caledonia northwestward through New Guinea to the southern Philippines (D. Polhemus 1995). Based on species described at the time of their work, J. Polhemus & D. Polhemus (1988) stated that “ The few members of the novacaledonica group in New Guinea are presently known only from the north coast ranges and the Papuan Peninsula … By contrast, the papuensis group and other species groups derived from it have radiated extensively in the younger and more rugged central ranges … ” This interpretation has proven incorrect on several levels. First, based current knowledge derived from far more extensive collections over the intervening 30 years, the majority of the rich Rhagovelia fauna occurring on New Guinea and adjacent islands at elevations above 500 m is composed of members of the R. novacaledonica group, which is the most speciose group on the island. Second, the accreted terranes of the New Guinea central ranges are latest Cretaceous to Eocene in age, and thus significantly older than the Oligocene to Miocene terranes of the northern coastal ranges (D. Polhemus 2007). In the EPCT, members of the R. novacaledonica group are typical inhabitats of shaded, rocky upland streams (Figs. 40, 47, 54, 61, 83, 98, 105, 116, 117, 124, 131, 139, 145, 160, 167, 180, 187, 200, 226, 233, 239, 265, 273, 280, 289, 302, 308, 329). Many species seem to be restricted to small first-order and second-order tributaries in catchment headwaters, with some species being found only in the final several hundred meters of a stream immediately below source springs. As a result, this group exhibits a marked degree of geographically circumscribed local endemism. Species of this group also have a degree of cold tolerance and occur at some of the highest localities occupied by any Gerromorpha in New Guinea, being found on streamlets up to 2600 m. elevation in the central highlands of the island. The R. novacaledonica group is the largest and most species-rich group of Rhagovelia occurring in the EPCT. Within this assemblage a number of distinct subgroups can be recognized, which may potentially represent monophyletic clades within the larger group, although this has not yet been phylogenetically tested. The species included in each of these subgroups are as follows:	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B5F002B95EAFA49FDBF62DB.taxon	description	(Figs. 16, 35 – 39, 40, 62)	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B5F002B95EAFA49FDBF62DB.taxon	materials_examined	Type material examined. Holotype, wingless male: PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Northern (Oro) Prov., New Guinea, Kofure River, W. of Tufi, 0 – 45 m., 9 ° 04 ' 58 " S, 149 ° 16 ' 39 " E, water temp. 28 ° C., 24 – 25 January 2004, 11: 30 – 13: 30 hrs. (24 January) and 09: 30 – 14: 00 hrs. (25 January), CL 7304 b, at base of bedrock wall along main river channel, D. A. Polhemus and J. T. Polhemus (BPBM). Paratypes: PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Northern (Oro) Prov., New Guinea: 5 wingless males, 6 wingless females, same data as holotype, D. A. and J. T. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 2 winged males, 2 winged females, 3 wingless females, New Guinea, same data as preceding except CL 7304 a, in pockets of water amid stones along margins of main river channel, D. A. and J. T. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 1 winged male, 1 wingless male, 4 wingless females, New Guinea, same data as preceding except CL 7304 c, tributary with waterfall, D. A. and J. T. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B5F002B95EAFA49FDBF62DB.taxon	description	Description. Wingless male: Size: Length = 3.50 – 3.90 mm (x = 3.12, n = 4); width 1.30 – 1.40 mm (x = 1.35, n = 4). Wingless female, length = 3.70 – 3.90 mm (x = 3.80, n = 2), width = 1.40 – 1.50 (x = 1.42, n = 2). Winged male, length = 3.80 – 4.10 mm (x = 4.06, n = 2); width = 1.50 – 1.70 mm (x = 1.60, n = 2). Winged female, length = 3.90 mm (n = 1); width = 1.60 mm (n = 1). Coloration: Dorsal ground color black, sparingly marked with dark yellow to orange-brown on basal antennae, anterior pronotum, connexiva and basal femora (Fig. 35). Head black, tylus and antennal tubercles brown, jugae and basal rostrum dark yellow, rostrum fuscous ventromedially, piceous distally; eyes dark red. Pronotum black, with a transversely ovate dark orange-brown spot anteromedially behind vertex, this orange-brown coloration bounded by black laterally and overlain with faint silvery pruinosity, separated from area of similar orange-brown color on propleurae. Mesonotum, metanotum and all abdominal tergites black except for dark orange-brown patch posteromedially on tergite VII, abdominal tergites I – VI uniformly dull and lacking glabrous areas, tergite VII and VIII semi-shining; connexiva black on inner halves, dark orange-brown on outer halves, ventral faces orange-brown. Antennal segment I with basal one-fourth dark yellow, distal three-fourths plus all of segments II – IV black. Legs generally black dorsally except bases of fore and hind femora orange-brown; ventrally with trochanters, basal half of fore femur, basal two-thirds of hind femur dull yellowish brown. Venter mostly black, proacetabula dark yellow, margins of middle and hind acetabula dark orange-brown, abdominal ventrites I – VI dull black, ventrites VII – IX semi-shining orange-brown. Structural characters: Head moderately short, declivant anteriorly, with weakly impressed median line; length 0.40, width 0.80; length of eye along inner margin 0.35, anterior / posterior interocular space, 0.20 / 0.50. Pronotum short, width 0.95, length along midline 0.30, less than dorsal length of head, leaving mesonotum broadly exposed; mesonotum smooth, lacking deep foveae, humeri depressed, length 0.65. Metanotum barely exposed, length 0.10. Lengths of tergites I – VIII, respectively: 0.15: 0.20: 0.20: 0.20: 0.20: 0.30: 0.40: 0.30. Connexiva with margins of even width throughout, subparallel adjacent to abdominal tergites I – IV, then gradually convergent posteriorly adjacent to tergites V – VII, posterolateral angles not modified, separated by entire width of tergite VIII, bearing a few long, curving, dark setae. Entire dorsum thickly covered with fine, appressed pale pubescence, intermixed with scattered longer, semi-erect, bristle-like black setae on lateral pronotum and mesonotum, and numerous more slender, semi-erect black setae on abdominal tergites; legs and antennae thickly clothed with short appressed pale setae, with scattered long, erect, bristly black setae on anterodorsal faces of antennal segments I and II, and anterior margins of all femora, regularly spaced long, slender, straight dark setae along posterior margins of fore and middle femora, and long pilose brown setae along posterior margin of hind femur, length of these long setae equal to or exceeding the thickness of the respective femora on which they occur; fore and middle trochanters lacking pegs or teeth; fore and middle femora and middle tibia with margins straight, not flattened or otherwise modified; fore tibia broadly flattened ventrally, longitudinally concave near apex adjacent to grasping comb; hind trochanter with 7 very small dark pegs ventrally; hind femur moderately incrassate, bearing two rows of teeth and pegs lying in area covered by infolded hind tibia, consisting of 8 tiny black pegs running from femoral base to about one-third the distance to distal apex, then bifurcating into ventral row of 7 small teeth of subequal size running to the distal femoral apex, and a dorsal row consisting of a moderately large, bent brown spine with a black tip, separated by a wide gap from another spine of similar size and coloration, this second long spine followed by followed by 5 much smaller black spines of decreasing size running to distal femoral apex (Fig. 37); hind tibia straight, inner surface bearing a single row of 16 small, stout, black pegs of equal size. Venter of head lacking black denticles; prosternum and adjacent inner propleurae bearing small black denticles; mesosternum slightly depressed centrally, margins of this depression bearing long, fine gold setae; metasternum broadly and gently tumid, with fine, erect pale setae laterally; abdominal venter set with short appressed pale setae intermixed with longer, fine, semi-erect pale setae laterally and posteromedially; basal abdominal ventrites highly sculptured, ventrite I lying in vertical orientation and bearing a very small, rounded bump centrally, remaining ventrites horizontal and all in similar plane, ventrite II with a sharply raised longitudinal carina medially, this carina continuing incipiently onto ventrites III and IV, ventrite V slightly swollen, unmodified, ventrite VI slightly flattened centrally, ventrite VII depressed and concave centrally, lateral margins of this central depression slightly raised, lacking setal fringe or tufts; ventrite VIII constricted basally, with a pair (1 + 1) of shallow, concave depressions to either side of weakly carinate longitudinal midline. Male paramere shape elongate, dorsal margin broadly concave, ventral margin bilobate, basal lobe bearing numerous stout setae, central portion of paramere slightly constricted, distal portion expanded, apex broadly rounded (Fig. 38). Male proctiger with basolateral lobes well developed, prominent, angular; distolateral lobes not developed; distal cone dome-shaped, apex blunt (Fig. 39). Lengths of antennal segments I – IV: 0.80: 0.45: 0.60: 0.55. Lengths of leg segments as follows: femur, tibia, tarsal 1, tarsal 2, tarsal 3 of fore leg, 1.05: 1.05: 0.02: 0.02: 0.25; of middle leg, 1.65: 1.15: 0.05: 0.45: 0.75; of hind leg, 1.60: 1.50: 0.04: 0.12: 0.29. Wingless female: Similar to wingless male in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: long, semi-erect dark setae absent on abdominal tergites except for a few such setae centrally on tergite II; abdominal tergites I and II slightly domed and upwardly convex, tergites III – V slightly raised along their longitudinal midlines, raised central section of tergite III bearing small patch of short gold setae, remaining sections of all these tergites dull grey and lacking setae; connexival margins convergent posteriorly, angled more strongly inward adjacent to abdominal tergites I and IV, then converging more gradually and subparallel adjacent to tergites V – VII (Fig. 36), posterolateral angles forming right angles when viewed laterally, bearing small, angular tufts of short, posteriorly-directed black setae at apices, these tufts inwardly convergent over basal section of abdominal tergite VIII when viewed dorsally; abdominal tergite VIII and proctiger angled downward at 45 °, proctiger elongate; ventral surface of middle tibia slightly flattened; hind trochanter lacking small black pegs; hind femur only weakly incrassate, area along ventral midline in area covered by infolded hind tibia bearing a single spine row consisting of a single moderately long, slender, sharp, backwardly-angling black spine, followed by 4 much smaller spines of progressively decreasing size to femoral apex; hind tibiae straight, inner surface lacking teeth; ventral coloration predominantly dull blackish-grey, abdominal sternites VII – IX semi-shining brown; prosternum, inner proacetabula and proepisternum bearing numerous tiny black denticles, these denticles absent on jugae of head; all abdominal ventrites lying in similar horizontal plane, posterior margin of abdominal sternite VII unmodified; commissure of first gonocoxae forming a sharply raised longitudinal ventral carina. Winged male: Similar to wingless male in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: pronotum greatly enlarged, width 1.60, length 1.60, completely covering meso- and metanotum, humeri enlarged, posterior apex angular, anterior margin with brown area centrally flanked to either side by pruinose grey areas laterally, foveae not evident; entire pronotum and hemelytra covered with short recumbent gold setae, intermixed along posterior pronotal margin with scattered semi-erect, curling, dark setae; forewings uniformly dark blackish-brown, bearing 3 closed cells, consisting of 2 elongate cells in basal half of the wing followed by a single smaller distal cell near the middle of the wing, set centrally between the posterior apices of the two basal cells. Legs with hind femur less incrassate than in wingless form but bearing similar armature; middle coxae chestnut brown. Winged female: Similar to macropterous male in general structure, coloration, and wing form; pronotum width 1.60, length 1.65.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B5F002B95EAFA49FDBF62DB.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The name “ tufi ” is a noun in apposition, and refers to the type-locality near Tufi, Papua New Guinea.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B5F002B95EAFA49FDBF62DB.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Southeastern New Guinea; endemic to the Papuan Peninsula (Fig. 62). The species range as presently known occupies the Cape Nelson Peninsula area of freshwater endemism (Area 33) as delineated by D. Polhemus & Allen (2007).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B5F002B95EAFA49FDBF62DB.taxon	discussion	Discussion. Rhagovelia tufi is most similar to R. bowutu, with the two species occupying adjacent ranges on the north side of the Papuan Peninsula (Fig. 62), and having male abdominal ventrite VII with a broad, shallow, longitudinally ovate depression without strongly raised margins (compare Figs. 16, 17). The male genitalia show differences between the two species, with concavity on the ventral margin of the paramere in R. tufi being more tightly curving and strongly incised, and the apical head of the paramere bearing a small knob ventrally in R. bowutu (compare Figs. 38, 45). The basolateral lobes of the proctiger are also broader in R. tufi (compare Figs. 39, 46). The female dorsal abdomen of R. tufi has a slightly raised longitudinal carina on tergites III – V which is lacking in R. bowutu, and male abdominal tergite VII bears a shiny chestnut brown patch posteromedially, whereas in R. bowutu tergite VII is uniformly shiny black. Ecological notes. The Kofure River at the type-locality was a clear stream flowing in a bed of boulders, rocks, cobbles and sand, and occupying a shaded, steep-sided canyon cut into the volcanic formations of the Cape Nelson Peninsula (Fig. 40). The bed profile consisted of alternating riffles about 0.15 m deep and pools 0.3 – 1.0 m deep, with the water faintly turbid from recent rains. The river was sampled from the head of its estuary upstream for over a kilometer, with both the gradient and the size of the bed substrate increasing gradually but steadily as one worked upstream. A number of narrow side canyons fed into the main river, and many of these ended in tight gorges with tall waterfalls flanked by wet bedrock faces. Rhagovelia tufi was found on pools at the bases of such bedrock faces, and in gently flowing pools along the margin of the main river channel, where it was taken in company with R. priori, a species in the R. papuensis group.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B50002E95EAFF44FD4F6293.taxon	description	(Figs. 17, 41 – 47, 62)	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B50002E95EAFF44FD4F6293.taxon	materials_examined	Type material examined. Holotype, wingless male: PAPUA NEW GUINEA, New Guinea, Morobe Prov., rocky hill stream behind Kamiali guesthouse, S. of Lababia village, nr. Cape Dinga, 30 m., 7 ° 18 ' 02 " S, 147 ° 08 ' 01 " E, water temp. 25.5 ° C., 4 May 2003, 14: 00 – 15: 00 hrs., CL 7243, D. A. Polhemus (BPBM). Paratypes: PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Morobe Prov., New Guinea: 7 wingless males, 8 wingless females, same data as holotype, CL 7243, D. A. Polhemus (USNM): 4 wingless males, 2 wingless females, “ Kerosine Creek ” and rocky trib., middle Aleater [= Alewiri] River basin, W. of Lababia village, 30 m., 7 ° 18 ' 46 " S, 147 ° 06 ' 30 " E, water temp. 25 ° C., 5 May 2003, 10: 30 – 12: 30 hrs., CL 7245, D. A. Polhemus (USNM).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B50002E95EAFF44FD4F6293.taxon	description	Description. Wingless male. Size: Length = 3.00 – 3.10 mm (x = 3.03, n = 5); width 1.00 – 1.10 mm (x = 1.04, n = 5). Wingless female, length = 3.20 – 3.35 mm (x = 3.27, n = 5), width = 1.10 – 1.15 (x = 1.11, n = 5). Coloration: Dorsal ground color dark grey, marked with pale orange on anterior pronotum, with outer connexiva, basally on legs, basal antennae pale yellow (Fig. 41). Head black dorsally, lower frons pruinose grey, tylus and jugae brown; rostrum pale yellowish-brown, fuscous medially, piceous distally; eyes dark red. Pronotum dark blackish-grey centrally, pruinose grey laterally, with transverse yellowish-orange patch anteriorly behind head vertex, this pale anterior coloration not extending laterally onto propleurae. Mesonotum, metanotum and abdominal tergites dark blackish-grey, tergites I – VI uniformly dull and lacking shining areas, tergite VII slightly shining, connexiva dark blackish-grey on inner halves, pale orange on outer halves. Antennal segment I with basal one-third pale yellow, distal half plus all of segments II – IV dark brown. Legs generally black, with coxae, trochanters, basal third of fore femur dorsally, basal one-fourth of hind femur dorsally, basal four-fifths of fore and hind femora ventrally, extreme base of middle femur ventrally pale yellow to yellowish-brown. Venter dark brown, with ventral sections of propelurae, prosternum, all acetabula pale yellow, abdominal ventrites VII – X yellowish-brown. Structural characters: Head moderately short, declivant anteriorly, with weakly impressed median line; length 0.35, width 0.75; length of eye along inner margin 0.35, anterior / posterior interocular space, 0.15 / 0.45. Pronotum short, width 0.95, length along midline 0.25, shorter than dorsal length of head, leaving mesonotum broadly exposed; mesonotum smooth, tumescent, lacking foveae, length at midline 0.55. Metanotum moderately exposed, roughly crescent-shaped, length at midline 0.05. Lengths of abdominal tergites I – VIII, respectively: 0.15: 0.20: 0.18: 0.18: 0.20: 0.25: 0.40: 0.25. Connexiva with margins of even width throughout, margins nearly straight and evenly convergent posteriorly, flexed very slightly inward adjacent to abdominal tergites I – III, posterolateral angles not modified, separated by entire width of tergite VIII. Entire dorsum and laterotergites covered with fine appressed golden pubescence, intermixed with scattered long, erect black setae laterally on thorax, a few long, slender, semi-erect golden setae on abdominal tergites; legs and antennae thickly clothed with short appressed gold setae, with scattered long, erect black setae on anterodorsal faces of antennal segments I and II, anterior margins of all femora; fore femur with posterior margin bearing a thick fringe of pale, semi-erect, moderately long setae plus a comb of 7 – 8 long, slender, erect, evenly spaced black setae; fore tibia with anterior margin bearing numerous erect, pale, moderately long setae intermixed with long, slender, erect black setae; middle femur bearing 9 – 10 evenly spaces long, slender, erect black setae along posterior margin; fore and middle trochanters lacking pegs or teeth; fore and middle femora and tibiae with margins straight, not flattened or otherwise modified; fore tibia slightly expanded and ventrally flattened on distal one-fourth; hind trochanter bearing 10 small black denticles ventrally; hind femur highly incrassate, with scattered very long, slender, pilose brown setae posterodorsally, posterior margin bearing two parallel rows of teeth, ventral row lying in area covered by infolded hind tibia and consisting of approximately 18 tiny black pegs on basal half, bifurcating into ventral row with ~ 16 similar but larger stubby, subequal sized black pegs, and dorsal row commencing near middle of femur with a single moderately small acute orange-brown tooth with a black apex, followed by an open space lacking teeth, then by 1 large orange-brown tooth with black apex, then 3 smaller black teeth of progressively declining size toward femoral apex (Fig. 43); hind tibia broadly and gently sinuate, inner surface bearing 2 parallel rows of 12 – 15 small black teeth on basal two-thirds, then a large, acute tooth, then 3 more moderate sized teeth of progressively declining size, these latter 4 teeth all orange-brown with black apices. Venter of head and prothorax bearing small black denticles on jugae, central prosternum, and inner proacetabula; meso- and metasterna slightly depressed centrally, margins of this depression and adjacent lateral metasternum bearing long, fine gold setae arranged in a V-shaped pattern with apex directed anteriorly; abdominal venter set with short appressed gold setae; basal abdominal ventrites highly sculptured, ventrite I lying in vertical orientation, remaining ventrites horizontal and all in similar plane, ventrite II with an acute longitudinal carina of V-shaped cross section medially, this carina continuing in incipient fashion along longitudinal midlines of ventrites III – VI, ventrite VII broadly and shallowly depressed centrally, forming a roughly ovate concavity with a transversely truncate posterior margin (Fig. 17). Male paramere shape gently sinuate, basal section with ventral margin broadly curving, bearing stout setae, distal section expanded, ventral margin bearing a truncate process (Fig. 45). Male proctiger with basolateral lobes well-produced, angular; distolateral lobes weakly produced, broadly rounded; distal cone dome-shaped, apex blunt (Fig. 46). Lengths of antennal segments I – IV: 0.75: 0.40: 0.52: 0.52. Lengths of leg segments as follows: femur, tibia, tarsal 1, tarsal 2 of fore leg, 0.80: 0.90: 0.02: 0.03: 0.10; of middle leg, 1.50: 1.10: 0.05: 0.40: 0.65; of hind leg, 1.45: 1.25: 0.05: 0.10: 0.30. Wingless female. Similar to wingless male in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: connexival margins unmodified, bearing short, stiff black setae, nearly straight except for slight inward concavity adjacent to abdominal tergites III and IV, converging evenly to posterior apex of abdomen, separated by full width of abdominal tergite VII and just slightly covering posterolateral sections of tergite VIII (Fig. 42), posterolateral angles of connexiva bending at ~ 90 °, with short, posteriorly-directed tufts of black setae when viewed laterally; abdominal tergites I and II slightly raised and domed, tergites III – V with longitudinal midlines weakly raised, bearing narrow patches short golden setae, tergite VI very slightly convex, tergites VI – VIII with small, longtitudinally elongate, shining brown patches centrally, these patches bearing very short golden setae; abdominal tergite VIII lying in horizontal orientation, proctiger angled downward at slightly less 45 ° from horizontal, projecting well beyond tergite VIII when viewed dorsally; all trochanters unarmed; hind femur only weakly incrassate, bearing a single row of teeth below infolded tibia, beginning with 2 small, sharp black teeth near midpoint, followed by a much longer, slender, acuminate tooth with a black apex, then 7 more smaller teeth of progressively decreasing size to femoral apex (Fig. 44); hind tibia straight, inner surface lacking teeth; ventral coloration predominantly dark grey, with ventral section of propleura, prosternum, proacetabula, abdominal ventrites and gonocoxae yellowish orange; all abdominal ventrites unmodified, lacking carinae or depressions (Fig. 42). Winged male: Unknown. Winged female: Unknown.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B50002E95EAFF44FD4F6293.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The name “ bowutu ” is a noun an apposition and refers to the Bowutu Mountains, from which this species was collected.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B50002E95EAFF44FD4F6293.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Eastern New Guinea (Fig. 62). The species range as presently known occupies the Morobe Highands area of freshwater endemism (Area 22) as delineated by D. Polhemus & Allen (2007).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B50002E95EAFF44FD4F6293.taxon	discussion	Discussion. Within the EPCT Rhagovelia assemblage, R. bowutu may be diagnosed by the presence of denticles on the prosternum and proacetabula; the structures of the male genitalia (Figs. 45, 46); the presence of a broad, shallow, longitudinally ovate concavity on male abdominal ventrite VII (Fig. 17); and the uniformly black and shining female abdominal tergite VII. For characters separating this species from the similar R. tufi, see the preceding discussion under that species. Ecological notes. The type series was taken from a small first order streamlet descending from the hill slope above Kamiali village (CL 7243). The stream was clear and shaded, being surrounded by partly disturbed lowland rain forest. The bed profile consisted of alternating riffles, cascades, and flowing pools, with R. kamiali being taken on the latter, in company with R. dinga, a species in the R. papuensis group. Rhagovelia bowutu was also taken at a second site in the hills further inland from Kamiali, known as “ Kerosine Creek ” due to the slightly blue color of its waters created by underlying ophiolitic bedrock that formed much of the stream channel. This stream was of moderate gradient, with alternating riffles and shallow pools amid dark bedrock and fine alluvium (Fig. 47). The forest surrounding this site was rather impoverished, as is typical of ultramafic terrain, consisting of widely spaced Casuarina and Pandanus trees, which provided partial shading. Rhagovelia bowutu was once again taken here in company with R. dinga, as well as with a few specimens of R. hirsuta, the latter species at the lower margin of its elevational range.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B54001095EAFF44FC0F649F.taxon	description	(Figs. 18, 48 – 54, 62, 200)	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B54001095EAFF44FC0F649F.taxon	materials_examined	Type material examined. Holotype, wingless male: PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Central Prov., New Guinea, Owen Stanley Range, upper Mimani River, 1.7 km. NE of Dorobisoro, 535 m., 9 ° 27 ' 25 " S, 147 ° 56 ' 15 " E, water temp. 23.5 ° C., 7 October 2003, 13: 00 – 15: 00 hrs., CL 7260 b, small flowing spring adjacent to main river channel, D. A. Polhemus (BPBM). Paratypes: PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Central Prov., New Guinea: 5 winged males, 1 winged female, 7 wingless males, 11 wingless females, same data as holotype, CL 7260 b, D. A. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 2 wingless males, 2 wingless females, Owen Stanley Range, trib. to upper Mimani River, 0.95 km. NE of Dorobisoro, 520 m., 9 ° 27 ' 27 " S, 147 ° 55 ' 50 " E, water temp. 23 ° C., 7 October 2003, 11: 30 – 12: 00 hrs., CL 7259, D. A. Polhemus (BPBM); 3 winged females, 3 wingless males, 1 wingless female, Owen Stanley Range, trib. to upper Mimani River, 0.8 km. W of Dorobisoro, 500 m., water temp. 23.5 ° C., 9 October 2003, 08: 30 – 12: 30 hrs., 9 ° 27 ' 39.1 " S, 147 ° 54 ' 56.2 " E, CL 7264, D. A. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 1 winged female, Owen Stanley Range, trib. to upper Mimani River, 2.7 km. NE of Dorobisoro, 580 – 685 m., water temp. 21.5 ° C., 8 October 2003, 09: 30 – 12: 30 hrs., 9 ° 27 ' 23 " S, 147 ° 57 ' 03 " E, CL 7262, D. A. Polhemus (USNM); 6 wingless males, 5 wingless females, Yaniwe River at Tekadu, 300 m., water temp. 24 ° C., 21 January 2001, 12: 00 – 16: 30 hrs., 07 ° 40 ' 36 " S, 146 ° 33 ' 05 " E, 7157 b, D. A. Polhemus (BPBM, USNM).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B54001095EAFF44FC0F649F.taxon	description	Description Wingless male. Size: Length = 3.40 – 3.80 mm (x = 3.66, n = 5); width = 1.35 – 1.40 mm (x = 1.38, n = 5). Wingless female, length = 3.90 – 4.10 mm (x = 4.03, n = 5); width = 1.50 – 1.60 mm, (x = 1.56, n = 5). Winged male, length = 3.80 – 3.90 mm (x = 3.85, n = 2); width = 1.50 – 1.60 mm (x = 1.55, n = 2). Winged female, length = 4.10 mm (n = 1); width = 1.60 mm (n = 1). Coloration: Dorsal ground color black, sparingly marked with dark yellow to orange-brown on basal antennae, anterior pronotum, connexiva and basal femora (Fig. 48). Head black, anterior portions of jugae and basal rostrum dark yellow, rostrum fuscous ventromedially, piceous distally; eyes dark red. Pronotum black, with a transversely ovate dark orange-brown spot anteromedially behind vertex, this orange-brown coloration bounded by black laterally and not extending downward onto the propleurae, overlain with faint silvery pruinosity. Mesonotum, metanotum and all abdominal tergites black, abdominal tergites I – VI uniformly dull and lacking glabrous areas, tergites VII and VIII semi-shining; connexiva black on inner halves, dark orange-brown on outer halves, ventral faces dark orange-brown. Antennal segment I with basal one-third dark yellow, distal two-thirds plus all of segments II – IV black. Legs generally black dorsally, with coxae, fore and hind trochanters, basal one-fourth of fore femur posterodorsally dark yellow. Venter black, proacetabula dark yellow, margins of middle and hind acetabula dark orange-brown, abdominal ventrites I – VII dull black, ventrites VIII and IX semi-shining dark brown. Structural characters: Head moderately short, declivant anteriorly, with weakly impressed median line; length 0.40, width 0.85; length of eye along inner margin 0.35, anterior / posterior interocular space, 0.20 / 0.45. Pronotum short, width 1.00, length along midline 0.30, less than dorsal length of head, leaving mesonotum broadly exposed; mesonotum smooth, lacking deep foveae, humeri depressed, length 0.70. Metanotum barely exposed, length 0.20. Lengths of tergites I – VIII, respectively: 0.20: 0.20: 0.20: 0.15: 0.15: 0.20: 0.35: 0.40. Connexiva with margins of even width throughout, subparallel adjacent to abdominal tergites I – IV, than gradually convergent posteriorly adjacent to tergites V – VII, posterolateral angles not modified, separated by entire width of tergite VIII, bearing a few long, curving, dark setae. Entire dorsum thickly covered with fine, appressed pale pubescence, intermixed with scattered longer, semi-erect black setae on lateral pronotum and mesonotum, and along posterior margins of all abdominal tergites; legs and antennae thickly clothed with short appressed pale setae, with scattered long, erect, bristly black setae on anterodorsal faces of antennal segments I and II, and anterior margins of all femora, regularly spaced long, slender, straight dark setae along posterior margins of fore and middle femora, and long pilose brown setae along posterior margin of hind femur, length of these long setae equal to or exceeding the thickness of the respective femora on which they occur; fore and middle trochanters lacking pegs or teeth; fore and middle femora and middle tibia with margins straight, not flattened or otherwise modified; fore tibia flattened ventrally, longitudinally channelled near apex adjacent to grasping comb; hind trochanter with a longitudinal row of 4 very small dark pegs ventrally; hind femur moderately incrassate, bearing two rows of teeth and pegs lying in area covered by infolded hind tibia, ventral row consisting of 5 – 6 very small, sharp black teeth of subequal size commencing at about two-thirds distance from the femoral base and running to the distal femoral apex, dorsal row consisting of 10 – 12 very small, black teeth running from base of femur to one-third distance from base, followed by a moderately large brown spine with a black tip, separated from another spine of similar size and coloration by a wide gap containing two very small black teeth, this second long spine followed by followed by 5 much smaller black spines of decreasing size running to distal femoral apex; hind tibia straight, inner surface bearing a single row of 20 small, stout black teeth (Fig. 50, 51). Venter of head with juga and adjacent propleura bearing numerous small black denticles; mesosternum slightly depressed centrally, margins of this depression bearing long, fine gold setae; metasternum broadly and gently tumid, with fine, erect pale setae laterally; abdominal venter set with short appressed pale setae intermixed with longer, fine, semi-erect pale setae laterally and posteromedially; basal abdominal ventrites highly sculptured, ventrite I lying in vertical orientation and bearing a small, rounded bump centrally, remaining ventrites horizontal and all in similar plane, ventrite II with a sharply raised longitudinal carina medially, this carina continuing incipiently onto base of ventrite III, remainder of ventrite III and ventrites IV and V slightly swollen, unmodified, ventrite VI slightly flattened centrally, ventrite VII deeply depressed and concave centrally, lateral margins of this central depression strongly raised, posterior terminus of each raised margin bearing a small tuft of short, posteriorly-directed pale setae (Fig. 18); ventrite VIII constricted basally, with a pair (1 + 1) of shallow, concave depressions to either side of weakly carinate longitudinal midline. Male genitalia with paramere elongate, ventrally bilobate, basal section with ventral margin broadly rounded, bearing stiff setae, middle portion slightly constricted, then distal section expanded, posterior margin broadly curving, apex forming acute angle (Fig. 52). Proctiger with basolateral lobes well developed, apices rounded; distolateral lobes very weakly developed, broadly rounded; distal cone triangular, with small, acute process at apex (Fig. 53). Lengths of antennal segments I – IV: 0.90: 0.45: 0.60: 0.55. Lengths of leg segments as follows: femur, tibia, tarsal 1, tarsal 2, tarsal 3 of fore leg, 1.10: 1.15: 0.02: 0.02: 0.30; of middle leg, 1.65: 1.25: 0.05: 0.60: 0.75; of hind leg, 1.45: 1.50: 0.05: 0.15: 0.35. Wingless female: Similar to wingless male in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: long, semi-erect dark setae absent on posterior margins of abdominal tergites III – VII; abdominal tergites III – VII slightly raised along their longitudinal midlines, these raised central sections bearing patches of short gold setae, lateral sections of all these tergites dull grey and lacking setae; connexival margins convergent posteriorly, angled more strongly inward adjacent to abdominal tergites I ‒ IV, then converging more gradually and subparallel adjacent to tergites V – VII (Fig. 49), posterolateral angles forming right angles when viewed laterally, bearing small, angular tufts of short, posteriorly-directed black setae at apices, these tufts inwardly convergent over basal section of abdominal tergite VIII when viewed dorsally; abdominal tergite VIII and proctiger angled downward at 45 °, proctiger elongate; ventral surface of middle tibia slightly flattened; hind trochanter lacking small black pegs; hind femur only weakly incrassate, area along ventral midline in area covered by infolded hind tibia bearing a single spine row consisting of 2 small, triangular, black teeth basally arising near ventral femoral midpoint, followed by a single moderately long, slender, sharp, backwardly-angling black spine, followed by 4 much smaller spines of progressively decreasing size to femoral apex; hind tibiae straight, inner surface lacking teeth; ventral coloration predominantly dull blackish-grey, abdominal sternites VII – IX semi-shining brown; jugum and proepisternum bearing numerous tiny black denticles; all abdominal ventrites lying in similar horizontal plane, posterior margin of abdominal sternite VII unmodified; commissure of first gonocoxae forming a sharply raised longitudinal ventral carina. Winged male: Similar to wingless male in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: pronotum greatly enlarged, width 1.55, length 1.60, completely covering meso- and metanotum; anterior lobe with transverse ovate orange-brown patch along anterior margin in area behind head vertex, this patch bounded laterally by silvery pruinose areas, separated by dark coloration behind eyes from paler coloration on propleurae; humeri enlarged, slightly protrusive laterally; posterior pronotal lobe black, broadly domed, posterior half with small, obscure foveae, posterior margin broadly angular, bearing scattered long, gently curving, semi-erect black setae; forewings uniformly dark matte black, wing apices extending past apex of abdomen when intact, bearing 4 closed cells consisting of two elongate cells in basal half of wing followed by two smaller cells of subequal size distally near center of wing. Hind femur less incrassate than in wingless male. Winged female: Similar to winged female in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: body size larger, pronotum width 1.60, length 1.70, with humeri prominent.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B54001095EAFF44FC0F649F.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The name “ obscura ” is derived from the Latin obscurus, meaning “ dark, ” and refers to the blackish coloration of this species.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B54001095EAFF44FC0F649F.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Southeastern New Guinea; endemic to the Papuan Peninsula (Fig. 62). The species range as presently known occupies the South Papuan Peninsula Foreland area of freshwater endemism (Area 30) as delineated by D. Polhemus & Allen (2007).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B54001095EAFF44FC0F649F.taxon	discussion	Discussion. Rhagovelia obscura may be recognized by the form of male abdominal ventrite VII, which is strongly depressed and concave centrally, with the lateral margins of this central depression being strongly raised, and the posterior terminus of each raised margin bearing a small tuft of short, posteriorly-directed pale setae (Fig. 18). Females have the connexival margins angled slightly inward adjacent to abdominal tergites IV and V, and small, sharp tufts of black setae at the apices which are also angled inward, with their apices meeting over the base of abdominal tergite VIII (Fig. 49). The propleurae are also dark in both sexes. Among the set of species occurring syntopically at the Dorobisoro type-locality along the Mimani River, this species might possibly be confused at first glance with R. peggiae Kirkaldy, but that latter species does not have male abdominal ventrite VII depressed; has more extensive orange-brown coloration on the male basal legs; has the female with the connexiva infolded and touching over abdominal tergite VII (compare Figs. 49, 141); lacks black denticles on the jugae and propleurae; has the propleurae pale in both sexes; and has distinctively different male paramere and proctiger shapes (compare Figs. 52, 53 and 143, 144). The male paramere of R. obscura is similar in general shape to that of R. upalai from the Milne Bay area further to the east, but more angular and pointed apically (compare Figs. 52, 59). The male proctiger shape is also similar in both species, but the apex of the proctiger in R. obscura is distinctly produced to a small point (compare Figs. 53, 60). Ecological notes. Rhagovelia obscura was a rather localized and uncommon component of the diverse Rhagovelia assemblage present along the Mimani River and its tributaries at Dorobisoro (Figs. 54, 200), near the point where the river exits its deep mountain valley and enters the more open premontane foreland. At any given sampling site in this area captures of R. obscura were usually greatly outnumbered by the far more common R. mimani and R. loriae. At the type-locality, lying upstream of the village beyond the limit of the gardens, the species was taken on first order tributaries feeding into the main river. These small creeks had clear water running amid moss-covered metamorphic rocks and boulders, and waterfalls cascading over bedrock faces at the upper ends of the reaches sampled. All of these sites lay at elevations between 500 and 600 m., and only a single winged female was taken on other higher gradient tributaries sampled above 600 m.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B68001A95EAFDF1FE1864BB.taxon	description	(Figs. 19, 55 – 62)	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B68001A95EAFDF1FE1864BB.taxon	materials_examined	Type material examined. Holotype, wingless male: PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Milne Bay Prov., New Guinea, Upalai River at Haluwia, 13.7 km. E. of Alotau on East Cape road, midreach and waterfall approx. 2.5 km. above mouth, 45 – 75 m., 10 ° 19 ' 39 " S, 150 ° 34 ' 36 " E, water temp. 24.5 ° C., 5 April 2002, 09: 45 – 16: 30 hrs., CL 7163, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (BPBM). Paratypes: PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Milne Bay Prov., New Guinea: 22 wingless males, 29 wingless females, same data as holotype, CL 7163, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (USNM); 2 wingless males, 1 wingless female, Upalai River at Haluwia, 8.5 mi. E. of Alotau on East Cape road, lower midreach, 0 – 30 m., 10 ° 20 ' 28 " S, 150 ° 34 ' 23 " E, water temp. 26 – 26.5 ° C., 4 April 2002, 09: 30 – 12: 00 hrs., CL 7162, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (USNM). Additional material examined (not paratypes): PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Milne Bay Prov.: 2 wingless males, 1 wingless female, Muguwe Creek, W. of Naura, 16 mi. W. of Alotau, 70 m., 10 ° 17 ' 20 " S, 150 ° 12 ' 10 " E, water temp. 25.5 ° C., 9 April 2002, 10: 00 – 11: 30 hrs., CL 7169, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (USNM).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B68001A95EAFDF1FE1864BB.taxon	description	Description Wingless male: Size: Length = 3.20 – 3.30 mm (x = 3.26, n = 5); width = 1.20 – 1.30 mm (x = 1.24, n = 5). Wingless female, length = 3.45 – 3.60 mm (x = 3.51, n = 5); width = 1.30 – 1.40 mm, (x = 1.36, n = 5). Coloration: Dorsal ground color black, sparingly marked with dark yellow to orange-brown on basal antennae, anterior pronotum, and extreme basal femora (Fig. 55). Head black, tylus dark brown, jugae and basal rostrum medium brown, rostrum fuscous ventromedially, piceous distally; eyes dark red. Pronotum black, with a transversely ovate dark orange-brown patch anteromedially behind vertex, this orange-brown coloration bounded by black laterally and not extending downward onto the propleurae, overlain with faint silvery pruinosity. Mesonotum, metanotum and all abdominal tergites black, all abdominal tergites uniformly dull and lacking glabrous areas; connexiva uniformly black. Antennal segment I with basal one-fourth pale yellow, distal three-fourths plus all of segments II – IV black. Legs generally black dorsally, with coxae, fore and hind trochanters, extreme base of fore femur dark yellowish-brown. Venter including acetabula black overlain with faint greyish pruinosity, abdominal ventrites I – VI dull black, ventrites VII – IX semi-shining dark brown. Structural characters: head moderately short, declivant anteriorly, with weakly impressed median line; length 0.30, width 0.75; length of eye along inner margin 0.30, anterior / posterior interocular space, 0.20 / 0.50. Pronotum short, width 1.00, length along midline 0.30, less than dorsal length of head, leaving mesonotum broadly exposed; mesonotum smooth, lacking deep foveae, humeri depressed, length 0.70. Metanotum barely exposed, length 0.10. Lengths of tergites I – VIII, respectively: 0.20: 0.20: 0.17: 0.15: 0.17: 0.23: 0.40: 0.35. Connexiva with margins of even width throughout, subparallel adjacent to abdominal tergites I – IV, than gradually convergent posteriorly adjacent to tergites V – VII, posterolateral angles not modified, separated by entire width of tergite VIII, bearing a few long, curving, dark setae. Entire dorsum thickly covered with fine, appressed pale pubescence, intermixed with scattered longer, semi-erect black setae on lateral pronotum and mesonotum, and along posterior margins of all abdominal tergites; legs and antennae thickly clothed with short appressed pale setae, with scattered long, erect, bristly black setae on anterodorsal faces of antennal segments I and II, and anterior margins of all femora, regularly spaced long, slender, straight dark setae along posterior margins of fore and middle femora, and long pilose brown setae along posterior margin of hind femur, lengths of these long setae equal to or exceeding the thickness of the respective femora on which they occur; fore and middle trochanters lacking pegs or teeth; fore and middle femora and middle tibia with margins straight, not flattened or otherwise modified; fore tibia flattened ventrally, longitudinally channelled near apex adjacent to grasping comb; hind trochanter with a longitudinal row of 4 very small dark pegs ventrally; hind femur moderately incrassate, bearing two rows of teeth and pegs lying in area covered by infolded hind tibia, ventral row consisting of 10 very small, sharp black teeth of subequal size commencing at about two-thirds distance from the femoral base and running to the distal femoral apex, dorsal row consisting of 8 – 10 very small, black teeth running from base of femur to one-third distance from base, followed by a moderately large brown spine with a black tip, separated from another spine of similar size and coloration by a wide gap containing one very small black tooth, this second long spine followed by followed by 5 much smaller black spines of decreasing size running to distal femoral apex; hind tibia straight, inner surface bearing a single row of 16 – 18 small, stout black pegs (Figs. 57, 58). Venter of head with juga and adjacent propleura bearing numerous small black denticles; mesosternum slightly depressed centrally, margins of this depression bearing long, fine gold setae; metasternum broadly and gently tumid, with fine, erect pale setae laterally; abdominal venter set with short appressed pale setae intermixed with longer, fine, semi-erect pale setae laterally and posteromedially; basal abdominal ventrites highly sculptured, ventrite I lying in vertical orientation and bearing a small, rounded bump centrally, remaining ventrites horizontal and all in similar plane, ventrite II with a sharply raised, setiferous longitudinal carina medially, this carina continuing incipiently onto base of ventrite III, remainder of ventrites III and ventrites IV and V slightly swollen, unmodified, ventrite VI slightly flattened centrally, ventrite VII strongly depressed and concave centrally, lateral margins of this central depression strongly raised and thickly setiferous (Fig. 19); ventrite VIII constricted basally. Male genitalia with parameres folded upward and inward, apices nearly meeting over top of proctiger; paramere elongate, ventrally bilobate, basal section with ventral margin broadly rounded, middle portion slightly constricted, then distal section expanded, posterior margin broadly curving, apex acutely rounded (Fig. 59). Proctiger with basolateral lobes well developed, apices rounded; distolateral lobes not developed; distal cone broadly triangular, apex blunt (Fig. 60). Lengths of antennal segments I – IV: 0.80: 0.40: 0.40: 0.45. Lengths of leg segments as follows: femur, tibia, tarsal 1, tarsal 2, tarsal 3 of fore leg, 0.95: 0.95: 0.02: 0.02: 0.30; of middle leg, 1.50: 1.10: 0.10: 0.45: 0.85; of hind leg, 1.25: 1.30: 0.05: 0.20: 0.30. Wingless female: Similar to wingless male in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: long, semi-erect dark setae absent on posterior margins of abdominal tergites III – VII; abdominal tergites I and II slightly domed, tergites III and IV slightly raised along their longitudinal midlines, tergites III – VII dull grey and lacking evident setae; connexival margins convergent posteriorly, angled inward adjacent to abdominal tergites I – IV, then more gradually convergent adjacent to tergites V – VIII (Fig. 56), posterolateral angles folded slightly inward over lateral portions of tergite VIII, bearing thick, angular tufts of moderately long, posteriorly-directed black setae at apices; abdominal tergite VIII and proctiger angled downward at 45 °, proctiger elongate; ventral surface of middle tibia slightly flattened; hind trochanter lacking small black pegs; hind femur only weakly incrassate, area along ventral midline in area covered by infolded hind tibia bearing a single spine row consisting of a single moderately long, triangular, sharp black tooth basally arising at about two-thirds the distance to apex, followed by 4 much smaller spines of progressively decreasing size to femoral apex; hind tibia straight, inner surface lacking teeth; ventral coloration predominantly dull blackish-grey, abdominal sternites VII – IX semi-shining brown; jugum and proepisternum bearing numerous tiny black denticles; all abdominal ventrites lying in similar horizontal plane, posterior margin of abdominal sternite VII unmodified; commisure of first gonocoxae forming a sharply raised longitudinal ventral carina. Winged male: Unknown. Winged female: Unknown.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B68001A95EAFDF1FE1864BB.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The name “ upalai ” is a noun in apposition and refers to the Upalai River type-locality near Alotau in eastern New Guinea.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B68001A95EAFDF1FE1864BB.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Southeastern New Guinea; endemic to the Papuan Peninsula (Fig. 62). The species range as presently known occupies the South Papuan Peninsula Foreland area of freshwater endemism (Areas 30) as delineated by D. Polhemus & Allen (2007).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B68001A95EAFDF1FE1864BB.taxon	discussion	Discussion. This is a predominantly black-colored species occurring in the mountain foothills north of Milne Bay. The male genitalia are similar to those of R. obscura from the Mimani River basin further to the west, but the apex of the paramere is more rounded (compare Figs. 52, 59), and the proctiger is shorter and broader, with the apex of the distal cone blunt rather than acutely produced (compare Figs. 53, 60). Additional differences from R. obscura include the absence of shining patches on female abdominal tergites V – VIII, with these tergites uniformly dull black, rather than bearing shining chestnut brown patches centrally on tergites V – VIII as in R. obscura; and male abdominal ventrite VII with a longitudinally rectangular depression centrally, with the lateral margins flanking this depression strongly raised and bearing dense pads of short, golden-brown setae which become thicker posteriorly (Fig. 19), contrasting with the character state in R. obscura in which ventrite VII bears a deep, crescent-shaped depression centrally, with this depressed area becoming broader and deeper posteriorly, and with its lateral margins flanked by setiferous arcuate ridges (Fig. 18). Females of this species have the connexival margins convergent posteriorly, angling inward adjacent to abdominal tergites I – IV, then more gradually convergent adjacent to tergites V – VIII, with the posterolateral angles folded slightly inward over the lateral portions of tergite VIII (Fig. 56), and bearing thick, angular tufts of moderately long, posteriorly-directed black setae at their apices. The female hind femur bears a single spine row consisting of a single moderately long, triangular, sharp black tooth basally arising at about two-thirds distance to apex, followed by 4 much smaller spines of progressively decreasing size to the femoral apex. A short series of specimens from Muguwe Creek, in the Owen Stanley Mountains west of Alotau, appears to represent this species, having males similar to those from the type-locality, but with a female in which the terminal connexiva are less infolded and bear more prominent setal tufts. As a result, these specimens are not treated as paratypes. Ecological notes. The Upalai River at the type-locality was a clear, rocky stream flowing through a shady, forested, steep-sided valley. Rhagovelia upalai was found here between 30 – 70 m elevation, along a reach extending upstream from the head of the estuary to the base of a waterfall approximately 20 m high that halted further progress (Fig. 61). The stream’s bed profile had a gradually increasing gradient as one moved upstream, consisting of alternating riffles and pools, in a mixed bed of gravel, cobble, rocks, and boulders, intermixed with occasional exposures of bedrock. The stream channel was partially shaded by a canopy of mostly undisturbed lowland rain forest. Rhagovelia upalai is apparently confined to the mountains on the north side of Milne Bay, since collections in similar habitats in the Pini Range and Cloudy Mountains south of the bay, although rich in Rhagovelia, did not produce this species.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B62001A95EAFD95FCEA66A3.taxon	description	The R. goilala subgroup contains three large-sized species, R. antap n. sp., R. udabe n. sp. and R. goilala n sp., with body lengths ranging between 4.00 and 4.80 mm, occurring at elevations between 550 and 1650 m in the mountains of the Papuan Peninsula. The ground color in all of these species is russet brown to orange-brown, overlain to varying degrees with contrasting black markings (Figs. 63, 64, 70, 71, 77, 78). The pale coloration on the anterior pronotum forms a continuous band that is broadly confluent with similar pale coloration on the propleurae, and the female connexiva in all species are widely separated and at most weakly infolded posteriorly, leaving all abdominal tergites visible in dorsal view (Figs. 64, 71, 78). The male proctiger has moderately large basolateral lobes, whereas the distolateral lobes are weakly developed or incipient (Figs. 68, 75, 82), and the male paramere is thick, with a truncate apex (Figs. 67, 74, 81). The species in this group inhabit the first order headwaters of any given drainage network, often in the vicinity of source springs (Figs. 69, 76, 83).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B62001E95EAFBEDFF606203.taxon	description	(Figs. 63 – 69, 84)	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B62001E95EAFBEDFF606203.taxon	materials_examined	Type material examined. Holotype, wingless male, PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Milne Bay Prov., New Guinea, Cloudy Mountains, headwater tributary to upper Watuti River, S. of Gelemalaia, 715 m., 10 ° 29 ' 50 " S, 150 ° 13 ' 58 " E, water temp. 22 ° C., 10 April 2002, 16: 00 – 17: 30 hrs., CL 7175, D. A. Polhemus (USNM). Paratypes: PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Milne Bay Prov., New Guinea: 1 winged male, 4 wingless males, 3 wingless females, same data as holotype, D. A. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM). Central Prov., New Guinea: 1 winged female, 1 wingless male, 2 wingless females, Owen Stanley Range, trib. to upper Mimani River, 2.7 km. NE of Dorobisoro, 580 – 685 m., water temp. 21.5 ° C., 8 October 2003, 09: 30 – 12: 30 hrs., 9 ° 27 ' 23 " S, 147 ° 57 ' 03 " E, CL 7262, D. A. Polhemus (USNM BPBM).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B62001E95EAFBEDFF606203.taxon	description	Description. Wingless male. Size: Length = 4.00 – 4.50 mm (x = 4.30, n = 3); width = 1.30 – 1.60 mm (x = 1.48, n = 3). Wingless female, length = 4.30 – 4.50 mm (x = 4.36, n = 4); width = 1.50 – 1.60 mm, (x = 1.57, n = 4). Winged male, length = 5.00 mm (n = 1); width = 1.80 mm (n = 1). Winged female, length = 5.40 mm (n = 1); width = 2.10 mm (n = 1). Coloration: Dorsal ground color orange-brown, marked with black on dorsal head, thorax and abdomen (Fig. 63). Head orange-brown except vertex dark brown; tylus, genae and rostrum all orange-brown, rostrum fuscous ventromedially, piceous distally; eyes dark reddish black. Pronotum orange-brown, posterior half and narrowly along margins of propleurae dark brown to black. Mesonotum entirely orange-brown. Metanotum entirely black. Abdominal tergites I – III dark brownish-black with small, vaguely suggested orange-brown patches centrally, tergites IV and V dark brownish-black laterally with large orange-brown patches centrally, tergites VI and VII predominantly orange-brown with narrow brownish black markings along lateral and posterior margins, tergite VIII black, tergites I – VI uniformly dull and lacking shining areas, tergite VII dull anteriorly, semi-shining posteriorly, tergite VIII entirely semi-shining; connexiva dark brown on inner halves, orange-brown on outer halves, ventral faces dark yellow. Antennal segment I yellowish brown on basal one-third, orange-brown on middle one-third, medium brown on distal one-third, segments II – IV entirely black. Legs generally orange-brown, with all tibiae medium brown, all coxae dark brown. Venter orange-brown except areas surrounding spiracles on paratergites and all of abdominal ventrite VIII dark brown. Structural characters: Head moderately short, declivant anteriorly, with weakly impressed median line; length 0.55, width 0.95; length of eye along inner margin 0.45, anterior / posterior interocular space, 0.25 / 0.50. Pronotum short, length along midline 0.50, less than dorsal length of head, leaving mesonotum broadly exposed, width 1.50; mesonotum smooth, lacking deep foveae, humeri depressed, length 0.70. Metanotum barely exposed, length 0.20. Lengths of abdominal tergites I – VIII, respectively: 0.25: 0.25: 0.30: 0.25: 0.25: 0.30: 0.50: 0.30. Connexiva with margins of even width throughout, weakly sinuate, being gently inwardly concave adjacent to abdominal tergites I – III, then gently outwardly convex adjacent to tergites IV and V, then gradually convergent posteriorly adjacent to tergites VI and VII; posterolateral angles not modified, separated by entire width of tergite VIII. Entire dorsum and laterotergites covered with fine appressed golden pubescence, intermixed with a few scattered longer, semi-erect black setae centrally on posterior margins of metanotum and abdominal tergites I and II; legs and antennae thickly clothed with short appressed gold setae, with scattered long, erect, spine-like black setae on anterodorsal faces of antennal segments I and II, and anterior margins of all femora, long, slender, dark setae along posterior margins of fore and hind femora, numerous long, pilose brown setae along posterior margin of hind femur; fore and middle trochanters lacking pegs or teeth; fore and middle femora and middle tibia with margins straight, not flattened or otherwise modified; fore tibia slightly expanded and ventrally flattened on distal one-fourth, hind trochanter bearing 12 small dark peg-like teeth ventrally; hind femur highly incrassate, bearing numerous pegs and teeth of varying sizes scattered across ventral face, the most dorsal row consisting of a moderately large orange-brown tooth with a black tip lying about two-thirds distance distally from the femoral base, followed by 5 similarly formed and colored teeth of progressively decreasing size distally, next row ventrally consisting of approximately 15 tiny, closely appressed black pegs basally, followed by a relatively large orange-brown tooth with a black apex about one-third the distal distance from the femoral base, next row ventral to this consisting of 10 orange-brown teeth with dark tips beginning at one-quarter the distance from the femoral base and running distally to the apex, these teeth small basally, becoming progressively larger distally, last tooth row ventrally consisting of 8 small dark teeth forming an irregular line when viewed ventrally, followed by a single larger tooth at two-thirds distance from femoral base; hind tibia broadly and gently sinuate, inner surface bearing 2 parallel rows of 14 small, blunt, dark teeth, followed distally by a large, acute, orange-brown tooth with a dark apex slightly over one-half the distance from the base, followed by 6 similar but smaller stout, sharp dark teeth running to distal tibial apex (Figs. 65, 66). Venter of head and thorax lacking small black denticles; mesosternum slightly depressed centrally, margins of this depression bearing very long, fine gold setae; metasternum gently tumid centrally, bearing curling gold setae posteromedially, lateral sections weakly depressed; abdominal venter set with short appressed gold setae intermixed with scattered long, fine, erect gold setae along longitudinal midline of ventrite I; basal abdominal ventrites highly sculptured, ventrite I lying in vertical orientation, remaining ventrites horizontal and all in similar plane, ventrite II with a strongly raised carina along longitudinal midline, this carina continuing in less pronounced form onto ventrites III and IV, ventrites V and VI unmodified, ventrite VII broadly and shallowly flattened centrally, ventrite VIII weakly depressed laterally to either side of raised midline. Male paramere thick, elongate, slightly sinuate, bearing stout setae along basal two-thirds of ventral margin, dorsal margin with a sharp notch between the basal and distal lobes, posterior apex truncate (Fig. 67). Male proctiger with basolateral lobes well developed, broadly angular; distolateral lobes weakly developed, gently rounded; distal cone triangular, apex acute (Fig. 68) Lengths of antennal segments I – IV: 1.25: 0.75: 1.05: 0.75. Lengths of leg segments as follows: femur, tibia, tarsal 1, tarsal 2 of fore leg, 1.60: 1: 55: 0.06: 0.03: 0.45; of middle leg, 2.50: 1.90: 0.10: 0.70: 1.00; of hind leg, 2.65: 2.70: 0.07: 0.20: 0.45. Wingless female: Similar to wingless male in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: all abdominal tergites orange-brown centrally, dark brown laterally, tergites I – IV dull, tergites V – VIII semi-shining centrally; connexival margins straight, of even width throughout, converging evenly to posterior apex of abdomen (Fig. 64), posterolateral angles broadly rounded when viewed laterally, bearing small, tapering tufts of posteriorly-directed black setae, apices not infolded, separated by entire width of abdominal tergite VII; abdominal tergite VIII and proctiger angling downward at approximately 40 ° when viewed laterally; hind femora only weakly incrassate, bearing a moderately large, sharp, distally-angled orange-brown tooth with a black apex at about two-thirds distal distance from base, followed distally by 5 much smaller sharp, black teeth; hind tibiae straight, inner surface lacking teeth; ventral coloration almost entirely orange-brown except for limited dark markings along acetabular sutures; abdominal sternite II with longitudinal medial carina on basal two-thirds only, remaining abdominal ventrites unmodified. Winged male: Similar to wingless male in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: pronotum greatly enlarged, completely covering meso- and metanotum, width 1.80, length 1.60; humeri enlarged, posterior apex angular, anterior margin broadly dark yellow across entire width, central section broadly medium brown, posterior margin narrowly paler brown, posterior lobe set with scattered shallow foveae immediately adjacent to posterior margin, entire pronotum covered with short recumbent gold setae, intermixed on posterior lobe with moderate length, straight, stiff, dark setae along posterior margin; forewings uniformly dark brown, bearing 4 closed cells extending into distal section of wing, consisting of two long cells in the basal half of the wing plus two smaller cells of subequal size distally. Male hind femur only moderately incrassate, bearing 2 rows of teeth ventrally, the dorsal row consisting of a large, sharp, orange-brown tooth with a black apex at about two-thirds distal distance from femoral base, followed by 4 similar but much smaller teeth of progressively decreasing size to distal apex, the ventral row of teeth more irregular, consisting of ~ 16 very small black teeth running the length of the femur, intermixed with 3 slightly larger orange-brown teeth with black apices on central section of femoral margin. Winged female: Similar to winged male in general form and coloration, but body size larger; pronotum width 2.00, length 1.90.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B62001E95EAFBEDFF606203.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The name “ antap ” is derived from the Papuan pidgin English word for “ on top, ” and refers to the occurrence of this species only at high elevation spring sources.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B62001E95EAFBEDFF606203.