Pseudopterogramma fijiensis, Kuwahara & Marshall & Luk, 2025

Kuwahara, Gregory K., Marshall, Stephen A. & Luk, Stephen P. L., 2025, A revision of Parapterogramma Papp and Pseudopterogramma Papp, with a review of the Parapterogramma genus group of the Pacific and Indomalayan regions (Diptera, Sphaeroceridae, Limosininae), European Journal of Taxonomy 998, pp. 1-124 : 95-100

Pseudopterogramma fijiensis sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:B4FBEC70-1F97-4811-81A5-6B50B9289736

Figs 1 , 57–59 , 68F , 69

Etymology

This name reflects the apparent restriction of this species to the islands of Fiji. One congener, Pseudopterogramma brevivenosum , also occurs in Fiji, but Ps. fijiensis sp. nov. is far more common and is known from more of the Fijian islands.

Material examined

Holotype

FIJI – Viti Levu • ♂; Vuda , Koroyanitu National Park, Savuione Trail; 17°40′ S, 177°33′ E; 450 m a.s.l.; 21 Sep.–7 Oct. 2002; Irwin, Schlinger, and Tokota’a leg.; Malaise in montane forest; BPBM.

Paratypes

FIJI – Kadavu • 9 ♂♂, 18 ♀♀; 0.25 km SW of Solodamu Village, Moanakaka Bird Sanctuary ; 19°04′41″ S, 178°07′16″ E; 60 m a.s.l.; 23 Oct.–19 Dec. 2003; Schlinger and Tokota’ a leg.; Malaise; BPBM • 9 ♂♂, 18 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding; DEBU • 4 ♂♂, 6 ♀♀; Solodamu ; 19°04′ S, 178°07′ E; 128 m a.s.l.; 25 Aug.–23 Oct. 2003; Irwin, Schlinger, and Tokota’a leg.; Malaise in coastal limestone forest; BPBM . – Lakeba • 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀; Lakeba , 3.2 km NE of Tubou Village; 18°12′55″ S, 178°47′25″ W; 100 m a.s.l.; 25 Nov.–7 Dec. 2005; D. Saubaleinayau leg.; Malaise; DEBU . – Moala • 1 ♀; Yasayasamoala, 1.5 km NE of Maloku Village, Nakorovusa Bay ; 18°34′41″ S, 179°53′02″ E; 0 m a.s.l.; 8–20 Jul. 2005; J. Vulatini leg.; Malaise; BPBM . – Taveuni • 2 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀; Cakaudrove, Koronibuabua ; 16°51′28″ S, 179°53′44″ W; 233 m a.s.l.; 24 Oct.–19 Nov. 2003; Irwin, Schlinger, and Tokota’ a leg.; rainforest, Malaise; BPBM • 2 ♀♀; Cakaudrove, Taveuni Estate ; 16°50′ S, 179°59′ W; 140 m a.s.l.; 31 Oct.–21 Nov. 2002; Irwin, Schlinger, and Tokota’a leg.; Malaise in garden; DEBU . – Vanua Levu • 14 ♂♂, 27 ♀♀; Bua, 6 km NW of Kilaka, Batiqere Range ; 16°48′24″ S, 178°59′29″ E; 98 m a.s.l.; 15–24 Jun. 2004; Schlinger and Tokota’a leg.; Malaise; BPBM • 11 ♀♀; Bua, 6 km NW of Kilaka, Batiqere Range ; 16°48′40″ S, 178°59′17″ E; 61 m a.s.l.; 3–10 Jun. 2004; Schlinger and Tokota’ a leg.; Malaise; BPBM • 1 ♂; Bua, 6 km NW of Kilaka, Batiqere Range ; 16°48′55″ S, 178°59′07″ E; 146 m a.s.l.; 15–28 Jun. 2004; Schlinger and Tokota’a leg.; Malaise; DEBU • 3 ♂♂, 5 ♀♀; Bua, Kilaka ; 16°48′41″ S, 178°59′02″ E; 154 m a.s.l.; 28 Jun.–2 Jul. 2004; Irwin, Schlinger, and Tokota’a leg.; Malaise; DEBU • 2 ♀♀; Bua, Kilaka ; 16°48′41″ S, 178°59′29″ E; 98 m a.s.l.; 3–10 Jun. 2004; Irwin, Schlinger, and Tokota’ a leg.; Malaise; BPBM • 1 ♂; Bua, Kilaka ; 16°48′41″ S, 178°59′29″ E; 98 m a.s.l.; 28 Jun.– 2 Jul. 2004; Irwin, Schlinger, and Tokota’ a leg.; Malaise; BPBM • 6 ♀♀; Bua, Kilaka ; 16°48′55″ S, 178°59′07″ E; 146 m a.s.l.; 3–10 Jun. 2004; Irwin, Schlinger, and Tokota’a leg.; Malaise; BPBM • 1 ♂, 3 ♀♀; Macuata, Dogotuki , 2.5 km E of Nasavu River; 16°15′07″ S, 179°47′00″ E; 226 m a.s.l.; 7 Jul. 2003; Irwin, Schlinger, and Tokota’ a leg.; Malaise; BPBM • 7 ♂♂, 8 ♀♀; Macuata, Rokosalase ; 16°31′55″ S, 179°01′08″ E; 105 m a.s.l.; 26 Aug.–9 Sep. 2004; Irwin, Schlinger, and Tokota’a leg.; Malaise in forest; DEBU . – Viti Levu • 3 ♂♂, 5 ♀♀; same collection data as for holotype; BPBM • 4 ♂♂, 5 ♀♀; same collection data as for holotype; DEBU • 1 ♂; 10 km N of Galoa ; 300 m a.s.l.; 29 Aug.–1 Sep. 1978; S. and J. Peck leg.; second forest; DEBU • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding; 1 Sep. 1978; DEBU • 3 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀; 15 km N of Suva, Tholoisuva watershed ; 200 m a.s.l.; 25–31 Aug. 1978; S. and J. Peck leg.; rainforest; DEBU • 1 ♂; Naitasiri, Mount Nakobalevu ; 18°03′ S, 178°25′ E; 340 m a.s.l.; 22 Sep.–8 Oct. 2002; Irwin, Schlinger, and Tokota’a leg.; rainforest, Malaise; BPBM • 1 ♂, 3 ♀♀; Nandarivitu, Y 00 Microwave Station ; 1100 m a.s.l.; 16–23 Aug. 1978; S. and J. Peck leg.; forest dung; DEBU • 1 ♂; Sigatoka, Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park ; 18°10′00″ S, 177°28′55″ E; 44 m a.s.l.; 31 Jan.–12 Feb. 2003; Irwin, Schlinger, and Tokota’a leg.; Malaise; DEBU .