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Southeastern New Guinea; endemic to the Papuan Peninsula (Fig. 84). The species range as presently known occupies the South Papuan Peninsula Foreland and Cloudy Mountains areas of freshwater endemism (Areas 30 and 34) as delineated by D. Polhemus & Allen (2007).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B62001E95EAFBEDFF606203.taxon	discussion	Discussion. Rhagovelia antap is a large, uniformly orange-brown species found as localized populations at upland springs forming the outflow sources for first order streams. The species is easily recognized by its large size, predominantly orange-brown coloration, heavily armed male hind leg (Figs. 65, 66), and distinctively massive and truncate male paramere (Fig. 67). Antennal segment III is also unusually long in this species, with the ratio of its length to that of either antennal segment II or segment IV being 1.05 / 0.75. The other Rhagovelia species known from the EPCT with which R. antap might possibly be confused include R. aureospicata, which is also large and orange-colored but possesses a set of thorn-like spines basally on the male middle femur (Fig. 333), a broader and more posteriorly rounded female abdomen (compare Figs. 64 and 332), and different male genitalic structures (Figs. 67, 68 to Figs. 335, 336); or R. udabe and R. goilala, which are also large upland species but have much darker dorsal coloration (Figs. 70, 71, 77, 78) and differently shaped male parameres (Figs. 74, 81). Ecological notes. The type-series of R. antap was taken from a spring at the source of a first order tributary streamlet near the crest of the northern ridge of the main Cloudy Mountain massif, lying south of the Sagarai River, which in turn drains eastward into Orangerie Bay. The insects were only found in the immediate vicinty of the source spring, which lay at the base of a set of wet bedrock faces. The stream profile descended steeply from here through a set of small waterfalls, rapids and flowing pools, with the entire area heavily shaded by relatively intact upland rain forest, in which just a few trees had been removed for local construction of shelters from the frequent rain showers at this elevation. A second series of R. antap was taken along a tributary to the upper Mimani River (CL 7262) in the Kemp Welch River basin, from springs at the source of a clear, rocky, heavily shaded creek descending steeply through primary rain forest, in a bed of mixed rock types including pyroclastics, quartz, and greenschist. This stream was followed upward along a steadily steeper profile, until a bedrock sill was encountered at 670 m elevation, followed soon thereafter by a series of waterfalls. Individuals of R. antap were found only in the extreme headwater reach above these falls at a headwater spring (Fig. 69), whereas the reaches below the falls supported R. mimani and R. obscura.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B64000295EAFF44FB49640F.taxon	description	(Figs. 70 – 76, 84)	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B64000295EAFF44FB49640F.taxon	materials_examined	Type Material examined. — Holotype, wingless male: PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Central Prov., New Guinea, Owen Stanley Range, small hill streamlet, 1.3 km. SSE of Woitape, 1600 m., 8 ° 33 ' 00 " S, 147 ° 15 ' 34 " E, water temp. 17.5 ° C., 2 October 2003, 08: 30 – 09: 15 hrs., CL 7248, D. A. Polhemus (BPBM). Paratypes: PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Central Prov., New Guinea: 10 wingless males, 20 wingless females, 16 immatures, same data as holotype (USNM, BPBM); 1 winged female, 10 wingless males, 8 wingless females, Owen Stanley Range, Om Creek, trib. to upper Udabe River, 1.85 km. SSE of Woitape, 1585 m., 8 ° 33 ' 28 " S, 147 ° 15 ' 22 " E, water temp. 19 ° C., 2 October 2003, 12: 00 – 12: 30 hrs., CL 7251, D. A. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 12 wingless males, 23 wingless females, 5 immatures, Owen Stanley Range, hill streamlet in original forest, 1.5 km. SSE of Woitape, 1645 m., 8 ° 33 ' 09 " S, 147 ° 15 ' 35 " E, water temp. 18 ° C., 2 October 2003, 14: 00 – 14: 30 hrs., CL 7252, D. A. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B64000295EAFF44FB49640F.taxon	description	Description. Wingless male: Size: Length = 4.10 – 4.55 mm (x = 4.33, n = 5); width = 1.40 – 1.60 mm (x = 1.50, n = 5). Wingless female, length = 4.30 – 4.80 mm (x = 4.50, n = 5); width = 1.55 – 1.70 mm, (x = 1.63, n = 5). Winged female, length = 5.20 mm (n = 1); width = 2.00 mm (n = 1). Coloration: Dorsal ground color dark brown, marked with dark yellow to orange-brown on basal antennae, anterior pronotum, central section of mesonotum, connexiva and legs (Fig. 70). Head black; lower frons, juga and rostrum dark yellow, rostrum fuscous ventromedially, piceous distally; eyes dark reddish black. Pronotum dark yellow on anterior half, this yellowish coloration continuing laterally as a continuous band onto the propleurae, posterior half black. Mesonotum broadly dark brown posterolaterally, narrowly dark orange-brown anteromedially, this orange coloration in the form of a broad triangle with the apex directed posteriorly. Metanotum and abdominal tergites I – V uniformly dark blackish-brown; all abdominal tergites uniformly dull and lacking shining areas; connexiva dark black on inner halves, dark yellow on outer halves, ventral faces also dark yellow. Antennal segment I with basal one-third dark yellow, distal two-thirds plus all of segments II – IV black. Legs generally black dorsally, dark brown ventrally, with coxae, trochanters, basal half of fore femur, ventral face of hind femur dark yellow. Venter dark brown, with all acetabula, prosternum, posterior half of mesosternum, metasternum, and central portions of abdominal ventrites III – VIII, dark yellow to yellowish brown. Structural characters: Head moderately short, declivant anteriorly, with weakly impressed median line; length 0.45, width 0.85; length of eye along inner margin 0.40, anterior / posterior interocular space, 0.25 / 0.50. Pronotum short, length along midline 0.35, less than dorsal length of head, leaving mesonotum broadly exposed, width 1.25; mesonotum smooth, lacking deep foveae, humeri depressed, length 0.75. Metanotum barely exposed, length 0.10. Lengths of abdominal tergites I – VIII, respectively: 0.25: 0.25: 0.40: 0.45: 0.25: 0.30: 0.45: 0.40. Connexiva with margins of even width throughout, very slightly sinuate, convergent posteriorly, posterolateral angles not modified, separated by entire width of tergite VIII, bearing sparse tufts of long dark setae. Entire dorsum and laterotergites thickly covered with fine, appressed pale pubescence, intermixed with a few longer, semi-recumbent black setae; legs and antennae thickly clothed with short appressed pale setae, with scattered long, erect, bristly black setae on anterodorsal faces of antennal segments I and II, and anterior margins of all femora, plus long pilose brown setae along posterior margins of all femora; fore and middle trochanters lacking pegs or teeth; fore and middle femora and middle tibia with margins straight, not flattened or otherwise modified; fore tibia slightly flattened ventrally on distal one-fourth, longitudinally channeled adjacent to grasping comb; hind trochanter bearing 12 – 14 small dark pegs ventrally; hind femur highly incrassate, bearing two parallel rows of teeth, ventral row lying in area covered by infolded hind tibia and consisting of approximately 15 tiny, closely appressed black pegs running from base of femur to midpoint, followed by a gap at central portion of femur, followed by 8 small black spinules running to apex, dorsal row commencing near middle of femur at distal end of basal peg row with a large, acute tooth, followed by 5 teeth of progressively declining size, then another large, acute tooth, followed by 5 teeth of progressively declining size, all these teeth orange-brown basally with black apices; hind tibia broadly and gently sinuate, inner surface bearing a row of about 14 small dark teeth, plus one large, acute, tooth approximately two-thirds distance from base (Figs. 72, 73). Venter of head and thorax lacking small black denticles; meso- and metasterna slightly depressed centrally, margins of this depression bearing long, fine gold setae; abdominal venter set with short appressed gold setae intermixed with scattered long, fine, erect, dark brown setae centrally; basal abdominal ventrites highly sculptured, ventrite I lying in vertical orientation, remaining ventrites horizontal and all in similar plane, ventrite II with an acute longitudinal carina of V-shaped cross section medially, this carina continuing in less pronounced form onto ventrite III; ventrites IV and V unmodified, ventrite VI and VII broadly and shallowly flattened centrally, ventrite VIII constricted basally. Male paramere thick, moderately elongate, bearing stout setae on basal half, apex blunt, broadly curving (Fig. 74). Male proctiger with basolateral lobes well developed, rounded; distolateral lobes not developed; distal cone with lateral margins slightly tapering and convergent posteriorly, apex broadly rounded, blunt (Fig. 75). Lengths of antennal segments I – IV: 0.90: 0.55: 0.80: 0.35. Lengths of leg segments as follows: femur, tibia, tarsal 1, tarsal 2 of fore leg, 1.15: 1: 25: 0.05: 0.03: 0.30; of middle leg, 3.90: 1.50: 0.10: 0.70: 0.80; of hind leg, 1.75: 1.70: 0.05: 0.15: 0.35. Wingless female: Similar to wingless male in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: abdominal tergites I – VIII black around margins with broad orange-brown patches centrally; connexival margins moderately convergent adjacent to abdominal tergites I – IV, then subparallel and only weakly convergent adjacent to abdominal tergites V – VIII, margins slightly thickened adjacent to abdominal tergites III and IV, folded slightly inward over lateral portions of abdominal tergites IV – VIII (Fig. 71), posterolateral angles forming right angles when viewed laterally, bearing long, thick, angular tufts of posteriorly-directed stiff black setae; abdominal tergite VIII horizontal, proctiger angled downward in a nearly vertical orientation; hind femora only weakly incrassate, bearing only 3 very small dark teeth on posterior third, these teeth of progressively decreasing size distally; hind tibiae straight, inner surface lacking teeth; ventral coloration predominantly orange-brown, with metasternum and abdominal ventrite I dark brown to black; all abdominal ventrites lying in similar horizontal plane, sternite II with incipient longitudinal medial carina basally, central sections of abdominal sternites III – VI flattened centrally. Winged female: Similar to wingless female in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: pronotum greatly enlarged, width 2.00, length 1.80, completely covering meso- and metanotum; anterior lobe with transverse ovate orange-brown patch along anterior margin in area behind head, this patch weakly suffused with silvery pruinosity, narrowly confluent laterally behind eyes with paler coloration on propleurae; humeri enlarged, slightly protrusive laterally; posterior pronotal lobe dark blackish-brown, broadly domed, posterior half with small, obscure foveae, posterior margin broadly angular, bearing scattered long, gently curving, semi-erect black setae; forewings uniformly dark blackish-brown, wing apices extending past apex of abdomen when intact, bearing 4 closed cells consisting of two elongate cells in basal half of wing followed by two smaller cells of subequal size distally near center of wing. Winged male: Unknown.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B64000295EAFF44FB49640F.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The name “ udabe ” is a noun in apposition, and refers to the Udabe River system (a headwater tributary to the Vanapa River) from which the type series of this species was collected.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B64000295EAFF44FB49640F.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Southeastern New Guinea; endemic to the Owen Stanley Range (Fig. 84). The species range as presently known occupies the Owen Stanley Range area of freshwater endemism (Area 31) as delineated by D. Polhemus & Allen (2007).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B64000295EAFF44FB49640F.taxon	discussion	Discussion. This is a large, orange-brown species occurring on higher elevation streamlets in the Owen Stanley Range. The males are similar to those of R. goilala from the Fane area further to the west, but have far less orange coloration on the central metanotum, and no orange-brown patches centrally on the abdominal tergites. The male genitalia also differ, with the male paramere of R. udabe having an apically truncate apex, versus the upturned and slightly pointed apex seen in R. goilala (compare Figs. 74, 81), and the apex of the proctiger slightly angular and pointed, versus blunt and rounded in R. goilala (compare Figs. 75, 82). Females have the proctiger angled downward into a vertical orientation when viewed laterally, versus angled at 45 ° as in R. goilala, and possess thick, angular tufts of posteriorly-directed stiff black setae at the posterolateral connexival angles, which are lacking in R. goilala (compare Figs. 71, 78). Ecological notes. Rhagovelia udabe appears to prefer first order streamlets at elevations above 1550 m elevation. At the Udabe River headwaters (CL 7247) this species was taken only from tiny pools on a steeply descending tributary streamlet, and was not seen along the main river channel, where R. auga was common instead. Similarly, at a locality 1.3 km. SSE of Woitape (CL 7248) this species was taken from a small, shallow streamlet dropping down through a heavily shaded gully via small cascades and pools (Fig. 76). At Om Creek (CL 7251) this species was taken from a moderately swift, clear stream in a bed of dark, rounded rocks and boulders, bordered mostly by steep grassy banks and shaded by remnant trees. The water was 0.3 – 1.0 m deep, and the channel was 1.5 – 3.0 m wide. In this situation R. udabe occurred syntopically with R. auga. At a hill streamlet in original forest, 1.5 km. SSE of Woitape (CL 7252) R. udabe was taken on a small, shallow, heavily shaded streamlet descending steeply via small cascades, tiny plunge pools, and shallow flowing runs through a steep-sided gully overtopped with mossy native primary montane rainforest. The stream substrate was composed of orange earth and gravel intermixed with dark metamorphic boulders, and the Rhagovelia here skated on the tiny pools and shallow flows, with their orange coloration matching the underlying benthic substrate.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B7A000695EAFE54FAB76687.taxon	description	(Figs. 77 – 84)	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B7A000695EAFE54FAB76687.taxon	materials_examined	Type material examined. Holotype, wingless male: PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Central Prov., New Guinea, Owen Stanley Range, tributary streamlet to Hane River, 1.0 km. [straight line] SSE of Fane, 1310 – 1370 m., 8 ° 33 ' 33 " S, 147 ° 05 ' 24 " E, water temp. 20 ° C., 4 October 2003, 11: 00 – 12: 30 hrs., CL 7256, D. A. Polhemus (BPBM). Paratypes: PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Central Prov., New Guinea: 3 winged males, 98 wingless males, 99 wingless females, 47 immatures, same data as holotype, CL 7256 (USNM, BPBM); 6 winged females, 27 wingless males, 14 wingless females, 10 immatures, Owen Stanley Range, Hane River, 1.8 km. SSE of Fane, 1310 – 1370 m., 8 ° 34 ' 00 " S, 147 ° 05 ' 10 " E, water temp. 19 ° C., 3 October 2003, 10: 30 – 13: 30 hrs., CL 7253, D. A. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 1 winged male, 13 wingless males, 10 wingless females, 2 immatures, Owen Stanley Range, spring-fed streamlet crossing trail near Hane River, 1.8 km. SSE of Fane, 1370 m., 8 ° 34 ' 00 " S, 147 ° 05 ' 10 " E, water temp. 19 ° C., 3 October 2003, 13: 00 – 13: 30 hrs., CL 7253 a, D. A. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 1 winged male, 1 winged female, 16 wingless males, 11 wingless females, Owen Stanley Range, Mas River, 2.0 km. SW of Fane, 1235 m., 8 ° 33 ' 25 " S, 147 ° 04 ' 04 " E, water temp. 20 ° C., 5 October 2003, 10: 00 – 13: 30 hrs., CL 7257, D. A. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 2 winged males, 6 winged females, 19 wingless males, 20 wingless females, Owen Stanley Range, trib. to Mas River, 1.9 km. SW of Fane, 1220 – 1250 m., 8 ° 33 ' 33 " S, 147 ° 04 ' 12 " E, water temp. 20.5 ° C., 5 October 2003, 10: 45 – 12: 30 hrs., CL 7258, D. A. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B7A000695EAFE54FAB76687.taxon	description	Description. Wingless male: Size: length = 4.10 – 4.40 mm (x = 4.21, n = 7); width 1.35 – 1.65 mm (x = 4.27, n = 7). Wingless female, length = 4.15 – 4.40 mm (x = 4.27, n = 5), width = 1.45 – 1.60 (x = 1.53, n = 5). Winged male, length = 4.60 – 4.80 (x = 4.70, n = 2), width = 1.70, 1.75 (x = 1.72, n = 2). Winged female, length = 4.80 (n = 1), width = 1.90 (n = 1). Coloration: Dorsal ground color dark brown, marked with dark yellow to orange-brown on basal antennae, anterior pronotum, central section of mesonotum, connexiva and legs (Fig. 77). Head dark brown; lower frons, juga and rostrum dark yellow, rostrum fuscous ventromedially, piceous distally; eyes dark reddish black. Pronotum dark yellow on anterior half, this yellowish coloration continuing laterally as a continuous band onto the propleurae, posterior half dark brown to black. Mesonotum broadly dark brown to black posterolaterally, broadly orange-brown centrally, this orange coloration in the form of a broad triangle with the apex directed posteriorly. Metanotum and abdominal tergites I – V dark blackish-brown; tergites VI and VII blackish-brown laterally, orange-brown centrally, abdominal tergites VIII and IX (proctiger) black; all abdominal tergites uniformly dull and lacking shining areas; connexiva dark blackish-brown on inner halves, dark yellow on outer halves, ventral faces also dark yellow. Antennal segment I with basal one-third dark yellow, distal two-thirds plus all of segment II dark brown, segments III and IV black. Legs generally medium brown, with coxae, trochanters, basal half of fore femur, and all femora ventrally dark yellow. Venter dark brown, with all acetabula, prosternum, posterior half of metasternum, and central portions of abdominal ventrites III – VI dark yellow to yellowish brown. Structural characters: Head moderately short, declivant anteriorly, with weakly impressed median line; length 0.35, width 0.85; length of eye along inner margin 0.35, anterior / posterior interocular space, 0.22 / 0.45. Pronotum short, length along midline 0.30, less than dorsal length of head, leaving mesonotum broadly exposed, width 1.25; mesonotum smooth, lacking deep foveae, humeri depressed, length 0.60. Metanotum barely exposed, length 0.10. Lengths of abdominal tergites I – VIII, respectively: 0.20: 0.25: 0.20: 0.20: 0.20: 0.25: 0.45: 0.45. Connexiva with margins of even width throughout, weakly outwardly convex, convergent posteriorly, posterolateral angles not modified, separated by entire width of tergite VIII, bearing a few long dark setae. Entire dorsum and laterotergites thickly covered with fine, appressed pale pubescence, intermixed with scattered longer, semi-recumbent black setae; legs and antennae thickly clothed with short appressed pale setae, with scattered long, erect, bristly black setae on anterodorsal faces of antennal segments I and II, and anterior margins of all femora, plus long pilose brown setae along posterior margins of all femora; fore and middle trochanters lacking pegs or teeth; fore and middle femora and middle tibia with margins straight, not flattened or otherwise modified; fore tibia slightly flattened ventrally on distal one-fourth, longitudinally channeled adjacent to grasping comb; hind trochanter bearing 12 – 14 small dark pegs ventrally; hind femur highly incrassate, bearing two parallel rows of teeth, ventral row lying in area covered by infolded hind tibia and consisting of approximately 14 tiny, closely appressed black pegs running from base of femur to midpoint, followed by a gap at central portion of femur, followed by 7 small black spinules running to apex, dorsal row commencing near middle of femur at distal end of basal peg row with a large, acute tooth, followed by 4 teeth of progressively declining size, then another large, acute tooth, followed by 5 teeth of progressively declining size, all these teeth orange-brown basally with black apices; hind tibia broadly and gently sinuate, inner surface bearing a row of about 14 small dark teeth, plus one large, acute, tooth approximately two-thirds distance from base (Figs. 79, 80). Venter of head and thorax lacking small black denticles; meso- and metasterna slightly depressed centrally, margins of this depression bearing long, fine gold setae; abdominal venter set with short appressed gold setae intermixed with scattered long, fine, erect dark brown setae centrally; basal abdominal ventrites sculptured, ventrite I lying in vertical orientation, remaining ventrites horizontal and all in similar plane, ventrite II with an acute longitudinal carina of V-shaped cross section medially, this carina continuing in less pronounced form onto ventrite III; ventrites IV and V unmodified, ventrite VI and VII broadly and shallowly flattened centrally, ventrite VIII constricted basally. Male paramere elongate, thickest basally, bearing stout setae on central section of ventral margin, distal section broadly curving upward, not expanded, apex acute (Fig. 81). Male proctiger with basolateral lobes well developed, rounded; distolateral lobes not developed; distal cone elongate triangular, densely setiferous, apex acute (Fig. 82). Lengths of antennal segments I – IV: 0.85: 0.60: 0.80: 0.60. Lengths of leg segments as follows: femur, tibia, tarsal 1, tarsal 2 of fore leg, 1.05: 1: 20: 0.05: 0.03: 0.30; of middle leg, 1.90: 1.40: 0.10: 0.65: 0.85; of hind leg, 1.50: 1.65: 0.05: 0.15: 0.35. Wingless female: Similar to wingless male in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: abdominal tergites I – VIII black around margins with broad orange-brown patches centrally; connexival margins straight and of even width throughout, converging evenly to posterior apex of abdomen, infolded very slightly over lateral sections of abdominal tergite VIII (Fig. 78), posterolateral angles forming right angles when viewed laterally, bearing short, angular tufts of posteriorly-directed stiff black setae; abdominal tergite VIII horizontal, proctiger angled downward at 45 °; hind femora only weakly incrassate, bearing only 3 very small dark teeth on posterior third, these teeth of progressively decreasing size distally; hind tibiae straight, inner surface lacking teeth; ventral coloration predominantly orange-brown, with metasternum and V-shaped area on central mesosternum black; all abdominal ventrites lying in similar horizontal plane, sternite II with weak longitudinal medial carina basally, central sections of abdominal sternites III – VI flattened centrally. Winged male: Similar to wingless male in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: pronotum greatly enlarged, width 1.70, length 1.70, completely covering meso- and metanotum; anterior lobe with transversely ovate orange-brown patch along anterior margin in area behind head, this patch weakly suffused with silvery pruinosity, narrowly confluent laterally behind eyes with paler coloration on propleurae; humeri enlarged, slightly protrusive laterally; posterior pronotal lobe dark blackish-brown, broadly domed, posterior half with small, obscure foveae, posterior margin broadly angular, bearing scattered long, gently curving, semi-erect black setae; forewings mostly dark blackish-brown, narrowly paler brown basally parallel to anal vein, wing apices extending past apex of abdomen when intact, bearing 4 closed cells consisting of two elongate cells in basal half of wing followed by two smaller cells of subequal size distally near center of wing. Hind femur less incrassate than in wingless male. Winged female: Similar to winged male in general form and coloration, but body size slightly longer; pronotum width 1.90, length 1.60.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B7A000695EAFE54FAB76687.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The name “ goilala ” is a noun in apposition and refers to the people who inhabit the Owen Stanley range in the area where this species was discovered.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B7A000695EAFE54FAB76687.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Southeastern New Guinea; endemic to the Owen Stanley Range (Fig. 84). The species range as presently known occupies the Owen Stanley Range area of freshwater endemism (Area 31) as delineated by D. Polhemus & Allen (2007).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B7A000695EAFE54FAB76687.taxon	discussion	Discussion. Rhagovelia goilala is a robust, orange-brown species currently known from the upper Auga River basin (an east bank tributary to the Angabanga River) on the southwestern flank of the Papuan Peninsula. In general appearance this species is most similar to R. udabe, known from similar elevations in the Vanapa River basin to the southeast, but can be separated from that species by the absence of prominent, acuminate tufts of setae at the posterolateral angles of the female connexiva (compare Figs. 71, 78); the absence of a concavity along the posterior margin of male abdominal ventrite VII; and the structures of the male genitalia (compare Figs. 75, 75 to Figs. 81, 82, and see discussion under R. udabe). Ecological notes. The type-locality lay 1.0 km southeast of the mission station of Fane in a straight line, but on the other side of the small Hane River valley, so the walking distance via the main trail up the Auga River gorge, which contoured in and out of the Hane valley, was over 2 km. This was a small, shallow, steeply descending streamlet in a bed of rough, shattered rocks and spalls from the underlying metamorphic bedrock. The channel was heavily shaded by partially disturbed upland rain forest, with the bed profile consisting of alternating small cascades and pools. Certain reaches had little surface flow due to percolation through the loose rocks of the streambed. On a tributary to the Mas River, west of Fane and slightly lower (CL 7258) this species was taken from small, shallow pools formed below side springs with emergent taro, the outflows from which entered a swift, clear creek in a high gradient bed of rocks and boulders, with periodic bedrock exposures (Fig. 83). As at the Hane River, this species was found only on the side spring outflows and streamlets, and not along the main stream channel which experiences more variable flow regimes and higher volume spates. The author’s field notes from 3 October 2003 state that (with supplementary comments in brackets): “ Took orange-marked Rhagovelia and dark Neusterensifer from a small, shallow, spring-fed tributary [to the Hane River] overtopped with boulders and vegetation. Later took the same Rhagovelia from a shallow, flowing pool (CL 7255) where a streamlet crossed the main trail [along the Auga River gorge] just before the Hane River ford [coming from Fane village]. This Rhagovelia is clearly a species of the streamlets, and is never seen on the main river. ”	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B7C000495EAFF44FAF66034.taxon	description	The R. dibuwa subgroup is a set of moderate to large-sized species within the context of the R. novacaledonica group, with body lengths ranging from 3.5 – 4.8 mm. Most of these species are predominantly dark colored, with limited dark yellow or orange-brown markings on the anterior pronotum and connexiva (Figs. 85, 86, 92, 93, 99, 100, 106, 107, 118, 119, 125, 126), but in a few taxa from the D'Entrecasteaux Islands there is marked intraspecific color polymorphism, with both dark grey and orange-brown forms present (Figs. 107, 109). Males have connexival margins that are gently sinuate, being bowed slightly inward along their central sections, whereas in females the connexival margins are uniformly straight, converging evenly toward the posterior margin of the abdomen but not touching at their apices, and thus leaving all of the abdominal tergites exposed in dorsal view (Figs. 86, 93, 100, 107, 119, 126). The male pregenital segment (VIII) is comparatively elongate, and bears a transverse sulcus basally, causing it to appear constricted in lateral view. The male paramere has a distinctive shape, with a relatively straight ventral margin, and an expanded distal section that forms an upward-angling lobe (Figs. 89, 96, 103, 114, 122, 129). The male proctiger has the distolateral lobes only modestly developed at best, whereas the basolateral lobes are strongly developed and in some cases diagnostic for species separation (Figs. 90, 97, 104, 115, 123, 130). Female abdominal tergites V – VIII may bear shining patches centrally, the presence or absence of which on a particular tergite may also be useful for species separation. The prosternum and jugae lack black denticles. The R. dibuwa subgroup contains six morphologically similar species — R. watuti, R. peninsularis, R. kalawai, R. dibuwa, R. awaetowa and R. torrenticola — occurring in the mountain ranges at the far eastern extremity of the Papuan Peninsula, and on the adjacent offshore islands, including those of the D’Entrecasteaux Islands and others lying immediately east of the China Strait. These species are found on rocky upland streams (Figs. 91, 98, 105, 116, 117, 124, 131), being most typically encountered at elevations above 100 m. The D'Entrecasteaux group is a geologically young archipelago that has only formed in the past 5 my (Abers et al. 2002) and as such, speciation there has of necessity been relatively recent, a pattern also seen in recent studies of microhylid frogs occurring in the archipelago (Hill et al., 2023). The species in the R. dibuwa subgroup that occur there possess many common morphological character states, a situation also repeated in the R. loriae subgroup of the R. papuensis group, which occurs across this same geography, and often intermixes with members of the R. dibuwa subgroup on the same streams (see subsequent discussion under that subgroup). Even so, these insular Rhagovelia populations are currently allopatric, being separated by deep water barriers that persisted throughout the Pleistocene, and the differences between the island populations are sufficient to consider them separate species in the context of the current monograph. It seems possible that these insular species originated from an ancestral stock present along the southern side of the Papuan Peninsula, since there are potential homologies in certain character systems to morphologically similar taxa occurring in that area, such as R. mimani. Counterintuitively, the R. novacaledonica group species occurring on the north side of the Papuan Peninsula, in closer proximity to the D’Entrecasteaux Islands, share fewer potentially homologous character states and seem more distantly related.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B7C000B95EAFA13FDB8624B.taxon	description	(Figs. 20, 26, 85 – 91, 132)	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B7C000B95EAFA13FDB8624B.taxon	materials_examined	Type material examined. Holotype, wingless male: PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Milne Bay Prov., New Guinea, Cloudy Mountains, headwater tributary to upper Watuti River, S. of Gelemalaia, 715 m., 10 ° 29 ' 50 " S, 150 ° 13 ' 58 " E, water temp. 22 ° C., 10 April 2002, 16: 00 – 17: 30 hrs., CL 7175, D. A. Polhemus (USNM). Paratypes: PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Milne Bay Prov., New Guinea: 11 winged males, 8 winged females, 45 wingless males, 42 wingless females, 1 immature, same data as holotype, CL 7175, D. A. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B7C000B95EAFA13FDB8624B.taxon	description	Description. Wingless male: Size: Length = 3.80 – 4.20 mm (x = 3.94, n = 5); width 1.30 – 1.40 mm (x = 1.37, n = 5). Wingless female, length = 4.00 – 4.30 mm (x = 4.12, n = 5), width = 1.40 – 1.50 (x = 1.46, n = 5). Winged male, length = 4.30 (n = 1), width = 1.60 (n = 1). Winged female, length = 4.10 mm (n = 1); width = 1.50 mm (n = 1). Colour: Dorsal ground color black, marked with pale orangish-yellow on basal antennae, anterior pronotum, connexiva, and basal sections of fore and hind femora (Fig. 85). Head black, tylus brown, juga and rostrum dark yellow, rostrum fuscous ventromedially, piceous distally; eyes dark red. Pronotum black, bearing transverse dark yellow patch centrally on anterior half behind vertex, this yellowish coloration not continuing laterally onto the propleurae, bounded laterally by pruinose grey areas. Mesonotum, metanotum and all abdominal tergites black; connexiva black on inner two-thirds, dark yellow on outer margins, ventral faces also dark yellow. Antennal segment I with basal one-third pale yellow, distal two-thirds plus all of segments II – IV dark brown. Legs generally dark brown to black, with all coxae and trochanters, basal half of fore femur dorsally, entirety of fore femur ventrally, extreme base of middle femur, basal one-quarter of hind femur dorsally and entire hind femur ventrally dark yellow to yellowish-brown. Venter dark greyish-brown, with prosternum and all acetabula creamy whitish-yellow, central portions of abdominal ventrites VII – IX yellowish brown. Structural characters: head moderately short, declivant anteriorly, with weakly impressed median line; length 0.45, width 0.90; length of eye along inner margin 0.40, anterior / posterior interocular space, 0.20 / 0.60. Pronotum short, length along midline 0.35, less than dorsal length of head, leaving mesonotum broadly exposed, width 1.35; mesonotum smooth, lacking deep foveae, humeri depressed, length 0.80. Metanotum barely exposed, length 0.10. Lengths of abdominal tergites I – VIII, respectively: 0.20: 0.30: 0.25: 0.20: 0.20: 0.25: 0.55: 0.45. Connexiva with margins of even width throughout, subparallel and weakly convergent adjacent to abdominal tergites I – IV, then somewhat more strongly and evenly convergent adjacent to abdominal tergites V – VII, posterolateral angles not modified, separated by entire width of tergite VIII, bearing a few long, dark slender setae. Entire dorsum and laterotergites covered with fine, moderately long, semi-appressed pale setae, intermixed with scattered long, stiff, semi-erect black setae on lateral portions of pronotum and metanotum, and on all abdominal tergites; legs and antennae thickly clothed with short appressed golden setae, with scattered long, erect, bristly black setae on anterodorsal faces of antennal segments I and II, and anterior margins of all femora, long, slender, straight dark setae present in evenly spaced rows along posterior margins of fore and middle femora, very long pilose pale setae present along posterior margin of hind femur; fore and middle trochanters lacking pegs or teeth; fore and middle femora and middle tibia with margins straight, not flattened or otherwise modified; fore tibia slightly flattened ventrally on distal one-fourth, longitudinally channeled adjacent to grasping comb; hind trochanter bearing 12 small dark pegs ventrally; hind femur highly incrassate, bearing two parallel rows of teeth, ventral row lying in area covered by infolded hind tibia and consisting of ~ 18 tiny, closely appressed black pegs running along basal one-quarter of femur, followed by a single moderately large, backwardly angled pale yellow tooth with a dark, acute apex, followed by 10 smaller teeth of gradually but progressively decreasing size distally running to femoral apex, these teeth all pale with dark apices, dorsal row commencing near middle of femur at distal end of basal peg row with 4 moderately large, acute, evenly spaced teeth, followed by 3 smaller teeth of progressively declining size to femoral apex, all these teeth pale yellow with black apices; hind tibia broadly and gently sinuate, inner surface bearing a row of about 10 small, stout black teeth running distally from base, then a large, acute, brown tooth with black apex approximately three-fourths the distance from base, followed by 4 more smaller black teeth of progressively decreasing size to tibial apex (Figs. 87, 88). Venter of head and thorax lacking small black denticles; mesosternum with a shallow, triangular depression centrally, flanked by low, posterolaterally angling tumescences bearing long, fine gold setae; metasternum very slightly raised centrally; abdominal venter set with short, closely appressed gold setae; basal abdominal ventrites highly sculptured, ventrite I lying in vertical orientation with a small, posteriorly-directed triangular process medially, remaining ventrites horizontal and all in similar plane, ventrite II with a strongly raised longitudinal carina medially between lateral depressions accommodating coxae, ventrites III – VI swollen, unmodified, ventrite VII biconcave, bearing a pair (1 + 1) of shallow depressions to either side of weakly raised longitudinal midline, ventrite VIII strongly constricted basally. Male paramere shape elongate, with scattered short, stiff setae present centrally along ventral margin, distal portion expanded, apex upturned and bluntly rounded (Fig. 89). Male proctiger with basolateral lobes prominent, angular; distolateral lobes not developed; apical cone tapering evenly to an angular apex (Fig. 90). Lengths of antennal segments I – IV: 1.00: 0.50: 0.75: 0.60. Lengths of leg segments as follows: femur, tibia, tarsal 1, tarsal 2 of fore leg, 1.25: 1: 30: 0.03: 0.02: 0.35; of middle leg, 2.00: 1.45: 0.05: 0.60: 0.85; of hind leg, 1.95: 2.00: 0.05: 0.20: 0.40. Wingless female: Similar to wingless male in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: abdominal tergites I – VIII lacking long, erect black setae, bearing only small patches of very short golden setae centrally; connexival margins straight and of even width throughout, converging evenly to posterior apex of abdomen, not infolded (Fig. 86), posterolateral angles forming rounded right angles when viewed laterally, bearing very small, short, angular tufts of posteriorly-directed stiff gold setae (Fig. 20); abdominal tergite VIII horizontal, proctiger angled downward at 45 °; all trochanters unarmed, hind trochanter lacking small black pegs; hind femur only weakly incrassate, bearing a single row of teeth, beginning basally with 3 small, black, peg-like teeth, then 3 moderately large, sharp dark brown teeth, then a very large, sharp pale yellow tooth with black tip, and finally 3 – 4 small black teeth of progressively decreasing size distally; hind tibiae straight, inner surface lacking teeth; ventral coloration predominantly rusty brown, propleurae and prosternum creamy whitish-yellow, mesosternum, metasternum, abdominal tergite I and basal half of abdominal tergite II dark brown; all abdominal ventrites lying in similar horizontal plane; abdominal sternite VII weakly produced medially; gonocoxal commisure forming a small ventral carina (Fig. 26). Winged male: Similar to wingless male in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: pronotum greatly enlarged, completely covering meso- and metanotum, width 1.60, length 1.50, humeri enlarged, anterior pronotal margin bearing transverse dark yellow patch centrally on anterior half behind vertex, this yellowish coloration not continuing laterally onto the propleurae, bounded laterally by pruinose grey areas, remainder of pronotum black, posterior section angular, set with scattered tiny foveae, entire pronotum covered with short recumbent gold setae, longer dark setae present along posterior margin; abdomen not reflexed, lying in a uniformly horizontal plane when viewed laterally; forewings uniformly dark blackish-brown, wing apices extending to tip of abdomen, bearing 4 closed cells, consisting of two long cells in the basal half of the wing plus two smaller cells of subequal size distally, veins set with erect dark setae. Hind femur less incrassate than in wingless male, with armature reduced. Winged female: Similar to winged male in general form and coloration, but slightly smaller and less robust; pronotum width 1.50, length 1.45.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B7C000B95EAFA13FDB8624B.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The name “ watuti ” is a noun in aposition and refers to the Watuti River type-locality.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B7C000B95EAFA13FDB8624B.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Southeastern New Guinea; endemic to the Papuan Peninsula (Fig. 132). The species range as presently known occupies the Cloudy Mountains area of freshwater endemism (Area 34) as delineated by D. Polhemus & Allen (2007). Comparative notes. Rhagovelia watuti occurs in the Cloudy Mountains of far southeastern Papua New Guinea, to the east of Orangerie Bay (Fig. 132). It is allied to the species of the R. dibuwa subgroup occurring in the D’Entrecasteaux Islands by its male paramere shape, with the apex somewhat expanded into a gently upturned lobe (Fig. 89); the elongate abdominal segment VIII that is transversely excavate basally; the gently sinuate male connexival margins (Fig. 85); and the straight female connexival margins that converge evenly toward the posterior apex while leaving all abdominal tergites exposed, giving the abdomen an elongate triangular appearance (Fig. 86). Rhagovelia watuti possesses a pair of raised ridges on the basal portion of the male proctiger (Fig. 90), a character state also seen in R. dibuwa and R. kalawai, but otherwise known only in R. mimani from further to the west on the southern Papuan Peninsula; such basal carinae on the proctiger are also present but only weakly developed in R. awaetowa and R. torrenticola. In addition, females of R. watuti have shining patches on the dorsal abdomen limited to tergites VII and VIII, versus the more extensive shining patches present on additional tergites in the insular D'Entrecasteaux species, and the tufts of setae at the posterolateral angles of abdominal connexiva small and barely developed (compare Fig. 20 to Figs. 21 – 25). This character is useful for separating the winged females of R. watuti from those of R. loriae when the two occur in mixed series, since the latter species has such connexial tufts well-developed and acuminate. Ecological notes. The type series was taken from a clear, rocky, first-order stream in the upper elevations of the Cloudy Mountains, very near the crest of the range (Fig. 91). This stream was one of the headwater branches of the Watuti River, which was also sampled at a lower elevation near Mila village (see discussion under R. grisea), and had a steeply descending profile with alternating small waterfalls, rapids and flowing pools, all heavily shaded by relatively intact upland rain forest. Rhagovelia watuti was found on the flowing pools, in company with R. loriae, a member of the R. papuensis group.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B73000C95EAF898FD9966EB.taxon	description	(Figs. 21, 27, 61, 92 – 98, 132)	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B73000C95EAF898FD9966EB.taxon	materials_examined	Type material examined. Holotype, wingless male: PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Milne Bay Prov., New Guinea, Upalai River at Haluwia, 13.7 km. E. of Alotau on East Cape road, midreach and waterfall approx. 2.5 km. above mouth, 45 – 75 m., 10 ° 19 ' 39 " S, 150 ° 34 ' 36 " E, water temp. 24.5 ° C., 5 April 2002, 09: 45 – 16: 30 hrs., CL 7163, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (BPBM). Paratypes: PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Milne Bay Prov., New Guinea: 10 winged males, 8 winged females, 13 wingless males, 15 wingless females, same data as holotype, CL 7163, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 2 winged males, 5 winged females, 1 wingless males, 6 wingless females, headwater reach of Goilayoli River above crossing on road from Watunou to Huhuna, 11.5 mi. ENE of Alotau, 275 m., 6 April 2002, 10: 00 – 13: 00 hrs., CL 7161, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 1 winged female, 1 wingless male, 1 wingless female, same locality as preceding but 1 February 2002, 10: 00 – 13: 00 hrs., CL 7161, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (USNM); 21 wingless males, 37 wingless females, 3 immatures, streamlet and roadside seeps above Huhuna on road to Watunou, 11.2 mi. ENE of Alotau, 260 m., 10 ° 18 ' 19 " S, 150 ° 36 ' 56 " E, water temp. 28 ° C., 6 April 2002, 14: 00 – 15: 00 hrs., CL 7164, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B73000C95EAF898FD9966EB.taxon	description	Description. Wingless male: Size: Length = 3.50 – 3.75, mm (x = 3.65, n = 5); width = 1.20 – 1.30 mm (x = 1.25, n = 5). Wingless female, length = 3.60 – 3.80 mm (x = 3.66, n = 5); width = 1.30 – 1.40 mm, (x = 1.37, n = 5). Winged male, length = 3.95 – 4.15 mm (x = 4.07, n = 2); width = 1.40 – 1.50 mm (x = 1.45, n = 2). Winged female, length = 4.00 – 4.10 mm (x = 4.05, n = 4); width = 1.50 – 1.60 mm (x = 1.53, n = 4). Color: Dorsal ground color black, marked with pale yellow on basal portions of antennae and legs, pronotum dark orange anteromedially (Fig. 92). Head black, tylus brown, jugae dark yellow; rostrum golden brown with dark brown stripe ventromedially, apex piceous; eyes dark red. Pronotum black, with a transversely ovate yellowish-orange spot anteromedially behind vertex, this yellowish coloration bounded by pruinose grey laterally, very narrowly confluent behind eyes with similar yellow coloration on propleurae. Mesonotum, metanotum, all abdominal tergites and connexiva black; abdominal tergites uniformly dull, lacking glabrous areas. Antennal segment I with basal one-third pale yellowish-white, distal two-thirds plus all of segments II – IV black. Legs generally black, with all coxae, all trochanters, basal half of fore femur ventrally, basal two-thirds of hind femur ventrally dark yellow. Venter black, with prosternum and all acetabula dark yellow, abdominal ventrite VII and basal half of VIII dark yellow, distal half of VIII and IX dark brown. Structural characters: Head moderately short, declivant anteriorly, with weakly impressed median line; length 0.35, width 0.80; length of eye along inner margin 0.35, anterior / posterior interocular space, 0.20 / 0.45. Pronotum short, length along midline 0.25, less than dorsal length of head, leaving mesonotum broadly exposed, width 1.00; mesonotum smooth, lacking deep foveae, length 0.65, humeri slightly depressed. Metanotum barely exposed, length 0.10. Lengths of tergites I – VIII, respectively: 0.20: 0.25: 0.20: 0.20: 0.20: 0.20: 0.40: 0.45. Connexiva with margins of even width throughout, very weakly sinuate, convergent posteriorly, posterolateral angles not modified, separated by entire width of tergite VIII, bearing a few long dark setae. Entire dorsum thickly covered with fine, appressed pale pubescence, intermixed with numerous longer, semi-erect black setae except on central pronotum and mesonotum; legs and antennae thickly clothed with short appressed golden setae, with scattered long, erect, bristly black setae on anterodorsal faces of antennal segments I and II, and anterior margins of all femora, plus long pilose brown setae along posterior margin of hind femur, length of these latter setae equal to three-fourths the maximum thickness of the hind femur; fore and middle trochanters lacking pegs or teeth; fore and middle femora and middle tibia with margins straight, not flattened or otherwise modified; fore tibia slightly flattened ventrally on distal one-third, with small concavity near apex adjacent to grasping comb; hind trochanter bearing 10 small dark pegs ventrally; hind femur highly incrassate, bearing two rows of teeth and pegs lying in area covered by infolded hind tibia, ventral row consisting of approximately 18 small, similarly sized black pegs running from base of femur to one-third distance from base, followed by a small-sized dark yellow tooth with a black apex, then 1 medium-sized dark yellow tooth with a sharp black apex, then ~ 12 much smaller dark brown teeth of gradually decreasing size running to apex of femur, dorsal row consisting of 1 moderately large dark yellow tooth with a black apex arising near middle of femur, followed 4 – 5 smaller dark brown teeth of progressively declining size to femoral apex; hind tibia very gently sinuate, inner surface bearing a row of about 20 small black teeth, these teeth of subequal size except for two larger black teeth lying approximately three-fourths the distance from base (Figs. 94, 95). Venter of head and thorax, including jugum and adjacent inner prosternum, lacking small black denticles; mesosternum slightly depressed centrally, margins of this depression bearing long, fine pale setae; metasternum slightly tumid, with fine, erect pale setae laterally; abdominal venter set with short appressed pale setae intermixed with longer, fine, semi-erect pale setae laterally; basal abdominal ventrites highly sculptured, ventrite I lying in vertical orientation with small, posteriorly-directed tumescence medially, remaining ventrites horizontal and all in similar plane, ventrite II with an broad longitudinal carina of V-shaped cross section medially; ventrites III – VI unmodified but slightly swollen, ventrite VII with a pair (1 + 1) of shallow longitudinal concavities separated by slightly raised midline, lacking setal patches, posterior margin straight; ventrite VIII constricted basally, lacking a pronounced longitudinal medial carina. Male paramere elongate, ventral margin nearly straight, with stiff setae present on basal two-thirds, distal section transversely expanded, hammer-like in shape with posterodorsal apex acute (Fig. 96). Male proctiger with basolateral lobes well developed, apices angular; distolateral lobes not developed; distal cone triangular, apex blunt (Fig. 97). Lengths of antennal segments I – IV: 0.85: 0.45: 0.65: 0.55. Lengths of leg segments as follows: femur, tibia, tarsal 1, tarsal 2, tarsal 3 of fore leg, 1.10: 1.20: 0.02: 0.02: 0.25; of middle leg, 1.70: 1.25: 0.05: 0.50: 0.80; of hind leg, 1.50: 1.60: 0.05: 0.15: 0.35. Wingless female: Similar to wingless male in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: long, semi-erect dark setae absent on thoracic and abdominal dorsum except in propleural region and sparsely on metanotum and abdominal tergite I; abdomen with connexival margins straight and of even width throughout, converging evenly to posterior apex of abdomen, lacking tufts of posteriorly-directed setae; posterolateral connexival angles forming right angles when viewed laterally, bearing short golden setae, but lacking tufts of posteriorly-directed, stiff black setae (Fig. 21); abdominal tergite I transversely swollen and domed, bearing short gold setae centrally intermixed with a few longer black setae; abdominal tergite II angled slightly upward in anterior direction to accommodate swollen tergite I; abdominal tergites III – VI horizontal, bearing a faintly indicated longitudinal median carina set with scattered short golden setae, a small shining patch present posteromedially on tergite VI, a more longitudinally elongate shining patch present medially on posterior half of tergite VII; proctiger angled downward at ~ 30 °; hind trochanter lacking small black pegs; hind femora only weakly incrassate, ventral midline in area covered by infolded hind tibia bearing a single spine row consisting of a moderate-sized slender, sharp, spine with black apex arising near middle of femur, followed by similar but larger spine at about two-thirds distance to apex, followed by 2 – 3 much smaller spines of progressively decreasing size to apex; hind tibiae straight, inner surface lacking teeth or spines; ventral coloration predominantly dark pruinose grey, with prosternum plus all acetabula dark yellow, lower propleural region lacking tiny black denticles adjacent to rostrum; all abdominal ventrites lying in similar horizontal plane, abdominal sternite I incipiently carinate medially, with a small, posteriorly-directed triangular process centrally; ventrite VII barely produced posteromedially (Fig. 27); gonocoxal commissure weakly carinate. Winged male: Similar to wingless male in general structure and coloration, but with following exceptions: pronotum greatly enlarged, width 1.45, length 1.40, completely covering meso- and metanotum, humeri prominent, anterior lobe with transverse dark yellow patch centrally, overlain with silvery pruinosity, areas lateral to this patch silvery pruinose, underlying dark yellow coloration confluent with dark yellow areas on propleurae, remainder of pronotum black, posterior pronotal lobe angular, central portion domed, posterior portion lacking obvious foveae, entire pronotum covered with short recumbent gold setae, propleurae and posterior margin bearing scattered long, erect black setae; abdomen not reflexed, lying in a uniformly horizontal plane when viewed laterally; forewings uniformly dark blackish-brown, bearing 4 closed cells, consisting of an elongate cell in outer basal half of wing lying between subcosta and radius + media + cubitus, plus 2 smaller cells of subequal size flanking inner and distal margins of long cell. Winged female: Similar to winged male in general form and coloration, with following exceptions: body size larger, pronotum width 1.55, length 1.50, with humeri prominent.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B73000C95EAF898FD9966EB.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The name “ peninsularis ” is derived from the Latin peninsula and refers to the range of this species, which is confined to the eastern extremity of the Papuan Peninsula of far eastern New Guinea.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B73000C95EAF898FD9966EB.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Southeastern New Guinea; endemic to the Papuan Peninsula (Fig. 132). The species range as presently known occupies the South Papuan Peninsula Foreland area of freshwater endemism (Areas 30) as delineated by D. Polhemus & Allen (2007).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B73000C95EAF898FD9966EB.taxon	discussion	Discussion. In regard to general body form, Rhagovelia peninsularis exhibits male and female character states that typify the R. dibuwa subgroup, but deviates from the other members of that subgroup in regard to certain key aspects. In particular, the male paramere, although distally expanded and dorsally produced, has a distinctively angular apex (Fig. 96), in contrast to the more blunt and rounded apex seen in R. watuti and the species found on the D’Entrecasteaux Islands. The male proctiger lacks raised ridges basally, with the anterior margins of the basolateral lobes nearly straight and transverse (Fig. 97). In females, the posterolateral connexival angles are rounded and lack tufts of posteriorly-directed setae (Fig. 21), and abdominal tergites III – VI bear a faintly indicated longitudinal median carina set with scattered short golden setae, with small shining patches present only on tergites VI and VII. Rhagovelia peninsularis has so far been collected only from the narrow spine of mountains that forms the elongate peninsula along the north side of Milne Bay (Fig. 132). By contrast, it has not yet been taken in the Pini Range and Cloudy Mountains, which lie south of Milne Bay and enclose the Sagarai River Basin. This would suggest that these two areas may have existed as separate islands until relatively recently, allowing allopatric speciation to occur. Ecological notes. For notes regarding the Upalai River type-locality (Fig. 61) see the discussion under R. upalai. Additional specimens of R. peninsularis were collected from the upper reach of the Goilayoli River above the bridge crossing on the road that goes over the East Cape peninsula from Watunou to Huhuna; this site lay approximately 2 km west of the Upalai River. The stream here was clear and cool, flowing in a narrow channel partially incised into bedrock, with a profile consisting of pools up to 1 m deep, alternating with riffles over cobble and gravel, and interspersed with a few small cascades at transverse bedrock sills (Fig. 98). Numerous seeping rock faces occurred along the margins of the channel, and a number of steeply-dropping tributary streamlets also entered along this reach, these latter having stair-step profiles of small pools connected by laminar flow over bedrock. Rhagovelia peninsularis was found on flowing pools along both the main stream and the tributaries, all of which were shaded by barely disturbed upland rain forest. Another series of R. peninsularis was taken at a set of roadside seeps not far beyond the Goilayoli bridge. These rheocrenes provided flow to a small, mostly unshaded roadside ditch, which contained shallow runs feeding into small pools perhaps 0.3 m in size and about half as deep. Such habitats are often favorable for Rhagovelia, and R. peninsularis was abundant here.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B74007095EAFC25FE8B6293.taxon	description	(Figs. 22, 28, 99 – 105, 132)	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B74007095EAFC25FE8B6293.taxon	materials_examined	Type material examined. Holotype, wingless male: PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Milne Bay Prov., Basilaki Is., Kalawai River and rocky trib., 5 – 145 m., 10 ° 36 ' 52 " S, 151 ° 01 ' 07 " E, water temp. 26.5 ° C., pH 8.27, 17 January 2004, 09: 00 – 14: 00 hrs., along main channel, CL 7294 a, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (BPBM). Paratypes: PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Milne Bay Prov.: 22 wingless males, 18 wingless females, Basilaki Island, same data as holotype, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 2 winged males, 3 winged females, 3 wingless males, 5 wingless females, Basilaki Is., same data as preceding except on small rocky tributary, CL 7294 b, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (USNM); 1 winged female, 14 wingless males, 24 wingless females, Basilaki Is., same data as preceding except on small tributary, CL 7294 c, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 21 wingless males, 16 wingless females, Sideia Is., hill streamlet in south central interior, headwater trib. to Kwabunamoa River, 35 – 40 m., 10 ° 36 ' 16.8 " S, 150 ° 50 ' 55.6 " E, water temp. 26.5 ° C., 15 January 2004, 10: 00 – 11: 00 hrs., CL 7287, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (USNM).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B74007095EAFC25FE8B6293.taxon	description	Description. Wingless male: Size: Length = 3.50 – 3.75 mm (x = 3.61, n = 5); width = 1.20 – 1.30 mm (x = 1.27, n = 5). Wingless female, length = 3.50 – 3.70 mm (x = 3.64, n = 5); width = 1.30 – 1.45 mm, (x = 1.37, n = 5). Winged male, length = 3.95 mm (n = 1); width = 1.50 mm (n = 1). Winged female, length = 3.90 mm (n = 1); width = 1.45 mm (n = 1). Color: Dorsal ground color dark grey, marked with pale orange on anterior pronotum and outer connexiva, yellow on basal antennae and legs (Fig. 99). Head dark grey; rostrum pale yellowish-brown, fuscous medially, piceous distally; eyes dark red. Pronotum dark grey, with transverse yellowish-orange patch anteriorly behind head vertex, this pale anterior coloration not extending laterally onto propleurae. Mesonotum, metanotum and abdominal tergites dark grey, all tergites uniformly dull and lacking shining areas except for tergite VII slightly shining, connexiva dark grey on inner halves, pale orange on outer halves. Antennal segment I with basal one-third pale yellow, distal half plus all of segments II – IV black. Legs generally black, with coxae, trochanters, basal half of fore femur dorsally, basal one-fifth of hind femur dorsally, basal four-fifths of fore and hind femora ventrally, extreme base of middle femur ventrally pale yellow. Venter dark grey, with ventral sections of propelurae, prosternum, pro-and mesoacetabulae, abdominal ventrites VII – X dark orange. Structural characters: Head moderately short, declivant anteriorly, with weakly impressed median line; length 0.40, width 0.85; length of eye along inner margin 0.40, anterior / posterior interocular space, 0.15 / 0.45. Pronotum short, width 1.05, length along midline 0.25, shorter than dorsal length of head, leaving mesonotum broadly exposed; mesonotum smooth, tumescent, lacking foveae, with a weakly impressed longitudinal midline, length at midline 0.70. Metanotum moderately exposed, roughly crescent-shaped, length at midline 0.10. Lengths of abdominal tergites I – VIII, respectively: 0.18: 0.25: 0.20: 0.20: 0.15: 0.20: 0.40: 0.35. Connexiva with margins of even width throughout, margins nearly straight and evenly convergent posteriorly, posterolateral angles not modified, separated by entire width of tergite VIII. Entire dorsum and laterotergites covered with fine appressed golden pubescence, intermixed with scattered long, erect black setae; legs and antennae thickly clothed with short appressed gold setae, with scattered long, erect black setae on anterodorsal faces of antennal segments I and II, anterior margins of all femora; fore femur with posterior margin bearing a thick fringe of pale, semi-erect, moderately long setae plus a comb of 7 – 8 long, slender, erect, evenly spaced black setae; fore tibia with anterior margin bearing numerous erect, pale, moderately long setae intermixed with long, slender, erect black setae; middle femur bearing scattered long, slender, erect black setae along posterior margin; fore and middle trochanters lacking pegs or teeth; fore and middle femora and tibiae with margins straight, not flattened or otherwise modified; fore tibia slightly expanded and ventrally flattened on distal one-fourth; hind trochanter bearing 12 small black denticles ventrally; hind femur highly incrassate, with scattered very long, slender, pilose brown setae posterodorsally, posterior margin bearing two parallel rows of teeth, ventral row lying in area covered by infolded hind tibia and consisting of approximately 18 tiny black pegs on basal half, followed by about 12 small, subequal sized black teeth on distal half, dorsal row of teeth commencing near middle of femur with a large, acute orange-brown tooth with a black apex, followed by an open space lacking teeth, then by 3 large orange-brown teeth with black apices, then 3 smaller black teeth of progressively declining size toward femoral apex; hind tibia broadly and gently sinuate, inner surface bearing 2 parallel rows of 12 – 15 small black teeth on basal two-thirds, then a large, acute tooth, then 3 more moderate sized teeth of progressively declining size, these latter 4 teeth all orange-brown with black apices (Figs. 101, 102). Venter of head and thorax lacking black denticles; meso- and metasterna slightly depressed centrally, margins of this depression and adjacent lateral metasternum bearing long, fine gold setae arranged in a V-shaped pattern with apex directed anteriorly; abdominal venter set with short appressed gold setae; basal abdominal ventrites highly sculptured, ventrite I lying in vertical orientation, remaining ventrites horizontal and all in similar plane, ventrite II with an acute longitudinal carina of V-shaped cross section medially, ventrites III – VI unmodified, ventrite VII broadly and shallowly depressed centrally. Male paramere shape elongate, with scattered short, stiff setae present centrally along ventral margin, distal portion expanded, apex upturned and bluntly rounded (Fig. 103). Male proctiger with basolateral lobes prominent, angular; distolateral lobes not developed; apical cone tapering evenly to an angular apex (Fig. 104). Lengths of antennal segments I – IV: 0.90: 0.50: 0.60: 0.55. Lengths of leg segments as follows: femur, tibia, tarsal 1, tarsal 2 of fore leg, 1.10: 1: 15: 0.03: 0.02: 0.20; of middle leg, 1.75: 1.25: 0.05: 0.55: 0.80; of hind leg, 1.70: 1.80: 0.05: 0.10: 0.30. Wingless female: Similar to wingless male in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: connexival margins straight, unmodified, bearing short, stiff black setae, converging evenly to posterior apex of abdomen, separated by full width of abdominal tergite VII and just slightly covering anterolateral sections of tergite VIII (Fig. 100), posterolateral angles of connexiva slightly acute, with a few short, posteriorly-directed black setae but lacking major setal tufts (Fig. 22); abdominal tergites II – V with narrow patches of slightly raised, moderate length pale setae along longitudinal midlines, tergites VI – VIII with small, longtitudinally elongate, shining black patches centrally; abdominal tergite VIII lying in horizontal orientation, proctiger angled downward at 45 ° from horizontal; hind femur only weakly incrassate, bearing a single row of teeth below infolded tibia, beginning with a small, sharp black tooth near midpoint, followed by a long, slender, acuminate tooth with a black apex, then 5 more smaller teeth of progressively decreasing size to femoral apex; hind tibia straight, inner surface lacking teeth; ventral coloration predominantly dark grey, with ventral section of propleura, prosternum, proacetabula, abdominal ventrite VII and gonocoxae yellowish orange; ventrite VII angular posteromedially (Fig. 28). Winged male: Similar to wingless male in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: pronotum greatly enlarged, width 1.50, length 1.40, completely covering meso- and metanotum; anterior lobe with transverse ovate orange-brown patch along anterior margin in area behind head vertex, this patch bounded laterally by silvery pruinose areas, separated by dark coloration behind eyes from paler coloration on propleurae; humeri enlarged, slightly protrusive laterally; posterior pronotal lobe dark blackish-brown, broadly domed, posterior half with small, obscure foveae, posterior margin broadly angular, bearing scattered long, gently curving, semi-erect black setae; forewings uniformly dark blackish-brown, extending past apex of abdomen when intact, bearing 4 closed cells consisting of two elongate cells in basal half of wing followed by 2 smaller cells of subequal size distally near center of wing. Hind femur less incrassate than in wingless male. Winged female: Similar to winged male in general form and coloration, but slightly less robust, pronotum width 1.45, length 1.40.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B74007095EAFC25FE8B6293.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The name “ kalawai ” is a noun in apposition and refers to the Kalawai River type locality on northern Basilaki Island.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B74007095EAFC25FE8B6293.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Endemic to Basilaki and Sideia islands, east of the China Strait (Fig. 132). The species range as presently known falls within the Basilaki Island area of freshwater endemism (Area 36) as delineated by D. Polhemus & Allen (2007).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B74007095EAFC25FE8B6293.taxon	discussion	Discussion. This is a member of the R. dibuwa subgroup occurring on the islands immediately east of the China Strait, which represented a durable deep water barrier between these islands and far eastern New Guinea during the Pleistocene low sea level stands. It is similar in many respects to R. dibuwa, and the two might be considered subspecies, although they are clearly allopatric based on their current ranges on different island groups. Both species have a pair of raised, angular ridges at the base of the proctiger (Fig. 5); similarly shaped male parameres (Figs. 103, 114); and the posteromedial margin of abdominal ventrite VII in females is produced and angular posteromedially. In R. kalwai the angular posterior margin of female abdominal ventrite VII is not as strongly produced as in R. dibuwa (compare Figs. 28, 29); the male proctiger has the distolateral lobes somewhat more strongly produced and angling outward from the base of the distal cone (compare Figs. 104, 115); and shining patches are present on female abdominal tergites VI – VIII only. The specimens of R. kalawai currently in hand from multiple localities at varying elevations on Basilaki and Sideia islands also exhibit a uniformly dark grey ground color, with no indication of intrasexual color polymorphism involving both dark grey and orange-brown morphs, as seen in R. dibuwa and R. torrenticola. Specimens from the interior hills of Sideia Island are also notably smaller than other populations in this assemblage, only attaining maximum body lengths of 3.5 mm. On the upland streams of Basilaki and Sideia islands R. kalawai co-occurs with R. guiagoila, a member of the R. papuensis group. The two species are easily separated in mixed samples by the short pronotum in R. kalawai (versus a long pronotum in R. guiagoila); the significantly denser setiferation on the dorsum and legs of R. kalawai; and the unmodified female connexiva with uniformly setiferous margins that taper evenly to the posterior apex of the abdomen. In females of R. guiagoila, by contrast, the connexiva are strongly convergent adjacent to abdominal segments I – IV and then parallel thereafter, and the connexival margins adjacent to tergites III and IV are glabrous along their outer margins. Ecological notes. The Kalawai River at the type-locality (CL 7294) was a clear, moderately fast stream flowing through a partially shaded bed of water-rounded boulders, rocks, cobbles, and coarse alluvium, with occasional exposures of metamorphic bedrock (Fig. 105). The river was sampled from the head of the estuary upstream to the 15 m-high Tumalinaliboe Falls, and then above the falls to the point where a swift tributary entered by a cascade on the north bank. This tributary was followed upstream to where it headed in a set of small springs emerging over metamorphic bedrock exposures. Rhagovelia kalawai was common on the small pools along this tributary, and in lesser numbers in sheltered pockets along the margins of the main river channel. This species was also collected on adjacent Sideia Island from the headwater reach of the Kwabunamoa River, in the island’s interior, which was reached by hiking in from the island's south coast over a set of low hills. At the point sampled the river headwaters consisted of a shallow trickle of water running over exposures of metamorphic bedrock into small, still pools. The specimens of R. kalawai, which were slightly smaller than those from neighboring Basilaki island, were taken at the upstream heads of these pools where the entering water formed small ripples on the surface, in habitats similar to those where it was found on the upper tributary to the Kalawai River described previously.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B09007B95EAF948FD0666CF.taxon	description	(Figs. 4, 5, 23, 29, 106 – 117, 132)	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B09007B95EAF948FD0666CF.taxon	materials_examined	Type material examined. Holotype, wingless male: PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Milne Bay Prov., D’Entrecasteaux Islands, Normanby Is., upper Apatabuia River and rocky tribs., above Bunama, 60 – 90 m., 10 ° 07 ' 04 " S, 151 ° 09 ' 07 " E, water temp. 23.5 ° C. (main river), 29 January 2003, 09: 00 – 01: 00 hrs., margins of main river channel, CL 7228 a, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (BPBM). Paratypes: PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Milne Bay Prov., D'Entrecasteaux Islands, Normanby Island: 1 winged male, 2 winged females, 50 wingless males, 29 wingless females, same data as holotype, CL 7228 a, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 1 winged female, 27 wingless males, 18 wingless females, south coast, rocky trib. to upper Apatabuia River with pools amid boulders, above Bunama, 90 m., 10 ° 07 ' 12 " S, 151 ° 09 ' 07 " E, water temp. 25 ° C. (pools), 29 January 2003, 09: 00 – 01: 00 hrs., CL 7228 b, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (USNM); 11 wingless males, 14 wingless females, tributary streamlet to upper Dibuwa River, W. of Yeluyelua, 320 m., 10 ° 02 ' 40 " S, 151 ° 15 ' 05 " E, water temp. 23 ° C., 30 January 2003, 08: 45 – 09: 00 hrs. and 12: 45 – 13: 00 hrs., CL 7230, D. A. Polhemus (USNM); 2 wingless males, 1 wingless female, upper Dibuwa River and rocky tribs., W. of Yeluyelua, 245 m., 10 ° 02 ' 46 " S, 151 ° 14 ' 53 " E, water temp. 24 ° C., 30 January 2003, 09: 30 – 12: 30 hrs, ponded area along tributary, CL 7231 b, D. A. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 2 winged females, 25 wingless males, 25 wingless females, east coast, Golupona Stream above Yeluyelua, 90 m., 10 ° 02 ' 53 " S, 151 ° 15 ' 35 " E, water temp. 23 ° C., 30 January 2003, 08: 00 – 13: 00 hrs, CL 7232, J. T. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B09007B95EAF948FD0666CF.taxon	description	Description. Wingless male: Size: Length = 3.40 – 3.70 mm (x = 3.53, n = 6); width = 1.30 – 1.40 mm (x = 1.32, n = 6). Wingless female, length = 3.50 – 3.70 mm (x = 3.61, n = 6); width = 1.30 – 1.45, mm, (x = 1.39, n = 6). Winged male, length = 4.00 mm (n = 1); width = 1.60 mm (n = 1). Winged female, length = 3.95 mm (n = 1); width = 1.60 mm (n = 1). Color: Dorsal ground color dark brown, marked with pale yellow on anterior thorax, outer connexiva, basal sections of antennae and legs, and central portion of venter (Fig. 106). Head dark brown, juga and antennal tubercles pale yellow; rostrum pale yellowish-brown, fuscous medially, piceous distally; eyes dark red. Pronotum dark brown, with broad, transverse pale yellow patch anteriorly behind head vertex, this pale anterior coloration slightly interruped laterally with pale brown, then extending laterally onto propleurae. Mesonotum dark brown, with central portion paler chestnut brown. Metanotum, abdominal tergites I – VI, and inner sections of abdominal connexiva dark brown, tergites I – VI slightly paler reddish brown centrally, this coloration more broadly expanded on tergites I, V, and VI, these same tergites uniformly dull and lacking shining areas; abdominal tergite VII broadly orange-yellow and shining centrally, dark brown at corners; abdominal tergite VIII orange-yellow on basal third, remainder dark blackish-brown; outer sections of connexiva pale yellow. Antennal segment I pale yellow, extreme apex dark brown, antennal segment II pale yellow on basal third, grading to dark brown on distal portion, antennal segments III and IV dark brown to black. Legs with coxae, trochanters, femora, basal half of fore tibia pale yellow; apices of femora, distal half of fore tibia, entirety of middle and hind tibiae and tarsi dark brown. Venter pale yellow, triangular central section of mesosternum, lateral sections of abdominal sternites, and apex of abdominal ventrite VIII dark brown. Structural characters: Head moderately short, declivant anteriorly, with weakly impressed median line; length 0.45, width 0.85; length of eye along inner margin 0.35, anterior / posterior interocular space, 0.20 / 0.45. Pronotum short, width 1.05, length along midline 0.30, shorter than dorsal length of head, leaving mesonotum broadly exposed; mesonotum slightly tumescent, set with numerous very small foveae, longitudinal midline not raised, length at midline 0.75; metanotum moderately exposed, roughly crescent-shaped, length at midline 0.10. Lengths of abdominal tergites I – VIII, respectively: 0.20: 0.30: 0.22: 0.20: 0.20: 0.22: 0.40: 0.35. Connexiva with margins of even width throughout, margins broadly sinuate in middle section, then convergent posteriorly, posterolateral angles not modified, separated by entire width of tergite VIII. Entire dorsum and laterotergites covered with fine, appressed pale pubescence, intermixed with scattered long, erect black setae; legs and antennae thickly clothed with short appressed gold setae, with scattered long, erect, bristly black setae on anterodorsal faces of antennal segments I and II, anterior margins of all femora; fore and middle trochanters lacking pegs or teeth, hind trochanter bearing 13 – 14 small black pegs ventrally; fore femur with ventral margin bearing a thick fringe of moderately long, semi-erect, pale brown setae plus a comb of 8 – 9 long, slender, erect, evenly spaced black setae; fore tibia with anterior margin bearing numerous semi-erect, moderately long, pale brown setae intermixed with 8 – 10 long, slender, erect black setae, tibia dorsoventrally flattened and slightly widened on distal half, ventral surface bearing a small concavity adjacent and parallel to grasping comb at apex; middle femur simple, slightly tapering distally, bearing scattered long, slender, erect black setae along posterior margin; hind femur highly incrassate, with scattered very long, slender, pilose brown setae posterodorsally, posterior margin bearing two parallel rows of teeth, ventral row lying in area covered by infolded hind tibia and consisting of 18 tiny black asperities basally, followed by a small yellowish spine with a dark tip, then a large yellowish spine with a dark tip, separated by wide gap from another similar spine, separated by another wide gap from another similar spine, separated by another wide gap from 5 small but similarly colored teeth of steadily decreasing size to femoral apex, dorsal row of teeth commencing on distal half of femur and consisting of 8 very small yellowish teeth with black apices; hind tibia broadly and gently sinuate, inner surface bearing a single row of 12 small black teeth on basal two thirds, then 2 large, acute black teeth, then 4 teeth of progressively decreasing size to apex (Fig. 110, 111). Venter of head and thorax lacking black denticles; mesosternum with a roughly triangular depression centrally, raised margins of this depression bearing long, fine gold setae arranged in a V-shaped pattern with apex directed anteriorly; metasternum slightly tumid, bearing long, erect gold setae; abdominal venter set with short appressed gold setae, intermixed with long, fine gold setae on abdominal ventrites I and II; basal abdominal ventrites highly sculptured, ventrite I lying in vertical orientation, remaining ventrites horizontal and all in similar plane, ventrite II with an acute longitudinal carina of V-shaped cross section medially, ventrites III – VI unmodified, ventrite VII with a shallow semicircular depression posteromedially, posterior margin broadly and shallowly concave, ventrite VIII excavate basally. Male paramere shape elongate, with scattered short, stiff setae present centrally along ventral margin, distal portion expanded, apex angled upward, broadly rounded (Fig. 114). Male proctiger with basolateral lobes prominent, angular; distolateral lobes not developed; apical cone tapering evenly to an angular apex (Fig. 115). Lengths of antennal segments I – IV: 1.00: 0.60: 0.75: 0.60. Lengths of leg segments as follows: femur, tibia, tarsal 1, tarsal 2 of fore leg, 1.25: 1: 25: 0.05: 0.02: 0.30; of middle leg, 2.00: 1.40: 0.10: 0.60: 0.75; of hind leg, 1.90: 2.00: 0.05: 0.15: 0.30. Wingless female: Similar to wingless male in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: connexival margins straight, unmodified, converging evenly to posterior apex of abdomen, apices separated by full width of abdominal tergite VII (Figs. 107, 109), posterolateral angles slightly rounded, bearing small, posteriorly-directed, angular tufts of gold setae; abdominal tergites I and II dark brown laterally, reddish brown centrally, slightly tumid, tergites III and IV uniformly dark brown with narrow patches of slightly raised, moderate length pale setae along longitudinal midlines, tergites V and VI mostly dark brown with small shining orange patches centrally, tergites VII and VIII entirely shining orange; abdominal tergite VIII lying in horizontal orientation, proctiger angled downward at 45 ° from horizontal (Fig. 23); hind femur only weakly incrassate, bearing a single row of teeth below infolded tibia, beginning with a moderate sized, sharply pointed, yellowish spine with a black tip near midpoint, followed by 3 – 4 more very small black teeth distally; hind tibia straight, inner surface lacking teeth; ventral coloration predominantly orange-brown, with ventral section of propleura and all acetabula pale yellowish, triangular central section of mesosternum dark brown. Winged male: Similar to wingless male in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: pronotum greatly enlarged, width 1.60, length 1.60, completely covering meso- and metanotum; anterior lobe with transverse ovate pale yellowish patch along anterior margin in area behind head vertex, this patch bounded laterally by silvery pruinose areas, separated by dark coloration behind eyes from paler coloration on propleurae; humeri enlarged, slightly protrusive laterally; posterior pronotal lobe dark blackish-brown, broadly transversely domed, posterior half with small, obscure foveae, posterior margin broadly angular, bearing scattered long, gently curving, semi-erect black setae; forewings uniformly dark blackish-brown, wing apices extending past apex of abdomen when intact, bearing 4 closed cells consisting of two elongate cells in basal half of wing followed by two smaller cells of subequal size distally near center of wing. Winged female: Similar to winged male in general body form and coloration, with following exceptions: body form slightly less robust, pronotum width 1.60, length 1.45.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B09007B95EAF948FD0666CF.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The name “ dibuwa ” is a noun in apposition, and refers to the Dibuwa River on Normanby Island, from which part of the type series was taken.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B09007B95EAF948FD0666CF.taxon	distribution	Distribution. D’Entrecasteaux Islands; endemic to Normanby Island (Fig. 132). The species range as presently known occupies the Cloudy Mountains area of freshwater endemism (Area 34) as delineated by D. Polhemus & Allen (2007).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B09007B95EAF948FD0666CF.taxon	discussion	Discussion. This is a moderate-sized, robust species from Normanby Island, which exhibits a notable degree of intraspecific color polymorphism. In darker individuals the head, mesonotum, metanotum, abdominal tergites, inner halves of the connexiva, and dorsal surfaces of the legs except for the basal sections of the fore and hind femora are predominantly dark brown. By contrast, paler individuals have the central sections of the mesonotum, metanotum and all abdominal tergites plus the entirety of all femora dorsally orange-brown. Some specimens thus appear predominantly black and others predominantly dark orange, although the key morphological characters are similar for all. The series from CL 7230, a tributary streamlet to the Dibuwa River, has both dark and orange forms intermixed, thus illustrating the entire polychromatic range of color variation at a single site. Compared to other species in the R. dibuwa subgroup occurring in the D’Entrecasteaux Islands, R. dibuwa is somewhat smaller in size, with body lengths across both sexes ranging from 3.4 – 3.7 mm, versus 4.3 – 4.5 mm for R. awaetowa on Fergusson Island, or 4.0 – 4.2 mm for R. torrenticola on Goodenough Island. In regard to the male genitalia, the paramere shape is similar to that seen R. awaetowa and R. torrenticola (compare Fig. 115 to Figs. 122, 129), but the proctiger shape differs from both these species, being most similar to R. kalawai from Basilaki and Sideia island, but shorter and more compact (compare Fig. 115 to Figs. 123, 130). Females of R. dibuwa have the posterior margin of abdominal ventrite VII produced into a broadly triangular medial process at the base of the gonocoxal commissure. This process is far less produced in R. awaetowa, while in R. torrenticola there is a small, glabrous concavity at the base of the gonocoxal commissure (compare Fig. 29 to Figs. 30, 31). The angular setal tufts at the posterolateral angles of the connexixa are not as thick and dense in R. dibuwa when viewed laterally as they are in R. awaetowa or R. torrenticola, being instead more similar to the state seen in R. kalawai from the islands bordering the China Strait (compare Fig. 23 to Figs. 22, 24, 25). For comparisons to this latter species see the discussion under R. kalawai. Ecological notes. The type series of R. dibuwa was taken from Apatabuia River (CL 7228) above the village of Bunama, on the east coast of Normanby Island. This locality was reached by following a steep trail up the valley through garden clearings, until the river was reached at 60 m elevation, and then followed upstream to the 100 m level. This was a clear, swiftly-flowing stream in a bed of very large metamorphic boulders (Fig. 116), partially shaded by relatively intact rain forest, with several clear, rocky tributaries also entering along the reach sampled. Rhagovelia bunama was common here on flowing pools amid the boulders, and on tributary pools. Another series was taken on a small, shaded tributary to the Dibuwa River (CL 7230), in the interior of eastern Normanby Island. This locality was reached by walking on a rough trail from the island’s east coast, over an intervening 400 m ridge, and then down into the interior valley of the Dibuwa. The tributary was reached prior to arriving at the main river, and flowed in a heavily shaded bed of boulders and large rocks, with occasional bedrock exposures forming alternating cascades, riffles and pools (Fig. 117). Rhagovelia dibuwa was common here, while by contrast only a few specimens were encountered along the margin of the main Dibuwa River channel. Most of the specimens at this locality exhibited a distinctly more orange-brown coloration in comparison to those taken at the Apatabuia River, which were largely blackish.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B03007C95EAFC01FEDE60AB.taxon	description	(Figs. 24, 30, 118 – 124, 132)	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B03007C95EAFC01FEDE60AB.taxon	materials_examined	Type material examined. Holotype, wingless male: PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Milne Bay Prov., D'Entrecasteaux Islands, Fergusson Island, east coast, upper Awaetowa [Basuenoia] River and rocky tribs., W. of Basima, 575 – 650 m., water temp. 22 ° C., 27 January 2003, 10: 00 – 14: 00 hrs., 9 ° 30 ' 34 " S, 150 ° 48 ' 17 " E, first tributary, CL 7225 b, D. A. Polhemus (BPBM). Paratypes: PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Milne Bay Prov., D'Entrecasteaux Islands, Fergusson Island: 21 wingless males, 34 wingless females, 3 immatures, same data as holotype, CL 7225 b, D. A. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 1 winged male, 11 wingless males, 13 wingless females, east coast, upper Awaetowa River and rocky tribs., W. of Basima, 575 – 650 m., water temp. 22 ° C., 27 January 2003, 10: 00 – 14: 00 hrs., 9 ° 30 ' 34 " S, 150 ° 48 ' 17 " E, along margins of main channel, CL 7225 a, D. A. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 4 winged males, 6 winged females, 49 wingless males, 43 wingless females, 2 immatures, east coast, Awaetowa River, midreach, E. of Basima, 45 m., 9 ° 27 ' 41 " S, 150 ° 49 ' 38 " E, water temp. 27 ° C., 26 January 2003, 13: 00 – 16: 30 hrs., CL 7183 a, D. A. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 6 wingless males, 5 wingless females, east coast, Awaetowa River, lower midreach, E. of Basima, 15 m., 9 ° 27 ' 34 " S, 150 ° 49 ' 37 " E, water temp. 23 ° C., 25 August 2002, 09: 45 – 11: 15 hrs., CL 7183 b, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (USNM); 1 winged female, 1 wingless male, east coast, Mebulibuli Creek and rocky tributary, 1.3 km. upstream of mouth, S. of Basima, 15 – 75 m., 9 ° 30 ' 54 " S, 150 ° 52 ' 04 " E, water temp. 24 ° C., 24 August 2002, 09: 00 – 13: 00 hrs., CL 7180 b, rocky tributary, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (USNM).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B03007C95EAFC01FEDE60AB.taxon	description	Description. Wingless male: Size: Length = 4.30 – 4.80 mm (x = 4.48, n = 5); width = 1.30 – 1.70 mm (x = 1.50, n = 5). Wingless female, length = 4.10 – 4.50 mm (x = 4.30, n = 5); width = 1.40 – 1.60 mm, (x = 1.54, n = 5). Winged male, length = 4.60 mm (n = 1); width = 1.70 mm (n = 1). Winged female, length = 4.20 – 4.30 mm (x = 4.25, n = 2); width = 1.60 mm (x = 1.60, n = 2). Color: Dorsal ground color dark grey, marked with orange on anterior pronotum and outer connexiva, dark yellow on basal antennae and legs (Fig. 118). Head dark grey; rostrum pale yellowish-brown, fuscous medially, piceous distally; eyes dark red. Pronotum dark grey, with transverse yellowish-orange patch anteriorly behind head vertex, this pale anterior coloration not extending laterally onto propleurae. Mesonotum, metanotum and abdominal tergites dark grey, all tergites uniformly dull and lacking shining areas except for tergite VII slightly shining, connexiva dark grey on inner halves, pale orange on outer halves. Antennal segment I with basal one-third pale yellow, distal half plus all of segments II – IV black. Legs generally black, with coxae, trochanters, basal half of fore femur dorsally, basal 1 / 5 of hind femur dorsally, basal sections of fore and hind femora ventrally, extreme base of middle femur ventrally dark orange-yellow. Venter dark grey, with ventral sections of propelurae, prosternum, pro-and mesoacetabulae, central sections of abdominal ventrites V – X dark orange. Structural characters: Head moderately short, declivant anteriorly, with weakly impressed median line; length 0.50, width 1.00; length of eye along inner margin 0.40, anterior / posterior interocular space, 0.25 / 0.55. Pronotum short, width 1.30, length along midline 0.40, shorter than dorsal length of head, leaving mesonotum broadly exposed; mesonotum smooth, tumescent, lacking foveae, with a weakly raised longitudinal midline, length at midline 0.95; metanotum moderately exposed, roughly crescent-shaped, length at midline 0.10. Lengths of abdominal tergites I – VIII, respectively: 0.25: 0.35: 0.25: 0.30: 0.30: 0.35: 0.55: 0.50. Connexiva with margins of even width throughout, margins nearly straight and evenly convergent posteriorly, posterolateral angles not modified, bearing only small tufts of short setae (Fig. 24), separated by entire width of tergite VIII. Entire dorsum and laterotergites covered with fine, appressed pale pubescence, intermixed with scattered long, erect black setae, these black setae absent on central section of mesonotum; legs and antennae thickly clothed with short appressed gold setae, with scattered long, erect, bristly black setae on anterodorsal faces of antennal segments I and II, anterior margins of all femora; fore and middle trochanters lacking pegs or teeth, hind trochanter bearing 10 small black denticles ventrally; fore femur with ventral margin bearing a thick fringe of pale, semi-erect, moderately long setae plus a comb of 7 – 8 long, slender, erect, evenly spaced black setae; fore tibia with anterior margin bearing numerous erect, pale, moderately long setae intermixed with long, slender, erect black setae, slightly widened distally, ventral surface flattened, forming a concave channel adjacent and parallel to grasping comb; middle femur simple, slightly tapering distally, bearing scattered long, slender, erect black setae along posterior margin; hind femur highly incrassate, with scattered very long, slender, pilose brown setae posterodorsally, posterior margin bearing two parallel rows of teeth, ventral row lying in area covered by infolded hind tibia and consisting of 6 small, subequal sized black teeth basally, followed by a moderate sized spine, followed by 8 additional subequal sized black teeth distally, dorsal row of teeth commencing on distal third of femur with a large, acute orange-brown spine with a black apex, followed by 5 smaller black teeth of progressively declining size toward femoral apex, all teeth orange-brown with black apices; hind tibia broadly and gently sinuate, inner surface bearing a single row of 10 small black teeth on basal half, then a large, acute tooth, then 2 more moderate sized teeth, then a gap to three moderate sized teeth at tibial apex, these latter 6 teeth all orange-brown with black apices (Figs. 120 – 121). Venter of head and thorax lacking black denticles; meso- and metasterna slightly depressed centrally, margins of this depression and adjacent lateral metasternum bearing long, fine gold setae arranged in a V-shaped pattern with apex directed anteriorly; abdominal venter set with short appressed gold setae, these setae denser on abdominal tergite VII; basal abdominal ventrites highly sculptured, ventrite I lying in vertical orientation, remaining ventrites horizontal and all in similar plane, ventrite II with an acute longitudinal carina of V-shaped cross section medially, ventrites III – VI unmodified, ventrite VII weakly angular centrally (Fig. 30). Male paramere shape elongate, with scattered short, stiff setae present centrally along ventral margin, distal portion expanded, apex angled upward, broadly rounded (Fig. 122). Male proctiger with basolateral lobes prominent, angular; distolateral lobes not developed; apical cone tapering evenly to an angular apex (Fig. 123). Lengths of antennal segments I – IV: 1.25: 0.70: 0.90: 0.75. Lengths of leg segments as follows: femur, tibia, tarsal 1, tarsal 2 of fore leg, 1.65: 1: 65: 0.05: 0.02: 0.30; of middle leg, 2.50: 1.75: 0.10: 0.75: 1.00; of hind leg, 2.50: 2.30: 0.05: 0.20: 0.50. Wingless female: Similar to wingless male in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: connexival margins straight, unmodified, converging evenly to posterior apex of abdomen, apices separated by full width of abdominal tergite VII (Fig. 119), posterolateral angles slightly rounded, bearing small, posteriorly-directed, angular tufts of black setae; abdominal tergites II – V with narrow patches of slightly raised, moderate length pale setae along longitudinal midlines, tergites VI – VII with small, longtitudinally elongate, shining black patches centrally; abdominal tergites IV-VII lacking long, erect black setae; abdominal tergite VIII lying in horizontal orientation, proctiger angled downward at 45 ° from horizontal; hind femur only weakly incrassate, bearing a single row of teeth below infolded tibia, beginning with a small, sharp black tooth near midpoint, followed by 4 more very small black teeth distally; hind tibia straight, inner surface lacking teeth; ventral coloration predominantly dark grey, with ventral section of propleura, prosternum, and all acetabula dark yellow, abdominal ventrites III – VIII and gonocoxae brown. Winged male: Similar to wingless male in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: pronotum greatly enlarged, width 1.70, length 1.60, completely covering meso- and metanotum; anterior lobe with transverse ovate orange-brown patch along anterior margin in area behind head vertex, this patch bounded laterally by silvery pruinose areas, separated by dark coloration behind eyes from paler coloration on propleurae; humeri enlarged, slightly protrusive laterally; posterior pronotal lobe dark blackish-brown, broadly domed, posterior half with small, obscure foveae, posterior margin broadly angular, bearing scattered long, gently curving, semi-erect black setae; forewings uniformly dark blackish-brown, extending past apex of abdomen when intact, bearing 4 closed cells consisting of two elongate cells in basal half of wing followed by two smaller cells of subequal size distally near center of wing. Hind femur less incrassate than in wingless male, with armature reduced. Winged female: Similar to winged male in general body form and coloration, pronotum width 1.60, length 1.60.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B03007C95EAFC01FEDE60AB.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The name “ awaetowa ” is a noun in apposition, and refers to the Awaetowa River type-locality, near Basima on Fergusson Island.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B03007C95EAFC01FEDE60AB.taxon	distribution	Distribution. D’Entrecasteaux Islands; endemic to Fergusson Island (Fig. 132). The species range as presently known falls within the D’Entrecasteaux Islands area of freshwater endemism (Area 35) as delineated by D. Polhemus & Allen (2007).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B03007C95EAFC01FEDE60AB.taxon	discussion	Discussion. Rhagovelia awaetowa is endemic to Fergusson Island, and is the largest member of the R. dibuwa subgroup occurring in the D'Entrecasteaux Islands, with some males attaining body lengths of 4.80 mm. It is similar to R. torrenticola from adjacent Goodenough Island in having a low, rounded carinae dorsally at the base of the proctiger, and only a weakly produced medial process on the posterior margin of female abdominal ventrite VII (Fig. 30), but can be separated from that species by the less expansively developed basolateral lobes on the male proctiger (compare Figs. 123 and 130), and the absence of a translucent patch subapically on the male paramere (see discussion under R. torrenticola). In addition, the various samples of R. awaetowa taken on Fergusson Island at elevations ranging from 15 – 650 m show no indication of intraspecific color variation, displaying a uniformly dark grey ground color, with orange-brown morphs lacking, even in higher elevation samples. By contrast, R. torrenticola from Goodenough Island and R. dibuwa from Normanby Island, which lie immediately to the west and east of Fergusson respectively, both exhibit such color polymorphism. Ecological notes. This species has been collected across a wide elevational range on Fergusson Island, from the lower reaches of the Awaetowa River near Basima to the river headwaters at 650 m, but was more abundant in the latter area. It seems likely that the species prefers higher elevation habitats, but that individuals are occasionally washed downriver during floods. The name of this river is shown as the Basuenoia on Papua New Guinea Topographic Survey map sheet 9079 (Koitabu), but over the course of several visits to Basima in 2002 and 2003 it was always referred to by the local people there as the Awaetowa. Along the headwater reach of the Awaetowa River this species was taken from sheltered areas along the margins of this swift, rocky stream, which had a bed profile of alternating small cascades and pools up to 3 m in depth, amid very large metamorphic boulders (Fig. 124). Additional specimens were taken on a smaller tributary that entered from the south bank, consisting of alternating small cascades and flowing pools, heavily shaded by moss-covered montane forest.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B04006395EAF9E5FBDC623F.taxon	description	(Figs. 125 – 132)	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B04006395EAF9E5FBDC623F.taxon	materials_examined	Type material examined. Holotype, wingless male: PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Milne Bay Prov., D'Entrecasteaux Islands, Goodenough Island, Tuabeda River at Kalauna village, 335 m., 9 ° 23 ' 01 " S, 150 ° 19 ' 32 " E, water temp. 22.5 ° C., 26 August 2002, 10: 00 – 12: 00 hrs., CL 7184, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (BPBM). Paratypes: PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Milne Bay Prov., D'Entrecasteaux Islands, Goodenough Island: 1 winged female, 4 wingless males, 1 wingless female, same data as holotype, CL 7184, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 3 wingless males, 1 wingless female, Kuliana Creek at Ewaoiana, near Kalauna village, 290 m., 9 ° 22 ' 54 " S, 150 ° 19 ' 30 " E, water temp. 24.5 ° C., 26 August 2002, 10: 00 – 12: 00 hrs., CL 7185, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 1 wingless male, Yalaauau River, NW of Kalauna village, 320 m., 9 ° 22 ' 51 " S, 150 ° 19 ' 22 " E, water temp. 22.5 ° C., 26 August 2002, 12: 30 – 13: 15 hrs., CL 7186, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (BPBM).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B04006395EAF9E5FBDC623F.taxon	description	Description. Wingless male: Size: Length = 4.00 – 4.30 mm (x = 4.10, n = 5); width = 1.35 – 1.60 mm (x = 1.47, n = 5). Wingless female, length = 4.05 – 4.20 mm (x = 4.12, n = 2); width = 1.55 – 1.60 mm, (x = 1.57, n = 2). Winged female, length = 4.35 mm (n = 1); width = 1.60 mm (n = 1). Color: Dorsal ground color dull black, marked with pale yellow on anterior pronotum and outer connexiva, dark yellow on basal antennae and legs (Fig. 125). Head dull back, tylus brown, jugae dark yellow; rostrum pale yellowish-brown, fuscous medially, piceous distally; eyes dark red. Pronotum dull black, overlain with silvery pruinose laterally, transversely rectangular pale yellow patch present anteriorly behind head vertex, this pale anterior coloration not extending laterally onto propleurae. Mesonotum, metanotum and all abdominal tergites dull black except posteromedial portion of tergite VII and all of tergite VIII slightly shining, connexiva dull black on inner halves, pale yellow on outer halves. Antennal segment I with basal one-third pale yellow, distal half plus all of segments II – IV black. Legs generally black, with coxae, trochanters, basal half of fore femur dorsally and ventrally, basal one-fifth of hind femur dorsally dark yellow, entire ventral surface of hind femur pale brown. Venter dull dark grey, with ventral sections of propelurae and all acetabula pale yellow, abdominal ventrites VII and VIII brown. Structural characters: Head moderately short, declivant anteriorly, with weakly impressed median line; length 0.41, width 0.98; length of eye along inner margin 0.35, anterior / posterior interocular space, 0.20 / 0.55. Pronotum short, width 1.30, length along midline 0.30, shorter than dorsal length of head, leaving mesonotum broadly exposed; mesonotum smooth, tumescent, lacking foveae, with a weakly raised longitudinal midline, length at midline 0.85; metanotum moderately exposed, roughly crescent-shaped, length at midline 0.10. Lengths of abdominal tergites I – VIII, respectively: 0.25: 0.30: 0.25: 0.25: 0.25: 0.25: 0.50: 0.45. Connexiva with margins of even width throughout, margins very weakly sinuate, evenly convergent posteriorly, posterolateral angles not modified, separated by entire width of tergite VIII. Entire dorsum and laterotergites covered with fine, appressed pale pubescence, intermixed with numerous long, erect black setae, these black setae absent on central section of mesonotum; legs and antennae thickly clothed with short appressed gold setae, with scattered long, erect, bristly black setae on anterodorsal faces of antennal segments I and II, anterior margins of all femora; fore and middle trochanters lacking pegs or teeth, hind trochanter bearing 12 small black denticles ventrally; fore femur with ventral margin bearing a thick fringe of pale, semi-erect, moderately long setae plus a comb of 7 – 8 long, slender, erect, evenly spaced black setae; fore tibia with anterior margin bearing numerous semi-erect, pale, moderately long setae intermixed with long, slender, erect black setae, slightly widened distally, ventral surface flattened, forming a concave channel adjacent and parallel to grasping comb; middle femur simple, slightly tapering distally, bearing scattered long, slender, erect black setae along posterior margin; hind femur highly incrassate, with scattered very long, slender, pilose brown setae posterodorsally, posterior margin bearing two parallel rows of teeth, ventral row lying in area covered by infolded hind tibia and consisting of 15 small, dot-like teeth basally, followed by a moderate sized spine, followed by 18 additional small, subequally sized black teeth distally, dorsal row of teeth commencing at middle of femur with a stout, acute orange-brown spine with a black apex, followed by broad gap distally, then by 5 smaller black teeth of progressively declining size toward femoral apex, all orange-brown with black apices; hind tibia broadly and gently sinuate, inner surface bearing a single row of 15 small, stout, peg-like black teeth on basal two-thirds, then a large, acute black tooth, then 4 more moderate sized stout black teeth distally (Figs. 127, 128). Venter of head and thorax with black denticles only at the extreme anterior margins of the propleura adjacent to antennal tubercles and jugum; mesosternum slightly depressed centrally, margins of this depression and adjacent lateral metasternum bearing long, fine gold setae arranged in a V-shaped pattern with apex directed anteriorly; metasternum raised centrally, with a pair (1 + 1) of small, concave depressions on lateral sections; abdominal venter set with short appressed gold setae, these setae denser on abdominal tergite VII; basal abdominal ventrites highly sculptured, ventrite I lying in vertical orientation, remaining ventrites horizontal and all in similar plane, ventrite II with an acute longitudinal carina of V-shaped cross section medially, ventrites III – VI unmodified, ventrite VII with a pair (1 + 1) of shallow depressions on posterior half to either side of longitudinal midline, ventrite VIII strongly depressed on basal half. Male paramere shape elongate, distal section expanded, posterior margin nearly straight, apex angled upward and broadly rounded (Fig. 129). Male proctiger with basolateral lobes prominent, broadly expanded, apices rounded; distolateral lobes not developed; distal cone roughly triangular, tapering to an angular apex (Fig. 130). Lengths of antennal segments I – IV: 1.25: 0.60: 0.75: 0.70. Lengths of leg segments as follows: femur, tibia, tarsal 1, tarsal 2 of fore leg, 1.30: 1: 45: 0.04: 0.02: 0.35; of middle leg, 2.30: 1.70: 0.10: 0.70: 0.95; of hind leg, 2.30: 2.15: 0.05: 0.15: 0.35. Wingless female: Similar to wingless male in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: long, erect black setae on dorsum largely absent except on pro- and mesopleurae, posterior margins of mesonotum, metanotum, and abdominal tergite I, and very sparingly on posteromedial margins of abdominal tergites II and III; connexiva open and angled outward from abdominal tergites, connexival margins straight, narrow, unmodified, converging evenly to posterior apex of abdomen, posterior apices separated by full width of abdominal tergite VII (Fig. 126), posterolateral apices forming approximately 100 ° angles, bearing a few short, posteriorly-directed black setae; abdominal tergites II – V dull and nearly hair-free, with narrow patches of slightly raised, very short gold setae along longitudinal midlines, tergites VI – VII with small, longtitudinally elongate, shining black patches centrally, tergite VIII entirely shining black; abdominal tergites IV-VII lacking long, erect black setae; abdominal tergite VIII lying in horizontal orientation, proctiger angled downward at 45 ° from horizontal; hind femur only weakly incrassate, bearing a single row of teeth below infolded tibia, beginning with a small, sharp black tooth near midpoint, followed by 3 more very small black teeth distally; hind tibia straight, inner surface lacking teeth; ventral coloration predominantly dark grey, with ventral section of propleura, prosternum, and all acetabula dark yellow, abdominal ventrites V – VIII and gonocoxae brown; gonocoxae raised at commissure along ventral midline, forming a small, acute carina. Winged female: Similar to wingless female in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: pronotum greatly enlarged, width 1.60, length 1.50, completely covering meso- and metanotum; anterior lobe with transverse ovate orange-brown patch along anterior margin in area behind head vertex, this patch bounded laterally by silvery pruinose areas, separated by dark coloration behind eyes from paler coloration on propleurae; humeri enlarged, slightly protrusive laterally; posterior pronotal lobe dark blackish-brown, broadly domed, posterior half with small, obscure foveae, posterior margin broadly angular, bearing scattered long, gently curving, semi-erect black setae; forewings dark blackish-brown, becoming slightly paler brown basally, veins darker, wing apices extending past apex of abdomen when intact, bearing 4 closed cells consisting of two elongate cells in basal half of wing followed by two smaller cells of subequal size distally near center of wing. Winged male: Unknown.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B04006395EAF9E5FBDC623F.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The name “ torrenticola ” is derived from the Latin torrens, referring to a swift stream, and cola, Latin for “ dweller, ” and refers to the preference of this species for swift mountain streams on Goodenough Island.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B04006395EAF9E5FBDC623F.taxon	distribution	Distribution. D’Entrecasteaux Islands; endemic to Goodenough Island (Fig. 132). The species range as presently known falls within the D’Entrecasteaux Islands area of freshwater endemism (Area 35) as delineated by D. Polhemus & Allen (2007).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B04006395EAF9E5FBDC623F.taxon	discussion	Discussion. Rhagovelia torrenticola is a large, robust species occurring on swift, rocky streams in the uplands of Goodenough Island. The male paramere is similar to that of R. awaetowa from nearby Fergusson Island (compare Figs. 122, 129), but the central section is broader, and the distal section possesses an area of thinned integument centrally that creates a pale yellow “ window ” (Fig. 129), which is not present in R. awaetowa. The shape of the male proctiger is also distinctively different, with laterally expanded basolateral lobes far larger and more laterally expanded in R. torrenticola (compare Figs. 123, 130). Rhagovelia torrenticola is also similar to R. dibuwa from Normanby Island in exhibiting intraspecific color polymorphism, with both dark and orange-brown morphs present. Such color polymorphism has not yet been observed in R. awaetowa or R. kalawai, the other two insular endemics in the R. dibuwa subgroup. For additional comparisons of this species to others in this subgroup see the discussions under R. awaetowa and R. dibuwa. Ecological notes. Rhagovelia torrenticola is an upland species, being found in the swift rivers of Goodenough Island above 300 m elevation. The Tuabeda River at the type-locality (CL 7184) was a cold, clear, high volume stream crashing down through a steeply-dropping, nearly unshaded bed of granitic boulders (Fig. 131). Rhagovelia torrenticola was uncommon here, being found only on the shallow outflows from a small spring on the channel margin. A few additional specimens were taken at Kuliana Creek (CL 7185) and the Yalaauau River (CL 7186), both of these being high gradient streamlets flowing amid beds of boulders. All of these sites were near villages, in areas where the forest had been cleared, leaving the stream channels open to full sunlight.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B18006095EAFB38FA8A6394.taxon	description	The R. auga subgroup is a set of large-sized species, with body lengths exceeding 4 mm, occurring at higher elevations in the mountains of New Guinea proper, but absent on the proximal offshore islands. Members of this subgroup are locally abundant on cool, rocky streams in the central highlands and northern coastal ranges of the island, whereas only a single representative is so far known from the EPCT. Males in this subgroup are distinguished by their highly modified fore tibia, which is slightly expanded distally to form a concavity, the posterior margin of which is bordered with stiff, black setae, causing the tibia to appear spatulate (Fig. 133). Females possess a somewhat expanded and upwardly-domed thoracic morphology coupled with a relatively narrow head, giving them a distinctive " broad shouldered " appearance when encountered in the field (Fig. 134). The male paramere shape is typical of that in the R. novacaldeonica group, being distally expanded and apically truncate (Fig. 137), and the male proctiger has the distolateral lobes only weakly developed, whereas the basolateral lobes are strongly produced (Fig. 138). Other species extralimital to the EPCT that fall within this subgroup are R. crinita Lansbury and R. thysanotos Lansbury, and additional undescribed species are also at hand from the New Guinea central highlands.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B18006595EAF8F8FC0A665B.taxon	description	(Figs. 110, 11, 133 – 139, 153)	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B18006595EAF8F8FC0A665B.taxon	materials_examined	Type Material examined. Holotype, wingless male: PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Central Prov., New Guinea, Owen Stanley Range, Hane River, 1.8 km. SSE of Fane, 1310 – 1370 m., water temp. 19 ° C., 3 October 2003, 10: 30 – 13: 30 hrs., 8 ° 34 ' 00 " S, 147 ° 05 ' 10 " E, CL 7253, D. A. Polhemus (USNM). Paratypes: PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Central Prov., New Guinea: 6 winged males, 12 winged females, 34 wingless males, 25 wingless females, same data as holotype, CL 7253 (USNM, BPBM); 16 winged males, 12 winged females, 58 wingless males, 46 wingless females, Owen Stanley Range, Mas River, 2.0 km. SW of Fane, 1235 m., 8 ° 33 ' 25 " S, 147 ° 04 ' 04 " E, water temp. 20 ° C., 5 October 2003, 10: 00 – 13: 30 hrs., CL 7257, D. A. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 2 winged males, 4 winged females, 1 wingless male, 3 wingless females, Owen Stanley Range, trib. to Mas River, 1.9 km. SW of Fane, 1220 – 1250 m., 8 ° 33 ' 33 " S, 147 ° 04 ' 12 " E, water temp. 20.5 ° C., 5 October 2003, 10: 45 – 12: 30 hrs., CL 7258, D. A. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 2 winged males, 5 winged females, 60 wingless males, 49 wingless females, 15 immatures, Owen Stanley Range, Udabe River headwaters, 1.75 km. WNW of Woitape, 1615 – 1645 m., 8 ° 32 ' 02 " S, 147 ° 14 ' 16 " E, water temp. 16.5 – 18.5 ° C., 1 October 2003, 09: 00 – 14: 00 hrs., from margins of main river channel, CL 7247 a, D. A. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 1 winged female, 27 wingless males, 37 wingless females, Owen Stanley Range, Udabe River headwaters, 1.75 km. WNW of Woitape, 1615 – 1645 m., 8 ° 32 ' 03 " S, 147 ° 14 ' 20 " E, water temp. 16.5 – 18.5 ° C., 1 October 2003, 09: 00 – 14: 00 hrs., tributary creek entering main river channel, CL 7247 b, D. A. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 8 wingless males, 9 wingless females, Owen Stanley Range, Om Creek, trib. to upper Udabe River, 1.85 km. SSE of Woitape, 1585 m., 8 ° 33 ' 28 " S, 147 ° 15 ' 22 " E, water temp. 19 ° C., 2 October 2003, 12: 00 – 12: 30 hrs., CL 7251, D. A. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B18006595EAF8F8FC0A665B.taxon	description	Description. Wingless male: Size: Length = 4.40 – 4.45 mm (x = 4.41, n = 6); width = 1.50 – 1.60 mm (x = 1.52, n = 6). Wingless female, length = 4.20 – 4.90 mm (x = 4.54, n = x); width = 1.60 – 1.80 mm, (x = 1.68, n = x). Winged male, length = 4.80 – 4.90 mm (x = 4.85, n = 2); width = 1.70 – 1.80 mm (x = 1.75, n = 2). Winged female, length = 4.50 – 4.90 mm (x = 4.70, n = 2); width = 1.80 – 1.85 mm (x = 1.82, n = 2). Coloration: Dorsal ground colour black, marked with dark yellow on basal antennae, anterior pronotum, connexiva and legs (Fig. 133). Head black; juga and rostrum dark yellow, rostrum fuscous ventromedially, piceous distally; eyes dark reddish black. Pronotum dark yellow on anterior third, this yellowish coloration continuing laterally as a narrow continuous band onto the more broadly yellow propleurae, posterior half of pronotum black. Mesonotum, metanotum and all abdominal tergites black; all abdominal tergites uniformly dull and lacking glabrous areas; connexiva black on inner halves, dark yellow on outer halves, ventral faces also dark yellow. Antennal segment I with basal one-third dark yellow, distal two-thirds plus all of segments II – IV black. Legs generally black, with coxae, fore and hind trochanters, basal half of fore femur, ventral face of hind femur dark yellow. Venter black, with all acetabula and prosternum dark yellow, central portions of abdominal ventrites VI – IX brown. Structural characters: Head moderately short, declivant anteriorly, with weakly impressed median line; length 0.45, width 0.85; length of eye along inner margin 0.40, anterior / posterior interocular space, 0.20 / 0.45. Pronotum short, length along midline 0.50, slightly exceediing dorsal length of head, leaving mesonotum broadly exposed, width 1.50; mesonotum smooth, lacking deep foveae, humeri depressed, length 0.70. Metanotum barely exposed, length 0.10. Lengths of abdominal tergites I – VIII, respectively: 0.25: 0.30: 0.25: 0.25: 0.25: 0.30: 0.55: 0.45. Connexiva with margins of even width throughout, margins straight, evenly convergent posteriorly, bearing numerous long, erect black setae; posterolateral angles not modified, separated by entire width of tergite VIII, bearing sparse tufts of long black setae. Entire dorsum and laterotergites thickly covered with fine, appressed pale pubescence, intermixed except on central pronotum and mesonotum with numerous longer, erect black setae; legs and antennae thickly clothed with short appressed pale setae, with scattered long, erect, bristly black setae on anterodorsal faces of antennal segments I and II, and anterior margins of all femora, plus long pilose brown setae along posterior margins of all femora; fore and middle trochanters lacking pegs or teeth; fore and middle femora and middle tibia with margins straight, not flattened or otherwise modified; fore tibia strongly expanded and ventrally concave centrally, this elongate concavity bordered by a curving brush of dense black setae on central portion of posterior margin (Fig. 133); hind trochanter bearing 12 – 14 small dark pegs ventrally; hind femur highly incrassate, bearing a single row of teeth lying in area covered by infolded hind tibia and consisting of approximately 10 tiny black spinules running from base of femur to midpoint, followed by a large, acute tooth, then 3 much smaller teeth of progressively declining size, then another large, acute tooth, followed by 7 smaller teeth of progressively declining size, all these teeth orange-brown basally with black apices; hind tibia very slightly sinuate, inner surface bearing a row of about 14 small dark teeth, plus one large, acute, tooth approximately two-thirds distance from base (Fig. 135, 136). Venter of head and thorax lacking small black denticles; meso- and metasterna slightly depressed centrally, margins of this depression bearing long, fine gold setae; abdominal venter set with short appressed gold setae intermixed with scattered longer, fine gold setae centrally on ventrites II – IV; basal abdominal ventrites highly sculptured, ventrite I lying in vertical orientation, remaining ventrites horizontal and all in similar plane, ventrite II with an acute longitudinal carina of V-shaped cross section medially, this carina continuing in less pronounced form onto ventrite III; ventrites IV and V unmodified, ventrite VI slightly flattened centrally, ventrite VII stongly flattened and slightly depressed centrally, raised margins surrounding this roughly quadrate depressed area bearing moderately long, semi-erect black setae; ventrite VIII strongly constricted basally, longitudinal midline slightly raised, flanked by deep, concave depressions. Male paramere thick, elongate, broadly curving upward, ventral margin densely setiferous centrally, distal section slightly expanded, posterior margin gently curving, apex broadly truncate (Fig. 137). Male proctiger elongate, with basolateral lobes prominent and rounded; distolateral lobes not produced; distal cone elongate, densely setiferous, apex acute (Fig. 138). Lengths of antennal segments I – IV: 1.00: 0.60: 0.85: 0.70. Lengths of leg segments as follows: femur, tibia, tarsal 1, tarsal 2 of fore leg, 1.30: 1: 50: 0.05: 0.03: 0.30; of middle leg, 2.25: 1.75: 0.10: 0.85: 1.05; of hind leg, 2.20: 2.00: 0.05: 0.15: 0.15. Wingless female: Similar to wingless male in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions; fore tibia only very weakly expanded distally, with a shallow longitudinal concavity ventrally; abdominal tergites III – VII lacking long, erect black setae; connexival margins strongly convergent and thickened adjacent to abdominal tergites I and II, the thickened areas bearing long black setae; connexival margins adjacent to abdominal tergites III – VIII moderately but steadily convergent, folded inward over lateral portions of abdominal tergites IV – VII, and completely covering tergite VII and basal section of tergite VIII (Fig. 134), posterolateral angles slightly produced posteriorly when viewed laterally, bearing long, thick, angular tufts of posteriorly-directed stiff black setae, smaller tufts of black setae also present on posterolateral margins of abdominal segment VII, and on posterolateral margins of abdominal tergite VIII; abdominal tergite VIII angled downward over 45 °, proctiger lying in a nearly vertical orientation; hind femora only weakly incrassate, bearing only 4 very small dark teeth on posterior third, these teeth of progressively decreasing size distally; hind tibiae straight, inner surface lacking teeth; ventral coloration predominantly orange-brown, with mesosternum, metasternum and abdominal ventrite I dark brown to black; all abdominal ventrites lying in similar horizontal plane, sternite II with incipient longitudinal medial carina basally, central sections of abdominal sternites III – VI flattened centrally. Winged male: Similar to wingless female in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: pronotum greatly enlarged, completely covering meso- and metanotum, width 1.75, length 1.90, humeri enlarged, posterior apex angular, anterior lobe with anterior half transversely whitish-pruinose underlain by orange pigmentation, this pale coloration narrowly confluent behind eyes with broader area of yellow-orange coloration on propleurae, remainder of pronotum black, posterior angular section set with numerous tiny foveae, entire pronotum covered with short recumbent gold setae, these setae becoming longer and denser on posterior angular section; propleurae bearing a few long, erect black setae; forewings uniformly dark blackish-brown, bearing 4 closed cells, consisting of two long cells in the basal half of the wing plus 2 smaller distal cells of subequal size near the center of the wing (Fig. 10). Winged female: Similar to winged male in general body form and coloration, with following exceptions: pronotum width 1.80, length 1.80; abdominal connexiva not reflexed, lying in a uniformly horizontal plane when viewed laterally.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B18006595EAF8F8FC0A665B.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The name “ auga ” is a noun in apposition and refers to the Auga River basin of southern New Guinea in which this species was collected.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B18006595EAF8F8FC0A665B.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Southeastern New Guinea; endemic to the Owen Stanley Range (Fig. 153). The species range as presently known occupies the Owen Stanley Range area of freshwater endemism (Area 31) as delineated by D. Polhemus & Allen (2007).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B18006595EAF8F8FC0A665B.taxon	discussion	Discussion. This is a predominantly black species with narrowly pale connexival margins. The female connexiva are folded inward, covering the lateral portions of abdominal tergites II – VIII (Fig. 134) and possess acuminate tufts of setae at their posterolateral angles. The female proctiger is folded downward into a vertical position, which in combination with the connexival tufts is of utility in associating winged morphs in mixed series containing this species and R. goilala, with which it frequently co-occurs. Male abdominal ventrite VII is quadrately flattened and depressed centrally, and flanked by low, elongate, longitudinal tumescences bearing black setae, while ventrite VIII is strongly constricted and biconcave basally. The male proctiger has well developed, apically rounded basolateral lobes and a conical distal cone (Fig. 138), and the male paramere is expanded distally, with a broadly truncate posterior margin (Fig. 137). The male of R. auga is utterly distinctive among the assemblage of Rhagovelia species currently known from the EPCT region, possessing a concave fore tibia bearing a curving brush of setae centrally along its posterior margin that produces an expanded and spoon-like appearance (Fig 133). This character state is shared with two species occurring in the northern coastal ranges of New Guinea: R. thysanotos Lansbury from the Torricelli Mountains, and R. crinita Lansbury, which apparently ranges from the Finisterre Mountains to the Wau area (Lansbury 1993). Rhagovelia auga may be separated from both of these taxa by the much more closely appressed female connexiva, which nearly meet over the top of abdominal tergites V – VIII (Fig. 134), rather than being widely separated as in the other two species, and by the shape of the male paramere, which is broadly expanded and truncate posteriorly (Fig. 137). Ecological notes. The Hane River at the type-locality (CL 7253) was a swift, clear mountain stream in a bed of boulders and cobbles, with a channel 3 – 5 m wide and a water depth of 0.3 – 1.3 m. The riparian vegetation was grassy and weedy at the trail crossing and near the mini-hydro intake that served the nearby mission station, but changed over to good, relatively intact montane forest upstream. Rhagovelia auga occurred here syntopically with R. goilala, a species of similar size but with an orange-brown ground color, and lacking the distinctive modification of the fore femur seen in males of R. auga, and with R. cheesmanae, a member of the R. caesius group. At the Udabe River headwaters (CL 7247) northwest of Woitape (Fig. 139), R. auga was taken along the heavily shaded main channel of a second order river, 5 – 7 m wide and 0.3 – 1.0 m deep, with clear, moderately swift water. The only other Rhagovelia species present here was R. cheesmanae.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B1D006E95EAFA19FC0B6133.taxon	description	(Figs. 140 – 145, 153)	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B1D006E95EAFA19FC0B6133.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Central Prov., New Guinea: 1 wingless female, Moroka, 1300 m., VII-XI- 93, Loria (holotype, MSNG); 6 winged males, 3 winged females, 31 wingless males, 36 wingless females, Owen Stanley Range, trib. to upper Mimani River, 2.7 km. NE of Dorobisoro, 580 – 685 m., water temp. 21.5 ° C., 8 October 2003, 09: 30 – 12: 30 hrs., 9 ° 27 ' 23 " S, 147 ° 57 ' 03 " E, CL 7262, D. A. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 4 wingless males, 2 wingless females, Owen Stanley Range, trib. to upper Mimani River, 2.9 km. NE of Dorobisoro, 640 – 670 m., water temp. 22.5 ° C., 8 October 2003, 12: 45 – 13: 30 hrs., 9 ° 27 ' 19 " S, 147 ° 56 ' 53 " E, CL 7263, D. A. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 44 winged males, 43 winged females, Owen Stanley Range, Mas River, 2.0 km. SW of Fane, 1235 m., 8 ° 33 ' 25 " S, 147 ° 04 ' 04 " E, water temp. 20 ° C., 5 October 2003, 10: 00 – 13: 30 hrs., CL 7257, D. A. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B1D006E95EAFA19FC0B6133.taxon	description	Description. Wingless male: Size: Length = 3.95 – 4.15 (x = 4.02, n = 5); width = 1.30 – 1.42 (x = 1.36, n = 5). Wingless female, length = 4.20 – 4.30 (x = 4.26, n = 5); width = 1.50 – 1.60 (x = 1.53, n = 5). Winged male, length = 4.20 mm (n = 1); width = 1.60 mm (n = 1). Winged female, length = 4.00 mm (n = 1); width = 1.60 mm (n = 1). Color: Dorsal ground color black, sparingly marked with dark yellow to orange-brown on basal antennae, anterior pronotum, connexiva and basal femora (Fig. 140). Head black, tylus dark brown, jugae and basal rostrum yellowish-brown, rostrum fuscous ventromedially, piceous distally; eyes dark red. Pronotum black, with a transversely ovate dark yellowish-orange spot anteromedially behind vertex, this pale coloration bounded laterally by pruinose areas, narrowly confluent anterolaterally with pale areas on propleurae. Mesonotum, metanotum and all abdominal tergites black, abdominal tergites I – VI and VIII uniformly dull and lacking glabrous areas, tergite VII semi-shining centrally; connexiva black on inner halves, dark orange on outer halves, ventral faces yellowish-brown. Antennal segment I with basal one-third dark yellow, distal two-thirds plus all of segments II – IV black. Legs generally black dorsally except basal half of fore femur yellowish brown; all coxae and trochanters, fore and hind femora ventrally yellowish-brown. Venter black, except prosternum and proacetabula dark yellow, lateral portions of mesosternum brown, ventral margins of middle and hind acetabula dark yellow, central portions of abdominal ventrites VII and VIII embrowned. Structural characters: head moderately short, declivant anteriorly, with weakly impressed median line; length 0.35, width 0.85; length of eye along inner margin 0.35, anterior / posterior interocular space, 0.25 / 0.50. Pronotum short, width 1.05, length along midline 0.30, less than dorsal length of head, leaving mesonotum broadly exposed; mesonotum smooth, lacking deep foveae, humeri depressed, length 0.70. Metanotum barely exposed, length 0.05. Lengths of tergites I – VIII, respectively: 0.20: 0.25: 0.20: 0.20: 0.20: 0.25: 0.45: 0.50. Connexiva with margins of even width throughout, gradually and evenly convergent adjacent to abdominal tergites I – IV, very slightly more convergent adjacent to tergites V – VII, posterolateral angles not modified, separated by entire width of tergite VIII, bearing long, curving, dark setae. Entire dorsum thickly covered with fine, appressed pale pubescence, intermixed with scattered very long, semi-erect, slender black setae on lateral pronotum and mesonotum, and along posterior halves of all abdominal tergites; legs and antennae thickly clothed with short appressed pale setae, with scattered long, erect, bristly black setae on anterodorsal faces of antennal segments I and II, and anterior margins of all femora, regularly spaced long, slender, straight dark setae along posterior margins of fore and middle femora, and long, pilose, pale brown setae along posterior margin of hind femur, lengths of these long setae equal to or exceeding the thickness of the respective femora on which they occur; fore and middle trochanters lacking pegs or teeth; fore and middle femora and middle tibia with margins straight, not flattened or otherwise modified; fore tibia flattened ventrally on distal third, shallowly channelled near apex adjacent to grasping comb; hind trochanter with 12 very small dark pegs ventrally; hind femur moderately incrassate, bearing two rows of teeth and pegs lying in area covered by infolded hind tibia, ventral row consisting of ~ 20 tiny black spinules of very gradually increasing size running from base of femur to near midpoint, followed by a much larger dark yellowish spine with a black apex, then 9 much smaller black spines of gradually decreasing size to femoral apex, dorsal row commencing at about one-half distance from femoral base with a large yellowish-brown spine with a black apex, followed 5 similar spines of steadily decreasing size running to femoral apex (Fig. 127); hind tibia straight, inner surface bearing a single row of 15 small, stout black teeth, the 2 – 3 most distal teeth often enlarged. Venter of head with juga and adjacent propleura bearing small black denticles; mesosternum slightly depressed centrally, margins of this depression bearing long, fine gold setae; metasternum broadly and gently tumid, with fine, erect pale setae along posterior margin; abdominal venter set with short appressed pale setae intermixed with longer, fine, semi-erect pale setae laterally and posteromedially; basal abdominal ventrites highly sculptured, ventrite I lying in vertical orientation and bearing a small, rounded bump centrally, remaining ventrites horizontal and all in similar plane, ventrite II with a sharply raised longitudinal carina medially, this carina continuing incipiently onto base of ventrite III, with remainder of ventrite III and ventrites IV – VI slightly swollen, unmodified, ventrite VII deeply depressed and concave centrally, lateral margins of this central depression strongly raised, both central concavity and margins thickly covered with moderate length recumbent gold setae, ventrite VIII strongly constricted basally, lacking longitudinal carina centrally. Male paramere with basal section thick, bearing stout setae ventrally, tapering distally to a sharply upturned, truncate apical process (Fig. 143). Male proctiger with basolateral lobes well developed, angular; distolateral lobes not evident; distal cone dome-shaped, with a small, nipple-like process at apex (Fig. 144). Lengths of antennal segments I – IV: 1.00: 0.50: 0.75: 0.65. Lengths of leg segments as follows: femur, tibia, tarsal 1, tarsal 2, tarsal 3 of fore leg, 1.15: 1.25: 0.02: 0.02: 0.35; of middle leg 1.75: 1.35: 0.05: 0.65: 0.75; of hind leg, 1.60: 1.70: 0.05: 0.20: 0.35. Wingless female: Similar to wingless male in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: long, semi-erect dark setae absent on posterior margins of abdominal tergites III – VII; abdominal tergite I transversely tumid; tergite II angled strongly downward; tergites III – VII horizontal, tergites III – V slightly raised along their longitudinal midlines, these raised central sections bearing patches of short gold setae, lateral sections of all these tergites dull grey and lacking setae; connexival margins convergent posteriorly, angled strongly inward adjacent to abdominal tergites I and II, then converging more gradually adjacent to tergites III – VI, meeting over posterior half of tergite VII and leaving only small anteromedial portion of this tergite visible when viewed dorsally (Fig. 141), posterolateral angles forming right angles when viewed laterally, bearing small, acuminate tufts of short, stiff, posteriorly-directed black setae at apices, these tufts projecting over central section of tergite VIII when viewed dorsally; abdominal tergite VIII and proctiger angled downward at 45 °, proctiger longer than wide; ventral surface of middle tibia slightly flattened; hind trochanter lacking small black pegs; hind femur only weakly incrassate, area along ventral midline in area covered by infolded hind tibia bearing a single spine row consisting of one small, triangular, black tooth basally arising near two-thirds distance to apex, followed by a single moderately long, slender, sharp, backwardly-angling black spine, followed by 3 much smaller spines of progressively decreasing size to femoral apex; hind tibia straight, inner surface lacking teeth; ventral coloration predominantly dull blackish-grey, abdominal sternites VII – IX semi-shining brown; jugum and proepisternum bearing numerous tiny black denticles; all abdominal ventrites lying in similar horizontal plane, ventrites IV – VII flattened centrally, posterior margin of abdominal sternite VII unmodified; commisure of first gonocoxae forming a sharply raised longitudinal ventral carina with concave depressions to either side. Winged male: Similar to wingless male in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: pronotum greatly enlarged, width 1.60, length 1.50, completely covering meso- and metanotum; anterior lobe with transverse ovate brown patch along anterior margin in area behind head vertex, this patch overlain and bounded laterally by silvery pruinosity, separated by dark coloration behind eyes from paler coloration on propleurae, lateral margins with scattered long, slender black setae; humeri enlarged, slightly protrusive laterally; posterior pronotal lobe black, broadly domed, posterior half with small, obscure foveae, posterior margin broadly angular, bearing a few moderate length, gently curving, semi-erect black setae; forewings uniformly matte black, wing apices extending past apex of abdomen when intact, bearing 4 closed cells consisting of two elongate cells in basal half of wing followed by two smaller cells of subequal size distally near center of wing. Hind femur less incrassate than in wingless male, with armature reduced. Winged female: Similar to winged male in general body form and coloration, pronotum width 1.60, length 1.55.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B1D006E95EAFA19FC0B6133.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Southeastern New Guinea; endemic to the Papuan Peninsula (Fig. 153). The species range as presently known occupies the South Papuan Peninsula Foreland area of freshwater endemism (Area 30) as delineated by D. Polhemus & Allen (2007).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B1D006E95EAFA19FC0B6133.taxon	discussion	Discussion. Kirkaldy (1901) described R. peggiae based on a wingless female specimen taken in 1893 by Loria at “ Moroko, 1300 m ” in what is now the Central Province of Papua New Guinea. This is also the type-locality for certain rodent species, and was discussed in that context by Helgen et al. (2008). Based on this, the type series of R. loriae was probably collected somewhere along the course of the upper Aieme (Musgrave) River, between Iawarere plantation and Vori Vori Bluff, in the vicinity of 9 ° 24 ' 38 " S, 147 ° 36 ' 02 " E. The author was able to pesonally examine the holotype of R. peggiae during a 1996 visit to the Museo Civico di Storia Naturale G. Doria in Genoa. The specimen is in a reasonable state of preservation, and glued onto a card, which precludes examination of the ventral surface, but the major diagnostic characters are visible, as indicated in the description of the wingless female provided above. Lansbury (1993), in his paper describing additional species of Rhagovelia from New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, made only passing mention of R. peggiae. He noted that he had not examined the female holotype, but stated that “ The description suggests that peggiae shares some features with hirsuta sp. n. ” The current comparison of the wingless female of R. hirsuta to the holotype of R. peggiae indicates that the two species are indeed similar, but that in the female of R. peggiae the posterior half of abdominal tergite VIII that projects beyond the posterolateral angles of the connexiva is not as densely pilose, lacking the brushy, outwardly-directed tufts of black setae seen in R. hirsuta, and the inner margins of the connexiva bordering tergite VI also lack a fringe of long setae as illustrated in Lansbury (1993, Fig. 90). Both species do have similar overall female abdominal morphology, with the connexival margins meeting posteriorly over tergite VII, and possess denticles on the prosternum and adjacent proacetabula. In 2003, the author was able to collect several long series of R. peggiae from various localities on the southern flank of the Owen Stanley Range, including sites in the vicinity of Dorobisoro, only 35 km east of the original type-locality. Based on these new collections, it has now been possible to associate the previously unknown male and analyze its character states. This has shown that R. peggiae may be easily diagnosed by the shape of the male paramere, which bears an upturned, truncate apical process (Fig. 143) that is unique among Rhagovelia species occurring on the EPCT. By contrast, the male paramere of R. hirsuta is of a very different shape, being roughly rectangular, with a small notch on the ventral margin (Fig. 150). The morphology of male abdominal ventrite VII is also distinctive in R. peggiae, being depressed centrally as in R. obscura, with the adjoining lateral margins strongly raised. In comparison to R. obscura, however, the centrally depressed area and raised margins are thickly covered with shining gold setae in R. peggiae, and the posterior apices of the raised lateral margins lack posteriorly projecting setal tufts. Ecological notes. Rhagovelia peggiae was abundant along a tributary to the upper Mimani River (CL 7262) lying upstream of the village of Dorobisoro (Fig. 145). It occurred here in company with R. mimani and R loriae; for a more detailed description of this locality see the discussion under R. mimani. A few additional specimens were also taken at another similar tributary entering slightly further upstream (CL 7263). Another long series of R. peggiae, consisting entirely of winged individuals, was taken on the Mas River (CL 7257), near the village of Fane in the upper Auga River basin to the west of Port Moresby. The stream here was cool and clear, flowing with a moderate current through a bed of cobbles, rocks and sand, with the central portion of the channel unshaded. Rhagovelia peggiae occurred here in company with R. auga, R. goilala, and R. cheesmanae. The Mas River valley lay to the west of Fane at 1300 m, and was slightly lower and warmer than the other catchments sampled in that area. In addition to being the only site where R. peggiae was encountered, this was also the upper elevational limit in the Auga basin for the gerrid genera Ptilomera and Limnometra. Based on these limited records, R. peggiae has a rather broad, though potentially discontinuous, distribution at elevations between 550 and 1300 m along the southern flank of the Owen Stanley Range. It is irregularly met with throughout this geographic range, although abundant where present.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B16005095EAFB1DFCF6642B.taxon	description	(Figs. 146 – 151)	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B16005095EAFB1DFCF6642B.taxon	materials_examined	Material Examined. PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Oro Prov.: 1 wingless male, 1 wingless female, Kokoda, Mambare River, Mambe Estate, 12 September 1988, sheltered pools at side of river, R. N. B. Prior (paratypes, OXUM). Morobe Prov.: 17 winged males, 2 winged females, 28 wingless males, 12 wingless females, 2 immatures, Lower Aleater [Alewiri] River, nr. Kamiali, 5 m., 7 ° 19 ' 15 " S, 147 ° 07 ' 35 " E, 27 ° C., 3 May 2003, 13: 00 – 15: 00 hrs., CL 7241, D. A. Polhemus (USNM); 1 wingless female, “ Kerosine Creek ” and rocky trib., middle Aleater [Alewiri] River basin, W. of Lababia village, 30 m., 7 ° 18 ' 46 " S, 147 ° 06 ' 30 " E, water temp. 25 ° C., 5 May 2003, 10: 30 – 12: 30 hrs., CL 7245, D. A. Polhemus (USNM).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B16005095EAFB1DFCF6642B.taxon	description	Redescription. Wingless male: Size: Length = 3.55 – 3.80 mm (x = 3.65, n = 5); width = 1.30 – 1.40 mm (x = 1.32, n = 5). Wingless female, length = 3.80 – 3.90 mm (x = 3.84, n = 5); width = 1.40 – 1.55 mm, (x = 1.45, n = 5). Winged male, length = 3.70 – 3.90 mm (x = 3.83, n = 3); width = 1.50 – 1.60 mm (x = 1.55, n = 3). Winged female, length = 4.00 – 4.10 mm (x = 4.05, n = 2); width = 1.60 mm (x = 1.60, n = 2). Color: Dorsal ground color black, marked with pale yellow on basal antennae and anterior pronotum. Head black, juga brown, rostrum dark brown ventromedially, piceous distally; eyes dark red (Fig. 146). Pronotum black, with a transversely ovate pale yellow spot anteromedially behind vertex, this yellowish coloration bounded by pruinose grey laterally, not extending downward onto the propleurae. Mesonotum, metanotum, all abdominal tergites and connexiva black; abdominal tergites uniformly dull, lacking glabrous areas. Antennal segment I with basal one-third pale yellowish-white, distal two-thirds plus all of segments II – IV black. Legs generally black, with coxae, fore and hind trochanters, basal one-fifth of fore femur dark yellow. Venter black, ventral margins of acetabula embrowned, abdominal ventrites VIII – X dark brown. Structural characters: head moderately short, declivant anteriorly, with weakly impressed median line; length 0.35, width 0.80; length of eye along inner margin 0.30, anterior / posterior interocular space, 0.20 / 0.50. Pronotum short, length along midline 0.30, less than dorsal length of head, leaving mesonotum broadly exposed, width 1.05; mesonotum smooth, lacking deep foveae, length 0.75, humeri slightly depressed. Metanotum barely exposed, length 0.10. Lengths of tergites I – VIII, respectively: 0.20: 0.25: 0.20: 0.20: 0.20: 0.22: 0.40: 0.45. Connexiva with margins of even width throughout, very weakly sinuate, convergent posteriorly, posterolateral angles not modified, separated by entire width of tergite VIII, bearing a few long dark setae. Entire dorsum thickly covered with fine, appressed pale pubescence, intermixed with numerous longer, semi-erect black setae except on central pronotum and mesonotum; legs and antennae thickly clothed with short appressed golden setae, with scattered long, erect, bristly black setae on anterodorsal faces of antennal segments I and II, and anterior margins of all femora, plus long pilose brown setae along posterior margin of hind femur, length of these latter setae equal to three-fourths the maximum thickness of the hind femur; fore and middle trochanters lacking pegs or teeth; fore and middle femora and middle tibia with margins straight, not flattened or otherwise modified; fore tibia slightly flattened ventrally on distal one-third, with small concavity near apex adjacent to grasping comb; hind trochanter bearing 5 – 6 small dark pegs ventrally; hind femur highly incrassate, bearing two rows of teeth and pegs lying in area covered by infolded hind tibia, ventral row consisting of approximately 8 small, similarly sized black pegs running from base of femur to one-third distance from base, followed by a moderate sized dark yellow tooth with a black apex, then 2 medium-sized dark yellow teeth with black apices, then 8 – 10 much smaller dark brown teeth of subequal size running to apex of femur, dorsal row consisting of a 3 moderately large dark yellow teeth with a black apices arising near middle of femur, followed 4 – 5 smaller dark brown teeth of progressively declining size; hind tibia broadly and gently sinuate, inner surface bearing a row of about 16 small black teeth, plus one large, conical, acute, brown spine with a black apex approximately three-fourths distance from base (Fig. 148, 149). Venter of head and and adjacent inner prosternum bearing small black denticles on and around jugum; mesosternum slightly depressed centrally, margins of this depression bearing long, fine pale setae; metasternum slightly tumid, with fine, erect pale setae laterally; abdominal venter set with short appressed pale setae intermixed with longer, fine, semi-erect pale setae laterally; basal abdominal ventrites highly sculptured, ventrite I lying in vertical orientation, remaining ventrites horizontal and all in similar plane, ventrite II with an acute longitudinal carina of V-shaped cross section medially; ventrites III – VI unmodified, ventrite VII broadly flattened centrally, posterior margin straight, central section quadrate, flattened, bordered to either side by patches of very short, thick, dense black setae, ventrite VIII constricted basally, lacking a pronounced longitudinal medial carina. Male paramere shape elongate, basal section ventrally produced into a broad, rounded lobe bearing stout setae, distal section expanded apically to form a broadly curving flange (Fig. 150). Male proctiger with basolateral lobes well-developed, apices angular; distolateral lobes not produced; distal cone dome-shaped, apex slightly produced, acute (Fig. 151). Lengths of antennal segments I – IV: 0.75: 0.50: 0.65: 0.55. Lengths of leg segments as follows: femur, tibia, tarsal 1, tarsal 2, tarsal 3 of fore leg, 1.00: 1.10: 0.02: 0.02: 0.30; of middle leg, 1.75: 1.30: 0.05: 0.60: 0.80; of hind leg, 1.70: 1.70: 0.05: 0.15: 0.35. Wingless female: Similar to wingless male in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: long, semi-erect dark setae absent on thoracic and abdominal dorsum except in propleural region and sparsely on abdominal tergite I; abdomen with connexival margins straight and of even width throughout, converging relatively evenly to posterior apex of abdomen with slight inflection adjacent to suture between tergites IV and V, tufts of erect black setae present adjacent to abdominal tergite VI (Fig. 147); posterolateral connexival angles forming right angles when viewed laterally, bearing thick tufts of posteriorly-directed, stiff, gently curving black setae; abdominal tergite I transversely swollen, bearing short gold setae centrally intermixed with a few longer black setae; abdominal tergites II and III angled slightly upward in anterior direction to accommodate swollen tergite I; abdominal tergites IV – VI horizontal, bearing a faintly indicated longitudinal median carina set with scattered short black setae; posterior portion of abdominal tergite VII and basal section of tergite VIII covered by convergent posterolateral angles of connexiva; proctiger angled downward at ~ 45 °; hind trochanter lacking small black pegs; hind femora only weakly incrassate, ventral midline in area covered by infolded hind tibia bearing a single spine row consisting of a moderately long, slender, sharp, spine arising at about two-thirds distance to apex, followed by 2 smaller spines of progressively decreasing size to apex; hind tibiae straight, inner surface lacking teeth or spines; ventral coloration predominantly dark pruinose grey, lower propleural region with numerous tiny black denticles adjacent to rostrum; all abdominal ventrites lying in similar horizontal plane, abdominal sternite I incipiently carinate medially, with a small, posteriorly-directed triangular process centrally; gonocoxal commissure carinate. Winged male: Similar to wingless male in general structure and coloration, but with following exceptions: pronotum greatly enlarged, completely covering meso- and metanotum, width 1.55, length 1.50; humeri prominent, anterior lobe with obscure transverse dark yellow patch centrally, overlain with silvery pruinosity, areas lateral to this patch silvery pruinose, remainder of pronotum black, posterior pronotal lobe angular, central portion domed, posterior portion set with numerous tiny foveae, entire pronotum covered with short recumbent gold setae, propleurae and posterior margin bearing scattered long, erect black setae; abdomen not reflexed, lying in a uniformly horizontal plane when viewed laterally; forewings uniformly dark blackish-brown, bearing 4 closed cells consisting of two elongate cells in basal half of wing followed by two smaller cells of subequal size distally near center of wing. Hind femur less incrassate than in apterous male. Winged female: Similar to wingless male in general body form and coloration, with following exceptions: body size slightly larger, pronotum width 1.60, length 1.45.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B16005095EAFB1DFCF6642B.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Southeastern New Guinea; from the Kokoda area northeastward through the Bowutu Mountains (Fig. 153). The species range as presently known occupies the Morobe Highands area of freshwater endemism (Area 22) as delineated by D. Polhemus & Allen (2007).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B16005095EAFB1DFCF6642B.taxon	discussion	Discussion. Lansbury (1993) combined under the concept of this species multiple populations from Oro, Central and Eastern Highlands provinces in Papua New Guinea, occupying drainage basins both north and south of the island’s central divide. Although not all of these specimens have been examined, it is likely that these various populations may eventually prove to represent separate species. As far as can be determined here, R. hirsuta occurs only in drainage basins on the northern side of the Papuan Peninsula from the Kokoda area northeastward to Kamiali. The author has examined wingless male and female paratypes from the type-locality at Kokoda, held in the Oxford University Museum. They conform to the re-description presented above, which is based on more recently collected specimens from Kamiali. The female of R. hirsuta can be distinguished from R. peggiae by the setiferation of the connexiva and the abdominal tergites (compare Figs. 141, 147), as discussed under that species. Males of the two species may be easily separated by the shape of the paramere and proctiger (compare Figs. 143, 144 to Figs. 150, 151). The morphology of male abdominal ventrite VII is similar in both species, being quadrately flattened centrally, with this area bordered laterally by a pair (1 + 1) of raised ridges bearing dense patches of very short black setae. This similarity may have confused Lansbury and caused him to include specimens of R. peggiae from Mafulu, in the Auga River basin, under this species concept. It is suspected that his Mafulu paratype specimens may instead represent R. peggiae, which Lansbury knew only from the brief description presented by Kirkaldy (1901), since a series of R. peggiae, confirmed by examination of the male paramere shape, was taken by the author at the Mas River, only 4 km east of Mafulu. It is not clear which species is represented in his records of paratypes from the Eastern Highlands Province, but it is suspected that these also represent a different species. Ecological notes. A long series of R. hirsuta was taken along the margins of the terminal reach of the Aleater River, near Kamiali village. The river here was broad and clear, flowing smoothly over a bed of cobbles, gravel and sand, with some runs in the central channel up to 2 m deep, and bordered by broad areas of shallower water (Fig. 152). The channel was almost entirely unshaded, with the margins consisting of broad cobble and sand bars. In the midreach section further upstream the river occupied a deep trench carved into alluvial valley fill, with vertical walls up to 10 m high of consolidated gravel and cobbles. It appeared that the river had carved its way downward into alluvium carried into its valley by landslides from the rather unstable ophiolite terrain that enclosed the drainage basin. The collection of R. hirsuta at this site occurred after several days of heavy rain, and likely consisted of individuals that had been washed down to the river mouth from further upstream, since the debris stranding line indicated that the river's water level had been at least 1 m higher over previous days. As such, this record from near sea level at Kamiali should be considered potentially anomalous, since based on other material examined this seems to be a species more typical of shaded, middle elevation streams.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B28005095EAFE65FBB86687.taxon	description	The R. kolukolu subgroup consists of two species, R. kolukolu and R. mbo, occurring on the islands of Tagula and Rossel respectively, in the Louisiade Archipelago. In many respects these two species are typical members of the R. novacaledonica group, having a short pronotum with a length subequal to that of the head; robust body shapes (Figs. 154, 155, 161, 162); incrassate and heavily armed male hind femora (Figs. 156, 157, 163, 164); a forewing with two long basal cells and two shorter distal cells; and a habitat preference for rocky, upland streams (Figs. 160, 167). The male genitalia, however, are quite different from other members of the group, with the paramere slender and elongate, tapering to a pointed apex (Figs. 158, 165), and the male proctiger massive and parallel-sided basally, with the basolateral and distolateral lobes basically combined, then tapering to a much narrower distal cone (Figs. 159, 166). As with other similarly anomalous members of the R. papuensis and R. caesius groups occurring in the Louisiades, it appears that these species are the products of prolonged isolation on these relatively old islands, which are of much greater age than those of the D'Entrecasteaux group immediately to the west. The species of this subgroup have been retained within the R. novacaledonica group for the present, for the sake of taxonomic utility, but with the full realization that they do not fit comfortably into this assemblage.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B28005495EAFBC9FDDA6677.taxon	description	(Figs. 8, 154 – 159, 160, 168)	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B28005495EAFBC9FDDA6677.taxon	materials_examined	Type material examined. Holotype, wingless male: PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Milne Bay Prov., Louisiade Archipelago, Tagula [Sudest] Island, Kolukolu Creek, near Araeda village, 100 – 105 m., 11 ° 26 ' 45 " S, 153 ° 25 ' 57 " E, water temp. 23 ° C., 30 August 2002, 11: 00 – 16: 00 hrs., highest pool and small rocky tributary creek above upper falls, CL 7194 b, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (BPBM). Paratypes: PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Milne Bay Prov., Louisiade Archipelago, Tagula [Sudest] Island: 1 winged female, 48 wingless males, 63 wingless females, same data as holotype, CL 7194 b, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 1 winged male, 2 wingless males, 1 wingless female, Tagula Island, same data as preceding except along margins of main channel, CL 7194 a, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B28005495EAFBC9FDDA6677.taxon	description	Description. Wingless male: Size: Length = 3.70 – 4.05 mm (x = 3.85, n = 5); width = 1.20 – 1.40 mm (x = 1.30, n = 5). Wingless female, length = 4.00 – 4.10 mm (x = 4.04, n = 5); width = 1.40 – 1.50 mm, (x = 1.42, n = 5). Winged male, length = 4.50 mm (n = 1); width = 1.65 mm (n = 1). Winged female, length = 4.00 mm (n = 1); width = 1.60 mm, (n = 1). Color: Dorsal ground color dark to medium brown, marked with dark yellow on basal antennae, anterior pronotum, connexiva and legs (Fig. 154). Head dark brown; rostrum pale whitish yellow, fuscous medially, piceous distally; eyes dark reddish black. Pronotum dark yellow on anterior two-thirds, dark brown on posterior one-third. Mesonotum reddish brown. Metanotum and abdominal tergites dark brown, uniformly dull and lacking shining areas, connexiva medium brown on inner halves, dark yellow on outer halves. Antennal segment I with basal half dark yellow, distal half plus all of segments II – IV dark brown. Legs generally medium brown, with coxae, trochanters, basal half of fore femur, basal third of hind femur dark yellow. Venter pale yellowish white, with metasternum, genital segment, and patches on ventrolateral abdomen adjacent to spiracles brown. Structural characters: head moderately short, declivant anteriorly, with weakly impressed median line; length 0.43, width 0.85; length of eye along inner margin 0.37, anterior / posterior interocular space, 0.25 / 0.50. Pronotum short, width 1.10, length along midline 0.30, leaving mesonotum broadly exposed; mesonotum smooth, lacking foveae, humeri depressed, length at midline 0.65. Metanotum length at midline 0.10. Lengths of abdominal tergites I – VIII, respectively: 0.23: 0.27: 0.20: 0.20: 0.25: 0.27: 0.45: 0.35. Connexiva with margins of even width throughout, weakly outwardly convex, convergent posteriorly, posterolateral angles not modified, separated by entire width of tergite VIII. Entire dorsum and laterotergites covered with fine appressed golden pubescence, intermixed with scattered long, erect black setae on lateral pronotum and mesonotum, pleural areas, bases of connexiva, and central sections of abdominal tergites; legs and antennae thickly clothed with short appressed gold setae, with scattered long, erect black setae on anterodorsal faces of antennal segments I and II, and anterior margins of all femora, long pilose brown setae present along posterior margins of all femora; fore and middle trochanters lacking pegs or teeth; fore and middle femora and tibiae with margins straight, not flattened or otherwise modified; hind trochanter with approximately 14 small dark pegs ventrally; hind femur highly incrassate, bearing two parallel rows of teeth, ventral row lying in area covered by infolded hind tibia and consisting of approximately 14 tiny black pegs basally, followed by 10 moderate sized teeth with black apices, the most basal of these teeth being the largest, the remainder somewhat smaller but generally subequal in size, dorsal row of teeth commencing with a large, acute tooth near middle of femur, followed by 4 – 5 teeth of progressively declining size, all these teeth pale basally with black apices, ventral surface of femur below ventral spine row with an additional 4 – 5 scattered small, dark teeth; hind tibia broadly and gently sinuate, inner surface bearing 2 parallel rows of 18 – 20 small dark teeth (Figs. 156, 157). Venter of head and thorax lacking small black denticles; mesosternum slightly depressed centrally, margins of this depression and adjacent lateral metasternum bearing long, fine gold setae; abdominal venter set with short appressed gold setae intermixed laterally with long, fine, erect pale brown setae; basal abdominal ventrites highly sculptured, ventrite I lying in vertical orientation, remaining ventrites horizontal and all in similar plane, ventrite II with an acute longitudinal carina of V-shaped cross section medially, this carina continuing in less pronounced form onto ventrite III, ventrites IV – VI unmodified, central section of sternite VII bearing a broad, roughly quadrate depression centrally. Male paramere shape slender, elongate, tapering slightly distally, apex with small, downward-curved hook (Fig. 158). Male proctiger lacking prominent basolateral or distolateral lobes, sides nearly parallel on basal section; apex of distal cone rounded (Fig. 159). Lengths of antennal segments I – IV: 1.00: 0.62: 0.75: 0.60. Lengths of leg segments as follows: femur, tibia, tarsal 1, tarsal 2 of fore leg, 1.20: 1: 30: 0.05: 0.02: 0.30; of middle leg, 2.00: 1.50: 0.10: 0.60: 0.85; of hind leg, 1.95: 2.00: 0.05: 0.10: 0.50. Wingless female: Similar to wingless male in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: connexival margins straight, converging evenly to posterior apex of abdomen, touching at base of abdominal tergite VIII (Fig. 155); posterolateral connexival angles simple, rounded, not produced, lacking hair tufts; hind femora only weakly incrassate, bearing only 3 very small dark spinules on posterior face near apex; hind tibiae straight, inner surface lacking teeth; abdominal sternite II with weak longitudinal medial carina basally, central sections of abdominal sternites III – VI flattened centrally. Winged male: Similar to wingless male in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: pronotum greatly enlarged, width 1.70, length 1.55, completely covering meso- and metanotum, anterior lobe dark yellow, set off from postrior lobe by transverse line of punctillae; humeri enlarged, slightly protrusive laterally; posterior pronotal lobe dark reddish-brown, broadly margined with yellow posteriorly (Fig. 8), broadly domed, posterior portion of this domed section with numerous small foveae, posterior margin broadly angular; entire pronotum covered with short recumbent gold setae, intermixed on posterior angular margin with scattered semi-erect, curling, golden setae; forewings uniformly dark blackish-brown, extending past apex of abdomen when intact, bearing 4 closed cells, consisting of two elongate cells basally followed by two smaller cells of subequal size distally near center of wing. Winged female: Similar to wingless female in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: pronotum greatly enlarged, completely covering meso- and metanotum, humeri enlarged, posterior apex angular, anterior margin broadly dark yellow across entire width, central section broadly medium brown, posterior margin narrowly dark yellow, posterior angular section set with numerous small, deep, blackish foveae, entire pronotum covered with short recumbent gold setae, intermixed on posterior angular section with scattered semi-erect, curling, golden setae; forewings uniformly dark brown, bearing 4 closed cells, consisting of two elongate cells in basal half of the wing followed by two smaller distal cells of subequal size near middle of wing.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B28005495EAFBC9FDDA6677.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The name “ kolukolu ” is a noun in apposition and refers to the Kolukolu Creek type locality.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B28005495EAFBC9FDDA6677.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Louisiade Archipelago; endemic to Tagula Island (Fig. 168). The species range as presently known occupies the Tagula Island area of freshwater endemism (Area 38) as delineated by D. Polhemus & Allen (2007).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B28005495EAFBC9FDDA6677.taxon	discussion	Discussion. Rhagovelia kolukolu is a large, robust, orange-brown species endemic to the interior highlands of Tagula Island. It is most similar to R. mbo from adjacent Rossel Island, but the male parameres of the two species are distinctly different, with that of M. kolukolu having a small, downward curving hook at the apex, while that of M. mbo is curved apically upward (compare Figs. 158, 165). The male proctigers of both species have a similar basic form, being massive basally, but in R. kolukolu the proctiger is somewhat narrower, and transitions more abruptly to a narrow distal cone (compare Figs. 159, 166). Females may be separated by the form of the female connexiva, which are vertically oriented and only fold inward to barely touch at their extreme posterior apices in R. kolukolu, rather than being folded slightly inward along their posterior halves as in R. mbo (compare Figs. 155, 162). The coloration of both species is similar in many respects, with the male pronotum often bearing an orange-brown patch centrally. Winged morphs of M. kolukolu have the posterior margin of the prontoum broadly margined with yellow, producing a strongly contrasting, chevron-shaped pattern (Fig. 8), whereas in R. mbo the posterior pronotum is less prominently margined with brown. For additional discussion of characters separating these species see the discussion under R. mbo.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B28005495EAFBC9FDDA6677.taxon	biology_ecology	Ecological notes. Kolukolu Creek at the type-locality (CL 7194) was a swift stream flowing through chutes and pools in metamorphic Calvados Schist, which underlies the entire catchment (see geologic map in Webb et al. 2014), and then dropping over a waterfall approximately 20 m high into a large, deep pool that marked the head of the terminal mangrove estuary. Rhagovelia kolukolu was found sparingly in shaded eddies below another waterfall further upstream in the upper catchment, and more abundantly on a small, rocky, shaded first order tributary that entered near this upper fall (Fig. 160).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B2C005895EAFC51FA81677C.taxon	description	(Figs. 15, 161 – 168, 226)	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B2C005895EAFC51FA81677C.taxon	materials_examined	Type material examined. Holotype, wingless male: PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Milne Bay Prov., Louisiade Archipelago, Rossel [Yela] Island, small cascading tributary to Woa River, approx. 4 km. upstream from estuary, 30 – 60 m., 11 ° 20 ' 54 " S, 154 ° 07 ' 55 " E, 1 September 2002, CL 7196 c, D. A. Polhemus (BPBM). Paratypes: PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Milne Bay Prov.: Louisiade Archipelago, Rossel [Yela] Island: 93 wingless males, 73 wingless females, same data as holotype, CL 7196 c, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 8 winged males, 16 wingless males, 54 wingless females, 17 immatures, Woa River, approx. 4 km. upstream from estuary, 0 – 150 m., 11 ° 20 ' 37 " S, 154 ° 07 ' 06 " E, water temp. 23 ° C., 31 August – 1 September 2002, along margins of main river channel, CL 7196 a, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (USNM); 2 winged males, 1 winged female, 38 wingless males, 27 wingless females, 13 immatures, rocky tributary to Woa River, approx. 4 km. upstream from estuary, 15 – 30 m., 11 ° 20 ' 45 " S, 154 ° 07 ' 30 " E, 31 August 2002, CL 7196 b, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (USNM).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B2C005895EAFC51FA81677C.taxon	description	Description. Wingless male: Size: Length = 3.15 – 3.25 mm (x = 3.21, n = 5); width = 1.15 – 1.20 mm (x = 1.18, n = 5). Wingless female, length = 3.50 – 3.90 mm (x = 3.69, n = 5); width = 1.25 – 1.50 mm, (x = 1.36, n = 5). Winged male, length = 3.60 mm (n = 1); width = 1.30 mm (n = 1). Winged female, length = 3.80 – 3.90 mm (x = 3.85, n = 2); width = 1.50 (x = 1.50, n = 2). Color: Dorsal ground color dark brown, marked with dark yellow to yellowish brown on basal antennae, anterior pronotum, connexiva and legs (Fig. 161). Head dark brown; tylus, genae and rostrum dark yellow, rostrum fuscous ventromedially, piceous distally; eyes dark reddish black. Pronotum dark yellow on anterior two-thirds, this yellowish coloration continuing laterally as a continuous band onto the propleurae, posterior one-third dark brown to black. Mesonotum broadly dark brown to blackish laterally, reddish brown centrally. Metanotum and abdominal tergites I – VI dark blackish-brown, uniformly dull and lacking shining areas, tergite VII dark brown laterally, longitudinally orange-brown along medial section, abdominal tergites VIII and IX (proctiger) medium brown, connexiva dark brown on inner one-third, dark yellow on outer two-thirds, ventral faces also dark yellow. Antennal segment I with basal one-third dark yellow, distal two-thirds plus all of segments II – IV dark brown. Legs generally medium brown, with coxae, trochanters, basal half of fore femur, basal one-fourth of hind femur dark yellow. Venter medium brown, with pro- and metasterna, entire abdominal ventrite VII, genital segments, and patches on ventrolateral abdomen adjacent to spiracles dark yellow to yellowish brown. Structural characters: Head moderately short, declivant anteriorly, with weakly impressed median line; length 0.38, width 0.76; length of eye along inner margin 0.35, anterior / posterior interocular space, 0.22 / 0.45. Pronotum short, length along midline 0.23, less than dorsal length of head, leaving mesonotum broadly exposed, width 0.95; mesonotum smooth, lacking deep foveae, humeri depressed, length 0.55. Metanotum barely exposed, length 0.10. Lengths of abdominal tergites I – VIII, respectively: 0.20: 0.20: 0.17: 0.15: 0.20: 0.20: 0.35: 0.25. Connexiva with margins of even width throughout, weakly outwardly convex, convergent posteriorly, posterolateral angles not modified, separated by entire width of tergite VIII. Entire dorsum and laterotergites covered with fine appressed golden pubescence, intermixed with scattered long, erect black setae; legs and antennae thickly clothed with short appressed gold setae, with scattered long, erect black setae on anterodorsal faces of antennal segments I and II, and anterior margins of all femora, plus long pilose brown setae along posterior margins of all femora; fore and middle trochanters lacking pegs or teeth; fore and middle femora and middle tibia with margins straight, not flattened or otherwise modified; fore tibia slightly expanded and ventrally flattened on distal one-fourth, hind trochanter bearing 10 – 12 small dark pegs ventrally; hind femur highly incrassate, bearing two parallel rows of teeth, ventral row lying in area covered by infolded hind tibia and consisting of approximately 15 tiny, closely appressed black pegs basally, followed by a large orange-brown tooth with a black apex, then by 8 smaller and subequal sized orange-brown teeth with black apices, dorsal row of teeth commencing near middle of femur with a large, acute, orange-brown tooth with a black apex, followed by 4 – 5 teeth of progressively declining size, all these teeth orange-brown basally with black apices, ventral surface of femur below ventral spine row with an additional 4 – 5 scattered small, dark teeth or pegs; hind tibia broadly and gently sinuate, inner surface bearing 2 parallel rows of 18 – 20 small dark teeth, plus one large, acute, orange-brown tooth with a dark apex approximately two-thirds distance from base (Figs. 163, 164). Venter of head and thorax lacking small black denticles; meso- and metasterna slightly depressed centrally, margins of this depression bearing long, fine gold setae; abdominal venter set with short appressed gold setae intermixed with scattered long, fine, erect dark brown setae centrally; basal abdominal ventrites highly sculptured, ventrite I lying in vertical orientation, remaining ventrites horizontal and all in similar plane, ventrite II with an acute longitudinal carina of V-shaped cross section medially, this carina continuing in less pronounced form onto ventrite III, ventrites IV and V unmodified, ventrites VI and VII broadly and shallowly depressed centrally, ventrite VIII weakly depressed laterally to either side of midline. Male paramere slender, elongate, ventral margin broadly curving with a few short setae centrally, apex slightly curved upward, acute (Fig. 165). Male proctiger short and broad basally, basolateral lobes represented by small, angular processes; distolateral lobes not prominent; distal cone roughly triangular, tapering evenly to blunt apex forming an approximate 90 ° angle (Fig. 166) Lengths of antennal segments I – IV: 0.95: 0.50: 0.67: 0.55. Lengths of leg segments as follows: femur, tibia, tarsal 1, tarsal 2 of fore leg, 1.00: 1: 07: 0.05: 0.02: 0.20; of middle leg, 1.62: 1.35: 0.10: 0.47: 0.70; of hind leg, 1.50: 1.65: 0.05: 0.10: 0.35. Wingless female: Similar to wingless male in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: mesonotum uniformly dark reddish brown, broadly domed; frosty grey pruinosity present narrowly along posterior margin of mesonotum, broadly across posterior margin of metanotum and lateral sections of abdominal tergite I, and more or less completely covering abdominal tergites II – VI; connexival margins straight, converging evenly to posterior apex of abdomen, meeting over abdominal tergite VIII and covering lateral portions of tergite VII and all of tergite VIII (Figs. 15, 162), posterolateral connexival margins forming right angles, bearing bushy tufts of long, stiff black setae; abdominal tergite VIII and proctiger lying in nearly vertical orientation, hind femora only weakly incrassate, bearing only 3 very small dark spinules on posterior face near apex; hind tibiae straight, inner surface lacking teeth; ventral coloration predominantly orange-brown, with metasternum and V-shaped area on central mesosternum dark brown; all abdominal ventrites lying in similar horizontal plane, sternite II with weak longitudinal medial carina basally, central sections of abdominal sternites III – VI flattened centrally. Winged male: Similar to wingless male in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: pronotum greatly enlarged, width 1.40, length 1.35, completely covering meso- and metanotum, general color dark blackish-brown, anterior lobe dark yellow, posterior lobe broadly margined with pale brown posteriorly; humeri enlarged, slightly protrusive laterally; posterior pronotal lobe broadly domed, lacking obvious foveae, posterior margin broadly angular, bearing scattered long, gently curving, semi-erect black setae; forewings uniformly dark blackish-brown with veins darker brown, extending past apex of abdomen when intact, bearing 3 closed cells, consisting of two elongate cells in basal half of wing followed by a single much smaller distal cell near the middle of the wing, set laterally behind the outer basal cell; hind femur less incrassate than in wingless male. Winged female: Similar to winged male in general body form and coloration, pronotum width 1.50, length 1.40.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B2C005895EAFC51FA81677C.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The name “ mbo ” is a noun in apposition and refers to Mt. Mbo on Rossel Island, the source area for the Woa River along which the type series was taken.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B2C005895EAFC51FA81677C.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Louisiade Archipelago; endemic to Rossel Island (Fig. 168). The species range as presently known occupies the Rossel Island area of freshwater endemism (Area 39) as delineated by D. Polhemus & Allen (2007).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B2C005895EAFC51FA81677C.taxon	discussion	Discussion. Rhagovelia mbo is an attractive orange and brown species occurring on the hill streams of Rossel Island. It is similar in many respects to R. kolukolu from adjacent Tagula Island, but may be separated by its smaller size (mean body length of males is 3.21 mm in R. mbo, versus 3.85 mm in R. kolukolu); the more closely appressed female connexiva which converge posteriorly to cover most of abdominal tergite VII and all of tergite VIII (compare Figs. 155, 162); the presence of thick tufts of black setae at the posterolateral angles of the female connexiva; the presence of broad and shallow central depressions on both male abdominal ventrites VI and VII, rather than only on ventrite VII as in R. kolukolu; and the shape of the male paramere (compare Figs. 158, 165). For additional discussion of characters separating these species see the discussion under R. kolukolu. Ecological notes. The Woa River at the type-locality was a broad, clear stream in a cobble bed, draining the east slopes of Mt. Mbo and flowing north and east to a terminus at Wulanga Bay. In its middle course the river approaches closely to the head of Yonga Bay, which extends deeply into the west side of Rossel Island, but is separated from this embayment by a narrow ridge of metamorphic Calvados Schist, which in some places is only 30 m high; this formation underlies the entire Woa River catchment (see geologic map in Webb et al. 2014). It was possible to take a trail from a landing beach at the head of Yonga Bay, over this narrow ridge, and into the midreach of the river, lying at about 15 m above sea level. Collections were then made upstream from this point for approximately 2 km, to where the stream became confined between walls of Calvados Schist bedrock, with alternating small rapids and deep pools (Fig. 226). Collections were also made up several steeply dropping tributary streamlets, to elevations of about 150 m. The type series of R. mbo was taken in large part from these small, clear, first order tributaries that cascaded from the slopes of Mt. Mbo to join the main river (Fig. 167). Rhagovelia mbo was syntopic here with R. woa, but was largely confined to very shallow, flowing pools, rather than the deeper pools favored by R. woa. Species not assigned to subgroups (Incertae Sedis) The following species have combinations of character states that do not allow them to fit well into the subgroups proposed above within the R. novacaledonica group. As such, they are treated as incertae sedis pending a comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of the Rhagovelia biota occurring across the New Guinea region.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B20004295EAFD50FAC0601B.taxon	description	(Figs. 62, 169 – 180)	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B20004295EAFD50FAC0601B.taxon	materials_examined	Type material examined. Holotype, wingless male: PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Gulf Prov., New Guinea, Ivimka Creek along Kakoro Track, SE of Ivimka Research Station, 30 m., 07 ° 44 ' 20 " S, 146 ° 30 ' 06 " E, water temp. 25 ° C., 17 January 2001, 07: 30 – 13: 00 hrs., CL 7149, D. A. Polhemus (BPBM). Paratypes: PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Gulf Prov., New Guinea: 2 wingless males, 9 wingless females, same data as holotype, CL 7149, D. A. Polhemus (BPBM); 2 wingless males, Sapoi River and rocky tributary upstream of Ivimka Research Station, 120 – 150 m., 7 ° 43 ' 36 " S, 146 ° 29 ' 59 " E, water temp. 27 ° C. (river), 24.5 ° C. (rocky trib.), 16 January 2001, 07: 00 – 13: 00 hrs., from margins of pools on main river channel, next to logs and vertical banks, CL 7148 b, D. A. Polhemus (USNM); 29 wingless males, 24 wingless females, same locality as preceding but from CL 7148 c, rocky trib., D. A. Polhemus (BPBM); 3 wingless males, 1 wingless female, Sapoi River, 1.2 km. SW of Ivimka Research Station, 30 m., 07 ° 44 ' 30 " S, 146 ° 29 ' 26 " E, water temp. 27 ° C., 18 January 2001, 11: 00 – 12: 00 hrs., CL 7151, D. A. Polhemus (USNM). Additional material examined (not paratypes): PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Gulf Prov.: 4 wingless males, 1 wingless female, small rocky tributary to Wampupayo River at old Bulldog Track, 1.75 km. NE of Ivimka Research Station, 70 – 100 m., 07 ° 43 ' 06 " S, 146 ° 30 ' 09 " E, water temp. 24 ° C., 19 January 2001, 08: 30 – 13: 00 hrs., on tributary with cascades, CL 7153 b, D. A. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM). Central Prov.: 1 wingless male, Yaniwe River and small tributary streamlets at Tekadu, 300 m., 7 ° 40 ' 36 " S, 146 ° 33 ' 05 " E, water temp. 24 ° C., 21 January 2001, 12: 00 – 16: 30 hrs., CL 7157 a, D. A. Polhemus (USNM); 1 winged male, Omoi River at Bulldog Track, 3 km. SE of Tekadu, 180 m., 07 ° 41 ' 56 " S, 146 ° 32 ' 03 " E, water temp. 24 ° C., 21 January 2001, 11: 00 hrs., CL 7156, D. A. Polhemus (USNM); 2 wingless males, 2 wingless females, Eio Creek, nr. Baruanumu, E. of Port Moresby, 505 m., [vic. 9 ° 25 ' 27 " S, 147 ° 24 ' 10 " E], 22 September 1983, CL 1840, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (USNM ex JTPC, BPBM); 1 wingless male, 2 wingless females, Musgrave (Aieme) River at Awarere Plantation, E. of Port Moresby, 230 m., [9 ° 26 ' 12 " S, 147 ° 35 ' 57 " E], 22 September 1983, CL 1841, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (USNM ex JTPC).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B20004295EAFD50FAC0601B.taxon	description	Description. Wingless male: Size: Length = 3.50 – 3.70 mm (x = 3.60, n = 5); width = 1.20 – 1.30 mm (x = 1.27, n = 5). Wingless female, length = 3.30 – 3.50 mm (x = 3.37, n = 5); width = 1.35 – 1.40 mm, (x = 1.39, n = 5). Winged male, length = 3.90 mm (n = 1); width = 1.60 mm (n = 1). Color: Dorsal ground colour black, sparingly marked with dark yellow to orange-brown on basal antennae, anterior pronotum, connexiva and basal femora (Fig. 169). Head black, posterior margins of juga and basal rostrum orange-brown, rostrum fuscous ventromedially, piceous distally; eyes dark red. Pronotum black, with a transversely ovate dark orange-brown spot anteromedially behind vertex, this orange-brown coloration bounded by black laterally and not extending downward onto the propleurae. Mesonotum, metanotum and all abdominal tergites black, abdominal tergites uniformly dull and lacking glabrous areas; connexiva black on inner halves, dark orange-brown on outer halves, ventral faces also dark orange-brown. Antennal segment I with basal one-third pale yellowish, distal two-thirds plus all of segments II – IV black. Legs generally black dorsally, with coxae, fore and hind trochanters, basal one-fourth of fore femur posterodorsally yellowish-white. Venter black, anterior margins of propleurae adjacent to eyes very narrowly dark yellow, all acetabula dark orange-brown, abdominal ventrites I – VI dull black, ventrites VII and VIII semi-shining dark brown. Structural characters: Head length 0.35, width 0.80; length of eye along inner margin 0.35, anterior / posterior interocular space, 0.20 / 0.42. Pronotum length along midline less than dorsal length of head, leaving mesonotum broadly exposed, length 0.25, width 0.95; mesonotum smooth, lacking deep foveae, humeri depressed, length along midline 0.70. Metanotum barely exposed, length 0.10. Lengths of tergites I – VIII, respectively: 0.20: 0.20: 0.20: 0.20: 0.20: 0.28: 0.38: 0.40. Connexiva with margins straight, of even width throughout, convergent posteriorly, posterolateral angles not modified, separated by entire width of tergite VIII, bearing a few long, curving, dark setae. Entire dorsum thickly covered with fine, appressed pale pubescence, intermixed with scattered longer, semi-erect black setae on lateral pronotum and mesonotum, and along posterior margins of all abdominal tergites; legs and antennae thickly clothed with short appressed pale setae, with scattered long, erect, bristly black setae on anterodorsal faces of antennal segments I and II, and anterior margins of all femora, regularly spaced long, straight dark setae along posterior margins of fore and middle femora, and long pilose brown setae along posterior margin of hind femur, length of these long setae equal to the thickness of the respective femora on which they occur; fore and middle trochanters lacking pegs or teeth; fore and middle femora and middle tibia with margins straight, not flattened or otherwise modified; fore tibia slightly flattened ventrally on distal one-third, longitudinally channelled near apex adjacent to grasping comb; hind trochanter bearing 3 – 4 very small dark pegs ventrally; hind femur moderately incrassate, bearing two rows of teeth and pegs lying in area covered by infolded hind tibia, ventral row consisting of approximately 12 small, sharp black teeth of subequal size commencing at about one-third distance from the femoral base and running to the distal femoral apex, dorsal row consisting of 8 – 9 very small, black teeth running from base of femur to one-third distance from base, followed by a moderately large dark brown spine with a black apex, separated by a gap from another moderately large spine of similar form, followed by 8 smaller black spines of decreasing size running to distal femoral apex; hind tibia straight, inner surface bearing a single row of teeth consisting of 12 subequally sized, small, stout black teeth basally, followed by 2 slightly larger stout black teeth at about two-thirds distance to apex, followed by 4 – 5 more small black teeth of progressively decreasing size distally (Figs. 174, 175). Venter of head and thorax lacking small black denticles; mesosternum slightly depressed centrally, margins of this depression bearing long, fine gold setae; metasternum broadly and gently tumid, with fine, erect pale setae laterally; abdominal venter set with short appressed pale setae intermixed with longer, fine, semi-erect pale setae laterally and posteromedially; basal abdominal ventrites highly sculptured, ventrite I lying in vertical orientation and bearing a small, rounded bump centrally, remaining ventrites horizontal and all in similar plane, ventrite II with a longitudinal carina of V-shaped cross section medially, ventrites III – V slightly swollen, unmodified, ventrite VII slightly flattened and semi-shining centrally, black, posterior margin very broadly and shallowly concave, fringed with short, pale setae; ventrite VIII constricted basally, with a pair (1 + 1) of shallow, concave depressions to either side of a weakly carinate longitudinal midline. Male paramere thick, elongate, basal section with ventral margin broadly rounded, central section with stout setae ventrally, distal section slightly expanded, posterior margin broadly truncate, posterodorsal apex forming a rounded angle (Fig. 176). Male proctiger with basolateral lobes well-developed, anterolateral apices forming slightly obtuse angles; distolateral lobes incipient, not expanded; distal cone triangular, apex bearing a small, nipple-like process (Fig. 177). Lengths of antennal segments I – IV: 0.75: 0.38: 0.48: 0.52. Lengths of leg segments as follows: femur, tibia, tarsal 1, tarsal 2, tarsal 3 of fore leg, 1.00: 1.00: 0.02: 0.02: 0.25; of middle leg, 1.75: 1.15: 0.05: 0.50: 0.75; of hind leg, 1.50: 1.50: 0.05: 0.10: 0.35. Wingless female: Similar to male in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: long, semi-erect dark setae absent on posterior margins of abdominal tergites II – VI; connexival margins weakly sinuate, convergent adjacent to abdominal tergites I – III, then bowed slightly outward adjacent to tergites IV and V, then convergent again adjacent to tegites VI and VII, slightly thickened adjacent to abdominal tergites III and IV (Fig. 170), posterolateral angles forming right angles when viewed laterally, lacking angular setal tufts but bearing a few long, erect black setae immediately anterior to apices; abdominal tergite VIII and proctiger angled downward at 45 °, proctiger elongate; ventral surface of middle tibia flattened; hind trochanter lacking small black pegs; hind femora only weakly incrassate, area along ventral midline in area covered by infolded hind tibia bearing a single spine row consisting of 1 – 2 small, sharp black spines basally, then a moderately long, slender, sharp, spine, followed by a gap which may contain a small spine, then another long, slender, acute black spine, then 5 much smaller spines of progressively decreasing size to apex; hind tibiae straight, inner surface lacking teeth; ventral coloration predominantly dull black, ventral head and adjacent prothorax lacking tiny black denticles, abdominal sternites VII – IX orange-brown; all abdominal ventrites lying in similar horizontal plane, posterior margin of abdominal sternite VII unmodified. Winged male: Similar to wingless male in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: pronotum greatly enlarged, width 1.60, length 1.50, completely covering meso- and metanotum; anterior lobe with transversely ovate pale yellowish patch along anterior margin in area behind head vertex, this patch bounded laterally by silvery pruinose areas overlaying dark coloration behind eyes, thus separated from paler coloration on propleurae; humeri enlarged, slightly protrusive laterally; posterior pronotal lobe dark black, broadly domed, posterior half with small, obscure foveae, posterior margin broadly angular, bearing a few moderately long, gently curving black setae; forewings uniformly dark blackish-brown, wing apices extending past apex of abdomen when intact, bearing 4 closed cells consisting of two elongate cells in basal half of wing followed by two smaller cells of subequal size distally near center of wing. Winged female: Unknown.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B20004295EAFD50FAC0601B.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The name “ aviavi ” is a noun in apposition, and refers to the type-locality on the lower course of the Sapoi River, which is also locally known as the Aviavi.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B20004295EAFD50FAC0601B.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Southeastern New Guinea; currently known from the Lakekamu River basin and certain catchments behind Port Moresby (Fig. 62). The species range as presently known occupies the Papuan Gulf Foreland area of freshwater endemism (Area 25) as delineated by D. Polhemus & Allen (2007).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B20004295EAFD50FAC0601B.taxon	discussion	Discussion. This species is a small-sized member of the R. novacaledonica group that in many respects resembles the species of the R. tufi subgroup, including the general form of the male paramere and proctiger (Figs. 176 – 179), but lacks black denticles on the prosternum and proacetabula. Male abdominal tergite VII is flattened and shining centrally, lacking a significant central depression or raised lateral ridges, and its posterior margin is broadly and shallowly concave, with this concavity fringed with short, pale setae (Fig. 173), this being a useful diagnostic character. The female abdominal tergites lack shining patches, and the female connexival margins show some degree of intraspecific variation, with those of lowland populations (CL 7148, 7149, 7151) being slightly sinuate (Fig. 170), while those from populations taken at slightly higher elevations (CL 7153, 7157) are straight and evenly convergent posteriorly (Figs. 172). The variability in connexival form initially led to the supposition that two species might be present in the material from the Lakekamu River basin upon which the species concept is based, but the male pregential and genital structures are similar and show intermediate gradation across all these series (Figs. 176 – 179), so they are treated under a single species concept for the present, but with specimens from the more upland localities at the Wampupayo River and Tekadu not included as paratypes. Similarly, several series are at hand from the Astrolabe Range behind Port Moresby that also fall within the current broad concept of this species adopted here, but are not listed as paratypes given the possibility that a complex of closely related taxa may be involved. Ecological notes. Ivimka Creek at the type-locality (CL 7149) was a clear, moderately swift, well-shaded, gravel-bottomed creek traversing a nearly flat, tall-stature primary lowland rain forest (Fig. 180). The bed substrate consisted primarily of gravel and cobbles, with smaller percentages of fine sediment, sand, and a few larger rocks, while the bed profile featured pools up to 1 m deep separated by shallow riffles. Rhagovelia aviavi was common here on the flowing pools, in company with a few individuals of the larger R. sapoi, the latter occurring in sheltered pockets along the bases of low cut banks. Additional paratypes were taken along the Sapoi River upstream of the Ivimka research station, and on small tributaries entering this river from the south (CL 7148). The river here formed a long, wide, and fairly shallow pool against the base of a hill, with a swift, rocky, higher gradient tributary entering at the downstream end. The substrate here consisted of rocks, cobbles and gravel, with the banks of the river heavily shaded by primary lowland rain forest, but with the center of the river channel unshaded. Rhagovelia aviavi was taken sparingly here from eddies along the margins of the flowing river channel, and far more abundantly from flowing pools on the tributary.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B3A004195EAFA75FA8C6043.taxon	description	(Figs. 181 – 187, 201)	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B3A004195EAFA75FA8C6043.taxon	materials_examined	Type material examined. Holotype, wingless male: PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Central Prov., New Guinea, small tributary streamlets to Yaniwe River at Tekadu, 300 m., 07 ° 40 ' 36 " S, 146 ° 33 ' 05 " E, water temp. 24 ° C., 21 January 2001, 12: 00 – 16: 30 hrs, CL 7157 a, D. A. Polhemus (BPBM). Paratypes: PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Central Prov., New Guinea: 4 wingless males, 15 wingless females, same data as holotype, CL 7157 a, D. A. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 1 wingless female, Yaniwe River at Tekadu, 300 m., water temp. 24 ° C., 21 January 2001, 12: 00 – 16: 30 hrs., 07 ° 40 ' 36 " S, 146 ° 33 ' 05 " E, 7157 b, D. A. Polhemus (BPBM). Gulf Prov., New Guinea: 5 wingless males, 8 wingless females, Sapoi River and rocky tributary upstream of Ivimka Research Station, 120 – 150 m., 7 ° 43 ' 36 " S, 146 ° 29 ' 59 " E, water temp. 27 ° C. (river), 24.5 ° C. (rocky trib.), 16 January 2001, 07: 00 – 13: 00 hrs., from margins of pools on main river channel, next to logs and vertical banks, CL 7148 b, D. A. Polhemus (BPBM); 3 wingless males, 2 wingless females, New Guinea, same data as preceding except from rocky trib., CL 7148 c, D. A. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 14 wingless males, 14 wingless females, New Guinea, same data as preceding except from very small rocky hill streamlet entering rocky tributary to Sapoi River, CL 7148 d, D. A. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B3A004195EAFA75FA8C6043.taxon	description	Description Wingless male: Size: Length = 3.20 – 3.50 mm (x = 3.38, n = 5); width = 1.00 – 1.20 (x = 1.10, n = 5). Wingless female, length = 3.90 – 4.00 mm (x = 3.96, n = 5); width = 1.10 – 1.30 mm, (x = 1.19, n = 5). Color: Dorsal ground color dark brown, marked with dark yellow to orange-brown on basal antennae, anterior pronotum, connexiva and legs (Fig. 181). Head black; lower frons orange-brown, juga and rostrum dark yellow, rostrum fuscous ventromedially, piceous distally; eyes dark reddish black. Pronotum dark yellow on anterior half, this yellowish coloration continuing laterally as a continuous band onto the propleurae, posterior half black, narrowly margined with dark yellow posteriorly. Mesonotum broadly medium brown centrally, lateral sections dark brown. Metanotum and abdominal tergites uniformly dark brown, thinly overlain with weak pruinosity; all abdominal tergites uniformly dull and lacking shining, glabrous areas; connexiva dark brown on inner halves, dark yellow on outer halves, ventral faces also dark yellow. Antennal segment I with basal one-third dark yellow, distal two-thirds plus all of segments II – IV black. Legs generally black dorsally, dark brown ventrally, with coxae, trochanters, basal half of fore femur, ventral face of hind femur pale yellow. Venter dark brown, with all acetabula pale yellow; lateral portions of abdominal ventrites VII and VIII orange-brown, flanking dark brown central patch along midline. Structural characters: Head moderately short, declivant anteriorly, with weakly impressed median line; length 0.32, width 0.75; length of eye along inner margin 0.30, anterior / posterior interocular space, 0.20 / 0.40. Pronotum short, length along midline 0.47, less than dorsal length of head, leaving mesonotum broadly exposed, width 0.85; mesonotum smooth, lacking deep foveae, humeri depressed, length along midline 0.40. Metanotum barely exposed, length along midline 0.12. Lengths of abdominal tergites I – VIII, respectively: 0.15: 0.25: 0.20: 0.20: 0.20: 0.20: 0.40: 0.30. Connexiva with margins of even width throughout, very weakly bowed outward, convergent posteriorly, posterolateral angles not modified, separated by entire width of tergite VIII, lacking prominent setal tufts. Entire dorsum and laterotergites bearing numerous long, erect black setae; legs and antennae thickly clothed with short appressed pale setae, with scattered long, erect, bristly black setae on anterodorsal faces of antennal segments I and II, and anterior margins of all femora, plus long pilose brown setae along posterior margins of all femora, these setae particularly long and thick on posterior margin of hind femur, with lengths equal to the width of the incrassate femur; all trochanters lacking pegs or teeth; fore and middle femora and middle tibia with margins straight, not flattened or otherwise modified; fore tibia slightly flattened ventrally on distal one-fourth, with small concavity adjacent to grasping comb; hind femur highly incrassate, a single row of teeth, ventral row lying in area covered by infolded hind tibia and consisting of a moderate sized, dark tipped spine basally followed by approximately 12 small black pegs running from base of femur to apex, dorsal row commencing near middle of femur and consisting of 8 small black pegs; hind tibia broadly and gently sinuate, inner surface bearing a row of about 17 small dark teeth, plus one large, acute, black spine approximately two-thirds two-thirds distance from base (Figs. 183, 184). Venter of head and thorax lacking small black denticles; mesosternum slightly depressed centrally, margins of this depression bearing long, fine gold setae; metasternum slightly tumid; abdominal venter set with short appressed gold setae intermixed with scattered long, fine, erect pale setae laterally; basal abdominal ventrites highly sculptured, ventrite I lying in vertical orientation, remaining ventrites horizontal and all in similar plane, ventrite II with an acute longitudinal carina of V-shaped cross section medially, this carina continuing in less pronounced form onto ventrites III and IV; ventrites V and VI unmodified, ventrite VII slightly flattened centrally, ventrite VIII unmodified. Male paramere bilobate, slightly constricted centrally, basal section with ventral margin rounded, bearing numerous stout setae, distal section angled upward at ~ 45 °, dorsal margin straight, ventral margin forming nearly a right angle, posterior margin broadly curving, apex blunt (Fig. 185). Male proctiger with basolateral lobes moderately developed, rounded; distolateral lobes small, sharply angular; distal cone dome-like, apex coming to small angle (Fig. 186). Lengths of antennal segments I – IV: 0.80: 0.40: 0.55: 0.55. Lengths of leg segments as follows: femur, tibia, tarsal 1, tarsal 2, tarsal 3 of fore leg, 1.00: 1.00: 0.02: 0.02: 0.22; of middle leg, 1.60: 1.15: 0.05: 0.45: 0.70; of hind leg, 1.40: 1.55: 0.05: 0.10: 0.35. Wingless female: Similar to wingless male in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: mesonotum bright orange-brown; metanotum and abdominal tergites I – V dark brown, thinly overlain with silvery pruinosity, bearing long, erect, dark setae on lateral portions of metanotum and posterior margin of abdominal tergite II; connexival margins strongly convergent posteriorly, margins meeting over posterior section of abdominal tergite V and completely covering abdominal tergite VI and all but narrow posterior medial portion of abdominal tergite VII, posterolateral angles slightly divergent when viewed from above, apices rounded when viewed laterally and bearing very small tufts of short black setae, connexival margins of even thickness throughout, lacking thickened or glabrous areas; posterolateral margins of abdominal segment VII bearing tufts of stiff, black, posteriorly-directed setae (Fig. 182); abdominal tergite VIII and proctiger angled downward at 45 ° angle; hind femora only weakly incrassate, bearing a single row of teeth consisting of a small basal peg, then a large sharp spine near midpoint, followed by 7 smaller teeth of progressively decreasing size distally; hind tibiae straight, inner surface with about 16 small black pegs; ventral coloration predominantly orange-brown, with mesosternum, metasternum and abdominal ventrite I dark brown; all abdominal ventrites lying in similar horizontal plane. Winged male: Unknown. Winged female: Unknown.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B3A004195EAFA75FA8C6043.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The name “ tekadu ” is a noun in apposition, and refers to the type-locality near the village of Tekadu, in Papua New Guinea.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B3A004195EAFA75FA8C6043.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Southeastern New Guinea; currently known only from the Lakekamu River basin (Fig. 201). The species range as presently understood occupies the Papuan Gulf Foreland area of freshwater endemism (Area 25) as delineated by D. Polhemus & Allen (2007).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B3A004195EAFA75FA8C6043.taxon	discussion	Discussion. Rhagovelia tekadu is a somewhat aberrant member of the R. novacaledonica group, with a relatively narrow pronotum, and numerous long, erect setae on the dorsum, lateral abdomen, and posterior margin of the highly incrassate male hind femur. It is similar in many respects to R. udabe and R. goilala, species which occur at higher elevations in the Owen Stanley Range, but is smaller in overall form, with body lengths ranging from 3.2 – 4.0 mm, versus 4.1 – 4.8 mm in the other two species; has the female abdominal connexiva folded inward over abdominal tergites V – VIII (Fig. 182), versus widely separated in the other two species (Figs. 71, 78); and the anterior lobe of the pronotum slightly constricted in both sexes, and nearly parallel-sided in wingless females (Figs. 181, 182), rather than broadly expanded and with anteriorly convergent margins. The coloration is also distinctive in the field, with the bright yellowish-brown markings on the anterior pronotum, basal legs, and connexiva strongly contrasting with the overall reddish-brown to blackish ground color. Ecological notes. This species prefers shaded, first-order headwater streamlets, and is found almost exclusively in such habitats. The type locality was a small, swift, rocky tributary to the Sapoi (Aviavi) River, flowing through a bed of rocks and cobbles in a catchment shaded by primary premontane rain forest. The insects were found near the stream margins, next to vertical banks or fallen logs. Another series was taken from a small headwater streamlet at Tekadu, 150 m. higher in elevation within the same Sapoi River catchment (Fig. 187). At the latter locality, the insects skated on pools along a small, shaded channel draining hill slopes covered with lightly disturbed premontane rain forest. The specimens from lower elevation along the Sapoi River (CL 7148) have a darker, blackish ground color compared to the specimens taken higher up at Tekadu (CL 7157), which are more orange-brown.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B39004495EAFA85FC15608F.taxon	description	(Figs. 32, 34, 188 – 193, 201)	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B39004495EAFA85FC15608F.taxon	materials_examined	Type material examined. Holotype, wingless male: PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Gulf Prov., New Guinea, Sapoi River and rocky tributary upstream of Ivimka Research Station, 120 – 150 m., 7 ° 43 ' 36 " S, 146 ° 29 ' 59 " E, water temp. 27 ° C. (river), 24.5 ° C. (rocky trib.), 16 January 2001, 07: 00 – 13: 00 hrs., from rocky trib., CL 7148 c, D. A. Polhemus (USNM). Paratypes: PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Gulf Prov., New Guinea: 3 wingless males, 4 wingless females, same data as holotype, 7148 c, D. A. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 1 wingless male, New Guinea, same data as preceding except from margins of pools on main Sapoi River channel, next to logs and vertical banks, CL 7148 b, D. A. Polhemus (USNM); 1 wingless female, same data as preceding except from small rocky hill streamlet entering rocky trib. to Sapoi River, CL 7148 d, D. A. Polhemus (USNM).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B39004495EAFA85FC15608F.taxon	description	Description Wingless male: Size: Length = 4.10 – 4.60 mm (x = 4.43, n = 5); width = 1.40 – 1.60 mm (x = 1.51, n = 5). Wingless female, length = 4.10 – 4.70 mm (x = 4.42, n = 5); width = 1.40 – 1.90 mm, (x = 1.62, n = 5). Color: Dorsal ground color black, marked with dark yellow on basal antennae, anterior pronotum, connexiva and legs (Fig. 188). Head black, juga and rostrum dark yellow, rostrum fuscous ventromedially, piceous distally; eyes silver. Pronotum dark yellow on anterior half, this yellowish coloration continuing laterally as a continuous band onto the propleurae, posterior half black. Mesonotum, metanotum and abdominal tergites I – VI black, posteromedial section of abdominal tergite VII and all of tergites VIII and IX dark brown; all abdominal tergites uniformly dull and lacking glabrous areas, tergite VII slightly shining posteromedially; connexiva dark blackish-brown on inner halves, dark yellow on outer halves, ventral faces also dark yellow. Antennal segment I with basal one-third dark yellow, distal two-thirds plus all of segments II – IV black. Legs generally black dorsally, with coxae, trochanters, basal half of fore femur, and hind femur ventrally yellowish-white. Venter dark brown, with all acetabula and prosternum yellowish-white, abdominal ventrites VII – IX orange-brown. Structural characters: Head moderately short, declivant anteriorly, with weakly impressed median line; length 0.35, width 0.85; length of eye along inner margin 0.40, anterior / posterior interocular space, 0.20 / 0.40. Pronotum short, length along midline 0.25, less than dorsal length of head, leaving mesonotum broadly exposed, width 1.05; mesonotum smooth, lacking deep foveae, humeri depressed, length 0.65. Metanotum barely exposed, length 0.10. Lengths of tergites I – VIII, respectively: 0.20: 0.25: 0.20: 0.20: 0.20: 0.25: 0.45: 0.50. Connexiva with margins of even width throughout, weakly sinuate, convergent posteriorly, posterolateral angles not modified, separated by entire width of tergite VIII, bearing a few long dark setae. Entire dorsum thickly covered with fine, appressed pale pubescence, intermixed with numerous longer, semi-erect black setae; legs and antennae thickly clothed with short appressed pale setae, with scattered long, erect, bristly black setae on anterodorsal faces of antennal segments I and II, and anterior margins of all femora, plus long pilose brown setae along posterior margins of all femora, particularly dense on hind femur, length of these setae equal to the thickness of the respective femora on which they occur; fore and middle trochanters lacking pegs or teeth; fore and middle femora and middle tibia with margins straight, not flattened or otherwise modified; fore tibia slightly flattened ventrally on distal one-fourth, longitudinally channeled adjacent to grasping comb; hind trochanter bearing 16 – 18 small dark pegs ventrally; hind femur highly incrassate, bearing two rows of teeth and pegs lying in area covered by infolded hind tibia, ventral row consisting of approximately 10 tiny, closely appressed black pegs running from base of femur to one-third distance from base, followed by a moderate sized dark yellow spine with a black apex, then 12 – 14 smaller spines with black apices running to apex of femur, dorsal row consisting of a single large yellow spine with a black apex dorsally offset near midpoint from main grouping, followed by another large spine with a black apex at two thirds distance to apex followed by 5 – 6 teeth of progressively declining size, all these teeth orange-brown basally with black apices; hind tibia broadly and gently sinuate, inner surface bearing a row of about 18 small dark teeth, plus one large, acute, orange-brown spine with a black apex approximately two-thirds distance from base (Figs. 190, 191). Venter of head and thorax bearing numerous small black denticles on jugum and adjacent inner prosternum (Fig. 32), a few of these denticles extending upward onto propleural region; mesosternum slightly depressed centrally, margins of this depression bearing long, fine gold setae; metasternum tumid, with fine, erect pale setae laterally; abdominal venter set with short appressed pale setae intermixed with longer, fine, semi-erect pale setae laterally and along longitudinal midline; basal abdominal ventrites highly sculptured, ventrite I lying in vertical orientation, remaining ventrites horizontal and all in similar plane, ventrite II with an acute longitudinal carina of V-shaped cross section medially, this carina continuing in less pronounced form onto ventrites III – V; ventrite VI unmodified, ventrite VII broadly concave centrally, ventrite VIII constricted basally. Male paramere shape elongate, slender, basal section slightly expanded, ventrally angular, bearing numerous stout golden setae, distal section paddle-like, apex truncate (Fig. 192). Male proctiger with basolateral lobes well developed, angular, anterior margins straight, orthogonal to longitudinal midline; distolateral lobes not developed; distal cone broadly triangular, apex slightly angular (Fig. 193). Lengths of antennal segments I – IV: 0.90: 0.50: 0.62: 0.60. Lengths of leg segments as follows: femur, tibia, tarsal 1, tarsal 2, tarsal 3 of fore leg, 1.10: 1.15: 0.02: 0.02: 0.30; of middle leg, 1.85: 1.35: 0.05: 0.55: 0.85; of hind leg, 1.85: 1.85: 0.05: 0.15: 0.27. Wingless female: Similar to wingless male in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: pronotum predominantly dark yellow to orange-brown, with only extreme posterior margin black; mesonotum dark reddish brown; metanotum and abdominal tergites I – VIII predominantly black, weakly dark reddish brown along longitudinal midline, posterior section of abdominal tergite VIII and all of tergite IX orange-brown; long, semi-erect dark setae absent on thoracic and abdominal dorsum except in propleural region; connexival margins straight and of even width throughout, converging evenly to posterior apex of abdomen (Fig. 189), posterolateral angles forming right angles when viewed laterally, bearing short, angular tufts of posteriorly-directed stiff black setae; abdominal tergite VIII and proctiger angled downward at 45 °; hind trochanter bearing 4 small black pegs; hind femora only weakly incrassate, area covered by infolded hind tibia bearing a single spine row consisting of 4 small black pegs basally, then 5 small, sharp, orange-brown spines with black tips, then a single large orange-brown spine with a black tip, then a double row of small black pegs with 8 pegs ventrally and 4 pegs dorsally; hind tibiae straight, inner surface lacking teeth; ventral coloration predominantly orange-brown, with metasternum black; venter with prosternum bearing tiny black denticles, these less extensive than in male; all abdominal ventrites lying in similar horizontal plane, ventrite VII medially notched on posterior margin to accommodate keel-like commisure of gonocoxae (Fig. 34). Winged male: Unknown. Winged female: Unknown.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B39004495EAFA85FC15608F.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The name “ sapoi ” is a noun in apposition, and refers to the Sapoi River type-locality.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B39004495EAFA85FC15608F.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Southeastern New Guinea; currently known only from the Lakekamu River basin (Fig. 201). The species range as presently understood occupies the Papuan Gulf Foreland area of freshwater endemism (Area 25) as delineated by D. Polhemus & Allen (2007).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B39004495EAFA85FC15608F.taxon	discussion	Discussion. Rhagovelia sapoi is a relatively large, robust species currently known from the Lakekamu River basin of the southern Papua New Guinea. In general body form it is similar in some respects to R. mimani from the Kemp Welch River system to the east, with the females having straight, evenly convergent connexival margins, but the males of R. sapoi are more robust and have their connexival margins weakly sinuate (compare Figs. 188, 194). The male hind leg has three spines much larger than the others, arranged in a triangular pattern when viewed ventrally (Figs. 191, 192). The two species are easily separated by the presence of black denticles on the prosternum and proacetabula of R. sapoi (Fig. 32), which are lacking in R. mimani, and by the shape of the male paramere, which is apically truncate in both species, but with the distal arm straight-sided in R. mimani, versus angled vertically upward in a shape reminiscent of a hockey stick in R. sapoi (compare Figs. 192, 198). The male proctiger morphology is also very different in the two species, with R. mimani having raised, anteriorly convergent ridges adjacent to the central membranous basal section, which are absent in R. sapoi (compare Figs. 193, 199). The form of male abdominal ventrite VII also differs between the two species, with R. sapoi having raised setiferous ridges laterally flanking a central sulcus, with both the ridges and sulcus being absent in R. mimani. Finally, in females of R. sapoi the posterior margin of abdominal ventrite VII bears a deep, narrow, longitudinal notch to accommodate the raised, carinate commissure of the gonocoxae, with this notch flanked to either side by small, reddish-brown glabrous lips (Fig. 34); such a notch on ventrite VII is absent in R. mimani. Ecological notes. The type-locality was a secondary tributary to the Sapoi River, upstream of the Lakekamu research station. This tributary was a swift, rocky, high gradient stream, which entered the main Sapoi River at the downstream end of a long pool along the river channel. The gradient of the tributary moderated as one progressed upstream, with small, stair-stepping streamlets entering it from the hilly banks on either side. The author’s field notes indicate: “ A very pretty orange and black Rhagovelia was taken on a streamlet feeding the tributary, a classic stair-step profile with small cascades and shallow pools, well shaded. ” A preference for such first order stream habitats is typical for many species in the R. novacaledonica group.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B3C004E95EAF9C1FE9264C7.taxon	description	(Figs. 2, 3, 9, 33, 54, 145, 194 – 201)	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B3C004E95EAF9C1FE9264C7.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. — Holotype, wingless male: PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Central Prov., New Guinea, Owen Stanley Range, trib. to upper Mimani River, 2.7 km. NE of Dorobisoro, 580 – 685 m., water temp. 21.5 ° C., 8 October 2003, 09: 30 – 12: 30 hrs., 9 ° 27 ' 23 " S, 147 ° 57 ' 03 " E, CL 7262, D. A. Polhemus (BPBM). — Paratypes: PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Central Prov., New Guinea: 15 winged males, 10 winged females, 20 wingless males, 31 wingless females, same data as holotype, CL 7262, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 3 winged males, 3 winged females, 23 wingless males, 29 wingless females, Owen Stanley Range, trib. to upper Mimani River, 2.0 km. NE of Dorobisoro, 565 m., water temp. 22.5 ° C., 7 October 2003, 13: 40 – 14: 20 hrs., 9 ° 27 ' 21 " S, 147 ° 56 ' 25 " E, CL 7261, D. A. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 2 winged males, 1 winged female, Owen Stanley Range, upper Mimani River, 1.70 km. NE of Dorobisoro, 535 m., 9 ° 27 ' 25 " S, 147 ° 56 ' 15 " E, water temp. 23.5 ° C., 7 October 2003, 13: 00 – 15: 00 hrs., along margins of main river channel, CL 7260 a, D. A. Polhemus (USNM); 1 winged female, same data as preceding except from small flowing spring adjacent to main river channel, CL 7260 b, D. A. Polhemus (USNM); 3 winged males, 2 winged females, 7 wingless males, 9 wingless females, Owen Stanley Range, trib. to upper Mimani River, 0.95 km. NE of Dorobisoro, 520 m., 9 ° 27 ' 27 " S, 147 ° 55 ' 50 " E, water temp. 23 ° C., 7 October 2003, 11: 30 – 12: 00 hrs., CL 7259, D. A. Polhemus (BPBM, USNM); 1 winged female, 7 wingless males, 10 wingless females, Owen Stanley Range, trib. to upper Mimani River, 2.9 km. NE of Dorobisoro, 640 – 670 m., water temp. 22.5 ° C., 8 October 2003, 12: 45 – 13: 30 hrs., 9 ° 27 ' 19 " S, 147 ° 56 ' 53 " E, CL 7263, D. A. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 1 winged male, Owen Stanley Range, trib. to upper Mimani River, 0.8 km. W of Dorobisoro, 500 m., water temp. 23.5 ° C., 9 October 2003, 08: 30 – 12: 30 hrs., 9 ° 27 ' 39 " S, 147 ° 54 ' 56 " E, CL 7264, D. A. Polhemus (USNM).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B3C004E95EAF9C1FE9264C7.taxon	description	Description Size — Wingless male, length = 3.95 – 4.20 mm (x = 4.05, n = 5); width = 1.30 – 1.50 mm (x = 1.36, n = 5). Wingless female, length = 4.00 – 4.20 mm (x = 4.07, n = 5); width = 1.40 – 1.50 mm, (x = 1.48, n = 5). Winged male, length = 4.75 mm (n = 1); width = 1.70 mm (n = 1). Winged female, length = 4.60 mm (n = 1); width = 1.85 mm (n = 1). Colour — Wingless male: Dorsal ground colour dark blackish-brown, marked with dark yellow to orange-brown on basal antennae, anterior pronotum, central section of mesonotum, connexiva and legs (Fig. 194). Head dark brown; lower frons, juga and rostrum dark yellow, rostrum fuscous ventromedially, piceous distally; eyes dark reddish black. Pronotum dark yellow on anterior half, this yellowish coloration continuing laterally as a continuous band onto the propleurae, posterior half dark brown to black. Mesonotum broadly dark reddish brown posterolaterally, broadly orange-brown centrally, this orange coloration in the form of a broad triangle with the apex directed posteriorly. Metanotum and abdominal tergites I – VI dark blackish-brown; tergite VII blackish-brown laterally, orange-brown posteromedially, abdominal tergites VIII and IX (= proctiger) black; abdominal tergites I – VI uniformly dull and lacking shining areas, tergite VII dull laterally, shining posteromedially, tergite VIII entirely shining; connexiva black on inner halves, dark yellow on outer halves, ventral faces also dark yellow. Antennal segment I with basal one-third pale yellow, distal two-thirds plus all of segments II – IV black. Legs generally dark brown to black, with coxae, trochanters, basal half of fore femur dorsally and ventrally, entire hind femur ventrally dark yellow to yellowish-brown. Venter dark brown, with prosternum and all acetabula dark yellow, mesopleurae and central portions of abdominal ventrites VII and VIII yellowish brown. Structural characters — Wingless male: head moderately short, declivant anteriorly, with weakly impressed median line; length 0.35, width 0.85; length of eye along inner margin 0.30, anterior / posterior interocular space, 0.20 / 0.45. Pronotum short, length along midline 0.30, less than dorsal length of head, leaving mesonotum broadly exposed, width 1.15; mesonotum smooth, lacking deep foveae, humeri depressed, length 0.70. Metanotum barely exposed, length 0.07. Lengths of abdominal tergites I – VIII, respectively: 0.20: 0.25: 0.20: 0.20: 0.20: 0.25: 0.50: 0.40. Connexiva with margins of even width throughout, weakly inwardly concave basally adjacent to abdominal tergites I – III, then weakly outwardly convex adjacent to abdominal tergites IV – VII, margins convergent posteriorly, posterolateral angles not modified, separated by entire width of tergite VIII, bearing a few long dark setae. Entire dorsum and laterotergites thickly covered with fine, appressed pale pubescence, intermixed with scattered long, stiff, semi-erect black setae on lateral portions of metanotum and posterior margins of all abdominal tergites; legs and antennae thickly clothed with short appressed pale setae, with scattered long, erect, bristly black setae on anterodorsal faces of antennal segments I and II, and anterior margins of all femora, long dark setae present on posterior margins of fore and middle femora, long pilose pale setae present along posterior margin of hind femur; fore and middle trochanters lacking pegs or teeth; fore and middle femora and middle tibia with margins straight, not flattened or otherwise modified; fore tibia slightly flattened ventrally on distal one-fourth, longitudinally channeled adjacent to grasping comb; hind trochanter bearing 12 – 14 small dark pegs ventrally; hind femur highly incrassate, bearing two parallel rows of teeth, ventral row lying in area covered by infolded hind tibia and consisting of approximately 16 tiny, closely appressed black pegs running from base of femur to midpoint, followed by 14 – 15 moderately small teeth of gradually but progressively decreasing size distally running to femoral apex, these teeth yellowish brown with dark apices, dorsal row commencing near middle of femur at distal end of basal peg row with 3 large, acute, evenly spaced teeth, followed by 6 smaller teeth of progressively declining size to femoral apex, all these teeth yellowish-brown with black apices; hind tibia broadly and gently sinuate, inner surface bearing a row of about 16 small dark teeth running distally from base, then a large, acute, tooth approximately two-thirds distance from base, followed by 5 more smaller black teeth of progressively decreasing size to tibial apex (Fig. 196, 197). Venter of head and thorax lacking small black denticles; mesosternum with a shallow, triangular depression centrally, margins of this depression bearing long, fine gold setae; metasternum very slightly raised centrally; abdominal venter set with short, closely appressed gold setae; basal abdominal ventrites highly sculptured, ventrite I lying in vertical orientation, remaining ventrites horizontal and all in similar plane, ventrite II with a broad longitudinal carina medially between lateral depressions accommodating coxae, ventrites III – VI unmodified, posterior margin of ventrite VII anteriorly concave, ventrite VIII constricted basally. Male paramere shape elongate, basal section stout, distal arm parallel sided, apex truncate, not expanded (Fig. 98). Male proctiger with a pair (1 + 1) of raised vertical lamellae basally to either side of longitudinal midline, these lamellae angling slightly inward toward base of distal cone; basolateral lobes well developed, rounded; distolateral lobes small, rounded, knob-like; distal cone dome-shaped, apex slightly angular (Fig. 199). Lengths of antennal segments I – IV: 1.00: 0.60: 0.75: 0.55. Lengths of leg segments as follows: femur, tibia, tarsal 1, tarsal 2 of fore leg, 1.15: 1: 30: 0.04: 0.02: 0.35; of middle leg, 2.00: 1.50: 0.05: 0.65: 0.90; of hind leg, 1.75: 1.80: 0.05: 0.15: 0.40. Wingless female — Similar to wingless male in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: abdominal tergites I – VIII all dull, without shining patches, lacking setae except for small patches of very short golden setae centrally; connexival margins straight and of even width throughout, converging evenly to posterior apex of abdomen, not infolded, posterolateral angles forming right angles when viewed laterally, bearing very short, angular tufts of posteriorly-directed stiff black setae; abdominal tergite VIII horizontal, proctiger angled downward at 45 °; hind trochanter bearing 4 small black pegs; hind femur only weakly incrassate, bearing a single row of teeth, beginning basally with 7 small, black, peg-like teeth, then two moderately large, sharp orange-brown teeth with black tips, then a much smaller black tooth, then a very large, sharp orange-brown tooth with a black tip, and finally 4 – 5 small black teeth of progressively decreasing size distally; hind tibiae straight, inner surface lacking teeth; ventral coloration predominantly orange-brown, propleurae and prosternum dark yellow, metasternum and abdominal tergite I dark brown; all abdominal ventrites lying in similar horizontal plane; gonocoxal commisure forming a small ventral carina with posteromedial apex bearing a tuft of short, stiff black setae (Fig. 33). Winged male — Similar to wingless male in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: pronotum greatly enlarged, completely covering meso- and metanotum, width 1.70, length 1.70, humeri enlarged, anterior pronotal margin with arcuate pale orange-brown patch in area behind vertex, this patch confluent with similar pale coloration on propleurae, remainder of pronotum black, posterior section angular, set with numerous tiny foveae, entire pronotum covered with short recumbent gold setae, these setae becoming longer and denser on posterior angular section; abdomen not reflexed, lying in a uniformly horizontal plane when viewed laterally; forewings uniformly dark blackish-brown, extending to tip of abdomen, bearing 4 closed cells, consisting of two long cells in the basal half of the wing plus two smaller cells distally, veins set with erect dark setae. Winged female — Similar to winged male in general body form and coloration; pronotum width 1.85, length 1.90 (Fig. 9).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B3C004E95EAF9C1FE9264C7.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The name “ mimani ” is a noun in apposition and refers to the Mimani River type-locality.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B3C004E95EAF9C1FE9264C7.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Southeastern New Guinea; endemic to the Papuan Peninsula (Fig. 201). The species range as presently known occupies the South Papuan Peninsula Foreland area of freshwater endemism (Area 30) as delineated by D. Polhemus & Allen (2007). Comparative notes. This is a species from the upper Mimani River basin (a tributary to the Kemp Welch River), with an appearance superficially similar to members of the R. dibuwa subgroup from the Milne Bay area and D’Entrecasteaux Islands. In all these species the female connexiva are straight, broadly separated, and are evenly convergent posteriorly, and male abdominal ventrite VIII is transversely depressed basally, causing this segment to appear constricted in lateral view. Rhagovelia mimani diverges from the basic plan of the R. dibuwa subgroup in regard to the structures of the male genitalia. The pistol-shaped male paramere with a long, parallel-sided distal arm (Fig. 198) is unique among Rhagovelia species occurring on the EPCT. The vertically raised lamellae on the basal section of the male proctiger (appearing as dark crescents in the photographic illustration provided in Fig. 199) are also distinctive. Although similar but less prominently developed lamellae are present in a more reduced form in R. watuti from the Cloudy Mountains and in R. dibuwa (Figs. 4, 5) from the D’Entrecasteaux Islands, in those species the posterior margin of the sclerotized portion of the proctiger lies posterior to the basolateral lobes, whereas in R. mimani the posterior margin of sclerotization is broadly curved anteriorly beyond the basolateral lobes, creating a large basal sinus (compare Figs. 90, 199). This character state in R. mimani again has no analog among the currently known New Guinea Rhagovelia species. In addition, the male paramere shape in R. watuti is much broader and apically produced into a rounded, upward-angling lobe (Fig. 89), similar to the character state seen in the other members of the R. dibuwa subgroup. Therefore, R. watuti represents a mix of character states seen in R. mimani and the R. dibuwa subgroup, and suggests some level of relationship among all of these taxa. Another distinctive character state in R. mimani is the heavily armed female hind femur, which bears two moderately long, sharp spines at about half the distance from the base to the apex, followed by a larger, acuminate spine at two-thirds distance (Fig. 195). One aberrant female taken along the Mimani River (CL 7260 a) has this female hind femur spine pattern modified, consisting of two pairs (2 + 2) of large spines, with each pair arising from a common base in a V-shape, with the basal pair slightly shorter than the distal pair. Biological notes. Rhagovelia mimani was common along Mimani River and its tributary streams in the vicinity of Dorobisoro (Figs. 54, 145, 200), where the river emerges from the mountains and enters the premontane foreland. This village name does not appear on the Australian 1: 100,00 topographic maps of Papua New Guinea, even though this village was referred to by that name in Australian patrol reports as far back as 1962, and it is still the official name of the modern airstrip. The airstrip is instead shown as the Menumu Landing Ground on the 1: 100,000 Efogi topographic map, printed in 1974, but this may be a cartographic error, since this same map she et al so shows another landing strip named Manumu at a village on the upper Brown River. By contrast, Dorobisoro and its airstrip are properly located and named on the Tactical Pilotage Chart 1: 250,00 scale map sheet prepared in the late 1970 s. The type series of R. mimani was taken from a clear, rocky, heavily shaded creek in primary rain forest (CL 7262), descending steeply through a bed of mixed igneous and metamorphic rocks (Fig. 145). The gradient became steadily steeper as one progressed upstream, with bedrock encountered at about 700 m elevation, forming a set of falls. Rhagovelia mimani was taken on flowing stream pools from the river confluence upstream to the base of these falls, in company with R. obscura, R. loriae and R. peggiae. At another tributary 2 km upstream from Dorobisoro (CL 7261), this species was again taken in company with R. loriae on a heavily shaded, rocky creek in primary forest, leading back to a waterfall 20 m tall, cascading over metamorphic bedrock. Rhagovelia mimani was also taken along the margins of the main stem Mimani River 1.3 km NE of the village (CL 7260). At this point the river was moderately large, and swift, flowing in a clean, boulder-strewn bed with gravel and cobble runs and flanked by rugged bedrock exposures. The channel appeared to carry a large amount of additional flow in the rainy season, so it is likely that the tributary creeks serve as refugia for this species and other Rhagovelia during periods of high river discharge.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B3400B295EAFF44FA056217.taxon	description	The R. papuensis group was originally proposed by J. Polhemus & D. Polhemus (1988) to hold R. papuensis from New Guinea, as well as an additional 20 species from Australia, the Philippines, the Moluccas, Celebes, Borneo, Formosa, Japan, India and Ceylon. Many additional species were subsequently added from the Philippines (Zettel 1994, 1995, 1996, 2003, 2007), Celebes (Nieser & Chen 1993; Nieser et al. 1997), Vietnam (Zettel & Tran 2004) and the Raja Ampat Islands (D. Polhemus & J. Polhemus 2011). Perhaps ironically, the R. papuensis group, although widespread and diverse in the central Malay Archipelago, is one of the less speciose groups in the New Guinea region, consisting of a limited suite of lowland species that often exhibit rather broad geographic ranges. The R. papuensis group is characterized by relatively small size compared to the members of the R. novacaledonica group; the long pronotum in wingless forms that covers nearly all of the mesonotum, generally leaving only a narrow portion visible posteromedially (Figs. 202, 220, 221, 227, 228, 234, 235, 241, 242, 247, 248, 253, 254, 260, 261, 267, 268, 274, 275, 281, 282, 283, 290, 291); the small, often bean-shaped male paramere with setiferation on the distal half (Figs. 224, 231, 237, 245, 251, 257, 264, 271, 278, 287, 293); the male proctiger with angular basolateral lobes of moderate size, and a distal cone also of moderate size with a rounded apex, and bearing large, rounded distolateral lobes that are often more prominent than the basolateral lobes (Figs. 225, 232, 238, 246, 252, 258, 265, 272, 279, 288, 294); paired dorsal abdominal carinae in winged forms that are relatively long, reaching to the posterior margin of abdominal tergite III; and the forewing bearing 3 or 4 closed cells, with 1 or 2 posterior cells of variable size and extending into the distal half of the wing (Figs. 12, 108). In the EPCT the members of this group are generally inhabitats of the lower midreaches of rocky streams at elevations below 500 m (Figs. 40, 47, 187, 226, 233, 239, 259, 273, 280, 289). Some of these taxa, such as R. loriae, have broad distributions in the lowlands of New Guinea. This is also the only Rhagovelia species group present in the Solomon Islands. The male paramere shape does not show a large degree of interspecific variation in the R. papuensis group, and is of only moderate utility for species recognition. By contrast, the structure of the proctiger, in particular the shape and degree of development of the distolateral lobes, often provides good characters for species discrimination. Within the species of the R. papuensis group occurring on the EPCT, four distinct subgroups can be recognized. The species included in each of these subgroups are as follows:	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B3400B295EAFF44FA056217.taxon	description	These subgroups are discussed in greater detail within the species treatments following the key, and also noted within the key in those instances where they fall out discretely within the couplet sequence.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BC800B195EAFF44FAE96453.taxon	description	The R. yela subgroup is a distinctive set of species occurring in the Louisiade Archipelago to the east of New Guinea proper and contains three species: R. tagula, R. yela and R. bwagabwaga. The most salient character states defining this group are the presence of a transverse fold across the middle portion of the female abdominal connexiva adjacent to tergites III – V (Figs. 202, 221, 228, 235), with the connexival margins immediately anterior to this fold bearing thick, stiff black setae. This fold, which is seen in no other species in the region, allows an upward flexure of the posterior abdomen, which is angled up at 45 ° in R. tagula when viewed laterally, and is vertically oriented in R. yela. In R. bwagabwaga the thick fringe of dark setae is present on the basal connexiva, but the transverse connexival fold is incipient, with this portion of the connexiva being narrowed and glabrous, and the abdomen is not reflexed. It therefore appears that there is a west to east morphocline running from the least modified abdominal character state in R. bwagabwaga on Misima Island through R. tagula on Tagula Island to the highly modified abdomen in R. yela on Rossel Island. The male body form and genitalia in the three above species are similar to other members of the R. papuensis group (Figs. 220, 227, 234), except that the male proctiger in R. yela has the basal section broad and roughly parallel-sided, with the basolateral and distolateral lobes weakly developed and confluent (Fig. 225). All the members of this subgroup inhabit rocky upland streams, occurring in riffle tailraces and on flowing pools (Figs. 226, 233, 239).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BCE00B495EAFF44FCE46117.taxon	description	(Figs. 167, 202, 220 – 226, 240, 302)	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BCE00B495EAFF44FCE46117.taxon	materials_examined	Type material examined. Holotype, wingless male: PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Milne Bay Prov., Louisiade Archipelago, Rossel [Yela] Island, Woa River and rocky tributaries, approx. 4 km. upstream from estuary, 0 – 150 m., 11 ° 20 ' 37 " S, 154 ° 07 ' 06 " E, water temp. 23 ° C., 31 August – 1 September 2002, CL 7196 a, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (BPBM). Paratypes: PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Milne Bay Prov., Louisiade Archipelago, Rossel [Yela] Island: 3 winged males, 2 winged females, 79 wingless males, 62 wingless females, same data as holotype, CL 7196 a, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 3 winged males, 2 wingless males, 3 wingless females, rocky tributary to Woa River, approx. 4 km. upstream from estuary, 15 – 30 m., 11 ° 20 ' 45 " S, 154 ° 07 ' 30 " E, 31 August 2002, CL 7196 b, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (USNM); 1 winged female, 7 wingless males, 3 wingless females, small cascading tributary to Woa River, approx. 4 km. upstream from estuary, 30 – 60 m., 11 ° 20 ' 54 " S, 154 ° 07 ' 55 " E, 1 September 2002, CL 7196 c, D. A. Polhemus (USNM); 2 winged males, 6 wingless males, 1 wingless female, Woa River and rocky tributaries, approx. 4 km. upstream from estuary, 15 – 30 m., 11 ° 20 ' 42 " S, 154 ° 07 ' 18 " E, water temp. 23 ° C., 31 August 2002, tributary with waterfall, CL 7196 d, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (USNM).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BCE00B495EAFF44FCE46117.taxon	description	Description Wingless male: Size: Length = 2.35 – 2.70 mm (x = 2.54, n = 5); width = 1.00 – 1.15 mm (x = 1.09, n = 5). Wingless female, length = 2.10 – 2.20 mm (x = 2.16, n = 5); width = 1.20 – 1.25 mm, (x = 1.23, n = 5). Winged male, length = 2.80 mm (n = 1); width = 1.10 mm (n = 1). Winged female, length = 3.20 – 3.30 mm (x = 3.25, n = 2); width = 1.20 – 1.35 mm (x = 1.27, n = 2). Color: Ground color black, with limited pale orange to yellowish markings on anterior pronotum, acetabula, basal legs and antennae (Fig. 220). Head black; rostrum dark whitish yellow, fuscous medially, piceous distally. Pronotum black, bearing an elongate transverse pale orange patch centrally behind anterior margin, this patch narrowly bisected along longitudinal midline by a darker orange line. Mesonotum, metanotum and abdomen black, connexival margins narrowly dark brown. Antennae black, with basal one-third of segment I pale yellowish white. Legs black to dark brown, with coxae, fore and hind trochanters, basal half of fore femur, extreme base of hind femur pale yellowish white, middle trochanter and adjacent apex of middle coxa brown. Venter black, with ventrites VIII and IX brown. Structural characters: Head of moderate length, declivant anteriorly, with weakly impressed median line; length 0.32, width 0.75; length of eye along inner margin 0.35, anterior / posterior interocular space, 0.15 / 0.43. Pronotum long, greater than dorsal length of head, leaving mesonotum barely exposed, width 1.00, length 0.60; mesonotum lacking foveae, length along midline 0.10; metanotum length along midline 0.13. Abdominal tergites I – VI dull, without shining areas, abdominal tergites VII and VIII shining; lengths of tergites I – VIII, respectively: 0.15: 0.15: 0.15: 0.10: 0.10: 0.12: 0.20: 0.25. Entire dorsum and laterotergites covered with fine, appressed pale pubescence, intermixed with scattered long, erect black setae on head, lateral thorax, and dorsal abdomen; legs and antennae thickly clothed with very short gold setae, scattered long, stout, erect black setae present on anterodorsal faces of antennal segments I and II, anterior margins of fore, middle and hind femora and tibiae, posterior margins of fore and middle femora; fore and middle trochanters lacking pegs or teeth; fore femur with dorsal margin very weakly sinuate, ventral margin straight; fore tibia slightly expanded and ventrally flattened on distal one-fourth; middle femur and tibia with margins straight, not flattened or otherwise modified; hind trochanter bearing 2 – 4 small dark pegs ventrally; hind femur moderately incrassate, bearing two parallel rows of teeth, ventral row lying in area covered by infolded hind tibia and consisting of approximately 10 tiny, closely appressed black pegs basally, followed by 3 larger black teeth of gradually increasing size near mid-femur, then by 8 very tiny black teeth extending to femoral apex, dorsal row of teeth commencing near middle of femur with a moderately large, acute black tooth, followed by 8 smaller black teeth of progressively declining size toward femoral apex, these two parallel rows of teeth flanked by rows of scattered long, slender, erect pale setae; hind tibia straight, inner surface bearing an irregular row of 15 – 18 very small dark teeth (Figs. 222, 223). Venter of head with jugum bearing 8 – 10 very small black denticles; prothorax lacking denticles; meso- and metasternum flat, not sculptured, mesoternum with V-shaped patch of long gold setae centrally, the apex of this patch directed anteriorly; abdominal ventrite I lying in vertical orientation, ventrite II broadly carinate along longitudinal midline, ventrites III – VI broadly domed, ventrally convex, ventrite VII with a pair (1 + 1) of weak depressions to either side of midline, ventrites II – VI bearing numerous long, very fine pale setae in broad patch along longitudinal midline. Male paramere small, bean-shaped, distal section broadly curving upward, bearing scattered short, stout setae along ventral margin (Fig. 224). Male proctiger short, broad, with basolateral lobes weakly developed; distolateral lobes barely expressed; distal cone well developed, width appoximately half that of basal portion of proctiger, apex blunt, broadly rounded (Fig. 225). Lengths of antennal segments I – IV: 0.70: 0.45: 0.55: 0.50. Lengths of leg segments as follows: femur, tibia, tarsal 1, tarsal 2, tarsal 3 of fore leg, 0.80: 0.95: 0.02: 0.01: 0.20; of middle leg, 1.30: 0.57: 0.05: 0.42: 0.60; of hind leg, 1.17: 1.30: 0.02: 0.05: 0.25. Wingless female: Similar to wingless male in general structure and colour, with following exceptions: central section of pronotum depressed, with small, sharp carina along longitudinal midline; mesonotum barely exposed, angled downward at 20 ° angle; metanotum broadly exposed, horizontal; abdomen highly folded and foreshortened, tergite I horizontal, tergites II and III angled sharply downward, tergites IV – VIII angled sharply upwards and greatly shortened; first and second visible connexival segments vertical, dorsal margins parallel and thickly set with short, black setae, connexival segments IV – VII folded inward and forward, highly foreshortened (Figs. 202, 221); abdominal ventrite VII, gonocoxae and proctiger folded upward into a nearly vertical orientation. Hind femur weakly incrassate, bearing row of 5 medium to small black teeth of progressively decreasing size starting a point two-thirds removed from base and extending to posterior apex. Winged male: Similar to wingless male in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: pronotum greatly enlarged, width 1.15, length 1.10, completely covering meso- and metanotum, anterior margin bearing transverse dark orange patch anteromedially behind head vertex, bounded laterally by pale silvery pruinose areas; humeri enlarged, slightly protrusive laterally; posterior pronotal lobe broadly domed, lacking obvious foveae, posterior margin broadly angular, bearing scattered long, semi-erect black setae; forewings uniformly medium brown with veins darker brown, extending past apex of abdomen when intact, bearing 3 closed cells, consisting of two elongate cells in basal half of the wing followed by a single much smaller distal cell near the middle of the wing, set laterally behind the outer basal cell. Hind femur less swollen and incrassate than in wingless male. Winged female: Similar to winged male in general body form and coloration; pronotum width 1.35, length 1.15.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BCE00B495EAFF44FCE46117.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The name “ yela ” is a noun in apposition, and refers to the traditional Melanesian name for Rossel Island, the type-locality.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BCE00B495EAFF44FCE46117.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Louisiade Archipelago; endemic to Rossel Island (Fig. 240). The species range as presently known occupies the Rossel Island area of freshwater endemism (Area 39) as delineated by D. Polhemus & Allen (2007).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BCE00B495EAFF44FCE46117.taxon	discussion	Discussion. Rhagovelia yela is the most anomalous member of the R. papuenis group so far known, with a strikingly modified female abdominal morphology that cannot be confused with any other Rhagovelia species occurring in the greater New Guinea region. The terminal segments of the female abdomen are transversely folded and angled upward, so that the proctiger occupies a dorsal position (Figs. 202, 221), and due to this foreshortening the body length is less than twice the body width when measured from above (1.76 / 1.00). This morphology is very similar to that seen in members of the Rhagovelia diabolica group from Madagascar (Polhemus & Andersen 2010, and in R. abbreviata Zettel, a Philippine species in the R. sumatrensis group (Zettel et al. 2020), although these morphologies are apparently convergently evolved, since species in those groups have other diagnostic character state assemblages, that clearly separate them from R. yela and the R. papuensis group as a whole. In contrast to the female, the male of R. yela has a general morphology rather typical of the R. papuensis group in general (Fig. 220), and lacks any particularly divergent body or leg modifications. The male paramere is bean-shaped (Fig. 224), again typical of the R. papuensis group, although the basolateral lobes of the proctiger are rather weakly developed in comparison to other species included here (Fig. 225). Ecological notes. For a general discussion of the Woa River type-locality, see the preceeding discussion under R. mbo. The type series of R. yela was taken skating on pools along small tributaries to the main stream (Fig. 167) and in sheltered areas along the main channel margin (Figs. 226, 302).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BCC00B895EAFB79FB03633B.taxon	description	(Figs. 227 – 233, 240)	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BCC00B895EAFB79FB03633B.taxon	materials_examined	Type material examined. Holotype, wingless male: PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Milne Bay Prov., Louisiade Archipelago, Tagula [Sudest] Island, Kalitau Creek, 1 km. upstream from head of estuary, 0 – 30 m., 11 ° 21 ' 52 " S, 153 ° 14 ' 26 " E, water temp. 24.4 ° C., 29 August 2002, 09: 30 – 14: 30 hrs., CL 7190, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (BPBM). Paratypes: PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Milne Bay Prov., Louisiade Archipelago, Tagula [Sudest] Island: 4 winged males, 2 winged females, 21 wingless males, 10 wingless females, same data as holotype, CL 7190, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 25 wingless males, 9 wingless females, small spring fed stream near Kalitau Creek, 45 m., 11 ° 21 ' 30 " S, 153 ° 14 ' 40 " E, water temp. 26 ° C., 29 August 2002, 10: 00 – 12: 00 hrs., CL 7192, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 2 winged males, 2 winged females, 23 wingless males, 14 wingless females, Kolukolu Creek, near Araeda village, 0 – 105 m., 11 ° 26 ' 45 " S, 153 ° 25 ' 57 " E, water temp. 23 ° C., 30 August 2002, 11: 00 – 16: 00 hrs., CL 7194 a, along margins of main channel, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 11 winged males, 13 winged females, 49 wingless males, 39 wingless females, Tagula Island, same data as preceding except CL 7194 b, highest pool and small rocky tributary creek, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BCC00B895EAFB79FB03633B.taxon	description	Description Wingless male: Size: Length = 3.10 – 3.30 mm (x = 3.21, n = 8); width = 1.05 – 1.20 mm (x = 1.10, n = 8). Wingless female, length = 3.30 – 3.45 mm (x = 3.39, n = 4); width = 1.10 – 1.40 mm (x = 1.25, n = 4). Winged male, length = 3.15 – 3.50 mm (x = 3.35, n = 3); width = 1.35 – 1.40 mm (x = 1.38, n = 3). Winged female, length = 3.65 – 3.70 mm (x = 3.67, n = 2); width = 1.40 – 1.45 mm (x = 1.42, n = 2). Color: Dorsal ground color black, marked with dark orange-brown on anterior pronotum and connexiva, basal sections of antennae and legs pale yellow to orange-yellow (Fig. 227). Head black, tylus, genae and rostrum medium brown, tip of rostrum piceous; eyes dark reddish-black. Pronotum black, with transversely ovate dark brown spot anteromedially behind head vertex, this brown coloration not extending laterally onto pleurae. Mesonotum, metanotum and abdominal tergites dull black, lacking shining areas; connexiva black on inner halves, dark orange-brown on outer halves. Antennal segment I with basal half pale yellow, distal half plus all of segments II – IV black. Legs generally shining black, with acetabula, coxae, trochanters, basal half of fore femur, basal one-fourth of hind femur pale yellow. Venter black, genital segments orange-brown. Structural characters: head moderately short, declivant anteriorly, with weakly impressed median line; length 0.35, width 0.80; length of eye along inner margin 0.36, anterior / posterior interocular space, 0.20 / 0.45. Pronotum relatively long, width 1.00, length along midline 0.80, leaving only extreme posterior margin of mesonotum exposed. Mesonotum length at midline 0.05. Metanotum length at midline 0.12. Lengths of abdominal tergites I – VIII, respectively: 0.20: 0.20: 0.16: 0.16: 0.16: 0.15: 0.40: 0.30. Connexiva with margins of even width throughout, straight, convergent posteriorly, posterolateral angles not modified, apices separated by entire width of tergite VIII. Entire dorsum and laterotergites covered with fine appressed golden pubescence, intermixed with a few longer, erect black setae on head and central sections of abdominal tergites; legs and antennae thickly clothed with short appressed gold setae, with scattered long, erect black spines on anterodorsal faces of antennal segments I and II, anterior margins of all femora and tibiae, and posterior margin of middle tibia; long pilose brown setae present along posterior margins of all femora; fore and middle trochanters lacking pegs or teeth; fore femur gently bowed, fore tibia slightly flattened and expanded distally, with small concavity on ventral face adjacent to grasping comb; middle femur and tibia with margins straight, not flattened or otherwise modified; hind trochanter with 2 – 5 small dark pegs ventrally; hind femur highly incrassate, bearing two parallel rows of teeth, ventral row lying in area covered by infolded hind tibia and consisting of approximately 16 tiny black pegs basally, followed by 8 – 10 moderate sized black teeth, the most basal of these teeth being the largest, the remainder somewhat smaller but generally subequal in size, dorsal row consisting of about 8 black teeth, with the 3 middle teeth of larger size; hind tibia broadly and gently bowed, inner surface bearing a row of 18 – 20 small dark teeth, several teeth near the middle of this row of slightly larger size (Figs. 229, 230). Venter of head and thorax bearing numerous small black denticles on jugum and adjacent prosternum, and on fore, meso- and metacetabulae; meso- and metasternum plus all abdominal sternites II – VI bearing long, fine gold setae centrally; abdominal sternite II with moderately developed longitudinal carina medially, this carina continuing in less pronounced form onto sternite III; lateral sections of sternite VII to either side of midline broadly depressed; sternite VIII with longitudinal median carina. Paramere small, stout, bean-shaped, distal half bearing scattered short, stout setae, apex broadly rounded (Fig. 231). Proctiger with basolateral lobes well developed, angular; distolateral lobes moderately developed, rounded; distal cone narrow, tapering to a narrowly rounded apex (Fig. 232). Lengths of antennal segments I – IV: 0.75: 0.50: 0.60: 0.55. Lengths of leg segments as follows: femur, tibia, tarsal 1, tarsal 2 of fore leg, 1.00: 1: 05: 0.02: 0.01: 0.25; of middle leg, 1.50: 1.25: 0.06: 0.50: 0.70; of hind leg, 1.50: 1.35: 0.02: 0.06: 0.30. Wingless female: Similar to wingless male in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: posteromedial section of pronotum depressed, posterolateral sections of pronotum to either side of this depression bearing bushy tufts of erect, curling black setae; abdomen angled strongly downward and then upward, V-shaped when viewed laterally, the point of inflection occurring at posterior margin of tergite V (fourth visible tergite from above), connexiva weakly convergent and subparallel adjacent to abdominal tergites II – V, then angled sharply inward at 90 ° to midline of body adjacent to suture between abdominal tergites V and VI, then subparallel again but in closer proximity adjacent to abdominal tergites VI – VIII (Fig. 228); posterolateral angles of first connexival segments bearing thick, inwardly-directed tufts of stiff black setae, similar stiff black setae originating on inner faces of sixth connexival segments and projecting vertically between closely parallel connexival margins; posterolateral angles of sixth connexival segments produced into long, finger-like posterior projections, apices of these projections bearing acuminate tufts of stiff black setae; proctiger lying in nearly horizontal plane due to upward angling orientation of posterior abdomen. Legs with middle femur broadly flattened centrally on ventral face; hind femur slightly incrassate, bearing a row of 5 small black teeth distally on posterior margin, consisting of a moderate-sized, sharp tooth basally followed by 4 much smaller teeth of progressively decreasing size; hind tibia lacking teeth. Ventral surface with only a few small black denticles on the acetabula; abdominal ventrites lacking carinae. Winged male: Similar to wingless male in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: pronotum greatly enlarged, width 1.40, length 1.30, completely covering meso- and metanotum, anterior lobe orange-brown, posterior lobe dark blackish-brown; humeri enlarged, slightly protrusive laterally; posterior pronotal lobe broadly domed, lacking obvious foveae, posterior margin broadly angular, bearing scattered long, gently curving, semi-erect black setae; forewings uniformly dark blackish-brown, with veins slightly darker, extending past apex of abdomen when intact, bearing 4 closed cells, consisting of two elongate cells in basal half of wing followed by two smaller cells distally near center of wing, the outer distal cell smaller than the inner cell. Hind femur less incrassate than in male, with armature somewhat reduced. Winged female: Similar to wingless female in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: pronotum greatly enlarged, completely covering meso- and metanotum, humeri enlarged, posterior apex angular, anterior lobe with transverse dark orange spot in area behind vertex, remainder of pronotum black, posterior angular section set with numerous tiny foveae, entire pronotum covered with short recumbent gold setae, these setae becoming longer and denser on posterior angular section; abdomen not reflexed, lying in a uniformly horizontal plane when viewed laterally; forewings uniformly dark blackish-brown, bearing 4 closed cells, consisting of two long cells in the basal half of the wing plus two smaller distal cells near the center of the wing, the outer distal cell smaller than the inner cell.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BCC00B895EAFB79FB03633B.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The name “ tagula ” is a noun in apposition, and refers to the island of Tagula, the largest in the Louisiades, to which this species is endemic.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BCC00B895EAFB79FB03633B.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Louisiade Archipelago; endemic to Tagula Island (Fig. 240). The species range as presently known occupies the Tagula Island area of freshwater endemism (Area 38) as delineated by D. Polhemus & Allen (2007).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BCC00B895EAFB79FB03633B.taxon	discussion	Discussion. Within the R. papuensis group as a whole, R. tagula may be easily recognized by the transverse fold across the central portion of the female abdominal connexiva (Fig. 228), with the posterior half of the abdomen behind this fold angled sharply upward at a 45 ° angle. The connixival margins immediately anterior to the transverse fold on each side bear thick, triangular tufts of stiff black setae, with similar setal tufts also present at the posterior connexival angles, and at the posterolateral angles of abdominal tergite VIII. By contrast, the male body form is similar to other members of the R. papuensis group, and the male genitalia are also similar to other members of this group, with a bean-shaped paramere (Fig. 231), and a proctiger with well-developed, somewhat angular basolateral lobes, and more weakly developed, rounded distolateral lobes (Fig. 232). Ecological notes. Rhagovelia tagula was common along the margins of shaded, rocky streams draining the hill slopes of Tagula Island. The insects appeared to prefer streamlets and flowing pools with some degree of current, and were not common on quiet stream pools. At Kalitau Creek (CL 7190) this species was found on a small, clear stream in a very rugged bed of dipping metamorphic Calvados Schist. The bed profile consisted of small rocky rapids and a few low cascades, alternating with long, deep pools. Collections were made here for about 2 km upstream from the head of the estuary. This species was also taken on a small, spring-fed stream near Kalitau Creek (CL 7192), consisting of standing pools connected by shallow riffles in a bedrock channel with scattered large boulders. Base flow in this stream appeared to diminish significantly during the dry season, to a very low remnant trickling flow connecting the pools. At Kolukolu Creek (CL 7194), R. tagula was taken from a swift stream flowing through boulder-strewn reaches, chutes and pools in metamorphic bedrock (Fig. 233), which dropped over a waterfall approximately 20 high into a large, deep pool that marked the head of tide at the upper end of its mangrove-lined estuary.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BC000BD95EAF968FE37649F.taxon	description	(Figs. 207, 234 – 240)	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BC000BD95EAF968FE37649F.taxon	materials_examined	Type Material examined. Holotype, wingless male: PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Milne Bay Prov., Louisiade Archipelago, Misima Island, south coast, Keyana Creek, above Bwagabwaga village, 305 – 335 m., 10 ° 40 ' 34 " S, 152 ° 40 ' 45 " E, water temp. 22.5 ° C., 4 September 2002, 10: 00 – 12: 00 hrs., CL 7206, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (BPBM). Paratypes: PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Milne Bay Prov., Louisiade Archipelago, Misima Island: 3 winged males, 1 winged female, 74 wingless males, 65 wingless females, 3 immatures, same data as holotype, CL 7206, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 3 winged males, 5 winged female, 19 wingless males, 17 wingless females, 12 immatures, south coast, Paek River at Bwagabwaga village, 0 – 10 m., 10 ° 41 ' 11 " S, 152 ° 40 ' 24 " E, water temp. 24.6 ° C., 4 September 2002, 13: 00 – 14: 00 hrs., CL 7211, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 1 winged male, 14 wingless males, 9 wingless females, 3 immatures, south coast, Yaua Creek, above Bwagabwaga village, 230 m., 10 ° 40 ' 47 " S, 152 ° 40 ' 26 " E, water temp. 22.5 ° C., 4 September 2002, 09: 00 – 09: 30 hrs., CL 7205, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 2 winged males, 1 winged female, 3 wingless males, 3 wingless females, south coast, stream at Lowaga Bay, W. of Patnai village, 0 m., 10 ° 41 ' 41 " S, 152 ° 40 ' 51 " E, 4 September 2002, 12: 00 – 12: 30 hrs., CL 7209 b, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 15 winged males, 20 winged females, 47 wingless males, 43 wingless females, north coast, Guwana Creek, near Nulia village, 15 – 30 m., 10 ° 39 ' 23 " S, 152 ° 41 ' 16 " E, water temp. 22 ° C., 3 September 2002, 10: 00 – 12: 00 hrs., CL 7201, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 9 winged males, 2 winged females, 16 wingless males, 7 wingless females, 6 immatures, north coast, Imaganina Creek, near Kakamwa village, 0 – 5 m., 10 ° 38 ' 33 " S, 152 ° 43 ' 30 " E, water temp. 25.5 ° C., 3 September 2002, 12: 30 – 13: 30 hrs., CL 7202, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 1 winged male, 15 wingless males, 11 wingless females, 7 immatures, north coast, Ara Creek, near Ana village, 15 – 30 m., 10 ° 37 ' 02 " S, 152 ° 47 ' 34 " E, water temp. 25 ° C., 3 September 2002, 15: 00 – 16: 00 hrs., CL 7204, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM);	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BC000BD95EAF968FE37649F.taxon	description	Description Wingless male: Size: Length = 3.00 – 3.40 mm (x = 3.17, n = 5); width = 1.00 – 1.20 mm (x = 1.10, n = 5). Wingless female, length = 3.00 – 3.30 mm (x = 3.13, n = 5); width = 1.20 – 1.30 mm, (x = 1.26, n = 5). Winged male, length = 3.40 – 3.80 mm (x = xxx, n = 2); width = 1.40 – 1.50 mm (x = 1.45, n = 2). Winged female, length = 3.45 – 3.50 mm (x = 3.47, n = 2); width = 1.45 – 1.50 mm, (x = 1.47, n = 2). Color: Dorsal ground color black, marked with pale orange on anterior pronotum and connexiva, pale yellow on basal antennae and legs (Fig. 234). Head black; rostrum brown, piceous distally; eyes dark reddish black. Pronotum yellowish-orange on anterior one-third, black on posterior two-thirds, the pale anterior coloration overlain with silvery pruinosity and extending laterally and ventrally onto propleurae. Mesonotum, metanotum and abdominal tergites I – VI black, tergite VII dark brown, tergites I – VI uniformly dull and lacking shining areas, tergites VII and VIII shining, connexiva black on inner halves, dark orange on outer halves. Antennal segment I with basal one-third pale whitish yellow, distal half plus all of segments II – IV black. Legs generally black, with coxae, trochanters, basal half of fore femur, basal third of hind femur ventrally pale whitish yellow. Venter brown, with lower propleurae and all acetabula pale yellowish, abdominal ventrites VII – IX yellowish brown. Structural characters: Head moderately short, declivant anteriorly, with weakly impressed median line; length 0.30, width 0.75; length of eye along inner margin 0.30, anterior / posterior interocular space, 0.20 / 0.30. Pronotum lacking foveae, long, width 1.10, length along midline 0.90, greater than dorsal length of head, leaving mesonotum barely exposed as only a small, thin crescent behind posterior margin; mesonotum barely visible behind pronotum, metanotum moderately exposed, length at midline 0.15. Lengths of abdominal tergites I – VIII, respectively: 0.20: 0.25: 0.23: 0.20: 0.23: 0.25: 0.40: 0.30. Connexiva with margins of even width throughout, margins nearly straight and evenly convergent posteriorly, posterolateral angles not modified, separated by entire width of tergite VIII. Entire dorsum and laterotergites covered with fine, appressed, pale pubescence, intermixed with scattered moderately short, semi-recumbent black setae on abdomen; legs and antennae thickly clothed with short, appressed, pale setae, with scattered long, erect black setae on anterodorsal faces of antennal segments I and II, anterior margins of all femora, and anterior margin of hind tibia; fore femur with 2 rows of slender, moderately long, evenly spaced black setae on along ventral margin; fore tibia with long, slender, slightly curving setae along anterior margin, intermixed with a thick fringe of moderately long, semi-recumbent pale setae; posterior and middle tibiae with scattered short, erect black setae; a few long, slender, pilose, pale brown setae present along posterior margin of hind femur; fore and middle trochanters lacking pegs or teeth; fore femur with dorsal margin broadly concave and depressed centrally; fore tibia slightly expanded and ventrally flattened on distal one-fourth; middle femora and tibiae with margins straight, not flattened or otherwise modified; hind trochanter bearing longitudinal row of 4 small dark pegs ventrally; hind femur moderately incrassate, bearing a single row of teeth in area covered by infolded hind tibia, consisting of approximately 15 tiny black pegs basally, followed by 12 – 14 longer brown teeth with a black apices, these teeth gradually increasing in size from mid-femur in an apical direction, with third tooth in series largest, then decreasing steadily in size toward apex of femur; hind tibia straight, inner surface bearing single row of about 15 small dark teeth, these teeth gradually increasing in size toward tibial apex (Fig. 236). Venter of head and thorax lacking small black denticles; mesosternum slightly depressed centrally, margins of this depression and adjacent lateral metasternum bearing long, fine gold setae; abdominal venter set with short appressed gold setae; basal abdominal ventrites highly sculptured, ventrite I lying in vertical orientation, remaining ventrites horizontal and all in similar plane, ventrite II with an acute longitudinal carina of V-shaped cross section medially, ventrites III – VI unmodified, ventrite VIII broadly and shallowly depressed centrally. Male paramere moderately small, bean-shaped, bearing stout setae ventrally, apex rounded (Fig. 237). Male proctiger with basolateral lobes only moderately developed, apices rounded; distolateral lobes well-developed, broadly rounded; distal cone dome-shaped, apex broadly rounded (Fig. 238). Lengths of antennal segments I – IV: 0.70: 0.45: 0.60: 0.45. Lengths of leg segments as follows: femur, tibia, tarsal 1, tarsal 2 of fore leg, 1.10: 1: 10: 0.01: 0.02: 0.22; of middle leg, 1.80: 1.40: 0.10: 0.60: 0.70; of hind leg, 1.65: 1.60: 0.05: 0.15: 0.3 Wingless female: Similar to wingless male in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: abdominal tergites V – VII shining centrally; connexival margins strongly convergent posteriorly adjacent to abdominal tergites I – IV, then gradually convergent adjacent to tergites V – IX, margins infolded so as to cover lateral sections of tergites II – VII to progressively greater degrees in a posterior direction, connexival margins adjacent to tergites II – IV narrowed and glabrous, shining black in colour; posterolateral connexival angles acute, nearly touching over base of tergite VIII when viewed from above (Fig. 235), bearing small, dense, acuminate tufts of moderately short black setae; abdominal tergite VIII and proctiger deflected downward approximately 30 ° from vertical, lacking tufts of black setae laterally; hind femur only weakly incrassate, posterior margin bearing a moderately large, acuminate black tooth at about two-thirds distance from the base, followed by 2 – 3 much smaller black teeth; hind tibia straight, inner surface lacking teeth or pegs; ventral coloration predominantly dark to medium brown, with lower propeurae and all acetabula pale yellowish; all abdominal ventrites lying in similar horizontal plane, ventrites I – IV with raised patches of fine, semi-recumbent gold setae in a band along longitudinal midline (Fig. 207). Winged male: Similar to wingless male in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: pronotum greatly enlarged, width 1.50, length 1.25, completely covering meso- and metanotum; anterior lobe dark yellow; humeri enlarged, slightly protrusive laterally; posterior pronotal lobe dark brown, surface behind transverse midline bearing numerous very small, deep foveae; wings long, reaching beyond tip of abdomen, coloration dark brown with inner basal margin narrowly yellowish brown, bearing 4 closed cells in basal two thirds of wing, consisting of two larger elongate basal cells followed by two smaller distal cells of with the outer distal cell slightly smaller, basal sections of anal, radial and subcostal veins bearing fine, raised black setae; hind femur not highly incrassate, spination similar to that of wingless male. Winged female: Similar to winged male in general body form and coloration, pronotum width 1.45, length 1.25.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BC000BD95EAF968FE37649F.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The name “ bwagabwaga ” is a noun in apposition, and refers to Bwagabwaga village on Misima Island, near which the type series was collected.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BC000BD95EAF968FE37649F.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Louisiade Archipelago; endemic to Misima Island (Fig. 240). The species range as presently known occupies the Misima Island area of freshwater endemism (Area 37) as delineated by D. Polhemus & Allen (2007).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BC000BD95EAF968FE37649F.taxon	discussion	Discussion. Rhagovelia bwagabwaga is an annectant taxon that possesses a mix of character states found in both the R. yela and R. loriae subgroups. It shares with R. yela and R. tagula the dense patches of thick black setae on the basal two female connexival segments, one of the the defining characters for the R. yela subgroup. However unlike these other two species it lacks a transverse fold centrally on the female connexiva (Fig. 235), with the connexival margins adjacent to tergites II – IV instead being narrowed, glabrous, and shining black, a character state more typical of the R. loriae subgroup. In addition, female abdominal ventrites I – IV possess raised patches of fine, semi-recumbent gold along their longitudinal midlines (Fig. 207), a character state also seen in the members of the R. loriae subgroup, which occur on the D'Entrecasteaux Islands to the west of Misima. The transverse depression of an abdominal ventrite posterior to these golden setal patches seen in certain members of the R. loriae subgroup is also present, but occurs on ventrite III, rather than ventrite IV. At the species level, a distinctive character state in R. bwagabwaga is the broadly concave and centrally depressed ventral face of the male fore femur, which is not seen in other members of the R. yela or R. loriae subgroups. The female connexiva are also diagnostic, with acute posterolateral connexival angles that are closely convergent posteriorly, nearly meeting over base of tergite VIII when viewed from above (Fig. 235), and bear small, dense, acuminate tufts of moderately short black setae. Ecological notes. Rhagovelia bwagabwaga is the only Rhagovelia species so far collected on Misima, having been taken from rocky upland streams occupying eight separate catchments, at elevations ranging from sea level to 335 m, in a range of ecological settings. At Guwana Creek (CL 7201), Ara Creek (CL 7204), and the type-locality at Keyana Creek (CL 7206) the species occurred on swift, clear, rocky streams with relatively steep bed profiles (Fig. 239). At the lower elevation sites of Imaganina Creek (CL 7202) and the Wala River (CL 7203) R. bwagabwaga occurred on riffles just above the heads of long, slow, deep terminal reach pools that formed behind cobble bars at the seaward termina of these streams, essentially at the limnetic to mixohaline interface. At Lowaga Bay the species was found on a stream emerging from a cave at the base of limestone cliffs (CL 7210), which formed a rocky creek flowing down to the bay.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BC500A295EAF9DEFA1065B7.taxon	description	The R. priori subgroup contains a set of three relatively small species, with body lengths of 3.35 mm or less, and a ratio of body length to maximum width of less than 3.0. Females of this subgroup lack concavities or thinned sections on central portion of the connexival margins, and the female ventral abdomen has ventrites I – III flat, not tumescent, and lacking central depressions or transverse sulci on ventrites III or IV (Figs. 208 – 211). As is typical of the R. papuensis group, the female abdominal morphology and setiferation is modified to varying degrees (Figs. 242, 248, 254), and often useful for discrimination of individual species, whereas the morphology of the males, including the genitalia, is far more interspecifically similar (Figs. 241, 247, 253). Therefore, it is often necessary to obtain a female specimen in order to make a confident species determination. Overall, the members of this subgroup appear to be a more basal and less differentiated stock from which the more distinctively modified species in the R. yela and R. loriae subgroups may have been derived. The three included species, R. priori, R. dinga and R. suloga all occur on small, rocky upland streams (Figs. 40, 47, 187, 259), where they skate on flowing pools. The members of this subgroup in the EPCT occur on isolated Woodlark Island, and widely at middle and lower elevations in the Papuan Peninsula (Figs. 240, 266), although they are lacking in the southward flowing drainages of this peninsula from Port Moresby eastward, where members of the R. loriae subgroup occur instead. They are also absent from the D’Entecasteaux and Louisiade island groups.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BDA00A195EAFE95FF6867BF.taxon	description	(Figs. 40, 208, 241 – 246, 266)	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BDA00A195EAFE95FF6867BF.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. PAPUA NEW GUINEA, New Guinea, Northern (Oro) Prov.: 5 wingless males, 1 wingless female, Boikiki, 26 July 1985, J. Ismay (BPBM); 7 winged males, 6 winged females, 45 wingless males, 32 wingless females, Kofure River, W. of Tufi, 0 – 45 m., 9 ° 04 ' 58 " S, 149 ° 16 ' 39 " E., water temp. 28 ° C., 24 – 25 January 2004, 11: 30 – 13: 30 hrs. (24 January) and 09: 30 – 14: 00 hrs. (25 January), in pockets along margins of main river channel, CL 7304 a, D. A. and J. T. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 1 winged male, 2 winged females, 7 wingless males, 3 wingless females, New Guinea, same data as preceding except at base of bedrock wall along main river channel, CL 7304 b, D. A. and J. T. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 14 wingless males, 11 wingless females, New Guinea, same data as preceding except from tributary with waterfall, CL 7304 c, D. A. and J. T. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BDA00A195EAFE95FF6867BF.taxon	description	Redescription Wingless male: Size: Length = 3.05 – 3.20 mm (x = 3.37, n = 4); width 1.10 – 1.15 mm (x = 1.11, n = 4). Wingless female, length = 3.25 – 3.30 mm (x = 3.28, n = 4), width = 1.20 – 1.30 (x = 1.24, n = 4). Winged male, length = 3.80 mm (n = 1); width = 1.30 mm (n = 1). Winged female, length = 3.60 – 3.70 mm (x = 3.65, n = 2); width = 1.35 – 1.40 mm (x = 1.37, n = 2). Color: Dorsal ground color black, marked with pale orange on anterior pronotum and connexiva, pale yellow on basal antennae and legs (Fig. 241). Head black, frons dark brown, tylus pale brown, jugae dark yellow; rostrum yellowish-brown, piceous distally; eyes dark reddish black, omatidia silvery. Pronotum yellowish-orange on anterior one-third, black on posterior two-thirds, the pale anterior coloration overlain with faint silvery pruinosity and extending laterally and ventrally onto propleurae. Mesonotum, metanotum and abdominal tergites I – VI and VIII black, dull, lacking shining areas; tergite VII shining, black, with small dark orange patch centrally on anterior half; connexiva black on inner halves, dark orange on outer halves. Antennal segment I with basal one-third pale whitish yellow, distal half plus all of segments II – IV dark brown. Legs generally dark blackish-brown, with coxae, trochanters, basal two-thirds of fore femur, basal one-quarter of hind femur ventrally pale yellowish-white. Venter orange-brown, propleurae, prosternum, and all acetabula pale yellowish; abdominal ventrites VII – IX yellowish-brown. Structural characters: Head moderately short, declivant anteriorly, with weakly impressed median line; length 0.30, width 0.78; length of eye along inner margin 0.35, anterior / posterior interocular space, 0.20 / 0.40. Pronotum long, lacking foveae, width 1.00, length along midline 0.80, greater than dorsal length of head, leaving mesonotum barely exposed as only a small, thin crescent behind posterior margin; metanotum moderately exposed, length at midline 0.15. Lengths of abdominal tergites I – VIII, respectively: 0.20: 0.20: 0.20: 0.20: 0.20: 0.25: 0.35: 0.35. Connexiva with margins of even width throughout, nearly straight and evenly convergent posteriorly, posterolateral angles not modified, separated by entire width of tergite VIII. Entire dorsum and laterotergites covered with fine, appressed golden pubescence, intermixed with scattered slightly longer, semi-recumbent golden setae on abdomen; legs and antennae thickly clothed with short, appressed, pale setae, with scattered longer, thicker, erect black setae on anterodorsal faces of antennal segments I and II, anterior margins of all femora, anterior margin of hind tibia; fore femur with 2 rows of slender, moderately long, evenly spaced black setae on along ventral margin; fore tibia with long, slender, slightly curving setae along anterior margin, intermixed with a thick fringe of moderately long, semi-recumbent pale setae; middle femur with single row of long, slender, evenly spaced black setae on along ventral margin, lengths of these setae equal to width of femur; 2 rows of long, fine, slender, pale brown setae present along posterior margin of hind femur flanking central peg rows; middle and posterior tibiae with scattered short erect black setae along anterior margins; fore and middle trochanters lacking pegs or teeth; fore femur with dorsal margin straight, not concave or depressed centrally; fore tibia slightly expanded and ventrally flattened on distal half; middle femora and tibiae with margins straight, not flattened or otherwise modified; hind trochanter bearing 5 small dark pegs ventrally, the distal two pegs larger, darker, more prominent; hind femur incrassate, bearing two rows of teeth in area covered by infolded hind tibia, consisting of approximately 14 tiny black pegs in a single irregular longitudinal row on basal half of femur, followed by a dorsal row consisting of three sharp, dark teeth of progressively increasing size, then a single large, tapering tooth about two-thirds distance to femoral apex, followed distally by a 4 much smaller teeth of progressively decreasing size, and a ventral row consisting of 6 moderelately small teeth originating near middle of femur and gradually decreasing in size distally; hind tibia straight, inner surface bearing single row of about 15 small dark teeth of subequal size (Fig. 243, 244). Venter of head and thorax with numerous small black denticles on jugae and inner faces of proacetabula adjoining rostrum; mesosternum with shallow, roughly triangular depression centrally, margins of this depression and adjacent lateral metasternum bearing long, fine gold setae; metasternum weakly tumescent centrally; abdominal venter set with short appressed gold setae; basal abdominal ventrites highly sculptured, ventrite I lying in vertical orientation, remaining ventrites horizontal and all in similar plane, ventrite II with acute longitudinal median carina of V-shaped cross section, this carina extending in gradually diminishing form onto ventrites III and IV, ventrites V and VI unmodified, ventrite VII broadly and shallowly depressed centrally, ventrite VIII sharply longitudinally carinate on basal half. Male paramere moderately small, bean-shaped, bearing stout setae on distal half, dorsal margin of apex slightly angular (Fig. 245). Male proctiger with basolateral lobes well developed, narrowly rounded; distolateral lobes moderately well developed, broadly rounded; distal cone dome-shaped, apex blunt (Fig. 246). Lengths of antennal segments I – IV: 0.75: 0.45: 0.55: 0.50. Lengths of leg segments as follows: femur, tibia, tarsal 1, tarsal 2 of fore leg, 0.90: 0.95: 0.01: 0.02: 0.20; of middle leg, 1.50: 1.40: 0.05: 0.55: 0.65; of hind leg, 1.35: 1.25: 0.05: 0.10: 0.20. Wingless female: Similar to wingless male in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: abdomen with tergites V – VII shining centrally; connexival margins strongly convergent posteriorly adjacent to abdominal tergites I – IV, then gradually convergent adjacent to tergites V – VIII, posterior apices meeting over posterior half of tergite VII and base of tergite VIII, these portions of tergites not visible from above, connexival margins adjacent to tergite IV narrowed, glabrous (Fig. 242); posterolateral connexival apices forming sharp, upward-angling points when viewed laterally, bearing small, tapering, posteriorly-directed tufts of short black setae; abdominal tergite VIII with lateral margins raised, bearing brushy tufts of stiff black setae; proctiger deflected downward approximately 45 ° from vertical, lacking tufts of black setae laterally; hind femur only weakly incrassate, posterior margin bearing a small black tooth at about two-thirds distance from the base, followed by a larger, acuminate golden-brown tooth with black apex, followed by 5 much smaller black teeth of progressively decreasing size distally; hind tibia straight, inner surface lacking teeth or pegs; ventral coloration orange-brown with metasternum and abdominal ventrite I darker, lower propeurae and all acetabula pale yellowish; all abdominal ventrites lying in similar horizontal plane, ventrites IV-VII flattened centrally (compare Fig. 208). Winged male: Similar to wingless male in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: pronotum greatly enlarged, width 1.30, length 1.30, completely covering meso- and metanotum, anterior lobe orange-brown, this coloration broadly confluent with similar coloration on propleurae; humeri enlarged, slightly protrusive laterally; posterior pronotal lobe black, broadly domed, posterior half with obscure dark foveae, posterior margin broadly angular; forewings uniformly dark blackish-brown, wing apices extending past apex of abdomen when intact, bearing 4 closed cells consisting of two elongate cells in basal half of wing followed by two smaller cells distally near center of wing, with outer cell sligthly smaller than inner. Winged female: Similar to winged female in general body form and coloration, pronotum width 1.40, length 1.30.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BDA00A195EAFE95FF6867BF.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Southeastern New Guinea (Papuan Peninsula) (Fig. 266). The species range as presently known occupies the Popondetta Foreland area of freshwater endemism (Area 32) as delineated by D. Polhemus & Allen (2007).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BDA00A195EAFE95FF6867BF.taxon	discussion	Discussion. Rhagovelia priori is a small, dark colored species occurring in the northern coastal lowlands and premontane foreland of the Papuan Peninsula. Lansbury (1993) described the species from several sets of specimens taken on streams in the vicinity of Popondetta, comparing it to R. papuensis Lundblad, which occurs in the northern coastal ranges of New Guinea and on New Britain. Based on subsequent collections, R. priori now appears most similar to R. dinga n. sp. from the Bowutu Mountains at Kamiali. It may be distinguished from R. dinga by the structure of the female abdominal connexiva, with the posterior angles coming to points in R. priori when viewed laterally, versus right angles in R. dinga, and the connexiva meeting posteriorly over the top of abdominal tergite VII in R. priori, but not touching in R. dinga (compare Figs. 242, 248). Abdominal tergite VIII in R. priori also has its lateral margins raised, and bears brushy tufts of stiff black setae. These setal tufts are variable in expression, being denser and more fully developed in some specimens than in others. The female proctiger in R. priori is posteriorly elongate, and projects further beyond tergite VIII than in R. dinga, and the female ventral abdomen in R. priori has small black denticles only on the posterior half of ventrite VI and sparsely posterolaterally on ventrite V, whereas such denticles are present in moderate density on ventrites II – VI in R. dinga. Denticles are also present on the metacetabulae in R. priori, but absent there in R. dinga. Males of R. priori and R. dinga are similar in general appearance (compare Figs. 241, 247), but the pattern of spines on the male hind femur will separate the two species. In R. priori there is a set of small spines basally, a large spine centrally, and then a set of spines of gradually decreasing size onward distally to the femoral apex (Fig. 244). By contrast, in R. dinga the basal two-thirds of the femur bears a row of small, peg-like spines, which branches distally into two parallel rows, each with a large spine at about two-thirds distance to the femoral apex followed by a cluster of moderate sized spines (Fig. 250). The male proctigers of both species are rather similar, with angular basolateral lobes and rounded distolateral lobes (compare Figs. 246, 252), but there are differences in paramere shape, with that of R. priori being shorter, stouter, and coming to a small angle distally on the dorsal margin, whereas the paramere of R. dinga is more elongate and bluntly rounded distally (compare Figs. 245, 251). Ecological notes. Rhagovelia priori occurred syntopically with R. tufi n. sp. on the Kofure River, near Tufi (Fig. 40). For a more detailed description of the habitats at that locality see the ecological notes under the latter species.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BD900A495EAFC91FB4C67BF.taxon	description	(Figs. 47, 211, 247 – 252, 266)	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BD900A495EAFC91FB4C67BF.taxon	materials_examined	Type material examined. Holotype, wingless male: PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Morobe Prov., New Guinea, rocky hill stream behind Kamiali guesthouse, S. of Lababia village, nr. Cape Dinga, 30 m., 7 ° 18 ' 02 " S, 147 ° 08 ' 01 " E, water temp. 25.5 ° C., 4 May 2003, 14: 00 – 15: 00 hrs., CL 7243, D. A. Polhemus (BPBM). Paratypes: PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Morobe Prov., New Guinea: 4 winged males, 23 wingless males, 19 wingless females, same data as holotype, CL 7243, D. A. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 1 winged male, 14 wingless males, 12 wingless females, “ Kerosine Creek ” and rocky trib., middle Aleater [= Alewiri] River basin, W. of Lababia village, 30 m., 7 ° 18 ' 46 " S, 147 ° 06 ' 30 " E, water temp. 25 ° C., 5 May 2003, 10: 30 – 12: 30 hrs., CL 7245, D. A. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 7 wingless males, 8 wingless females trib to lower Aleater [= Alewiri] River, 5 m., 7 ° 19 ' 15 " S, 147 ° 07 ' 35 " E, 27 ° C., 3 May 2003, 13: 00 – 15: 00 hrs., CL 7241 D. A. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BD900A495EAFC91FB4C67BF.taxon	description	Description Wingless male: Size: Length = 3.00 – 3.30 mm (x = 3.16, n = 5); width = 1.00 – 1.10, mm (x = 1.07, n = 5). Wingless female, length = 3.10 – 3.30 mm (x = 3.20, n = 5); width = 1.10 – 1.20, mm, (x = 1.15, n = 5). Winged male, length = 3.65 – 3.70 mm (x = 3.67, n = 2); width = 1.30 – 1.35 mm (x = 1.32, n = 2). Color: Dorsal ground colour dark brown, marked with pale orange on anterior pronotum and connexiva, pale yellow on basal antennae and legs (Fig. 247). Head dark brown; rostrum medium brown, piceous distally; eyes dark reddish black, omatidia silvery. Pronotum yellowish-orange on anterior one-third, dark brown on posterior two-thirds, the pale anterior coloration overlain with faint silvery pruinosity and extending laterally and ventrally onto propleurae. Mesonotum, metanotum and abdominal tergites I – VI dark brown, tergites I – VI uniformly dull and lacking shining areas, tergites VII and VIII shining, connexiva dark brown on inner halves, dark orange on outer halves. Antennal segment I with basal one-third pale whitish yellow, distal half plus all of segments II – IV dark brown. Legs generally dark blackish-brown, with coxae, trochanters, basal two-thirds of fore femur, basal one-quarter of hind femur ventrally pale yellow. Venter brown, with lower propleurae and all acetabula pale yellowish, abdominal ventrites VII – IX yellowish brown. Structural characters: head moderately short, declivant anteriorly, with weakly impressed median line; length 0.30, width 0.75; length of eye along inner margin 0.30, anterior / posterior interocular space, 0.20 / 0.40. Pronotum lacking foveae, long, width 1.00, length along midline 0.70, greater than dorsal length of head, leaving mesonotum barely exposed as only a small, thin crescent behind posterior margin; metanotum moderately exposed, length at midline 0.10. Lengths of abdominal tergites I – VIII, respectively: 0.15: 0.20: 0.20: 0.20: 0.20: 0.20: 0.30: 0.25. Connexiva with margins of even width throughout, nearly straight and evenly convergent posteriorly, posterolateral angles not modified, separated by entire width of tergite VIII. Entire dorsum and laterotergites covered with fine, appressed golden pubescence, intermixed with scattered longer, semi-recumbent golden setae on abdomen; legs and antennae thickly clothed with short appressed pale setae, with scattered longer, thicker, erect black setae on anterodorsal faces of antennal segments I and II, anterior margins of all femora, anterior margin of hind tibia; fore femur with 2 rows of slender, moderately long, evenly spaced black setae on along ventral margin; fore tibia with long, slender, slightly curving setae along anterior margin, intermixed with a thick fringe of moderately long, semi-recumbent pale setae; posterior and middle tibiae with scattered short, erect black setae; scattered long, slender, pilose, pale brown setae present along posterior margin of hind femur; fore and middle trochanters lacking pegs or teeth; fore femur with dorsal margin straight, not concave or depressed centrally; fore tibia slightly expanded and ventrally flattened on distal one-fourth; middle femora and tibiae with margins straight, not flattened or otherwise modified; hind trochanter bearing irregular longitudinal row of 7 small dark pegs ventrally; hind femur incrassate, bearing two rows of teeth in area covered by infolded hind tibia, consisting of approximately 15 tiny black pegs in a single irregular longitudinal row basally, followed by a dorsal row consisting of a single large, tapering tooth about two-thirds distance to femoral apex, followed distally by a much smaller tooth, then a medium-sized tooth, then 4 much smaller teeth, and a ventral row consisting of 4 small dark bumps originating near middle of femur, followed distally by a single large, tapering tooth about two-thirds distance to femoral apex, followed two much smaller teeth, then a medium-sized tooth, then 4 much smaller teeth, all of the larger teeth brown with black apices; hind tibia gently sinuate, inner surface bearing single row of about 15 small dark teeth, these teeth of larger size along central portion of tibia (Figs. 249, 250). Venter of head and thorax lacking small black denticles except on inner faces of proacetabula adjoining rostrum; mesosternum slightly depressed centrally, margins of this depression and adjacent lateral metasternum bearing long, fine gold setae; metasternum weakly tumescent centrally; abdominal venter set with short appressed gold setae, lacking tufts of long gold setae centrally (Fig. 211); basal abdominal ventrites highly sculptured, ventrite I lying in vertical orientation, remaining ventrites horizontal and all in similar plane, ventrites II and III with acute longitudinal median carina of V-shaped cross section, ventrites IV – VI unmodified, ventrite VII broadly and shallowly depressed centrally, ventrite VIII sharply longitudinally carinate on basal half. Male paramere moderately small, bean-shaped, apex curved, blunt (Fig. 251). Male proctiger with basolateral lobes well-developed, angular; distolateral lobes moderately developed, rounded, distal cone dome-shaped; apex broadly rounded (Fig. 252). Lengths of antennal segments I – IV: 0.75: 0.40: 0.50: 0.45. Lengths of leg segments as follows: femur, tibia, tarsal 1, tarsal 2 of fore leg, 0.75: 0.95: 0.01: 0.02: 0.2; of middle leg, 1.40: 1.00: 0.10: 0.40: 0.65; of hind leg, 1.35: 1.10: 0.05: 0.20: 0.30. Wingless female: Similar to wingless male in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: abdomen with tergites V – VII shining centrally; connexival margins strongly convergent posteriorly adjacent to abdominal tergites I – IV, then parallel adjacent to tergites V – IX, margins not infolded, all tergites visible from above (Fig. 248), connexival margins adjacent to tergite IV narrowed; posterolateral connexival apices forming right angles when viewed laterally, bearing small, tapering, posteriorly-directed tufts of moderately long brown setae; abdominal tergite VIII and proctiger deflected downward approximately 30 ° from vertical, lacking tufts of black setae laterally; hind femur only weakly incrassate, posterior margin bearing a moderately large, acuminate black tooth at about two-thirds distance from the base, followed by 4 much smaller black teeth of progressively decreasing size distally; hind tibia straight, inner surface lacking teeth or pegs; ventral coloration medium dull brown, with lower propeurae and all acetabula pale yellowish; all abdominal ventrites lying in similar horizontal plane, ventrites IV – VII flattened centrally. Winged male: Similar to wingless male in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: pronotum greatly enlarged, width 1.30, length 1.20, completely covering meso- and metanotum, anterior lobe orange-brown, not divided by dark stripe along longitudinal midline; humeri enlarged, slightly protrusive laterally; posterior pronotal lobe dark brown, broadly domed, posterior half with obscure dark foveae, posterior margin rimmed with brown, broadly angular, bearing scattered long, gently curving, semi-erect black setae; forewings mostly dark blackish-brown, slightly paler basally, veins black, wing apices extending past apex of abdomen when intact, bearing 4 closed cells consisting of two elongate cells in basal half of wing followed by two smaller cells distally near center of wing, with outer distal cell smaller than inner; male hind femur less incrassate than in wingless male. Winged female: Unknown.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BD900A495EAFC91FB4C67BF.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The name “ dinga ” is a noun in apposition, and refers to the Cape Dinga type-locality area.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BD900A495EAFC91FB4C67BF.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Southeastern New Guinea; endemic to the Bowutu Mountains (Fig. 266). The species range as presently known occupies the Morobe Highands area of freshwater endemism (Area 22) as delineated by D. Polhemus & Allen (2007). Comparative notes. Rhagovelia dinga is small, dark brown species currently known from the Bowutu Mountains of the northern Papuan Peninsula. It is most similar to R. priori, but the two species may be separated by the characters discussed under that latter species. The female connexival margins which are parallel rather than convergent and touching posteriorly (Fig. 248), the differing armature of the male hind femur (compare Figs. 249, 250 to Figs. 243, 244), and the presence of more extensive black denticles on the abdominal ventrites are salient diagnostic characters. Ecological notes. Rhagovelia dinga was common on small, shaded first and second order hill streams behind the research station at Kamiali (Fig. 47), where it occurred syntopically with R. bowutu n. sp. and occasionally with R. hirsuta Lansbury. Notes on the type-locality, a small first order hill streamlet descending from the hills immediately behind Kamiali village (CL 7243), can be found in the discussion under R. bowutu. This species was also taken at Kerosine Creek (CL 7145), also discussed under R. bowutu, and on a tributary off the terminal reach of the Aleater River (CL 7141). At this latter site the main river channel had been scoured by recent floods, but the tributary had been relatively unaffected, and was a smoothly flowing, moderately deep stream of cool, clear water, bordered and partially shaded by a Casuarina forest growing on sandy soils.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BDC00A895EAFC91FD916037.taxon	description	(Figs. 6, 12, 13, 209, 240, 253 ‒ 258)	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BDC00A895EAFC91FD916037.taxon	materials_examined	Type material examined. Holotype, wingless male: PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Milne Bay Prov., Woodlark Island, Suloga Peninsula, stream entering W. side of Suloga Harbor, 0 – 180 m., 9 ° 12 ' 22 " S, 152 ° 42 ' 29 " E, water temp. 27 – 28 ° C., 23 – 24 January 2003, CL 7217 b, rocky midreach, D. A. and J. T. Polhemus (BPBM). Paratypes: PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Milne Bay Prov., Woodlark Island: 10 winged males, 10 winged females, 206 wingless males, 144 wingless females, 40 immatures, same data as holotype (USNM, BPBM); 5 wingless males, 3 wingless females, same data as preceding except 180 m., 9 ° 12 ' 13 " S, 152 ° 43 ' 10 " E, pools below seeps over bedrock, CL 7217 c, D. A. and J. T. Polhemus (USNM); 1 wingless male, same data as preceding except 5 – 90 m., 9 ° 12 ' 12 " S, 152 ° 43 ' 10 " E, lower midreach, CL 7217 a, D. A. and J. T. Polhemus (USNM); 7 wingless males, 5 wingless females, 2 immatures, same data as preceding except 0 – 5 m., 9 ° 12 ' 33 " S, 152 ° 43 ' 32 " E, swamp forest in terminal reach above estuary, CL 7218, D. A. and J. T. Polhemus (USNM); 11 wingless males, 7 wingless females, 3 immatures, Suloga Peninsula, rocky stream entering NE side of Suloga Harbor, 0 – 15 m., 9 ° 11 ' 19 " S, 152 ° 44 ' 51 " E, water temp. 26 ° C., 24 January 2003, 12: 00 – 14: 00 hrs., CL 7220, J. T. Polhemus (USNM).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BDC00A895EAFC91FD916037.taxon	description	Description Wingless male: Size: Length = 3.20 – 3.50 mm (x = 3.34, n = 5); width = 1.10 – 1.20 mm (x = 1.12, n = 5). Wingless female, length = 3.20 – 3.50 mm (x = 3.34, n = 5); width = 1.20 – 1.30 mm, (x = 1.23, n = 5). Winged male, length = 3.70 – 3.80 mm (x = 3.75, n = 2); width = 1.40 mm (x = 1.40, n = 2). Winged female, length = 3.55 ‒ 3.70 mm (x = 3.63, n = 3); width = 1.40 – 1.50 mm, (x = 1.43, n = 3). Color: Dorsal ground color dark brown to black, marked with dark yellow on anterior pronotum and connexiva, basal antennae and legs (Fig. 253). Head dark brown; rostrum, tylus and gula pale brown, rostrum piceous distally; eyes dark reddish black. Pronotum dark yellow on anterior one-third, dark brown on posterior two-thirds, the pale anterior coloration extending laterally and ventrally onto propleurae. Mesonotum chestnut brown, metanotum and abdominal tergites I – VI black, tergites VII – IX brown, tergites I – VI uniformly dull and lacking shining areas, tergites VII and VIII broadly shining centrally, connexiva black on inner halves, dark yellow on outer halves. Antennal segment I with basal one-third pale yellow, distal two-thirds plus all of segments II – IV brown. Legs generally brown, with coxae, trochanters, basal four-fifths of fore femur dorsally and ventrally, basal third of hind femur dorsally, and entirity of hind femur ventrally except extreme apex pale yellow. Venter dark brown, with mesosternum and abdominal ventrite VI orange-brown, acetabula pale whitish yellow, abdominal ventrites VII – IX yellowish brown. Structural characters: head moderately short, declivant anteriorly, with weakly impressed median line; length 0.35, width 0.75; length of eye along inner margin 0.35, anterior / posterior interocular space, 0.25 / 0.40. Pronotum long, width 1.00, length along midline 0.70, greater than dorsal length of head, leaving mesonotum exposed only as a small crescent posterior to pronotum, lacking foveae. Mesonotum length at midline 0.08. Metanotum moderately exposed, length at midline 0.10. Lengths of abdominal tergites I – VIII, respectively: 0.15: 0.20: 0.17: 0.20: 0.20: 0.30: 0.40: 0.37. Connexiva of even width throughout, with margins nearly straight except very slightly bowed inward adjacent to abdominal tergites I – III, distal segments with margins evenly convergent posteriorly, posterolateral angles not modified, separated by entire width of tergite VIII. Entire dorsum and laterotergites covered with fine, appressed pale pubescence; legs and antennae thickly clothed with short, appressed gold setae, with scattered long, erect, spine-like black setae on anterodorsal faces of antennal segments I and II, anterior margins of all femora, anterior margin of hind tibia; scattered long, straight, slender, evenly spaced brown setae present along posterior margins of all femora and posterior margin of hind tibia; anterior margin of fore tibia with slender erect black setae plus a thick fringe of short, appressed gold setae; fore and middle trochanters lacking pegs or teeth; fore and middle femora and tibiae with margins straight, not flattened or otherwise modified; fore tibia very slightly expanded and ventrally flattened on distal one-fourth; hind trochanter bearing 3 small dark pegs ventrally; hind femur highly incrassate, bearing teeth ventrally in area covered by infolded hind tibia, these teeth arranged in a single longitudinal row on basal half of femur, splitting into two parallel rows on distal half, the single basal row consisting of approximately 10 tiny black pegs, the dorsal row distally consisting of 9 subequal, moderate-sized yellowish teeth with black apices, the third and sixth teeth in this series (counting basally to distally) slightly larger, the most distal teeth in this row gradually declining in size toward femoral apex, the ventral tooth row distally consisting of 6 small, subequally sized black teeth; hind tibia straight, inner surface bearing an irregular longitudinal row of 18 – 20 small dark teeth plus a single larger black spur near apex (Figs. 255, 256. Venter of head and thorax lacking small black denticles; mesosternum slightly depressed centrally, margins of this depression bearing long, fine gold setae; metasternum ventrally convex, bearing erect, long gold setae; abdominal venter set with short appressed gold setae intermixed along longitudinal midline with longer, fine, erect gold setae; basal abdominal ventrites highly sculptured, ventrite I lying in vertical orientation, remaining ventrites horizontal and all in similar plane, ventrites II and III with an acute longitudinal carina of V-shaped cross section medially, this carina continuing in less pronounced form onto ventrites IV – V, ventrite VI unmodified, ventrite VII broadly and shallowly depressed centrally, ventrite IX with a low but sharp longitudinal median carina. Male paramere small, bean-shaped, distal section angled slightly upward, bearing scattered short, stout setae, apex bluntly rounded (Fig. 257). Male proctiger with basolateral lobes prominent and angular; distolateral lobes broadly rounded; distal cone with apex blunt, broadly rounded (Fig. 258). Lengths of antennal segments I – IV: 0.62: 0.42: 0.75: 0.50. Lengths of leg segments as follows: femur, tibia, tarsal 1, tarsal 2 of fore leg, 0.95: 0.90: 0.02: 0.01: 0.25; of middle leg, 1.50: 1.10: 0.05: 0.45: 0.65; of hind leg, 1.45: 1.35: 0.05: 0.20: 0.30. Wingless female: Similar to wingless male in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: mesonotum black; abdominal tergites V – VIII brown and shining centrally; connexival margins strongly convergent posteriorly adjacent to abdominal tergites I – III, then nearly parallel with only slight posterior convergence adjacent to tergites IV – VIII, margins widely separated, not infolded, not covering lateral sections of any tergites, connexival margins of even width throughout, uniformly set with short setae, lacking thinned or glabrous sections (Fig. 254); posterolateral connexival angles forming right angles, bearing bushy, moderately dense tufts of moderately long, posteriorly-directed black setae; abdominal tergite VIII flat, lying in horizontal orientation, proctiger deflected downward approximately 30 ° from vertical, lacking lateral setal tufts; hind femur only weakly incrassate, posterior margin bearing a small, acute black tooth at approximately two-thirds distance from base, followed by a large, spine-like brown tooth with a black tip, this followed by 3 smaller black teeth of steadily declining size toward femoral apex; hind tibia straight, inner surface lacking teeth or pegs; ventral coloration predominantly yellowish brown, with meso- and metasternum dark brown to varying degrees; all abdominal ventrites lying in similar horizontal plane, lacking raised setal tufts along longitudinal midlines except for a few golden setae centrally on ventrites I and II (Fig. 209). Winged male: Similar to wingless male in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: pronotum greatly enlarged, width 1.40, length 1.25, completely covering meso- and metanotum, anterior margin dark yellow, this pale coloration divided by a narrow brown longitudinal midline stripe; humeri enlarged, slightly protrusive laterally; posterior pronotal lobe dark brown, broadly domed, lacking obvious foveae, posterior margin broadly angular, bearing scattered long, gently curving, semi-erect black setae; forewings uniformly dark blackish-brown, extending past apex of abdomen when intact, bearing 4 closed cells consisting of two elongate cells in basal half of wing followed by two smaller cells distally near center of wing, with the outer distal cell slightly smaller than the inner disal cell (Fig. 12). Hind femur less incrassate than in wingelss male. Winged female: Similar to winged male in general body form and coloration, pronotum width 1.45, length 1.20 (Fig. 6).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BDC00A895EAFC91FD916037.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The name " suloga " is a noun in apposition and refers to the type locality, the Suloga Peninsula of Woodlark Island.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BDC00A895EAFC91FD916037.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Endemic to Woodlark Island (Fig. 240). The species range as presently known occupies the Woodlark Island area of freshwater endemism (Area 40) as delineated by D. Polhemus & Allen (2007).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BDC00A895EAFC91FD916037.taxon	discussion	Discussion. Rhagovelia suloga is a member of the R. papuensis group endemic to Woodlark Island. Within the regional assemblage it may possibly be confused with R. bwagabwaga from Misima or R. guiagoila from Basilaki and Sideia islands, but may be separated from these species by the absence of raised gold setal tufts medially on the basal abdominal ventrites of the female, and by the structure of the male proctiger and parameres (compare Fig. 209 to Figs. 204, 207). Females of R. suloga also have the connexival margins parallel, versus posteriorly convergent in R. bwagabwaga (compare Figs. 235, 254), and lack the fringe of thick black setae on the margins of the basal connexival segments seen in that latter species. Although the connexival margins are also parallel in R. guiagoila, that species has the abdomen narrower and more elongate, and lacks the curving tufts of setae at the posterolateral connexival angles (compare Figs. 254, 275). Ecological notes. Rhagovelia suloga was common on shaded pools and on the marginal eddies of rocky forest streams on Woodlark Island. The type series was taken from a clear, rocky, moderate-sized stream (CL 7217), which local people referred to as the Laiavakakain River, a name not shown on topographic maps. The stream drained from the hills on the west side of Suloga Harbor, a deep embayment running into the south coast of Woodlark Island, and had its headwaters near the highest elevations on the island. The substrate here consisted predominantly of metamorphic rocks and associated cobbles and gravels, with the latter in many areas overlying a basal substrate of orange clay. The stream profile was gradual in the midreach (Fig. 259), with higher gradient boulder jams as one progressed upstream. Bedrock exposures were comparatively few, forming only a single small fall about 3 m tall in the midreach. Additional specimens were also taken from a rocky stream entering the northeast side of Suloga Harbor (CL 7220). This latter stream flowed through a series of chutes and cascades in dark metamorphic rock, with a small tributary entering via a waterfall.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BD000A895EAFA19FB096267.taxon	description	Members of the R. transbintuni subgroup are small-sized members of the R. papuensis group, characterized by a strongly narrowed and often nearly cylindrical posterior half of the abdomen in wingless females, and the posterolateral angles of the female connexiva bearing prominent setal tufts. Members of this subgroup inhabit lowland to premontane habitats, generally occurring on first order streams near spring outflows. In addition to the previously described R. transbintuni (D. Polhemus & J. Polhemus, 2011) from the Vogelkop Peninsula and adjacent Raja Ampat Islands of western New Guinea, and the new species R. ivimkana proposed herein, the author has in hand at least four additional undescribed taxa in this subgroup from other areas in western and southern New Guinea, inlcuding the Wandammen Peninsula, the Timika area, and the Kikori River basin.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BD600AD95EAFF44FAE664C7.taxon	description	(Figs. 180, 187, 260 ‒ 265, 266)	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BD600AD95EAFF44FAE664C7.taxon	materials_examined	Type material examined. Holotype, wingless male: PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Gulf Prov., New Guinea, Ivimka Creek along Kakoro Track, SE of Ivimka Research Station, 30 m., 07 ° 44 ' 20 " S, 146 ° 30 ' 06 " E, water temp. 25 ° C., 17 January 2001, 07: 30 – 13: 00 hrs., CL 7149, D. A. Polhemus (USNM). Paratypes: PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Gulf Prov., New Guinea: 1 winged male, 24 wingless males, 18 wingless females, CL 7149, D. A. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 3 winged males, 31 wingless males, 15 wingless females, Sapoi River and rocky tributary upstream of Ivimka Research Station, 120 – 150 m., 7 ° 43 ' 36 " S, 146 ° 29 ' 59 " E, water temp. 27 ° C. (river), 24.5 ° C. (rocky trib.), 16 January 2001, 07: 00 – 13: 00 hrs., from rocky trib., CL 7148 c, D. A. Polhemus (USNM); 1 wingless female, same data as preceding but from very small rocky hill streamlet entering rocky tributary, CL 7148 d, D. A. Polhemus (USNM); 6 wingless males, 5 wingless females stream crossing old Bulldog Track, 1.6 km. SW of Ivimka Research Station, 30 m., 07 ° 44 ' 45 " S, 146 ° 29 ' 24 " E, water temp. 25 ° C., 18 January 2001, 08: 30 – 09: 30 hrs., CL 7152, D. A. Polhemus (BPBM, USNM); 1 wingless male, 1 wingless female, small rocky tributary to Wampupayo River at old Bulldog Track, 1.75 km. NE of Ivimka Research Station, 70 – 100 m., 07 ° 43 ' 06 " S, 146 ° 30 ' 09 " E, water temp. 24 ° C., 19 January 2001, 08: 30 – 13: 00 hrs., on secondary tributary with mossy rocks and cascades, CL 7153 b, D. A. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 40 wingless males, 28 wingless females sandy stream crossing Transect 1 trail, 1.25 km. SW of Ivimka Research Station, 30 m., 07 ° 44 ' 37 " S, 146 ° 29 ' 36 " E, water temp. 25 ° C., 20 January 2001, 09: 00 – 11: 30 hrs., CL 7154, D. A. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM). Central Prov.: 2 winged males, 13 wingless males, 12 wingless females, small tributary streamlets to Yaniwe River at Tekadu, 300 m., 07 ° 40 ' 36 " S, 146 ° 33 ' 05 " E, water temp. 24 ° C., 21 January 2001, 12: 00 – 16: 30 hrs, CL 7157 a, D. A. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BD600AD95EAFF44FAE664C7.taxon	description	Description Wingless male: Size: Length = 2.80 – 3.00 mm (x = 2.94, n = 5); width = 1.00 – 1.10 mm (x = 1.05, n = 5). Wingless female, length = 3.10 – 3.40 mm (x = 3.24, n = 5); width = 1.20 – 1.30 mm, (x = 1.28, n = 5). Winged male, length = 3.20 – 3.30 mm (x = 3.25, n = 2); width = 1.30 mm (x = 1.30, n = 2). Color: Dorsal ground color dark brown to black, marked with yellow or yellowish-orange on anterior pronotum, connexiva, basal antennae and legs (Fig. 260). Head black; rostrum and gula dark whitish-yellow, rostrum piceous distally; eyes silver with red undertones. Pronotum yellowish-orange on anterior one-third, black on posterior two-thirds, the pale anterior coloration extending laterally and ventrally onto propleurae. Mesonotum, metanotum and abdominal tergites I – VI black, tergites VII – IX dark brown, tergites I – VI uniformly dull and lacking glabrous areas, tergites VII and VIII broadly shining; connexiva black on inner halves, dark orange on outer halves, ventral faces also dark orange. Antennal segment I with basal one-third pale whitish-yellow, distal two-thirds plus all of segments II – IV dark brown. Legs generally black dorsally, dark brown ventrally, with coxae, fore and hind trochanters, basal half of fore femur dorsally and ventrally, and extreme base of hind femur ventrally dark yellow. Venter generally black, acetabula dark yellow, abdominal ventrite VII dark brown, abdominal ventrites VIII and IX orange-brown. Structural characters: Head moderately short, declivant anteriorly, with weakly impressed median line; head length 0.30, width 0.70; length of eye along inner margin 0.30, anterior / posterior interocular space, 0.15 / 0.35. Pronotum long, length along midline greater than dorsal length of head, entirely covering mesonotum, length 0.60, greater than dorsal length of head, leaving mesonotum exposed only as a small crescent posterior to pronotum, lacking foveae, width 0.95. Mesonotum length at midline 0.10. Metanotum moderately exposed, length at midline 0.10. Lengths of abdominal tergites I – VIII, respectively: 0.15: 0.15: 0.15: 0.15: 0.15: 0.18: 0.35: 0.25. Connexiva of even width throughout, with margins nearly straight except very slightly bowed inward adjacent to abdominal tergites I – III, evenly convergent posteriorly, posterolateral angles not modified, separated by entire width of tergite VIII. Entire dorsum and laterotergites covered with fine, appressed pale pubescence, intermixed on dorsal head, propleurae, connexiva and abdominal tergites I – VII with scattered longer, semi-erect, dark setae; legs and antennae thickly clothed with short appressed gold setae, with scattered long, erect, spine-like black setae on anterodorsal faces of antennal segments I and II, anterior margins of all femora, anterior margin of hind tibia; scattered long, straight, slender, evenly spaced brown setae present along posterior margins of all femora; anterior margin of fore tibia with slender erect black setae plus a fringe of shorter, semi-recumbent gold setae, posterior margin of fore femur with fringe of moderately long, semi-recumbent brown setae on anterior two thirds; fore and middle trochanters lacking pegs or teeth; fore and middle femora and middle tibia with margins straight, not flattened or otherwise modified; fore tibia very slightly expanded and ventrally flattened on distal one-fourth, slightly ventrally concave adjacent to grasping comb; hind trochanter bearing 5 small dark pegs ventrally; hind femur moderately incrassate, bearing teeth ventrally in area covered by infolded hind tibia, these teeth arranged in a single longitudinal row on basal half of femur, splitting into two parallel rows on distal half, the single basal row consisting of approximately 10 tiny black pegs of slightly increasing size progressing distally, the dorsal row distally consisting of a large, acuminate black spine followed by 7 – 8 smaller spines of progressively decreasing size; the ventral tooth row distally consisting of 6 – 8 small subequal black teeth; hind tibia straight, inner surface bearing an irregular longitudinal row of 14 small dark teeth plus a single larger black spur near apex (Figs. 262, 263). Venter of head and thorax bearing numerous small black denticles, these denticles extending upward along propleuron in narrow band immediately behind eye; mesosternum slightly depressed centrally, margins of this depression bearing long, fine gold setae; metasternum bearing a pair (1 + 1) of broad depressions to either side of slightly raised longitudinal midline, lateral margins and incipient midline carina bearing erect, pale setae; abdominal venter set with moderately long, recumbent, silvery setae intermixed along longitudinal midline with very fine, semi-erect pale setae; basal abdominal ventrites highly sculptured, ventrite I lying in vertical orientation, remaining ventrites horizontal and all in similar plane, ventrite II with an acute longitudinal carina of V-shaped cross section medially, this carina continuing in less pronounced form onto ventrites III – V, ventrite VI unmodified, ventrite VII bearing a pair (1 + 1) of broad, shallow depressions to either side of longitudinal midline, lateral margins of these depressions bordered with brushes of stiff, brown, posteriorly-directed setae, ventrite IX slightly constricted basally. Male paramere moderately short, roughly crescent-shaped, distal section angled upward at ~ 45 °, bearing stout setae, with dorsal margin straight, ventral margin broadly curved, apex angular (Fig. 264). Male proctiger with basolateral lobes weakly developed, broadly truncate; distolateral lobes prominent, apices slightly hooked posteriorly; distal cone dome-shaped, apex blunt (Fig. 265). Lengths of antennal segments I – IV: 0.65: 0.35: 0.45: 0.45. Lengths of leg segments as follows: femur, tibia, tarsal 1, tarsal 2, tarsal 3 of fore leg, 0.70: 0.75: 0.02: 0.02: 0.25; of middle leg, 1.35: 1.05: 0.05: 0.40: 0.60; of hind leg, 1.10: 1.10: 0.02: 0.05: 0.20. Wingless female: Similar to wingless male in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: anterior margin of pale band on anterior pronotum bearing small black denticles behind eyes and vertex; mesonotum black; abdominal tergites V – VIII brown and shining centrally; connexival margins strongly curving and inwardly convergent posteriorly adjacent to abdominal tergites I – IV, then parallel and appressed over tergites V – VII, inner faces of connexiva adjacent to abdominal tergites I – IV bearing numerous black denticles, connexival margins adjacent to abdominal tergites IV and V expanded, forming ovate glabrous pads, remaining connexival margins unmodified and of uniform narrow thickness; posterolateral connexival angles slightly rounded when viewed laterally, bearing small, angular tufts of posteriorly-directed stiff black setae; abdominal tergite VIII flat, lying in horizontal orientation with posterior half projecting beyond apices of appressed connexiva, lateral margins bearing a pair (1 + 1) of tufts of stiff black setae, these tufts arcuate in shape when viewed from above (Fig. 261); proctiger deflected downward approximately 45 ° from vertical, lacking lateral setal tufts; middle tibia blade-like, strongly flattened ventrally; hind femur only weakly incrassate, ventral margin concave on basal one-third, posterior margin near midpoint bearing a moderately long, acute gold spine with a black apex, followed by 5 smaller black teeth of steadily declining size toward femoral apex; hind tibia straight, inner surface lacking teeth or pegs; ventral coloration predominantly dark brown, abdominal ventrites VI and VII medium brown, ventrites VIII and IX yellowish brown; jugum, prosternum and all acetabula bearing numerous tiny black denticles; abdominal ventrites I – V swollen, arcuate (Fig. 210), ventrites VI – VII smaller in comparison, of notably lesser width and curvature; all abdominal ventrites lacking raised setae tufts along longitudinal midlines. Winged male: Similar to wingless male in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: pronotum greatly enlarged, width 1.30, length 1.20, completely covering meso- and metanotum, anterior lobe orange-brown, lacking dark stripe along longitudinal midline, lateral sections faintly frosted with silvery pruinosity; humeri enlarged, slightly protrusive laterally; posterior pronotal lobe dark brown, broadly domed, posterior half with obscure dark fovae, posterior margin broadly angular, bearing scattered long, gently curving, semi-erect brown setae; forewings with basal cells whitish tan interiorly, veins dark, distal portion of wing including distal cells fumate brown, wing apices extending past apex of abdomen when intact, bearing 4 closed cells consisting of two elongate cells in basal half of wing followed by two smaller cells distally near center of wing, with outer distal cell slightly smaller than inner. Winged female: Unknown.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BD600AD95EAFF44FAE664C7.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The name “ ivimkana ” is based on a noun in apposition, and refers to the Ivimka Creek type-locality.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BD600AD95EAFF44FAE664C7.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Southeastern New Guinea; currently known only from the Lakekamu River basin (Fig. 266). The species range as presently known occupies the Papuan Gulf Foreland area of freshwater endemism (Area 25) as delineated by D. Polhemus & Allen (2007).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BD600AD95EAFF44FAE664C7.taxon	discussion	Discussion. Females of R. ivimkana are easily distinguished by the form of the female abdominal connexiva, which are bowed outward on their anterior halves, but converge rapidly to meet over abdominal tergite V and are then closely appressed for the remainder of their lengths, completely covering abdominal tergites VI and VII, and the anterior half of tergite VIII (Fig. 261). The protruding posterior half of tergite VIII bears long, sickle-shaped tufts of dark setae at its posterolateral angles (Fig. 261). In addition, the connexival margins on the third and fourth segments, lying adjacent to abdominal tergites III – V, are flattened and glabrous. The female abdominal ventrites lack setal patches or depressions. The male proctiger is also diagnostic, bearing posteriorly-hooked distolateral lobes (Fig. 265) that are unique within currently described members of the R. papuensis group from New Guinea. Male abdominal ventrite VII has a pair (1 + 1) of shallow, longitudinally ovate depressions separated by a low, rounded carina along the longitudinal abdominal midline. Both sexes bear numerous black denticles on the prosternum and adjacent proacetabula, extending upward across the entire propleural region, as well as on the middle acetabula. Specimens from lower elevations (30 – 150 m) have a dark blackish ground color (Figs. 260, 261), in comparison to to specimens taken at higher elevations (300 m and above), which are noticeably more orange-brown in coloration. Ecological notes. At the Ivimka Creek type-locality (CL 7149), lying at 30 m elevation (Fig. 180), this species occurred in company with R. aviavi. By contrast, at Tekadu (CL 7157), lying at 300 m (Fig 187), the species was taken syntopically with R. tekadu. At this latter locality many small, clear, spring-fed streamlets ran off a hillside into a garden area on the valley floor. Rhagovelia ivimkana was present here on small, flowing pools, but not in partricularly high abundance, and appeared to be near the upper elevational limit of its distribution. Rhagovelia ivimkana may also occur along larger rivers, having been taken along the margins of the Sapoi River upstream of the Lakekamu research station. The river channel was braided in this reach, with samples being taken along the easternmost channel, where it entered a long, wide, and fairly shallow pool against the base of the valley wall. Individuals of R. ivimkana were taken from small eddies along the river margin in flowing sections.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BD500AD95EAFE09FB676043.taxon	description	The R. loriae subgroup is a set of species occurring in the south-flowing drainages of the eastern Papuan Peninsula, on the adjacent islands bordering the China Strait, and in the D'Entrecasteaux island group (Fig. 295). It contains four species, R. loriae, R. guiagoila, R. basima and R. elongata, which are united within the context of the regional biota by unique features of the morphology of the female abdomen, and by their rather large and elongate body shapes in comparison to other members of the R. papuensis group. In particular, the female connexival margins are thinned and sometimes glabrous adjacent to abdominal tergites III and IV, clearly lacking the setiferation present on preceding basal connexival segments, and are bowed inward and concave to varying degrees (Figs. 216 – 219). Female abdominal ventrites II and III are tumescent, and bear posteriorly-directed patches of golden setae posteromedially, with such setal patches also sometimes present on ventrite IV. Abdominal ventrite IV is either centrally depressed or transversely sulcate, with a similar central depression sometimes also present on abdominal ventrite V, with the golden setae on the posteromedial portions of the preceding segments projecting posteriorly over these depressions (Figs. 203 – 206). Males are more slender and elongate than other members of the R. papuensis group occurring in the EPCT, with body length-to-width ratios greater than 3.0, and also have the hind femur highly incrassate, the hind tibia strongly sinuate in fully developed specimens, and the male hind trochanter, femur and tibia heavily armed with pegs and teeth (Figs. 270, 277, 286, 292). The male ventral abdomen has a well-developed longitudinal medial carina of triangular cross-section on male abdominal ventrites II – VI, and ventrite VII bears a shallow, tongue-shaped depression centrally. All the included species possess small black denticles ventrally on the prosternum adjacent to the rostrum, and often more extensively on the mesosternum, metasternum, acetabula, and basal abdominal ventrites (Figs. 212 – 215). The members of this subgroup are common on rocky streams at middle and lower elevations down to the heads of the estuaries (Figs. 273, 280, 289), but are not generally found at higher elevations above 1000 m.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BD5009695EAFA85FCC462F7.taxon	materials_examined	Type material examined. Holotype, wingless male: PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Central Prov., New Guinea, Owen Stanley Range, trib. to upper Mimani River, 0.8 km. W of Dorobisoro, 500 m., water temp. 23.5 ° C., 9 October 2003, 08: 30 – 12: 30 hrs., 9 ° 27 ' 39.1 " S, 147 ° 54 ' 56.2 " E, CL 7264, D. A. Polhemus (BPBM). Paratypes: PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Central Prov., New Guinea: 2 winged males, 1 winged female, 72 wingless males, 69 wingless females, same data as holotype, CL 7264, D. A. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 3 wingless males, 2 wingless females, Eio Creek, nr. Baruanumu, E. of Port Moresby, 505 m., [vic. 9 ° 25 ' 27 " S, 147 ° 24 ' 10 " E], 22 September 1983, CL 1840, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (USNM ex JTPC, BPBM); 1 wingless male, 3 wingless females, Musgrave (Aieme) River at Awarere Plantation, E. of Port Moresby, 230 m., [9 ° 26 ' 12 " S, 147 ° 35 ' 57 " E], 22 September 1983, CL 1841, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (USNM ex JTPC); 2 wingless females, Laloki River, 2 km. W. of Sogeri, E. of Port Moresby, 500 m., [9 ° 25 ' 27 " S, 147 ° 24 ' 10 " E], 22 September 1983, CL 1844, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (USNM ex JTPC); 2 winged males, 1 winged female, 14 wingless males, 10 wingless females, Owen Stanley Range, upper Mimani River, 1.70 km. NE of Dorobisoro, 535 m., 9 ° 27 ' 25 " S, 147 ° 56 ' 15 " E, water temp. 23.5 ° C., 7 October 2003, 13: 00 – 15: 00 hrs., CL 7260 b, small flowing spring adjacent to main river channel, D. A. Polhemus (BPBM, USNM); 9 winged males, 2 winged females, 5 wingless males, 2 wingless females, Owen Stanley Range, trib. to upper Mimani River, 2.7 km. NE of Dorobisoro, 580 – 685 m., water temp. 21.5 ° C., 8 October 2003, 09: 30 – 12: 30 hrs., 9 ° 27 ' 23 " S, 147 ° 57 ' 03 " E, CL 7262, D. A. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 1 winged male, 15 wingless males, 15 wingless females, Owen Stanley Range, trib. to upper Mimani River, 2.9 km. NE of Dorobisoro, 640 – 670 m., water temp. 22.5 ° C., 8 October 2003, 12: 45 – 13: 30 hrs., 9 ° 27 ' 19 " S, 147 ° 56 ' 53 " E, CL 7263, D. A. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 4 winged males, 1 winged females, 6 wingless males, 6 wingless females, Owen Stanley Range, trib. to upper Mimani River, 2.0 km. NE of Dorobisoro, 565 m., water temp. 22.5 ° C., 7 October 2003, 13: 40 – 14: 20 hrs., 9 ° 27 ' 21 " S, 147 ° 56 ' 25 " E, CL 7261, D. A. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 2 winged males, 24 wingless males, 36 wingless females, 1 immature, Astrolabe Range, Varirata National Park, Narirogo Creek along Varirata Lookout trail, 755 m., 9 ° 26 ' 12 " S, 147 ° 14 ' 11 " E, water temp 24 ° C., 5 November 2016, CL 7590, D. A. Polhemus (BPBM). Milne Bay Prov.: 21 winged males, 10 winged females, 27 wingless males, 28 wingless females, headwater reach of Goilayoli River above crossing on road from Watunou to Huhuna, 11.5 mi. ENE of Alotau, 275 m., 6 April 2002, 10: 00 – 13: 00 hrs., CL 7161, D. A. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 9 winged males, 3 winged females, 22 wingless males, 10 wingless females, Upalai River at Haluwia, 8.5 mi. E. of Alotau on East Cape road, terminal reach, 0 – 30 m., 10 ° 20 ' 28 " S, 150 ° 34 ' 23 " E, water temp. 26 – 26.5 ° C., 4 April 2002, 09: 30 – 12: 00 hrs., CL 7162, D. A. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 5 winged males, 19 wingless males, 14 wingless females, Upalai River at Haluwia, 8.5 mi. E. of Alotau on East Cape road, midreach and waterfall approx. 2.5 km. above mouth, 45 – 75 m., 10 ° 19 ' 39 " S, 150 ° 34 ' 36 " E, water temp. 24.5 ° C., 5 April 2002, 09: 45 – 16: 30 hrs., CL 7163, D. A. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 11 winged males, 6 winged females, 58 wingless males, 63 wingless females, Cloudy Mountains, headwater tributary to upper Watuti River, S. of Gelemalaia, 715 m., 10 ° 29 ' 50 " S, 150 ° 13 ' 58 " E, water temp. 22 ° C., 10 April 2002, 16: 00 – 17: 30 hrs., CL 7175, D. A. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 20 winged males, 10 winged females, 25 wingless males, 26 wingless females, same locality as preceding but 6 April 2002, CL 7175, D. A. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 4 winged males, 8 wingless males, 2 wingless females, Tunaboga Creek at Awaiama mission station, N. side of East Cape peninsula, 10 m., 10 ° 14 ' 04 " S, 150 ° 31 ' 38 " E, water temp. 26.5 ° C., 11 April 2002, 12: 30 – 13: 30 hrs., CL 7171, J. T. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 14 wingless males, 16 wingless females, New Guinea, Pini Range, spring and streamlet nr. old Duabo mission station, 300 m., 10 ° 25 ' 05 " S, 150 ° 18 ' 24 " E, water temp. 25 ° C., 9 April 2002, 14: 00 – 15: 00 hrs., CL 7170, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 2 wingless males, 2 wingless females, clear rocky stream at Tautili, SW of Alotau, 30 m., 10 ° 29 ' 05 " S, 150 ° 06 ' 33 " E, water temp. 27 ° C., 31 January 2002, 10: 30 hrs., CL 7159, D. A. Polhemus (USNM); 1 winged male, 5 wingless males, 6 wingless females, same locality as preceding but 10 April 2002, CL 7159, J. T. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BD5009695EAFA85FCC462F7.taxon	description	Description Wingless male: Size: Length = 3.60 – 3.90 mm (x = 3.77, n = 5); width = 1.20 – 1.30 mm (x = 1.23, n = 5). Wingless female, length = 3.70 – 4.00 mm (x = 3.84, n = 5); width = 1.30 – 1.40 mm, (x = 1.38, n = 5). Winged male, length = 3.90 – 4.05 mm (x = 3.95, n = 3); width = 1.40 – 1.50 mm (x = 1.43, n = 3). Winged female, length = 4.10 mm (n = 1); width = 1.50 mm (n = 1). Color: Dorsal ground colour black, marked with pale orange on anterior pronotum and connexiva, pale yellow to orange on basal antennae and legs (Fig. 267). Head black; rostrum pale brown, piceous distally; eyes dark red. Pronotum yellowish-orange on anterior one-third, black on posterior two-thirds, the pale anterior coloration extending laterally and ventrally onto propleurae. Mesonotum, metanotum and abdominal tergites I – VI, VIII and IX black, tergite VII dark orange-brown anteromedially, all tergites except tergite VII uniformly dull and lacking shining areas, tergite VII broadly shining centrally, connexiva black on inner halves, dark orange on outer halves. Antennal segment I with basal two-thirds pale yellow, distal third, plus all of segments II – IV black. Legs generally black, with coxae, trochanters, basal half of fore femur, basal quarter of hind femur dorsally, majority of ventral fore and hind femur pale yellow. Venter dark orange, except acetabula pale yellow. Structural characters: Head moderately short, declivant anteriorly, with weakly impressed median line; length 0.35, width 0.80; length of eye along inner margin 0.30, anterior / posterior interocular space, 0.20 / 0.45. Pronotum long, width 1.25, length along midline 0.90, much greater than dorsal length of head, leaving mesonotum barely exposed, posterior lobe lacking evident foveae; mesonotum exposed only as a small crescent posterior to pronotum, lacking foveae, length at midline 0.05; metanotum moderately exposed, length at midline 0.15. Lengths of abdominal tergites I – VIII, respectively: 0.20: 0.30: 0.25: 0.25: 0.25: 0.28: 0.45: 0.30. Connexiva with margins of even width throughout, nearly straight and evenly convergent posteriorly, posterolateral angles not modified, separated by entire width of tergite VIII. Entire dorsum and laterotergites covered with fine, appressed pale pubescence, intermixed with scattered longer, semi-recumbent setae, a few stout black setae present anterolaterally on pronotum; legs and antennae thickly clothed with short appressed gold setae, with scattered long, erect black setae on anterodorsal faces of antennal segments I and II, anterior margins of all femora, posterior margins of fore and middle femora; fore tibia with a brush of semi-erect brown setae along posterior margin; hind femur with a few long, pilose, brown setae along posterior margin; fore and middle trochanters lacking pegs or teeth; fore and middle femora straight, with ventral faces slightly flattened; fore tibia slightly expanded and ventrally flattened on distal one-fourth; middle tibia straight, cylindrical, not modified; hind trochanter bearing 5 small dark pegs ventrally; hind femur highly incrassate for most of its length but markedly constricted just before distal apex, bearing two parallel rows of teeth, ventral row lying in area covered by infolded hind tibia and consisting of approximately 18 tiny black pegs basally, followed by 3 subequal sized small black teeth, then a much larger tooth, then three much smaller teeth of progressively decreasing size toward apex; dorsal row of teeth commencing near middle of femur with two small teeth preceding a much larger, acute orange-brown tooth with a black apex, followed by 3 smaller black teeth of subequal size, then another large, robust orange-brown tooth with a black apex, then 3 – 4 small black teeth of progressively decreasing size; hind tibia broadly and gently sinuate, inner surface bearing 2 parallel rows of 10 – 12 small dark teeth on basal two-thirds, then a dorsal row of 7 larger black teeth of gradually decreasing size approaching tibial apex, plus a ventral row of 2 moderate sized black teeth followed by 4 smaller teeth running to apex (Figs. 269, 270). Venter of head and thorax with jugum, entire lateral width of propleura, lateral portions of meso- and metasterna, all acetabula, and central portions of abdominal ventrites II, III and basal portion of IV bearing numerous small black denticles (Fig. 212); mesosternum slightly depressed centrally, margins of this depression and central metasternum bearing long, fine, erect gold setae; abdominal venter set with short appressed gold setae, patches of longer, fine, erect gold setae present along longitudinal midline of abdominal ventrites II – VI; basal abdominal ventrites highly sculptured, ventrite I lying in vertical orientation, remaining ventrites horizontal and all in similar plane, ventrite II with an acute longitudinal carina of V-shaped cross section medially, this carina continuing in less pronounced form onto ventrites III – VI, ventrite VII broadly and shallowly depressed centrally, ventrite VIII longitudinally carinate medially, with a pair (1 + 1) of shallow, concave depressions to either side of this raised midline. Male paramere small, bean-shaped, distal section upturned, apex angular (Fig. 271). Male proctiger with basolateral lobes well developed, angular; distolateral lobes large, broadly rounded; distal cone blunt, with apex rounded (Fig. 272). Lengths of antennal segments I – IV: 0.80: 0.50: 0.65: 0.55. Lengths of leg segments as follows: femur, tibia, tarsal 1, tarsal 2 of fore leg, 1.00: 1: 10: 0.03: 0.02: 0.25; of middle leg, 1.85: 1.30: 0.07: 0.55: 0.80; of hind leg, 1.75: 1.55: 0.05: 0.10: 0.35. Wingless female: Similar to wingless male in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: abdominal tergites V – VII orange-brown and shining centrally; connexival margins strongly convergent posteriorly adjacent to abdominal tergites I – IV, then nearly parallel with only slight posterior convergence adjacent to tergites V – IX, margins slightly infolded so as to cover extreme lateral sections of tergites V – IX, connexival margins adjacent to tergites III and IV narrowed and glabrous, shining gold in colour (Fig. 216); posterolateral connexival angles forming right angles, bearing dense tufts of moderately long black setae, these tufts posteriorly angular in lateral view; abdominal tergite VIII and proctiger deflected downward 45 ° from vertical, bearing tufts of golden-brown setae laterally; hind femur only weakly incrassate, posterior margin bearing a single row of teeth, consisting of a three small black teeth, then a large, slender, sharp tooth with a black apex, followed by 4 smaller black teeth of progressively decreasing size to tibial apex; hind tibia straight, inner surface lacking teeth or pegs; ventral coloration predominantly orange-brown, with meso- and metasternum plus abdominal ventrites I and II darker reddish brown; all abdominal ventrites lying in similar horizontal plane; metasternum and abdominal ventrites I – III medially tumescent, with patches of short, dense gold setae centrally, ventrites IV and V depressed basomedially (Fig. 203). Winged male: Similar to wingless male in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: pronotum greatly enlarged, width 1.40, length 1.35, completely covering meso- and metanotum, anterior lobe orange-brown faintly covered with frosty silver pruinosity, divided by narrow dark brown stripe along longitudinal midline; humeri enlarged, slightly protrusive laterally; posterior pronotal lobe black, broadly domed, posterior half with obscure dark fovae, posterior margin broadly angular, bearing scattered long, gently curving, semi-erect black setae; forewings uniformly dark blackish-brown, wing apices extending past apex of abdomen when intact, bearing 4 closed cells consisting of two elongate cells in basal half of wing followed by two smaller cells distally near center of wing, with outer distal cell smaller than inner. Hind femur less incrassate that in male, hind tibia straight, not sinuate. Winged female: Similar to winged male in body form and coloration, with following exceptions: body size larger, pronotum width 1.50, length 1.40.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BD5009695EAFA85FCC462F7.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The name “ loriae ” honors Italian entomologist Alberto Loria, who made early collections of aquatic Heteroptera and other insects in New Guinea.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BD5009695EAFA85FCC462F7.taxon	distribution	Distribution. The Papuan Peninsula of eastern New Guinea (Fig. 295). The species range as presently known occupies the South Papuan Peninsula Foreland and Cloudy Mountains areas of freshwater endemism (Areas 30 and 34) as delineated by D. Polhemus & Allen (2007).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BD5009695EAFA85FCC462F7.taxon	discussion	Discussion. Rhagovelia loriae and allied species are relatively large, elongate members of the R. papuensis group, and have the female connexival margins thinned, glabrous, and bowed inward to varying degrees adjacent to abdominal tergites III and IV (Figs. 216 – 219). Females of R. loriae may be recognized within this subgroup by the form of the basal abdominal ventrites, with ventrites II and III bearing thick tufts of posteriorly-directed golden setae centrally along their longitudinal midlines, with the latter tuft projecting over the anterior portion of ventrite IV (Fig. 203). Ventrite IV in turn bears a transverse sulcus on its anterior half, which is most evident when viewed laterally, while ventrite V has a transversely ovate depression centrally. The males of the R. loriae subgroup may be separated on the basis of male genitalic characters. The parameres of all four species are bean-shaped as is typical in the R. papuensis group, but show small variations in the shape of the dorsal apex, this being angular in R. loriae (Fig. 271); rounded and slightly tapered in R. elongata (Fig. 293); slightly indented in R. guiagoila (Fig. 278); and short and truncate in R. basima (Fig. 287). The proctiger in R. basima is more elongate than in the other three species (Fig. 288); these latter all have similarly angular basolateral lobes with slight differences in the expansion and shape of the distolateral lobes (compare Figs. 272, 279, 294). Males of R. loriae subgroup can also be separated by the density and distribution of small black denticles on the venter, these being more dense and extensive in males than in females. In males of R. loriae such denticles are present on all sterna and acetabula as well as abdominal ventrites II, III and the basal half of ventrite IV, being particularly dense on the propleura and mesopleura (Fig. 212). In lateral view the denticles are present in varying density across the entire width of the propleura, extending upward and laterally, although somewhat sparser centrally. In R. elongata from Goodenough Island the denticles do not extend upward along the propleura except immediately adjacent to the eye, nor are they present on the mesopleura (Fig. 215). When viewed laterally, a patch of denticles is present on at the posteroventral corner of the propleural area where it adjoins the proacetabula. They are also often absent on the mesoactebula, with at most a very few present on the inner margin, and sparsely present on the adjacent lateral mesosternum, but absent on the central mesosternum, as well as on the metasternum and basal abdominal ventrites. In R. guiagoila from Basilaki and Sideia islands the denticles on the prosternum, mesosternum, and associated acetabula are similar in density and distribution to the state seen in R. elongata, except that they are absent at the posteroventral margin of the propleural area, but by contrast are present on abdominal ventrites II and III (Fig. 213). In R. basima from Normanby Island the denticles on the prosternum, mesosternum, and associated acetabula are similar in density and distribution to the state seen in R. guiagoila, except that they are very sparse on the propleura, being absent posterodorsally, although they are present at the posteroventral corner. On the abdomen they are sparsely present on abdominal ventrites II and III, but only centrally, adjacent to and on the flanks of the longitudinal medial carina (Fig. 214). For other character systems separating these species refer to the key. Ecological notes. As indicated in the listing of material examined, Rhagovelia loriae is nearly ubiquitous on rocky streams at low to intermediate elevations in the southward-flowing drainages of the Papuan Peninsula from the Astrolabe Range near Port Moresby eastward to Milne Bay (Figs. 54, 61, 145), and is the most commonly encountered Rhagovelia species in this area. By contrast, it is not present in any of the proximal island groups, where other members of the R. loriae subgroup occur instead. The species has been taken at elevations up to 715 m in the Cloudy Mountains, but more typically occurs on stream midreaches at elevations between 10 – 500 m. The type-locality for R. loriae was a tributary to the Mimani River lying west and downstream of Dorobisoro (CL 7264). This was a cool, clear, moderately swift creek (Figs. 54), which made an abrupt transition from a rocky upland hill stream to a valley floor stream with an alluvial bed. The stream was 3 – 5 m in width, flowing in a channel of clean, mixed metamorphic rock types via small cascades, riffles and pools, with the water depth varying from 0.3 – 0.7 m in the latter. Rhagovelia loriae was more abundant here than on the rocky, higher gradient mountain creeks several kilometers upstream in the Mimani River valley.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BEC009B95EAFF44FBA864BB.taxon	description	(Figs. 204, 213, 217, 274 – 280, 295)	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BEC009B95EAFF44FBA864BB.taxon	materials_examined	Type material examined. Holotype, wingless male: PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Milne Bay Prov., Basilaki Island, Guiagoila River and trib. with waterfall, 0 – 15 m., 10 ° 36 ' 08 " S, 150 ° 59 ' 39 " E, water temp. 26.5 ° C., 18 January 2004, 09: 00 – 13: 30 hrs., CL 7296, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (BPBM). Paratypes: PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Milne Bay Prov.: 1 winged female, 29 wingless males, 25 wingless females, Basilaki Island, same data as holotype, CL 7296, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (USNM); 9 wingless males, 7 wingless females Basilaki Island, Kalawai River and rocky trib., 5 – 145 m., 10 ° 36 ' 52 " S, 151 ° 01 ' 07 " E, water temp. 26.5 ° C., pH 8.27, 17 January 2004, 09: 00 – 14: 00 hrs., along main channel, CL 7294 a, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (USNM); 1 winged female, 39 wingless males, 41 wingless females, Basilaki Island, same data as preceding except on small rocky tributary, CL 7294 b, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (USNM); 1 winged female, 21 wingless males, 3 wingless females, Basilaki Island, same data as preceding except on small tributary, CL 7294 c, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (USNM); 1 winged female, 35 wingless males, 26 wingless females, Sideia Is., hill streamlet in south central interior, headwater trib. to Kwabunamoa River, on pools, 35 – 40 m., 10 ° 36 ' 16.8 " S, 150 ° 50 ' 55.6 " E, water temp. 26.5 ° C., 15 January 2004, 10: 00 – 11: 00 hrs., CL 7287, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (USNM); 2 winged females, 37 wingless males, 32 wingless females, Sideia Is., Kwabunamoa River, terminal reach, sea level, 10 ° 35 ' 04 " S, 150 ° 50 ' 51 " E, water temp. 27 ° C., 16 January 2004, 11: 00 – 13: 00 hrs., CL 7292, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (USNM); 49 wingless males, 39 wingless females, Sariba Is., Padi Stream, below falls, 0 – 105 m., 10 ° 35 ' 37 " S, 150 ° 42 ' 02 " E, water temp. 26.5 – 28.5 ° C., pH 7.7 – 8.0, 14 January 2004, 09: 45 – 14: 00 hrs., CL 7285, D. A. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BEC009B95EAFF44FBA864BB.taxon	description	Description Wingless male: Size: Length = 3.20 – 3.50 mm (x = 3.30, n = 5); width = 1.00 – 1.10 mm (x = 1.03, n = 5). Wingless female, length = 3.20 – 3.50 mm (x = 3.38, n = 5); width = 1.10 – 1.20 mm, (x = 1.16, n = 5). Winged female, length = 3.60 mm (n = 1); width = 1.35 mm (n = 1). Color: Dorsal ground color black, marked with pale orange on anterior pronotum and connexiva, pale yellow on basal antennae and legs (Fig. 274). Head black; rostrum pale yellowish-brown, piceous distally; eyes dark red. Pronotum yellowish-orange on anterior one-third, black on posterior two-thirds, the pale anterior coloration extending laterally and ventrally onto propleurae. Mesonotum, metanotum and abdominal tergites I – VI, VIII and IX black, tergite VII brown, all tergites uniformly dull and lacking shining areas, connexiva black on inner halves, dark orange on outer halves. Antennal segment I with basal one-third pale yellow, distal two-thirds plus all of segments II – IV black. Legs generally black, with coxae, trochanters, basal half of fore femur, basal third of hind femur ventrally pale yellow. Venter black, with abdominal ventrites VII – X dark orange. Structural characters: Head moderately short, declivant anteriorly, with weakly impressed median line; length 0.30, width 0.80; length of eye along inner margin 0.35, anterior / posterior interocular space, 0.15 / 0.40. Pronotum long, width 1.10, length along midline 0.80, greater than dorsal length of head, leaving mesonotum barely exposed; mesonotum exposed only as a small crescent posterior to pronotum, lacking foveae; metanotum moderately exposed, length at midline 0.15. Lengths of abdominal tergites I – VIII, respectively: 0.20: 0.20: 0.20: 0.20: 0.25: 0.25: 0.40: 0.30. Connexiva with margins of even width throughout, margins nearly straight and evenly convergent posteriorly, posterolateral angles not modified, separated by entire width of tergite VIII. Entire dorsum and laterotergites covered with fine, appressed pale pubescence, intermixed with scattered long, erect brown setae; legs and antennae thickly clothed with short appressed gold setae, with scattered long, erect black setae on anterodorsal faces of antennal segments I and II, anterior margins of all femora, posterior margins of fore and middle femora; scattered long pilose brown setae present along posterior margin of hind femur; fore and middle trochanters lacking pegs or teeth; fore and middle femora and tibiae with margins straight, not flattened or otherwise modified; fore tibia slightly expanded and ventrally flattened on distal one-fourth; hind trochanter bearing 3 – 4 small dark pegs ventrally; hind femur highly incrassate, bearing two parallel rows of teeth, ventral row lying in area covered by infolded hind tibia and consisting of approximately 15 tiny black pegs basally, followed by 6 subequal sized black teeth; dorsal row of teeth commencing near middle of femur with a large, acute orange-brown tooth with a black apex, followed by two smaller black teeth of subequal size, then another large orange tooth with a black apex, then 4 – 5 small black teeth of progressively decreasing size; hind tibia broadly and gently sinuate, inner surface bearing 2 parallel rows of 10 – 12 small dark teeth plus 3 – 4 larger black teeth near tip (Figs. 276, 277). Venter of head and thorax with jugum, adjacent inner propleural area bordering eye, lateral portions of meso-and metasterna, pro- and metacetabula, abdominal ventrites II and III bearing small black denticles, such denticles occasionally present in small numbers on mesoacetabulum, but absent on metapleura (Fig. 213); meso- and metasterna slightly depressed centrally, margins of this depression and adjacent lateral metasternum bearing long, fine gold setae; abdominal venter set with short appressed gold setae intermixed laterally with long, fine, erect dark brown setae; basal abdominal ventrites highly sculptured, ventrite I lying in vertical orientation, remaining ventrites horizontal and all in similar plane, ventrite II with an acute longitudinal carina of V-shaped cross section medially, this carina continuing in less pronounced form onto ventrite III, ventrites IV – VI unmodified, ventrite VII broadly and shallowly depressed laterally to either side of weakly carinate midline. Male paramere small, bean-shaped, distal section upturned, with ventral margin bearing stout setae, dorsal apex with a small indentation (Fig. 278). Male proctiger with basolateral lobes well developed, angular; distolateral lobes large, broadly rounded; distal cone blunt, with apex forming obtuse angle (Fig. 278). Lengths of antennal segments I – IV: 075: 0.45: 0.55: 0.50. Lengths of leg segments as follows: femur, tibia, tarsal 1, tarsal 2 of fore leg, 0.90: 1: 00: 0.03: 0.02: 0.20; of middle leg, 1.55: 1.10: 0.07: 0.35: 0.70; of hind leg, 1.50: 1.30: 0.05: 0.10: 0.25. Wingless female: Similar to wingless male in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: abdominal tergites V – VII brown and shining centrally; connexival margins strongly convergent posteriorly adjacent to abdominal tergites I – IV, then nearly parallel with only slight posterior convergence adjacent to tergites V – IX, margins slightly infolded so as to cover extreme lateral sections of tergites V – IX (Fig. 275), connexival margins adjacent to tergites III and IV narrowed and glabrous, shining gold in colour (Fig. 217); posterolateral connexival angles forming right angles, bearing dense, acuminate tufts of moderately long black setae; abdominal tergite VIII and proctiger deflected downward 45 ° from vertical, bearing dense, bushy tufts of black setae laterally; hind femur only weakly incrassate, posterior margin bearing a large brown tooth with a black tip at about two-thirds distance from the base, followed by 5 smaller black teeth, the large basal tooth in this series sometimes preceded by a small black tooth immediately basal to it near middle of posterior margin; hind tibia straight, inner surface lacking teeth or pegs; ventral coloration predominantly yellowish brown, with meso- and metasternum plus abdominal ventrites I – III dark brown to varying degrees; all abdominal ventrites lying in similar horizontal plane, ventrites I – III with patches of short, dense gold setae in a narrow band along longitudinal midline, ventrites IV and V depressed basomedially (Fig. 204). Winged female: Similar to wingless female in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: pronotum greatly enlarged, width 1.35, length 1.25, completely covering meso- and metanotum, anterior lobe orange-brown, divided by narrow dark brown stripe along longitudinal midline; humeri enlarged, slightly protrusive laterally; posterior pronotal lobe dark brown, broadly domed, posterior half with obscure dark foveae, posterior margin broadly angular, bearing scattered long, gently curving, semi-erect black setae; forewings uniformly dark blackish-brown, extending past apex of abdomen when intact, bearing 4 closed cells consisting of two elongate cells in basal half of wing followed by two smaller cells of subequal size distally near center of wing. Winged male: Unknown.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BEC009B95EAFF44FBA864BB.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The name “ guiagoila ” is a noun in apposition and refers to the name of the river at the type locality. In the local language of Basilaki Island, this name means “ the river that flows from the forest that it is forbidden to enter. ”	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BEC009B95EAFF44FBA864BB.taxon	distribution	Distribution. This species occurs on Sariba, Sideia, and Basilaki islands, lying east of China Strait (Fig. 295). The species range as presently known includes the Basilaki Island area of freshwater endemism (Area 36) as delineated by D. Polhemus & Allen (2007), who noted that adjacent Sideia Island might also prove to be part of this area of endemism, a hypothesis supported by the distribution of R. guiagoila.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BEC009B95EAFF44FBA864BB.taxon	discussion	Discussion. The characters separating this species from others in the R. loriae subgroup are provided in the key, and further discussed under R. loriae. The female connexiva in R. guiagoila are parallel and of even width throughout, without prominent concavities centrally (Fig. 275), although the outer faces of the connexival segments adjacent to abdominal tergitres III and IV are smooth and glabrous, in the area where the hind femur folds in and touches the abdomen when held vertically at rest (Fig. 217). The posterolateral angles of the female connexiva also lack long setal tufts when viewed laterally. The female ventral abdomen possesses posteromedial golden setal patches on abdominal ventrites II and III and incipiently on ventrite IV; has abdominal ventrite IV with a shallow, glabrous transverse sulcus anteromedially; and ventrite V flattened centrally but not depressed or sulcate (Fig. 204). The measurements in the description are taken from specimens collected at the Guiagoila River type-locality on Basilaki Island, which are similar in size to those from neighboring Sideia Island. By contrast, specimens from Sariba Island are slightly smaller in size. Ecological notes. The Guiagoila River at the type-locality (CL 7296) was a moderately swift stream draining from the hills of Basilaki Island through a heavily shaded bed of water-rounded rocks and gravels, with alternating riffle and pool habitat. Samples were made from the head of the estuary upstream to the confluence with a south bank tributary, and then further upstream along this tributary to a waterfall and plunge pool. Rhagovelia guiagoila was common throughout this stream reach, skating on gently flowing pools. At the Kalawai River, also on Basilaki, R. guiagoila was again taken along a rocky stream with alternating riffle and pool habitat, partially shaded by relatively intact upland rain forest (Fig. 280).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BE3009C95EAFD96FF61604A.taxon	description	(Figs. 205, 214, 218, 281 – 289, 295)	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BE3009C95EAFD96FF61604A.taxon	materials_examined	Type material examined. Holotype, wingless male: PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Milne Bay Prov., D'Entrecasteaux Islands, Fergusson Island, east coast, Awaetowa River, lower midreach, E. of Basima, 45 m., 9 ° 27 ' 41 " S, 150 ° 49 ' 38 " E, water temp. 27 ° C., 26 January 2003, 13: 00 – 16: 30 hrs., CL 7183 a, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (BPBM). Paratypes: PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Milne Bay Prov., D'Entrecasteaux Islands: 11 winged males, 4 winged females, 39 wingless males, 48 wingless females, same data as holotype, Fergusson Is., CL 7183 a, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (USNM); 6 winged males, 6 winged females, 101 wingless males, 88 wingless females, Fergusson Island, east coast, Yaya River, N. of Mebulibuli Point, 0 – 60 m., water temp. 25.8 ° C., 23 August 2002, 10: 00 – 16: 30 hrs., 9 ° 30 ' 34 " S, 150 ° 52 ' 51 " E, CL 7178, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 1 wingless male, 2 wingless females, Fergusson Island, east coast, Mebulibuli Creek and rocky tributary, 1.3 km. upstream of mouth, S. of Basima, 15 – 75 m., 9 ° 30 ' 54 " S, 150 ° 52 ' 04 " E, water temp. 24 ° C., 24 August 2002, 09: 00 – 13: 00 hrs., along margins of main channel, CL 7180 a, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (USNM); 2 winged males, 1 winged female, 58 wingless males, 53 wingless females, Fergusson Island, same data as preceding except on rocky tributary, CL 7180 b, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 3 wingless males, 3 wingless females, Fergusson Island, same data as preceding except 15 m., 9 ° 30 ' 42 " S, 150 ° 52 ' 06 " E, cascading tributary, CL 7180 c, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (USNM); 1 winged female, 25 wingless males, 30 wingless females, Fergusson Island, east coast, Awaetowa River, lower midreach, E. of Basima, 15 m., 9 ° 27 ' 34 " S, 150 ° 49 ' 37 " E, water temp. 23 ° C., 25 August 2002, 09: 45 – 11: 15 hrs., CL 7183 b, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 2 wingless males, Fergusson Island, east coast, upper Awaetowa River and rocky tribs., W. of Basima, 575 – 650 m., water temp. 22 ° C., 27 January 2003, 10: 00 – 14: 00 hrs., 9 ° 30 ' 34 " S, 150 ° 48 ' 17 " E, along margins of main channel, CL 7225 a, D. A. Polhemus (USNM); 3 wingless males, 3 wingless females, D'Entrecasteaux Islands, Fergusson Island, same data as preceding except on first tributary, CL 7225 b, D. A. Polhemus (USNM); 59 wingless males, 58 wingless females, 21 immatures, Normanby Island, south coast, coastal springs at Bunama, sea level, 10 ° 08 ' 22 " S, 151 ° 08 ' 48 " E water temp. 26 ° C., 28 January 2003, 16: 00 – 18: 00 hrs., CL 7226 b, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 1 winged male, 2 winged females, 20 wingless males, 18 wingless females, Normanby Island, upper Apatabuia River and rocky tribs., above Bunama, 60 – 90 m., 10 ° 07 ' 04 " S, 151 ° 09 ' 07 " E, water temp. 23.5 ° C. (main river), 29 January 2003, 09: 00 – 01: 00 hrs., from margins of main river channel, CL 7228 a, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 2 winged males, 1 winged female, 19 wingless males, 33 wingless females, Normanby Island, south coast, rocky trib. to upper Apatabuia River with pools amid boulders, above Bunama, 90 m., 10 ° 07 ' 12 " S, 151 ° 09 ' 07 " E, water temp. 25 ° C. (pools), 29 January 2003, 09: 00 – 01: 00 hrs., CL 7228 b, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 3 winged males, 2 winged females, 23 wingless males, 29 wingless females, Normanby Is., tributary streamlet to upper Dibuwa River, W. of Yeluyelua, 320 m., 10 ° 02 ' 40 " S, 151 ° 15 ' 05 " E, water temp. 23 ° C., 30 January 2003, 08: 45 – 09: 00 hrs. and 12: 45 – 13: 00 hrs., CL 7230, D. A. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 9 wingless males, 10 wingless females, upper Dibuwa River and rocky tribs., W. of Yeluyelua, 245 m., 10 ° 02 ' 46 " S, 151 ° 14 ' 53 " E, water temp. 24 ° C., 30 January 2003, 09: 30 – 12: 30 hrs, from ponded area along tributary, CL 7231 b, D. A. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 15 wingless males, 20 wingless females, 5 immatures, Normanby Island, same data as preceding except from small tributary near the village, CL 7231 c, D. A. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 4 winged males, 2 wingless males, Normanby Island, east coast, Golupona Stream above Yeluyelua, 90 m., water temp. 23 ° C., 30 January 2003, 08: 00 – 13: 00 hrs, 10 ° 02 ' 53 " S, 151 ° 15 ' 35 " E, CL 7232, J. T. Polhemus (USNM).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BE3009C95EAFD96FF61604A.taxon	description	Description. Wingless male: Size: Length = 3.20 – 3.30 (x = 3.24, n = 5); width = 1.00 – 1.10 (x = 1.08, n = 5). Wingless female, length = 3.20 – 3.70 mm (x = 3.69, n = 5); width = 1.20 – 1.30 (x = 1.26, n = 5). Winged male, length = 3.70 – 3.90 mm (x = 3.82, n = 4); width = 1.40 – 1.50 mm (x = 1.46, n = 5). Winged female, length = 3.65 – 3.80 mm (x = 3.71, n = 3); width = 1.30 – 1.40 mm (x = 1.36, n = 3). Color: Dorsal ground color black, marked with pale orange on anterior pronotum and connexiva, pale yellow on basal antennae and legs (Fig. 281). Head black; rostrum pale brown, piceous distally; eyes dark red. Pronotum yellowish-orange on anterior one-third, black on posterior two-thirds, the pale anterior coloration extending laterally and ventrally onto propleurae. Mesonotum, metanotum and abdominal tergites I – VI, VIII and IX black, tergite VII orange-brown, all tergites except tergite VII uniformly dull and lacking shining areas, tergite VII broadly shining centrally, connexiva black on inner halves, dark orange on outer halves. Antennal segment I with basal two-thirds pale yellow, distal third plus all of segments II – IV black. Legs generally black, with coxae, trochanters, basal half of fore femur, basal quarter of hind femur dorsally, majority of ventral fore and hind femur pale yellow. Venter dark orange, except acetabula pale yellow. Structural characters: Head moderately short, declivant anteriorly, with weakly impressed median line; length 0.30, width 0.80; length of eye along inner margin 0.37, anterior / posterior interocular space, 0.20 / 0.40. Pronotum long, width 1.05, length along midline 0.75, much greater than dorsal length of head, leaving mesonotum barely exposed, posterior lobe lacking evident foveae; mesonotum exposed only as a small crescent posterior to pronotum, lacking foveae, length at midline 0.05. Metanotum moderately exposed, length at midline 0.15. Lengths of abdominal tergites I – VIII, respectively: 0.20: 0.25: 0.25: 0.25: 0.25: 0.25: 0.40: 0.35. Connexiva with margins of even width throughout, margins nearly straight and evenly convergent posteriorly, posterolateral angles not modified, separated by entire width of tergite VIII. Entire dorsum and laterotergites covered with fine, appressed pale pubescence, intermixed with scattered longer, semi-recumbent setae, a few stout black setae present anterolaterally on pronotum; legs and antennae thickly clothed with short appressed gold setae, with scattered long, erect black setae on anterodorsal faces of antennal segments I and II, anterior margins of all femora, posterior margins of fore and middle femora; fore tibia with a brush of semi-erect brown setae along posterior margin; hind femur with a few long, pilose, brown setae along posterior margin; fore and middle trochanters lacking pegs or teeth; fore and middle femora straight, with ventral faces slightly flattened; fore tibia slightly expanded and ventrally flattened on distal one-fourth; middle tibia straight, cylindrical, not modified; hind trochanter bearing 5 small dark pegs ventrally; hind femur highly incrassate, bearing two parallel rows of teeth, ventral row lying in area covered by infolded hind tibia and consisting of approximately 18 tiny black pegs basally, followed by 3 subequal sized small black teeth, then a much larger tooth, then three much smaller teeth of progressively decreasing size toward apex; dorsal row of teeth commencing near middle of femur with two small teeth preceding a much larger, acute orange-brown tooth with a black apex, followed by 3 smaller black teeth of subequal size, then another large, robust orange-brown tooth with a black apex, then 3 – 4 small black teeth of progressively decreasing size; hind tibia broadly and gently sinuate, inner surface bearing 2 parallel rows of 10 – 12 small dark teeth on basal two-thirds, then a dorsal row of 7 larger black teeth of gradually decreasing size approaching tibial apex, plus a ventral row of 2 moderate sized black teeth followed by 4 smaller teeth running to apex (Fig. 285, 286). Venter of head and thorax with jugum, adjacent inner propleural area bordering eye, lateral portions of meso- and metasterna, pro- and metacetabulum, and abdominal ventrites II and III centrally on flanks of medial carina bearing small black denticles, such denticles occasionally present in small numbers on mesoacetabulum, but absent on metapleura (Fig. 214); mesosternum slightly depressed centrally, margins of this depression and central metasternum bearing long, fine, erect gold setae; abdominal venter set with short appressed gold setae, patches of longer, fine, erect gold setae present along longitudinal midline of abdominal ventrites II – VI; basal abdominal ventrites highly sculptured, ventrite I lying in vertical orientation, remaining ventrites horizontal and all in similar plane, ventrite II with an acute longitudinal carina of V-shaped cross section medially, this carina continuing in less pronounced form onto ventrites III – VI, ventrite VII broadly and shallowly depressed centrally, ventrite VIII longitudinally carinate medially, with a pair (1 + 1) of shallow, concave depressions to either side of this raised midline. Male paramere small, bean-shaped, distal section curving upward and bearing scattered stout setae, apex broadly blunt (Fig. 287). Male proctiger elongate, with basolateral lobes small, angular; distolateral lobes large, rounded; distal cone with apex broadly rounded (Fig. 288). Lengths of antennal segments I – IV: 0.75: 0.50: 0.60: 0.55. Lengths of leg segments as follows: femur, tibia, tarsal 1, tarsal 2 of fore leg, 1.00: 1: 00: 0.02: 0.03: 0.25; of middle leg, 1.75: 1.25: 0.10: 0.35: 0.75; of hind leg, 1.60: 1.50: 0.05: 0.15: 0.30. Wingless female: Similar to wingless male in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: abdominal tergites V – VII orange-brown and shining centrally; connexival margins strongly convergent posteriorly adjacent to abdominal tergites I – IV, then nearly parallel with only slight posterior convergence adjacent to tergites V – IX, margins slightly infolded so as to cover extreme lateral sections of tergites V – IX (Figs. 282, 283), connexival margins adjacent to tergites III and IV narrowed and glabrous, shining gold in colour (Fig. 218); posterolateral connexival angles forming right angles, bearing dense tufts of moderately long black setae, these tufts posteriorly angular in lateral view; abdominal tergite VIII and proctiger deflected downward 45 ° from vertical, bearing tufts of golden-brown setae laterally; hind femur only weakly incrassate, posterior margin bearing a single row of teeth, consisting of three small black teeth, then a large, slender, sharp tooth with a black apex, followed by 4 smaller black teeth of progressively decreasing size to tibial apex; hind tibia straight, inner surface lacking teeth or pegs; ventral coloration predominantly orange-brown, with meso- and metasternum plus abdominal ventrites I and II darker reddish brown; all abdominal ventrites lying in similar horizontal plane; metasternum and abdominal ventrites I – III medially tumescent, with patches of short, dense gold setae centrally, ventrites IV and V depressed basomedially (Fig. 205). Winged male: Similar to wingless male in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: pronotum greatly enlarged, width 1.50, length 1.40, completely covering meso- and metanotum, anterior lobe orange-brown centrally, faint silvery pruinose laterally, divided by narrow dark brown stripe along longitudinal midline; humeri enlarged, slightly protrusive laterally; posterior pronotal lobe dark brown, broadly domed, posterior half with obscure dark fovae, posterior margin broadly angular, bearing scattered long, gently curving, semi-erect black setae; forewings dark blackish-brown, slightly paler brown basally, extending past apex of abdomen when intact, bearing 4 closed cells consisting of two elongate cells in basal half of wing followed by two smaller, subequal sized cells distally near center of wing. Hind femur less incrassate than in wingless male, hind tibia only weakly sinuate (Fig. 284). Winged female: Similar to winged male in general body form and coloration, pronotum width 1.35, length 1.25.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BE3009C95EAFD96FF61604A.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The name “ basima ” is a noun in apposition and refers to the type-locality at the village of Basima, on Fergusson Island, in the D’Entrecasteaux Islands.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BE3009C95EAFD96FF61604A.taxon	distribution	Distribution. D’Entrecasteaux Islands; endemic to Fergusson and Normanby islands (Fig. 295). The species range as presently known falls within the D’Entrecasteaux Islands area of freshwater endemism (Area 35) as delineated by D. Polhemus & Allen (2007), but also includes Normanby Island. Recent tectonic analyses have indicated that Normanby Island is geologically composite, with its northwestern section having a petrology similar to Goodenough and Fergusson islands, and its southeastern section containing rock units more similar to those in the Owen Stanley Range of the Papuan Peninsula (Baldwin et al. 2012; Wallace et al. 2014). Therefore the definition of Area 35 as provided by D. Polhemus & Allen (2007) may need to be modified to accommodate this.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BE3009C95EAFD96FF61604A.taxon	discussion	Discussion. The characters separating this species from others in the R. loriae subgroup are provided in the key, and further discussed under R. loriae. The female body form in R. basima is typical of members of the R. loriae subgroup, with the connexival margins thinned, glabrous, and bowed inward adjacent to abdominal tergites III and IV. The female ventral abdomen has abdominal ventrites II – III medially tumescent, bearing patches of short, dense, posteriorly-directed gold setae centrally, and ventrites IV and V depressed basomedially. The male proctiger is more elongate than in the other members of the R. loriae subgroup, with well-developed basolateral and distolateral lobes (compare Fig. 288 to Figs. 272, 279, 294). As interpreted here, R. basima occurs on both Fergusson and Normanby islands. There are slight differences between the Fergusson and Normanby island populations, but these seem insufficient to justify separate species status. Ecological notes. The Awaetowa River at the type-locality near the village of Basima on Fergusson Island (CL 7183) was a clear, cool, swiftly-flowing stream in a broad bed of water-rounded metamorphic rocks and boulders composed of greenschists and blueschists, with alternating shallow riffles and pools, the latter 0.3 – 1.5 m deep. The banks were bordered by tall, dry grass and partially shaded by scattered trees (Fig. 289). Rhagovelia basima occurred here in sheltered pockets along the stream margins, co-occurring with a few specimens of R. awaetowa, a species in the R. novacaledonica group more abundant at higher elevations. Specimens from the Dibuwa River near the village of Wamua in the interior of Normanby Island (CL 7230, CL 7231) have a more orange-brown ground color than other populations sampled, similar to the situation seen populations of R. dibuwa in the R. novacaledonica group occurring at the same locality (see discussion under the latter species).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BE4008095EAFA86FC9560AB.taxon	description	(Figs. 206, 215, 219, 290 – 295)	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BE4008095EAFA86FC9560AB.taxon	materials_examined	Type material examined. Holotype, wingless male: PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Milne Bay Prov., D’Entrecasteaux Islands, Goodenough Is., Matalamoia River, 3.4 km. NW of Bolubolu on road to Vivigani, 75 m., 9 ° 21 ' 54 " S, 150 ° 20 ' 03 " E, water temp. 24.5 ° C., 26 August 2002, 15: 00 – 15: 30 hrs., CL 7187, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (BPBM). Paratypes: PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Milne Bay Prov., D'Entrecasteaux Islands, Goodenough Island: 5 winged males, 57 wingless males, 68 wingless females, same data as holotype, CL 7187, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (USNM); 36 wingless males, 37 wingless females, Kuliana Creek at Ewaoiana, near Kalauna village, 290 m., 9 ° 22 ' 54 " S, 150 ° 19 ' 30 " E, water temp. 24.5 ° C., 26 August 2002, 10: 00 – 12: 00 hrs., CL 7185, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 47 wingless males, 36 wingless females, 3 immatures, Waidala Creek, 3 km. W. of Bolubolu on road to Vivigani, 15 m., 9 ° 22 ' 05 " S, 150 ° 21 ' 14 " E, water temp. 25 ° C., 27 August 2002, 08: 30 – 10: 00 hrs., CL 7188, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 1 wingless male, Goodenough Island, Tuabeda River at Kalauna village, 335 m., 9 ° 23 ' 01 " S, 150 ° 19 ' 32 " E, water temp. 22.5 ° C., 26 August 2002, 10: 00 – 12: 00 hrs., CL 7184, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (BPBM).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BE4008095EAFA86FC9560AB.taxon	description	Description Wingless male: Size: Length = 3.70 – 4.00 (x = 3.84, n = 5); width = 1.10 – 1.30 mm (x = 1.20, n = 5). Wingless female, length = 3.80 – 4.00 mm (x = 3.90, n = 5); width = 1.30 – 1.40 mm, (x = 1.37, n = 3). Winged male, length = 3.80 – 4.00 mm (x = 3.92, n = 4); width = 1.35 – 1.40 mm (x = 1.39, n = 4). Color: Dorsal ground colour black, marked with pale orange on anterior pronotum and connexiva, pale yellow to orange on basal antennae and legs (Fig. 290). Head black; tylus pale brown; jugae dark yellow; rostrum pale brown, piceous distally; eyes dark red. Pronotum yellowish-orange on anterior one-third, black on posterior two-thirds, the pale anterior coloration extending laterally and ventrally to become confluent with burnt orange area on propleurae. Mesonotum, metanotum and abdominal tergites I – VI, VIII and IX black, tergite VII dark orange-brown anteromedially, all tergites except tergite VII uniformly dull and lacking shining areas, tergite VII broadly shining centrally; connexiva black on inner halves, pale brown on outer halves. Antennal segment I with basal half dull pale yellow, distal half plus all of segments II – IV black. Legs generally black, with coxae, trochanters, basal half of fore femur, basal quarter of hind femur dorsally, majority of ventral fore and hind femur dull pale yellow. Venter mostly dark blackish-grey, except acetabula dull pale yellow, ventrites VIII and IX brown. Structural characters: Head moderately short, declivant anteriorly, with weakly impressed median line; length 0.30, width 0.65; length of eye along inner margin 0.35, anterior / posterior interocular space, 0.20 / 0.40. Pronotum long, width 1.15, length along midline 0.85, much greater than dorsal length of head, leaving mesonotum barely exposed, posterior lobe lacking evident foveae; mesonotum exposed only as a small crescent posterior to pronotum, lacking foveae, length at midline 0.02; metanotum moderately exposed, length at midline 0.15. Lengths of abdominal tergites I – VIII, respectively: 0.20: 0.25: 0.25: 0.25: 0.25: 0.30: 0.45: 0.35. Connexiva with margins of even width throughout, margins nearly straight and evenly convergent posteriorly, posterolateral angles not modified, separated by entire width of tergite VIII. Entire dorsum and laterotergites covered with fine, appressed pale pubescence, intermixed with scattered longer, semi-recumbent setae, a few stout black setae present anterolaterally on pronotum; legs and antennae thickly clothed with short appressed gold setae, with scattered long, erect black setae on anterodorsal faces of antennal segments I and II, anterior margins of all femora, posterior margins of fore and middle femora; fore tibia with a brush of semi-erect brown setae along posterior margin; hind femur with a few long, pilose, brown setae along posterior margin; fore and middle trochanters lacking pegs or teeth; fore and middle femora straight, with ventral faces slightly flattened; fore tibia slightly expanded, ventrally flattened and concave on distal one-fourth; middle tibia straight, cylindrical, not modified; hind trochanter bearing 6 small dark pegs ventrally; hind femur highly incrassate for most of its length but markedly constricted just before distal apex (Fig. 292), bearing two parallel rows of teeth, dorsal row lying in area covered by infolded hind tibia and consisting of approximately 12 tiny black pegs basally, followed by 3 small teeth of steadily increasing size then a much larger tooth, then three much smaller teeth of subequal size, the another large tooth, then two more smaller teeth of progressively decreasing size toward apex, all these teeth orange-brown with black apices; ventral row of teeth commencing near middle of femur with two small teeth preceding a much larger, acute orange-brown tooth with a black apex, followed by 4 smaller black teeth of subequal size; hind tibia broadly and gently sinuate, inner surface bearing single row of teeth consisting of 10 small, dark, peg-like teeth on basal two-thirds, the 4 larger black teeth of gradually increasing size, followed by 5 teeth of steadily decreasing size approaching tibial apex (Fig. 292). Venter of head and thorax with jugum, adjacent inner propleural area bordering eye, lateral portions of meso-and metasterna, pro- and metacetabula bearing small black denticles, such denticles occasionally present in small numbers on mesoacetabulum, but absent on metapleura (Fig. 215); mesosternum slightly depressed centrally, margins of this depression and central metasternum bearing long, fine, erect gold setae; abdominal venter set with short appressed gold setae, patches of longer, fine, erect gold setae present along longitudinal midline of abdominal ventrites II – V; basal abdominal ventrites highly sculptured, ventrite I lying in vertical orientation, remaining ventrites horizontal and all in similar plane, ventrite II with an acute longitudinal carina of V-shaped cross section medially, this carina continuing in less pronounced form onto ventrites III – VI, ventrite VII with broad, shallow, roughly circular depressed area centrally, ventrite VIII longitudinally carinate medially, with a pair (1 + 1) of shallow, concave depressions to either side of this raised midline. Male paramere small, bean-shaped, distal section upturned, bearing stout setae, apex rounded (Fig. 293). Male proctiger with central section raised, basolateral lobes well developed, angular; distolateral lobes large, broadly rounded; distal cone broadly rounded, apex blunt (Fig. 294). Lengths of antennal segments I – IV: 1.00: 0.60: 0.75: 0.60. Lengths of leg segments as follows: femur, tibia, tarsal 1, tarsal 2 of fore leg, 1.10: 1: 25: 0.03: 0.02: 0.25; of middle leg, 1.90: 1.50: 0.08: 0.50: 0.75; of hind leg, 1.80: 1.45: 0.05: 0.10: 0.35. Wingless female: Similar to wingless male in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: abdominal tergites I – IV reddish brown centrally, tergites V – VIII orange-brown and shining; tergites III and VI slightly domed and tumescent centrally; connexival margins vertical, strongly convergent posteriorly adjacent to abdominal tergites I and II, then bowed strongly inward, thinned and glabrous adjacent to tergites III and IV (Fig. 219), then bowed slightly outward and weakly convergent posteriorly adjacent to tergites V – VII, then nearly parallel with only slight posterior convergence adjacent to tergites VIII – IX; posterolateral connexival angles forming right angles, bearing dense tufts of moderately long black setae, these tufts posteriorly angular in lateral view; abdominal tergite VIII and proctiger deflected downward 45 ° from vertical, bearing small tufts of golden-brown setae laterally; hind femur only weakly incrassate, posterior margin bearing a single row of teeth on distal third, consisting of a large, slender, sharp tooth with a black apex, followed by 5 smaller black teeth of progressively decreasing size to tibial apex; hind tibia straight, inner surface lacking teeth or pegs; ventral coloration predominantly orange-brown, with meso- and metasternum plus abdominal ventrites I and II darker reddish brown; all abdominal ventrites lying in similar horizontal plane; metasternum and abdominal ventrites I – III medially tumescent, with patches of short, dense gold setae centrally (Fig. 206), ventrites IV and V depressed basomedially; presence of black denticles as in male. Winged male: Similar to wingless male in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: pronotum greatly enlarged, width 1.40, length 1.45, completely covering meso- and metanotum, anterior lobe orange-brown, faintly divided by narrow reddish-brown stripe along longitudinal midline; humeri enlarged, slightly protrusive laterally; posterior pronotal lobe dark brown, broadly domed, posterior half with obscure dark fovae, posterior margin broadly angular, bearing scattered long, gently curving, semi-erect black setae; forewings uniformly dark blackish-brown, slightly paler basally, veins darker, wing apicies extending past apex of abdomen when intact, bearing 4 closed cells consisting of two elongate cells in basal half of wing followed by two smaller cells of subequal size distally near center of wing. Winged female: Unknown.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BE4008095EAFA86FC9560AB.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The name “ elongata ” is derived from the Latin elongatus, meaning “ prolonged, ” and refers to the more elongate body shape of this species in comparison to others in the R. loriae subgroup.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BE4008095EAFA86FC9560AB.taxon	distribution	Distribution. D’Entrecasteaux Islands; endemic to Goodenough Island (Fig. 295). The species range as presently known falls within the D’Entrecasteaux Islands area of freshwater endemism (Area 35) as delineated by D. Polhemus & Allen (2007).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BE4008095EAFA86FC9560AB.taxon	discussion	Discussion. Rhagovelia elongata is the member of the R. loriae subgroup endemic to Goodenough Island in the D’Entrecasteaux group. The characters separating it from other members of this subgroup are provided in the key, and detailed in the discussion under R. loriae. This is the largest of the insular species in this subgroup, with a body length exceeding 3.8 mm in both males and females. Females are similar to those of R. basima from adjacent Fergusson and Normanby islands in having patches of posteriorly-directed golden setae posteromedially on abdominal ventrites II – IV, rather than on only ventrites II and III as in R. loriae and R. guiagoila (compare Fig. 206 to Figs. 203 – 205). However, the central depressions on ventrites IV and V are rather shallow and rounded, rather than deep and transverse as in R. basima (compare Figs. 205, 206). The female connexival margins adjacent to abdominal tergites III and IV are also thinner and more shining in R. elongata as compared to other members of the R. loriae subgroup (compare Fig. 219 to Figs. 216 – 218). Males of R. elongata have the apex of the paramere blunt and rounded (Fig. 293), and the proctiger shape is shorter and stouter than that seen in R. basima, with the basolateral lobes angular and of greater width than the distolateral lobes, and the length of the distal cone distinctly less than that of the distolateral lobes (compare Figs. 287, 294). Ecological notes. Rhagovelia elongata is common on Goodenough Island at elevations below 300 m, but is scarce on the swifter, colder streams above this elevation, where R. torrenticola predominates instead. The Matalamoia River at the type-locality (CL 7187) was a clear, shallow stream in an open, rocky bed, slightly impounded upstream of the Bolubolu to Vivigani road crossing. Rhagovelia elongata was present in very high densities here along the margins of this pooled section, sheltering from the midday sun beneath overhanging grasses, but rare elsewhere along the stream reach sampled. The species was also abundant at Waidala Creek (CL 7188), a clear stream of moderate depth formed from the confluence of several intertwined creeks issuing from numerous spring outflows at the base of a set of low hills. The water depth here was 15 – 60 cm, flowing over a substrate of firm, dark sand with an overlying layer of small dark gravel. This was one of only three drainages with permanent water crossing the road between Bolubolu and Vivigani, and had by far the largest and most steady base flow; it was also the only one of these watercourses lined with a gallery forest. Brass (1956) refers to this as the Wufa Branch of Waidala Creek, and it was used as a water source by the Fourth Archbold Expedition for their Bolubolu camp in 1953. Most of the other clear, cold streams that drain from the high mountains of Goodenough Island vanish into alluvial beds upon reaching the savannahs of the lowlands, leaving only dry, flood-scoured channels. Continuous connection with the perennially flowing upland reaches is apparently established only during spates, which further serves to separate the lowland populations of R. elongata from the upland populations of R. torrenticola.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BF8008795EAF9FDFA056471.taxon	description	This group was alluded to by J. Polhemus & D. Polhemus (1988), who provided certain diagnostic characters but declined to formally name it, since all the included members were at that time undescribed. Subsequently, Lansbury (1993) described a member of this group, R. caesius, from eastern New Guinea, and on the basis of this D. Polhemus (1995) formally proposed the R. caesius group, also adding another species, R. phoretica, from the Philippines. Two further species from the Philippines, R. lansburyi and R. sallyae, were added to this group by Zettel (1995, 2003), who in the latter paper removed these Philippine taxa from the R. caesius group, placing R. phoretica and R. sallyae in a new R. phoretica group, and re-assigning R. lundbladi to the R. borneensis group as defined by J. Polhemus & D. Polhemus (1988). Two additional species, R. styx and R. salawati, both from the Raja Ampat Islands, immediately west of the Vogelkop Peninsula of western New Guinea, were added by D. Polhemus & J. Polhemus (2011), who also questioned the basis on which Zettel (2003) had separated the R. phoretica group from the R. caesius group, since this seemed to be based on little more than geographic disjunction between species assemblages. The R. caesius group is characterized by generally ovate body form when viewed from above, with marked sexual dimorphism in size between large females and smaller males (Figs. 297, 298, 303, 304, 310, 311, 316, 317, 321, 322); a tumid and posteriorly bilobate female mesonotum; male genital segments that are small, and partially retracted into the abdomen, with a slender, reduced male paramere (Figs. 300, 306, 313, 319, 327), and a compact male proctiger lacking either basolateral or distolateral lobes, but with the distal cone well developed and coming to an blunt or broadly rounded apex (Figs. 301, 307, 314, 320, 328); relatively slender legs, with the male hind legs bearing few spines or other armature (Figs. 299, 305, 312, 318, 326); paired dorsal abdominal carinae in winged forms that are short, reaching at most onto abdominal tergite II; forewings with 4 closed cells, all in the basal half of the wing, with two long cells basally and two much shorter cells distally (Fig. 14); and a distinctive silvery coloration, typical of Rhagovelia species that inhabit open, unshaded midstream waters. As noted by D. Polhemus & J. Polhemus (1998, 2011), in general habits and appearance, the members of the R. caesius group are similar to those of the R. diabolica group, endemic to Madagascar (D. Polhemus & Andersen, 2010), and the R. angustipes group, confined to the Neotropical Region (D. Polhemus 1997). However, the basic ground plans of these three groups have noticable differences, so these resemblances are very likely the result of convergent adaptation to life in similar habitats. Despite the presence of several species in the Philippines and in the Raja Ampat Islands, the clear center of species richness for the R. caesius group is the island of New Guinea. Members of this group may be found on open rivers (Figs 152, 315) throughout the island, from just above the head of tidal influence upstream to at least 1500 m elevation. Rhagovelia riu and R. woa from the remote Louisiade Archipelago appear to be primitive progenitors of the R. caesius group, indicating that it may have originated on the EPCT and subsequently dispersed to greater New Guinea and the Philippines. The form of the mesonotum in these species is diagnostic for the R. caesius group, but the body form is more elongate (compare Figs. 296 – 298, 303, 304 to Figs. 310, 311, 316, 317, 321, 324), and the intersexual size dimorphism less pronounced. Overall, the R. caesius group is exhibits many plesiomorphic character states, including a simple male proctiger unmodified by lateral lobes, a small and ovate male paramere, a short pronotum that is not posteriorly prolonged, and slender legs with femora that are not heavily armed or incrassate. The most obvious apomorphic character states in the group are the marked sexual dimorphism in body size, the modification of the male forelegs for grasping the female during phoresy (Fig. 325), and the distinctive silver-grey coloration (Figs. 297, 298, 303, 304, 310, 311, 316, 317, 321, 322). Within the species of the R. caesius group occurring on the EPCT, two distinct subgroups can be recognized and are noted in the key. The species included in each of these subgroups are as follows:	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BFF008495EAFCCDFE4862DB.taxon	materials_examined	Type material examined. — Holotype, wingless male: PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Milne Bay Prov., Louisiade Archipelago, Rossel [Yela] Island, Woa River and rocky tributaries, approx. 4 km. upstream from estuary, 0 – 150 m., 11 ° 20 ' 37 " S, 154 ° 07 ' 06 " E, water temp. 23 ° C., 31 August – 1 September 2002, along margins of main river channel, CL 7196 a, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (BPBM). Paratypes: PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Milne Bay Prov., Louisiade Archipelago, Rossel [Yela] Island: 2 winged males, 6 winged females, 71 wingless males, 76 wingless females, same data as holotype, CL 7196 a, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 1 winged male, 2 winged females, 28 wingless males, 31 wingless females, same data as preceding except skating on open waters of main river, CL 7196 e, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (USNM); 1 wingless male, 2 wingless females, rocky tributary to Woa River, approx. 4 km. upstream from estuary, 15 – 30 m., 11 ° 20 ' 45 " S, 154 ° 07 ' 30 " E, 31 August 2002, CL 7196 b, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (USNM).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BFF008495EAFCCDFE4862DB.taxon	description	Description. Wingless male: Size: Length = 2.00 – 2.10 mm (x = 2.08, n = 5); width = 0.90 – 1.00 mm (x = 1.00, n = 5). Wingless female, length = 2.60 – 2.70 mm (x = 2.64, n = 5); width = 1.10 – 1.25 mm (x = 1.19, n = 5). Winged male, length = 3.50 mm (n = 1); width = 1.45 mm (n = 1). Winged female, length = 3.30 – 3.60 mm (x = 3.45, n = 2); width = 1.30 – 1.35 mm, (x = 1.32, n = 2). Color: Dorsal ground colour black, sparingly marked with dark orange-brown on anterior pronotum, extreme basal sections of antennae and legs dull yellow (Fig. 297). Head black, tylus, genae and rostrum brown, tip of rostrum piceous; eyes dark reddish black. Pronotum black, with transversely ovate orange-brown spot anteromedially behind head vertex, this orange-brown coloration not extending laterally onto pleurae. Mesonotum with numerous shining black microfoveae; metanotum, abdominal tergites and connexiva uniformly dull black, lacking shining areas. Antennal segment I with basal one-third yellow, distal two-thirds plus all of segments II – IV black. Legs generally shining black, with acetabula, fore and hind coxae, fore and hind trochanters dull yellow. Venter uniformly black. Structural characters: Head moderately short, declivant anteriorly, with weakly impressed median line; length 0.27, width 0.70; length of eye along inner margin 0.25, anterior / posterior interocular space, 0.25 / 0.40. Pronotum short, width 0.85, length along midline 0.15, less than dorsal length of head, leaving mesonotum broadly exposed. Mesonotum smooth, bearing numerous microfoveae, humeri depressed, length along midline 0.62. Metanotum barely exposed, length along midline 0.05. Lengths of abdominal tergites II – VIII, respectively: 0.12: 0.12: 0.12: 0.12: 0.12: 0.13: 0.25: 0.10. Connexiva with margins of even width throughout, straight, convergent posteriorly, posterolateral angles not modified, apices separated by entire width of tergite VIII. Entire dorsum and laterotergites covered with fine appressed golden pubescence, intermixed with a few longer, erect black setae on head and propleurae; legs and antennae thickly clothed with short appressed gold setae, with scattered long, erect black spines on anterodorsal faces of antennal segments I and II, anterior and posterior margins of all femora, and anterior margins of fore and hind tibiae; all trochanters lacking pegs or teeth; fore femur gently bowed, fore tibiae strongly bowed in lateral view, not flattened or expanded distally; middle femur and tibia with margins straight, not flattened or otherwise modified; hind femur weakly incrassate, lacking spines or teeth; hind tibia straight, slender, lacking spines or teeth (Fig. 299). Venter of head and thorax lacking small black denticles; meso- and metasternum bearing long, fine dark setae; all abdominal ventrites lying in same plane, lacking a medial carina. Paramere small, stout, in shape of elongated inverted triangle, posteroventral margin bearing a few short, stout setae, apex rounded (Fig. 300). Proctiger small, compact, lacking basolateral or distolateral lobes; distal cone broadly rounded (Fig. 301). Lengths of antennal segments I – IV: 0.80: 0.40: 0.60: 0.50. Lengths of leg segments as follows: femur, tibia, tarsal 1, tarsal 2 of fore leg, 0.90: 1: 00: 0.01: 0.01: 0.16; of middle leg, 1.50: 1.25: 0.05: 0.75: 0.70; of hind leg, 1.20: 1.65: 0.02: 0.05: 0.20. Wingless female: Similar to wingless male in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: mesonotum broadly domed, shape roughly inverted trapezoidal, shorter posterior margin straight; mesopleural regions slightly depressed, weakly concave when viewed from above; metanotum and adjacent medial abdominal tergite I flat, angling downward in a posterior direction; first through third connexival segments vertical, leaving abdominal tergites I – III exposed, then curving broadly and evenly inward to cover lateral sections of abdominal tergite IV, fourth connexival segments strongly convergent, meeting posteriorly and covering all but central one-third of abdominal tergite V, connexival segments V and VI strongly appressed and parallel, entirely covering tergites VI and VII (Fig. 296, 298), connexival margins angled broadly and distinctly upward in area of closest appression above tergites VI and VII, posterolateral connexival angles rounded when viewed laterally, not produced; abdominal tergite VIII and proctiger angling downward at 45 ° angle, tergite VIII dull black, proctiger darker shining black; abdominal ventrite VII shining dark brown. Winged male: Similar to wingless male in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: pronotum greatly enlarged, width 1.30, length 1.25, completely covering meso- and metanotum, anterior margin bearing small, transversely ovate, dark orange patch anteromedially behind head vertex, bounded laterally by pale silvery pruinose areas; humeri enlarged, slightly protrusive laterally; posterior pronotal lobe broadly domed, lacking obvious foveae, posterior margin broadly angular, bearing scattered long, gently curving, semi-erect black setae; forewings uniformly dark blackish-brown, extending past apex of abdomen when intact, bearing 3 closed cells, all in basal half of wing, consisting of two elongate cells basally followed by a single smaller cell distally, this distal cell nested centrally between the posterior apices of the two basal cells. Winged female: Similar to winged male in general body form and coloration, pronotum width 1.40, length 1.40.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BFF008495EAFCCDFE4862DB.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The name “ woa ” is a noun in apposition and refers to the Woa River type-locality on Rossel Island.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BFF008495EAFCCDFE4862DB.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Louisiade Archipelago; endemic to Rossel Island (Fig. 309). The species range as presently known occupies the Rossel Island area of freshwater endemism (Area 39) as delineated by D. Polhemus & Allen (2007).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BFF008495EAFCCDFE4862DB.taxon	discussion	Discussion. Rhagovelia woa is a small, dark-colored member of the R. caesius group, and is similar in many respects to R. riu from Tagula Island, but easily separated by the brown to black coloration of the middle coxa and trochanter in contrast to the yellow coxae and trochanters on the fore and hind legs; in R. riu, by contrast, all the coxae and trochanters are yellow. Also easily distinguished from that species by the very different form of the female abdomen, with the metanotum and abdominal tergite I flat and angling downward rather than produced upward to form a setiferous tumescence, and by the structure of the connexival margins, which are strongly infolded over the lateral abdomen only on their posterior halves (Figs. 296, 298), rather than along their entire lengths as in R. riu. Ecological notes. For a general discussion of the Woa River type-locality, see the earlier discussion under R. mbo. The type series of R. woa was taken from the tailraces of riffles where small tributaries entered the main river channel (Fig. 302). The insects gathered in schools, with a few scattered individuals also being taken on shallow flows at the heads of riffles.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BF2008E95EAFF44FAE661F0.taxon	description	(Figs. 303 – 309)	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BF2008E95EAFF44FAE661F0.taxon	materials_examined	Type material examined. Holotype, wingless male: PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Milne Bay Prov., Louisiade Archipelago, Tagula [Sudest] Island, Kalitau Creek, 1 km. upstream from head of estuary, 0 – 30 m., 11 ° 21 ' 52 " S, 153 ° 14 ' 26 " E, water temp. 24.4 ° C., 29 August 2002, 09: 30 – 14: 30 hrs., CL 7190, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (BPBM). Paratypes: PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Milne Bay Prov., Louisiade Archipelago, Tagula [Sudest] Island: 1 winged male, 1 winged female, 90 wingless males, 101 wingless females, same data as holotype, CL 7190, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (USNM); 2 winged females, 15 wingless males, 22 wingless females, Kolukolu Creek, near Araeda village, 0 – 105 m., 11 ° 26 ' 45 " S, 153 ° 25 ' 57 " E, water temp. 23 ° C., 30 August 2002, 11: 00 – 16: 00 hrs., along margins of main channel, CL 7194 a, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 1 winged male, 1 winged female, same data as preceding except CL 7194 b, highest pool and small rocky tributary creek, D. A. & J. T. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BF2008E95EAFF44FAE661F0.taxon	description	Description. Wingless male: Size: Length = 2.40 – 2.50 mm (x = 2.47, n = 5); width = 0.95 – 1.00 mm (x = 0.99, n = 5). Wingless female, length = 2.90 – 3.20 mm (x = 3.26, n = 5); width = 1.20 – 1.40 mm, (x = 1.29, n = 5). Winged male, length = 3.75 mm (n = 1); width = 1.45 mm (n = x). Winged female, length = 3.75 mm (n = 1); width = 1.45 mm, (n = 1). Color: Dorsal ground colour black, marked with dark orange-brown on anterior pronotum, basal sections of antennae and legs orange-yellow (Fig. 303). Head black, tylus, genae and rostrum brown, tip of rostrum piceous; eyes dark reddish black. Pronotum black, with transversely ovate orange-brown spot anteromedially behind head vertex, this orange-brown coloration not extending laterally onto pleurae. Mesonotum with numerous shining black microfoveae; metanotum, abdominal tergites and connexiva uniformly dull black, lacking shining areas. Antennal segment I with basal one-third yellow, distal two-thirds plus all of segments II – IV black. Legs generally shining black, with acetabula, coxae, trochanters, basal one-third of fore femur orange-yellow. Venter uniformly black. Structural characters: Head moderately short, declivant anteriorly, with weakly impressed median line; length 0.35, width 0.67; length of eye along inner margin 0.25, anterior / posterior interocular space, 0.20 / 0.42. Pronotum short, width 0.87, length along midline 0.15, less than dorsal length of head, leaving mesonotum broadly exposed. Mesonotum smooth, bearing numerous microfoveae, humeri depressed, length along midline 0.65. Metanotum barely exposed, length along midline 0.05. Lengths of abdominal tergites I – VIII, respectively: 0.12: 0.12: 0.12: 0.12: 0.12: 0.13: 0.25: 0.10. Connexiva with margins of even width throughout, straight, convergent posteriorly, posterolateral angles not modified, apices separated by entire width of tergite VIII. Entire dorsum and laterotergites covered with fine appressed golden pubescence, intermixed with a few longer, erect black setae on head and propleurae; legs and antennae thickly clothed with short appressed gold setae, with scattered long, erect black spines on anterodorsal faces of antennal segments I and II, anterior and posterior margins of all femora, and anterior margins of fore and hind tibiae; all trochanters lacking pegs or teeth; fore femur gently bowed, fore tibiae strongly bowed in lateral view, not flattened or expanded distally; middle femur and tibia with margins straight, not flattened or otherwise modified; hind femur weakly incrassate, lacking spines or teeth; hind tibia straight, slender, lacking spines or teeth (Fig. 305). Venter of head and thorax lacking small black denticles; meso- and metasternum bearing long, fine dark setae; all abdominal ventrites lying in same plane, lacking medial carinae. Paramere small, moderately stout, ventral margin broadly rounded and bearing a few short, stout setae posteriorly, dorsal margin straight basally, with pre-apical notch, apex thumb-like, rounded (Fig. 306). Proctiger small, compact, lacking basolateral or distolateral lobes; distal cone broadly rounded (Fig. 307). Lengths of antennal segments I – IV: 0.70: 0.48: 0.50: 0.45. Lengths of leg segments as follows: femur, tibia, tarsal 1, tarsal 2 of fore leg, 0.90: 0.90: 0.01: 0.01: 0.13; of middle leg, 1.50: 1.35: 0.05: 0.70: 0.67; of hind leg, 1.12: 1.65: 0.02: 0.03: 0.25. Wingless female: Similar to wingless male in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: mesonotum broadly domed, shape roughly inverted trapezoidal, shorter posterior margin weakly anteriorly concave; mesopleural regions strongly depressed, concave when viewed from above; metanotum and adjacent medial abdominal tergite I upwardly tumescent, set with numerous long, erect black setae; lateral sections of connexival segments I – V folded inward over lateral portions of corresponding abdominal tergites, leaving abdominal laterotergites in a horizontal position facing upward; connexival margins strongly convergent posteriorly, meeting over posterior margin of abdominal tergite V and entirely covering tergites VI and VII (Fig. 304), posterolateral connexival angles broadly rounded when viewed laterally, slightly domed upward in area of closest appression above tergites VI and VII; abdominal tergite VIII and proctiger lying in nearly vertical orientation, tergite VIII dull black, proctiger darker shining black; abdominal ventrite VII shining dark brown. Winged male: Similar to wingless male in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: pronotum greatly enlarged, width 1.45, length 1.50, completely covering meso- and metanotum, anterior margin bearing small, transversely ovate, dark orange patch anteromedially behind head vertex, bounded laterally by pale silvery pruinose areas; humeri enlarged, slightly protrusive laterally; posterior pronotal lobe broadly domed, lacking obvious foveae, posterior margin broadly angular, bearing numerous long, gently curving, semi-erect black setae; forewings uniformly dark blackish-brown, extending past apex of abdomen when intact, bearing 3 closed cells all in basal half of wing, consisting of two elongate cells basally followed by a single much smaller distal cell near the middle of the wing, set centrally between the posterior apices of the two basal cells. Winged female: Similar to winged male in general body form and coloration, with following exceptions: body size larger, pronotum width 1.45, length 1.50, with humeri prominent.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BF2008E95EAFF44FAE661F0.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The name “ riu ” is a noun in apposition, and refers to Mt. Riu, the highest mountain on the island of Tagula and source of Kolukolu Creek, along which the type series of this species was collected.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BF2008E95EAFF44FAE661F0.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Louisiade Archipelago; endemic to Tagula Island (Fig. 309). The species range as presently known occupies the Tagula Island area of freshwater endemism (Area 38) as delineated by D. Polhemus & Allen (2007).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BF2008E95EAFF44FAE661F0.taxon	discussion	Discussion. Rhagovelia riu is a dark-colored member of the R. caesius group occurring on Tagula Island in the Louisiade Archipelago, and is superficially similar to Rhagovelia woa from Rossel Island, with which it shares the character state of having the second tarsal segment of the middle leg longer than the third. It may be separated from that species by the uniformly yellow coloration of all the coxae and trochanters (Figs, 303, 304), versus having the middle coxae and trochanters dark brown to black in R. woa; the form of the female abdomen, which has tergite I produced upward to form a setiferous tumescence, versus being flat and angled downward in R. woa; and by the structure of the connexival margins, which are strongly infolded over the lateral abdomen along their entire lengths (Fig. 304), versus only on their posterior halves in R. woa. Ecological notes. For descriptions of the habitats in which this species was taken, see the preceding discussion under R. tagula. At Kolukolu Creek, R. riu was taken on slow-flowing pools or at the heads of riffles (Fig. 308).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BF600F295EAF968FC9C640F.taxon	description	(Figs. 310 – 315, 330)	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BF600F295EAF968FC9C640F.taxon	materials_examined	Type material examined. Holotype, wingless female: PAPUA NEW GUINEA, New Guinea, Milne Bay Prov., Watuti River at Mila village, Sagarai River basin, 90 m., 10 ° 29 ' 57 " S, 150 ° 17 ' 27 " E, water temp. 30 ° C., 7 April 2002, 13: 30 – 16: 00 hrs., CL 7166, D. A. Polhemus and J. T. Polhemus (BPBM). Paratypes: PAPUA NEW GUINEA, New Guinea, Milne Bay Prov.: 332 wingless males, 332 wingless females, 9 immatures, same data as holotype, CL 7166, D. A. Polhemus and J. T. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 203 wingless males, 190 wingless females, 2 immatures, Gumini River at road bridge, SW of Alotau, 15 m., 10 ° 19 ' 08 " S, 150 ° 14 ' 07 " E, water temp. 30 ° C. (main channel), 28 ° C. (shaded side pools), 21 January 2004, 10: 30 – 14: 00 hrs., CL 7174, D. A. Polhemus and J. T. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 15 winged males, 22 winged females, 29 wingless males, 26 wingless females, Muguwe Creek, W. of Naura, 16 mi. W. of Alotau, 70 m., 10 ° 17 ' 20 " S, 150 ° 12 ' 10 " E, water temp. 25.5 ° C., 9 April 2002, 10: 00 – 11: 30 hrs., CL 7169, D. A. Polhemus and J. T. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BF600F295EAF968FC9C640F.taxon	description	Description Wingless male: Size: Length = 2.40 – 2.60 mm (x = 2.51, n = 5); width = 1.10 – 1.30 mm (x = 1.18, n = 5). Wingless female, length = 3.10 – 3.40 mm (x = 3.22, n = 5); width = 1.50 – 1.80 mm (x = 1.66, n = 5). Winged male (fully alate), length = 3.00 mm (n = 1); width = 1.40 mm (n = 1). Winged female (fully alate), length = 3.60 mm (n = 1); width = 1.60 mm (n = 1). Color: Dorsal ground color dark pruinose grey, marked with dull yellow on basal antennae and legs, and dark orange centrally on anterior pronotum; legs predominantly shining black (Fig. 316). Head dark pruinose grey; tylus, juga, rostrum and antennal sockets dark brown; eyes silver; frons and vertex set with scattered long erect black setae. Pronotum dark pruinose grey, with small, transversely ovate, dark orange spot anteromedially behind head vertex, this orange coloration not extending onto the propleura; surface bearing scattered long, erect black setae. Mesonotum, metanotum, and all abdominal tergites and connexiva dark pruinose grey, surfaces bearing scattered long, erect black setae, lacking shining, glabrous areas. Antennal segment I with basal one-fourth dark yellow, distal portion plus all of segments II – IV black. Legs predominantly black, except fore and hind coxae and trochanters yellowish-brown. Venter pruinose grey, all acetabula dark yellow on ventral margins, abdominal ventrites VII – IX shining brown. Structural characters: Head moderately short, declivant anteriorly, with weakly impressed median line; head length 0.35, width 0.80; length of eye along inner margin 0.25, anterior / posterior interocular space, 0.25 / 0.45. Pronotum length along midline less than dorsal length of head, leaving mesonotum broadly exposed, length 0.25, width 0.90; mesonotum lacking foveae, length along midline 0.75; metanotum length along midline 0.05. Lengths of abdominal tergites I – VIII, respectively: 0.10: 0.13: 0.12: 0.12: 0.10: 0.10: 0.30: 0.10. Connexiva with margins of even width throughout, bowed outward, posterolateral angles not modified, separated by entire width of tergite VIII, posterolateral angles lacking setal tufts (Fig. 316). Entire dorsum and laterotergites covered with very short, fine, appressed pale pubescence, interspersed with scattered longer, erect black setae; legs and antennae thickly clothed with short appressed pale setae, with scattered long, erect, bristly black setae on anterodorsal faces of antennal segments I and II, and anterior margins of all femora; fore trochanter with a dense tuft of short black setae ventrally at apex; middle and hind trochanters lacking setal tufts, pegs or teeth; fore femur with ventral surface flattened, bearing a single very long, slender black seta basally, and thick fringe of short, erect, pale setae along entire length; fore tibia bowed, dorsal face bearing long, erect, dark setae, lengths of these setae exceeding thickness of tibia, ventral face bearing very short erect pale setae; middle femur slender and unmodified, with posterior margin bearing 10 – 12 erect, bristly black setae; middle tibia straight, cylindrical; hind femur very weakly incrassate, lacking spines; hind tibia straight, unmodified, unarmed (Fig. 318). Venter lacking minute black denticles on ventral head or thorax; mesosternum weakly depressed centrally, bearing erect gold setae in a V-shaped pattern with apex directed anterad; metasternum very slightly tumescent; abdominal ventrites I – VII horizontal, not carinate or otherwise sculptured; ventrites VIII – X strongly narrowed. Male paramere slender, gently curving, bearing short, stout setae ventrally on apical half, overall form crescent-shaped, apex broadly rounded (Fig. 320). Male proctiger small, compact, heavily sclerotized, overall form subtrapezoidal, lateral margins gradually convergent posteriorly; basolateral lobes lobes small, broadly angular; distolateral lobes not developed; distal cone with posterior margin broadly angular (Fig. 319). Lengths of antennal segments I – IV: 0.90: 0.50: 0.45: 0.40. Lengths of leg segments as follows: femur, tibia, tarsal 1, tarsal 2, tarsal 3 of fore leg, 0.75: 1.00: 0.01: 0.02: 0.15; of middle leg, 1.80: 1.35: 0.10: 0.70: 0.80; of hind leg, 1.30: 1.90: 0.05: 0.20: 0.30. Wingless female: Similar to wingless male in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: overall body size much larger; dorsum lacking long, erect, black setae; mesonotum broadly tumescent and domed, posteriorly bilobate; metanotum and abdominal tergite I with a pair (1 + 1) of depressions to either side of broadly tumescent longitudinal midline; abdominal tergites very broad in relation to lengths; proctiger shining black dorsally; connexiva broadly bowed outward (Fig. 317); all trochanters lacking setal tufts or spines; abdominal ventrite VII with a broad glabrous dark brown patch centrally, a small pale mark present in center of posterior margin at longitudinal midline; gonocoxae vertical, commissure not carinate; proctiger angled downward at 45 ° when viewed laterally. Legs longer than in male, proportions as follows: femur, tibia, tarsal 1, tarsal 2, tarsal 3 of fore leg, 1.00: 1.20: 0.01: 0.02: 0.30; of middle leg, 1.65: 1.15: 0.10: 0.75: 0.55; of hind leg, 1.25: 1.15: 0.05: 0.15: 0.25. Winged male: Similar to wingless male in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: pronotum greatly enlarged, width 1.40, length 1.25, completely covering meso- and metanotum, humeri enlarged, anterior lobe bearing small, transversely ovate, dark orange patch anteromedially behind head vertex, bounded laterally by pale silvery pruinose areas; posterior pronotal lobe broadly domed, lacking obvious foveae, posterior margin broadly angular, bearing scattered long, semi-erect black setae; forewings uniformly dark brown, extending past apex of abdomen when intact, bearing 4 closed cells, consisting of two elongate cells in basal half of the wing followed by two much smaller distal cells of subequal size, all in basal half of the wing. Winged female: Similar to wingless female in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: body size larger, pronotum width 1.60, length 1.50, with humeri prominent.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BF600F295EAF968FC9C640F.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The name “ grisea ” is derived from the Latin griseus, meaning “ grey, ” and refers to the coloration of this species.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BF600F295EAF968FC9C640F.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Southeastern New Guinea (Fig. 330). The species range as presently known occupies the Cloudy Mountains area of freshwater endemism (Area 34) as delineated by D. Polhemus & Allen (2007).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32BF600F295EAF968FC9C640F.taxon	discussion	Discussion. Rhagovelia grisea is a typical member of the R. caesius group, with flattened, ovate females, and smaller, more elongate males. It may be distinguished from other members of this group in the EPCT by the form of the male fore trochanter, which bears a dense tuft of short black setae ventrally at the apex; the weakly and broadly bowed male fore tibia (Fig. 316); and the structure of the female metanotum and abdominal tergite I, which bears a pair (1 + 1) of depressions to either side of a broadly tumescent longitudinal midline (Fig. 317). Ecological notes. The Watuti River type-locality at Mila (CL 7166), lying in the Sagarai River basin between the Cloudy Mountains and the Pini Range, was a broad, clear, moderately swift river spreading in a fairly shallow flow 0.3 – 0.6 m deep over an unshaded bed of sand, gravel and cobbles, with a few faster chutes just downstream of the road ford. Rhagovelia grisea was abundant here, forming schools in the lee of large, widely scattered, emergent rocks. The species was also common at the Gumini River north of the Pini Range near Alotau, a moderately broad, unshaded lowland stream flowing smoothly through a bed of cobbles and sand, with alternating shallow riffles and deep pools (Fig. 315). Throughout the Alotau area R. grisea is a species of open rivers, rather than the shaded, rocky hill streams favored by many other Rhagovelia species.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B8A00F095EAFE41FEA86095.taxon	description	(Figs. 152, 316 – 320, 330)	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B8A00F095EAFE41FEA86095.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Morobe Prov., New Guinea: 1 winged female, 52 wingless males, 37 wingless females, tributary to lower Aleater [= Alewiri] River, W. of Sachsen Bay, 5 m., 7 ° 19 ' 14.7 " S, 147 ° 07 ' 34.9 " E, water temp. 27 ° C., 3 May 2003, 13: 00 – 15: 00 hrs., CL 7241, D. A. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM). Northern (Oro) Prov.: 1 winged male, 1 winged female, 17 immatures, Boikiki, 26 July 1985, J. Ismay (BPBM).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B8A00F095EAFE41FEA86095.taxon	description	Redescription Wingless male: Size — Length = 2.20 – 2.45 mm (x = 2.37, n = 5); width = 1.05 – 1.10 mm (x = 1.09, n = 5). Wingless female, length = 3.20 – 3.40 mm (x = 3.30, n = 5); width = 1.50 – 1.70 mm, (x = 1.60, n = 5). Winged male, length = 3.40 mm (n = 1); width = 1.60 mm (n = 1). Winged female, length = 4.20 mm (n = 1); width = 1.90 mm (n = 1). Color: Dorsal ground colour dark pruinose grey, marked with dull yellow on basal antennae, pronotum slightly paler grey with dark orange patch anteromedially (Fig. 316); legs predominantly shining black, with basal segments dark brown. Head dark pruinose grey; tylus, juga, rostrum and antennal sockets dark brown; eyes dark red; frons and vertex set with scattered long erect black setae. Pronotum pruinose grey, with small, transversely ovate, dark orange spot anteromedially behind head vertex, this orange coloration not extending onto the propleura; surface bearing scattered long, erect black setae. Mesonotum, metanotum, and all abdominal tergites and connexiva dark pruinose grey, surfaces bearing scattered long, erect black setae, lacking shining, glabrous areas. Antennal segment I with basal one-third dark yellow, distal third plus all of segments II – IV black. Legs predominantly black, except all trochanters and coxae dark brown. Venter pruinose grey, middle and hind acetabula shining dark brown on ventral margins, abdominal ventrites VII – IX shining black. Structural characters: Head moderately short, declivant anteriorly, with weakly impressed median line; head length 0.30, width 0.75; length of eye along inner margin 0.25, anterior / posterior interocular space, 0.25 / 0.40. Pronotum length along midline less than dorsal length of head, leaving mesonotum broadly exposed, length 0.20, width 0.90; mesonotum lacking foveae, length along midline 0.70; metanotum length along midline 0.05. Lengths of abdominal tergites I – VIII, respectively: 0.10: 0.10: 0.10: 0.10: 0.10: 0.15: 0.25: 0.15. Connexiva with margins of even width throughout, margins bowed outward, posterolateral angles not modified, separated by entire width of tergite VIII, posterolateral angles lacking setal tufts. Entire dorsum and laterotergites covered with very short, fine, appressed pale pubescence, interspersed with numerous longer, erect black setae; legs and antennae thickly clothed with short appressed pale setae, with scattered long, erect, bristly black setae on anterodorsal faces of antennal segments I and II, and anterior margins of all femora; fore trochanter with a dense tuft of short black setae ventrally at apex; middle and hind trochanters lacking setal tufts, pegs or teeth; fore femur with ventral surface slightly flattened, bearing a single very long, slender black seta basally, and thick fringe of short, erect, pale setae along entire length; fore tibia bowed, dorsal face bearing long, erect, dark setae, lengths of these setae exceeding thickness of tibia, ventral face bearing very short erect pale setae, grasping comb short, length 1 / 7 that of entire femur; middle femur slender and unmodified, with posterior margin bearing 8 – 10 erect, bristly black setae; middle tibia straight, cylindrical; hind femur very weakly incrassate, lacking spines; hind tibia straight, unmodified, bearing scattered long, bristly black setae, these setae becoming more numerous and closely spaced on distal section of anterior margin (Fig. 318). Venter lacking minute black denticles on ventral head or thorax; mesosternum weakly depressed centrally, bearing V-shaped line of erect gold setae with apex directed anterad; metasternum not tumescent; abdominal ventrites I – VII horizontal, not carinate or otherwise sculptured; ventrites VIII – X strongly narrowed. Paramere small, stout, weakly crescent-shaped, posteroventral margin bearing a few short setae, apex truncate (Fig. 319). Proctiger small, compact, lacking development of basolateral or distolateral lobes; distal cone broadly rounded (Fig. 320). Lengths of antennal segments I – IV: 0.75: 0.40: 0.35: 0.40. Lengths of leg segments as follows: femur, tibia, tarsal 1, tarsal 2, tarsal 3 of fore leg, 0.90: 0.90: 0.01: 0.02: 0.15; of middle leg, 1.35: 1.10: 0.07: 0.60: 0.65; of hind leg, 1.00: 1.35: 0.05: 0.05: 0.25. Wingless female: Similar to wingless male in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: overall body size much larger; dorsum lacking long, erect, black setae except at lateral margins of pronotum; mesonotum broadly tumescent and domed, posteriorly bilobate, posterior margin truncate, slightly anteriorly concave centrally; metanotum and abdominal tergite I with a pair (1 + 1) of weakly developed depressions to either side of slightly tumescent longitudinal midline (Fig. 317); abdominal tergites very broad in relation to lengths; proctiger shining black dorsally; connexiva broadly bowed outward (Fig. 317); all trochanters lacking setal tufts or spines; abdominal ventrite VII with a broad glabrous dark brown patch centrally; gonocoxae vertical, commissure not carinate; proctiger angled downward at 45 ° when viewed laterally. Legs longer than in male, proportions as follows: femur, tibia, tarsal 1, tarsal 2, tarsal 3 of fore leg, 1.15: 1.20: 0.01: 0.02: 0.30; of middle leg, 1.75: 1.30: 0.10: 0.70: 0.95; of hind leg, 1.25: 1.75: 0.05: 0.20: 0.35. Winged male: Similar to wingless male in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: pronotum greatly enlarged, width 1.60, length 1.50, completely covering meso- and metanotum, humeri enlarged, anterior lobe dark gray faintly overlain with silvery pruinosity; posterior pronotal lobe broadly domed, lacking obvious foveae, posterior margin broadly angular, bearing scattered long, semi-erect black setae; forewings including veins uniformly dark brown, extending far past apex of abdomen when intact, bearing 4 closed cells, consisting of two elongate cells in basal half of the wing followed by two much smaller distal cells of roughly equal size, all in basal half of wing. Winged female: Similar to winged male in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: overall size larger, pronotum width 1.90, length 1.70.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B8A00F095EAFE41FEA86095.taxon	distribution	Distribution. This species was previously recorded from Popondetta, Kokoda, Buso, and the Lae-Bulolo road (Lansbury 1993), although it is possible that the latter series may represent a different species. The new records from the foothills of the Bowutu Mountains at Kamiali are not far from Buso (Fig. 330), and the specimens from there match Lansbury’s figures well. The species range as presently known occupies the Morobe Highands area of freshwater endemism (Area 22) as delineated by D. Polhemus & Allen (2007).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B8A00F095EAFE41FEA86095.taxon	discussion	Discussion. Rhagovelia caesius is superficially similar to R. grisea, which occurs further east near the tip of the Papuan Peninsula, but can be distinguished from that species by posteriorly bilobate female mesothorax with an anteriorly concave posterior margin (Fig. 317); the uniformly dark male coxae and trochanters, in contrast to the yellowish-brown fore and hind coxae and trochanters in R. grisea; the male hind tibia with a group of closely spaced bristly black setae on distal section of the anterior margin (Fig. 318); and the longer female hind tibia, with the hind femur / tibia ratio being 1.00 / 1.35 in R. caesius, versus 1.00 / 1.09 in R. grisea. In the few winged females at hand both the inner and outer distal cells of the forewing are developed, though quite small, whereas in the one winged male only the outer cell is present. Ecological notes. Rhagovelia caesius was common along the terminal reach of the Aleater River near Kamiali village (Fig. 152), where it co-occurred with R. hirsuta. For a description of this locality see the notes under the latter species.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B8800F495EAF9FFFAA66133.taxon	description	(Figs. 321 – 330)	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B8800F495EAF9FFFAA66133.taxon	materials_examined	Type material examined. Holotype, wingless female: PAPUA NEW GUINEA, New Guinea, Central Prov., Owen Stanley Range, Udabe River headwaters, 1.75 km. WNW of Woitape, 1615 – 1645 m., 8 ° 32 ' 02 " S, 147 ° 14 ' 16 " E, water temp. 16.5 ° C., 1 October 2003, 09: 00 – 14: 00 hrs., from margins of main river channel, CL 7247 a, D. A. Polhemus (BPBM). Paratypes: PAPUA NEW GUINEA, New Guinea, Central Prov.: 65 winged males, 46 winged females, 14 wingless males, 19 wingless females, same data as holotype, CL 7247 a, D. A. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 9 winged males, 5 winged females, 5 wingless males, 5 wingless females, same data as holotype except 8 ° 32 ' 03 " S, 147 ° 14 ' 20 " E, tributary creek entering main river channel, CL 7247 b, D. A. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 6 wingless males, 6 wingless females, Owen Stanley Range, Om Creek, trib. to upper Udabe River, 1.85 km. SSE of Woitape, 1585 m., 8 ° 33 ' 28 " S, 147 ° 15 ' 22 " E, water temp. 19 ° C., 2 October 2003, 12: 00 – 12: 30 hrs., CL 7251, D. A. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 35 winged males, 24 winged females, Owen Stanley Range, Mas River, 2.0 km. SW of Fane, 1235 m., 8 ° 33 ' 25 " S, 147 ° 04 ' 04 " E, water temp. 20 ° C., 5 October 2003, 10: 00 – 13: 30 hrs., CL 7257, D. A. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 2 winged males, 1 winged female, Owen Stanley Range, trib. to Mas River, 1.9 km. SW of Fane, 1220 – 1250 m., 8 ° 33 ' 33 " S, 147 ° 04 ' 12 " E, water temp. 20.5 ° C., 5 October 2003, 10: 45 – 12: 30 hrs., CL 7258, D. A. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 61 winged males, 45 winged females, 4 wingless males, 8 wingless females, Owen Stanley Range, Hane River, 1.8 km. SSE of Fane, 1310 – 1370 m., 8 ° 34 ' 00 " S, 147 ° 05 ' 10 " E, water temp. 19 ° C., 3 October 2003, 10: 30 – 13: 30 hrs., CL 7253, D. A. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM); 32 winged males, 48 winged females, 4 wingless males, 3 wingless females, 140 immatures, Owen Stanley Range, upper Mimani River, 1.70 km. NE of Dorobisoro, 535 m., 9 ° 27 ' 25 " S, 147 ° 56 ' 15 " E, water temp. 23.5 ° C., 7 October 2003, 13: 00 – 15: 00 hrs., from margins of main river channel, CL 7260 a, D. A. Polhemus (USNM, BPBM).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B8800F495EAF9FFFAA66133.taxon	description	Description Wingless male: Size: Length = 2.30 – 2.50 mm (x = 2.43, n = 4); width = 1.30 – 1.40 mm (x = 1.33, n = 4). Wingless female, length = 3.30 – 3.70 mm (x = 3.66, n = 5); width = 1.70 – 1.90 mm, (x = 1.77, n = 5). Winged male (fully alate), length = 3.50 – 3.90 mm (x = 3.59, n = 4); width = 1.40 – 1.65 mm (x = 1.56, n = 4). Winged female (fully alate), length = 4.40 – 5.00 mm (x = 4.52, n = 5); width = 1.90 – 2.00 mm (x = 1.95, n = 5). Color: Dorsal ground color dark blackish-grey, marked with pale yellow on basal antennae and acetabula, legs brown basally, predominantly shining black distally (Fig. 321). Head dark blackish-grey; tylus, juga, rostrum and antennal tubercles dark brown; eyes dark red; frons and vertex set with scattered long erect black setae. Pronotum entirely dark blackish-grey, lacking small, transversely ovate, dark orange spot anteromedially behind head vertex, anterior lobe with faint silver pruinosity; surface bearing scattered long, erect black setae. Mesonotum, metanotum, and all abdominal tergites and connexival segments bearing scattered long, erect black setae, lacking shining, glabrous areas. Antennal segment I with basal one-fourth pale yellow, distal portion plus all of segments II – IV black. Legs predominantly shining black, except fore and hind coxae and trochanters yellowish-brown, middle coxae dark brown. Venter dark pruinose grey, all acetabula pale yellow, abdominal ventrites VII – IX with broad, shining brown areas centrally. Structural characters: Head moderately short, declivant anteriorly, with weakly impressed median line; head length 0.35, width 0.75; length of eye along inner margin 0.25, anterior / posterior interocular space, 0.25 / 0.45. Pronotum length along midline less than dorsal length of head, leaving mesonotum broadly exposed, length 0.25, width 1.15; mesonotum lacking foveae, length along midline 0.70; metanotum length along midline 0.05. Lengths of abdominal tergites I – VIII, respectively: 0.10: 0.10: 0.10: 0.10: 0.07: 0.10: 0.30: 0.10. Connexiva with margins of even width throughout, bowed outward, posterolateral angles not modified, separated by entire width of tergite VIII, posterolateral angles with a few scattered long, posteriorly-directed black setae but lacking setal tufts (Fig. 321). Entire dorsum and laterotergites covered with very short, fine, appressed pale pubescence, interspersed with scattered longer, erect black setae; legs and antennae thickly clothed with short appressed pale setae, with scattered long, erect, bristly black setae on anterodorsal faces of antennal segments I and II, and anterior margins of all femora; fore trochanter with a dense, tapering tuft of short black setae ventrally at apex, resembling a small spine; middle and hind trochanters lacking setal tufts, pegs or teeth; fore femur with ventral surface slightly flattened, bearing a single very long, slender black seta basally, and thick fringe of short, erect, pale setae along entire length; fore tibia bowed with distinct bend at two-thirds distance from base (Fig. 325), dorsal face bearing long, erect, dark setae, lengths of these setae exceeding thickness of tibia, ventral face bearing very short erect pale setae and 7 long, black setae along interior curve of sharply bent section; middle femur slender and unmodified, with posterior margin bearing 8 erect, slender, straight black setae; middle tibia straight, cylindrical; hind femur very weakly incrassate, bearing a single small, sharp, slender black spine at one-third distance from base, followed distally by 2 much smaller sharp spines; hind tibia straight, unmodified, unarmed (Fig. 326). Venter lacking minute black denticles on ventral head or thorax; mesosternum weakly depressed centrally, bearing V-shaped line of erect gold setae with apex directed anterad, these setae set on a weak, posteriorly opening V-shaped carina that continues onto metasternum; metasternum very slightly tumescent; abdominal ventrite I angled into vertical orientation, ventrites II – VII horizontal, not carinate or otherwise sculptured; ventrites VIII – X slightly retracted into ventrite VII. Paramere small, slender, crescent-shaped, posteroventral margin bearing a few short, stout setae, apex weakly notched (Fig. 327). Proctiger small, compact; basolateral lobes not developed; distolateral lobes weakly developed, rounded; distal cone tapering, apex slightly angular (Fig. 328). Lengths of antennal segments I – IV: 0.55: 0.40: 0.45: 0.40. Lengths of leg segments as follows: femur, tibia, tarsal 1, tarsal 2, tarsal 3 of fore leg, 0.95: 0.90: 0.01: 0.02: 0.17; of middle leg, 1.30: 1.15: 0.10: 0.55: 0.70; of hind leg, 0.95: 1.35: 0.05: 0.10: 0.25. Wingless female: Similar to wingless male in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: overall body size much larger; dorsum lacking long, erect, black setae; pronotum with small, transversely ovate, dark orange patch anteromedially behind head vertex, bounded laterally by pale silvery pruinose areas; mesonotum broadly tumescent and domed, posterior margin transversely truncate; metanotum and abdominal tergite I with a pair (1 + 1) of depressions to either side of the broadly tumescent longitudinal midline; abdominal tergites very broad in relation to lengths; proctiger shining black dorsally; connexiva broadly bowed outward (Fig. 322); all trochanters lacking setal tufts or spines; fore tibia straight; hind femur unarmed; abdominal ventrite VII with a broad glabrous dark brown patch centrally; gonocoxae vertical, commissure not carinate; proctiger angled downward at less than 45 ° when viewed laterally. Legs longer than in male, proportions as follows: femur, tibia, tarsal 1, tarsal 2, tarsal 3 of fore leg, 1.25: 1.25: 0.01: 0.04: 0.30; of middle leg, 1.15: 1.75: 0.10: 0.70: 0.85; of hind leg, 1.25: 1.75: 0.05: 0.40: 0.35. Winged male: Similar to wingless male in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: pronotum greatly enlarged, width 1.50, length 1.30, completely covering meso- and metanotum, humeri enlarged, posterior apex angular, anterior margin bearing small, transversely ovate, dark orange patch anteromedially behind head vertex, bounded laterally by pale silvery pruinose areas; posterior pronotal lobe broadly domed, lacking obvious foveae, posterior margin broadly angular, bearing numerous long, semi-erect black setae; forewings uniformly dark brown, extending past apex of abdomen when intact, bearing 4 closed cells, consisting of two elongate cells in basal half of the wing followed by two much smaller distal cells of subequal size, all in basal half of the wing (Fig. 323). Winged female: Similar to wingless female in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: body size larger, pronotum width 1.95, length 1.75, with humeri prominent (Fig. 324).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B8800F495EAF9FFFAA66133.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The name “ cheesmanae ” honors G. Evelyn Cheesman for her pioneering entomological collections in New Guinea.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B8800F495EAF9FFFAA66133.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Known only from eastern Papuan Peninsula of southeastern New Guinea (Fig. 330). The species range as presently understood occupies the Owen Stanley Mountains area of freshwater endemism (Area 31) as delineated by D. Polhemus & Allen (2007). Comparative notes. Rhagovelia cheesmanae is an upland species that can be separated from the other members of the R. grisea subgroup occurring in the EPCT region by its darker grey coloration (Figs. 325, 326); the short and stout first antennal segment which is less than twice the length of the second (Figs. 325, 326); the relatively short and broad body form in males, with the length less than twice the maximum width; and the strongly domed female mesoscutum. All of the coxae and trochanters are dark-colored in males, and the male hind tibia bears a group of closely spaced bristly black setae on the distal section of the anterior margin. The development of the cross veins defining the distal cells of the forewing is intraspecifically variable across long series, with either the inner or outer distal cell sometimes not fully defined. Biological notes. Rhagovelia cheesmanae occurs at higher elevations than other R. caesius group species in the EPCT, with all collections having come from elevations between 500 and 1700 m. The type-locality along the Udabe River headwaters near Woitape (CL 7247) was a swift, clear, heavily shaded second-order river 4 – 6 m wide and 0.3 – 1.0 m deep, flowing in a bed of rocks and cobbles interspersed with a few large boulders, and bordered by slightly disturbed upland rain forest (Figs. 329). Rhagovelia cheesmanae was abundant here, schooling along the channel margins. On the Hane River near Fane (CL 7253), R. cheesmanae was again taken from a similar habitat, a swift, clear mountain creek 0.3 – 1.0 m wide and 0.3 – 1.3 m deep, flowing in a bed of boulders and cobbles. The stream was bordered by grasses near the small hydro intake that served the nearby mission station, changing over to undisturbed montane rain forest not far upstream. Along the Mimani River near Dorobisoro (CL 7260), R. cheesmanae was collected from the margins of pools along this moderately large, swift, clear river, which flowed through a boulder-strewn bed with periodic runs over gravel and cobbles. Lying at 535 m, this is the lowest elevation at which the species has so far been found.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B8200F995EAFB3EFE5D62FA.taxon	description	(Figs. 331 – 336)	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B8200F995EAFB3EFE5D62FA.taxon	materials_examined	Material Examined. PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Morobe Prov.: 5 wingless males, 6 wingless females, 11 immatures, Namie Creek along Mt. Kaindi road, above Wau, 1650 m, [7 ° 19 ’ 57 ” S, 146 ° 01 ’ 09 ” E], 17 September 1983, CL 1829, D. A. Polhemus & J. T. Polhemus (USNM ex JTPC, BPBM); 2 wingless males, upper Poverty Creek on Mt. Missim, near Wau, 1600 m., 18 September 1983, CL 1830, D. A. Polhemus & J. T. Polhemus (BPBM).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B8200F995EAFB3EFE5D62FA.taxon	description	Redescription. Wingless male: Size: Length = 4.30 – 4.80 (x = 4.57, n = 4); width = 1.40 – 1.60 (x = 1.50, n = 4). Wingless female, length = 4.15 – 4.30 (x = 4.24, n = 5); width = 1.50 – 1.60 (x = 1.57, n = 5). Color: Dorsal ground color dark brown, marked with dark yellow to orange-brown on basal antennae, anterior pronotum, central section of mesonotum, connexiva and basal legs (Fig. 331). Head black; lower frons and tylus brown, jugae and rostrum dark yellow, rostrum fuscous ventromedially, piceous distally; eyes dark silvery. Pronotum dark yellow on anterior half, this yellowish coloration continuing laterally as a continuous band onto the propleurae, posterior half black. Mesonotum broadly dark brown posterolaterally, narrowly dark orange-brown anteromedially, this orange coloration in the form of a broad triangle with the apex directed posteriorly. Metanotum and abdominal tergites I – IV uniformly dark blackish-brown, tergites V – VII mostly dark blackish-brown, but slightly suffused with orange-brown to varying degrees centrally; all abdominal tergites uniformly dull and overlain with short appressed gold setae, lacking shining areas; connexiva dark blackish-brown on inner halves, orange-brown on outer halves, ventral faces dark yellow. Antennal segment I with basal one-third dark yellow, distal two-thirds plus all of segments II – IV black. Legs generally black dorsally, dark brown ventrally, with coxae, trochanters, basal half of fore femur, ventral face of hind femur orange-brown. Venter orange-brown, with metasternum, abdominal ventrites I – IV, posterior margin of ventrite VIII darker brown. Structural characters: Head moderately short, declivant anteriorly, with weakly impressed median line; length 0.50, width 1.00; length of eye along inner margin 0.45, anterior / posterior interocular space, 0.30 / 0.55. Pronotum short, length along midline 0.40, less than dorsal length of head, leaving mesonotum broadly exposed, width 1.25; mesonotum smooth, lacking deep foveae, humeri depressed, length 0.70. Metanotum barely exposed, length 0.15. Lengths of abdominal tergites I – VIII, respectively: 0.25: 0.30: 0.25: 0.25: 0.25: 0.30: 0.60: 0.50. Connexiva with margins of even width throughout, straight, gradually convergent posteriorly, posterolateral angles not modified, separated by entire width of tergite VIII, bearing sparse tufts of long dark setae. Entire dorsum and laterotergites except for broad area in middle of pronotum, anteromedial mesonotum, and outer halves of connexiva thickly covered with fine appressed golden pubescence, intermixed with a few longer, semi-recumbent black setae laterally on thorax; legs and antennae thickly clothed with short appressed golden setae, with scattered long, erect, bristly black setae on anterodorsal faces of antennal segments I and II, and anterior margins of all femora, plus long, slender, widely spaced brown setae along posterior margins of all femora; fore and middle trochanters lacking pegs or teeth; fore and middle femora and middle tibia with margins straight, not flattened or otherwise modified; fore tibia slightly flattened ventrally on distal half, longitudinally channeled adjacent to grasping comb, this comb extending for one-quarter length of tibia; middle femur bearing 5 – 6 short, thorn-like black spinules basally on along posterior margin (Fig. 333); hind trochanter bearing 12 – 14 small dark pegs ventrally; hind femur highly incrassate, bearing two parallel rows of teeth, ventral row lying in area covered by infolded hind tibia and consisting of approximately 22 tiny, closely appressed black pegs running from base of femur to one-third distance to apex, followed by a large, acutely pointed orange-brown tooth with a black apex, then 3 much smaller teeth of progressively declining size, then 10 tiny black pegs continuing to apex; dorsal row commencing on distal third of femur and consisting of two large, sharp orange-brown teeth with black apices, followed by 5 similar but progressively smaller teeth continuing to apex (Fig. 334); hind tibia broadly and gently sinuate, inner surface bearing a longitudinal row of about 14 small dark teeth on basal two thirds, followed by a large, acute, dark tooth at approximately two-thirds distance from base, followed by 5 similar black teeth of progressively declining size to apex (Fig. 334). Venter of head and thorax lacking small black denticles; mesosternum slightly depressed centrally, margins of this depression bearing long, fine gold setae; metasternum roughly transverse-rectangular, slightly raised and bearing fine golden setae centrally; abdominal venter set with short appressed gold setae intermixed with scattered long, fine, erect dark brown setae centrally; basal abdominal ventrites highly sculptured, ventrite I lying in vertical orientation, remaining ventrites horizontal and all in similar plane, ventrite II with a strongly raised longitudinal carina medially, this carina continuing in less pronounced form onto ventrites III and IV; ventrites V and VI unmodified; VII broadly longitudinally sulcate medially, lateral margins bordering this sulcus longitudinally tumescent, bearing posteriorly-directed gold setae; ventrite VIII strongly transversely constricted basally, posterior margin raised, directed downward. Male paramere thick, moderately elongate, bearing stout setae ventrally on basal half, dorsal margin weakly bisinuate, ventral margin broadly and shallowly concave, apex slightly expanded, blunt, broadly curving (Fig. 335). Male proctiger with basolateral lobes well developed, apices bearing small, posteriorly-directed, angular processes; distolateral lobes slightly developed, rounded; distal cone short, with lateral margins slightly tapering and convergent posteriorly, apex broadly rounded, blunt (Fig. 336). Lengths of antennal segments I – IV: 0.90: 0.60: 0.95: 0.75. Lengths of leg segments as follows: femur, tibia, tarsal 1, tarsal 2 of fore leg, 1.30: 1: 40: 0.03: 0.05: 0.30; of middle leg, 2.25: 1.75: 0.10: 0.80: 0.95; of hind leg, 2.25: 2.15: 0.10: 0.20: 0.50. Wingless female: Similar to wingless male in general structure and coloration, with following exceptions: abdominal tergites I – VIII matte black around margins with broad orange-brown patches centrally, these patches slightly raised along longitudinal midlines of tergites III and IV; tergite VIII angled downward; connexival margins gradually and evenly convergent posteriorly, posterolateral angles widely separated, leaving all tergites visible in dorsal view (Fig. 332), posterolateral angles gently rounded in lateral view, lacking setal tufts; abdominal ventrite I very short, ventrites II – VII larger, subequal in size, horizontal, ventrites III – VI slightly flattened centrally, ventrite VII bearing a pair (1 + 1) of dense tufts of short, posteriorly-directed black setae laterally on either side of longitudinal midline; gonocoxae partially retracted into segment VII; proctiger angled downward at over 45 ° angle; hind femur only weakly incrassate, bearing only 3 small dark teeth on posterior third, these teeth of progressively decreasing size distally; hind tibia straight, inner surface lacking teeth; ventral coloration predominantly dark yellow, with anterior and posterior metasternum plus abdominal ventrite I transversely marked with dark brown. Winged female: Unknown. Winged male: Unknown.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B8200F995EAFB3EFE5D62FA.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Based on current collections this species is distributed on the northeastern flanks of the Owen Stanley Range, from Kokoda to Wau, at elevations above 1000 m. The species range as presently known occupies the Morobe Highands area of freshwater endemism (Area 22) as delineated by D. Polhemus & Allen (2007).	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
A37987E32B8200F995EAFB3EFE5D62FA.taxon	discussion	Discussion. The short row of 5 – 6 thorn-like black spinules along the posterior margin of the hind femur (Fig. 333) will separate this species from any other in the EPCT region. The female is distinctive in having a pair (1 + 1) of dense tufts of short, posteriorly-directed black setae laterally to either side of longitudinal midline on abdominal ventrite VII. The male paramere is relatively simple, having an “ bean shape ” similar to that seen in the members of the R. papuensis group, except inverted, with the dorsal rather than the ventral margin concave (Fig. 335), and lacks the lamellate distal expansion typical of species in the R. novacaledonica group. Ecological notes. Rhagovelia aureospicata appears to prefer rocky upland streams at elevations above 1500 m. The series from Namie Creek (CL 1829) was taken from a shallow, rocky creek swiftly descending through upland rain forest and crossing the Mt. Kaindi road above Wau. The series from upper Povery Creek (CL 1830) came from a small, shaded stream flowing through a bed of rocks and gravel in intact upland rain forest, with waterfalls both upstream and downstream.	en	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): 1-214, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5400.1.1