Other material examined

FIJI – Kadavu • 2 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀; 0.25 km SW of Solodamu Village, Moanakaka Bird Sanctuary ; 19°04′41″ S, 178°07′16″ E; 60 m a.s.l.; 9–15 Feb. 2003; S. Lau leg.; Malaise; DEBU . – Taveuni • 5 ♂♂, 10 ♀♀; Cakaudrove, 3.2 km NW of Lavena Village, Mount Koronibuabua ; 16°51′18″ S, 179°53′20″ W; 217 m a.s.l.; 1–24 Feb. 2004; Schlinger and Tokota’ a leg.; Malaise; BPBM • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 235 m a.s.l.; 4–19 Nov. 2003; BPBM • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 229 m a.s.l.; 19 Nov.–19 Dec. 2003; BPBM • 6 ♂♂, 6 ♀♀; Cakaudrove, Tavuki Village, Mount Devo ; 16°49′52″ S, 179°58′48″ W; 734 m a.s.l.; 7–23 Oct. 2004; P. Vodo leg.; Malaise; BPBM • 18 ♂♂, 34 ♀♀; Cakaudrove, 5.3 km SE of Tavuki Village, Mount Devo ; 16°50′28″ S, 179°58′05″ W; 1054 m a.s.l.; 17–24 Oct. 2002; Schlinger and Tokota’a leg.; Malaise; BPBM • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding; 16°50′28″ S, 179°58′05″ W; 23 Oct.–15 Nov. 2004; P. Vodo leg.; BPBM • 3 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀; Cakaudrove , 5.5 km SE of Tavuki Village; 16°50′35″ S, 179°57′58″ W; 1188 m a.s.l.; 30 Jun.– 14 Aug. 2004; Schlinger and Tokota’a leg.; rainforest, Malaise; DEBU • 3 ♂♂, 14 ♀♀; Cakaudrove , 5.6 km SE of Tavuki Village; 16°50′35″ S, 179°57′54″ W; 1187 m a.s.l.; 3–10 Jan. 2003; Schlinger and Tokota’a leg.; rainforest, Malaise; BPBM • 5 ♂♂, 29 ♀♀; Cakaudrove, Devo Forest Reserve ; 16°50′ S, 179°59′ W; 800 m a.s.l.; 3–10 Jan. 2003; Irwin, Schlinger, and Tokota’ a leg.; Malaise; BPBM • 1 ♀; Cakaudrove, Devo Peak Radio Tower ; 16°51′ S, 179°58′ W; 1200 m a.s.l.; 2–10 Oct. 2002; Irwin, Schlinger, and Tokota’ a leg.; Malaise in rainforest; BPBM • 3 ♂♂, 8 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding; 31 Oct.–21 Nov. 2003; DEBU • 2 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀; Cakaudrove, Koronibuabua ; 16°51′29″ S, 179°53′42″ W; 233 m a.s.l.; 24 Oct.–19 Nov. 2003; Irwin, Schlinger, and Tokota’a leg.; rainforest, Malaise; BPBM • 6 ♂♂, 14 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding; 11–26 Mar. 2004; BPBM • 5 ♂♂, 14 ♀♀; Cakaudrove, Lavena ; 16°51′18″ S, 179°53′20″ W; 212 m a.s.l.; 4–19 Nov. 2003; Irwin, Schlinger, and Tokota’ a leg.; Malaise in rainforest; BPBM • 2 ♂♂, 7 ♀♀; Cakaudrove, Soqulu House in Soqulu Estate ; 16°49′59″ S, 180°00′00″ W; 140 m a.s.l.; 4–21 Nov. 2002; Schlinger and Tokota’ a leg.; Malaise; BPBM • 1 ♂, 3 ♀♀; Cakaudrove, Tavuki Village, Mount Devo ; 16°50′13″ S, 179°58′23″ W; 892 m a.s.l.; 31 Jul.–14 Aug. 2004; Schlinger and Tokota’a leg.; Malaise; DEBU . – Vanua Levu • 2 ♂♂; Bua, 4 km NW of Kilaka Village, Wainibequa ; 16°48′29″ S, 178°59′13″ E; 135 m a.s.l.; 9–20 Dec. 2004; P. Manueli leg.; Malaise; BPBM . – Viti Levu • 13 ♂♂, 16 ♀♀; 3.5 km N of Veisari Settlement, logging road to Waivudawa ; 18°04′44″ S, 178°21′47″ E; 300 m a.s.l.; 12 Dec. 2002 – 3 Jan. 2003; Schlinger and Tokota’a leg.; Malaise; BPBM • 1 ♀; Naitasiri, 0.75 km E of Navai Village, old trail to Mount Tomaniivi ; 17°37′16″ S, 177°59′20″ E; 700 m a.s.l.; 22 Jan.–3 Feb. 2005; E. Namatalau leg.; Malaise; BPBM • 1 ♀; Naitasiri, 2 km E of Navai Village, old trail to Mount Tomaniivi ; 17°37′16″ S, 178°00′00″ E; 700 m a.s.l.; 26 Sep.–11 Oct. 2003; Schlinger and Tokota’ a leg.; Malaise; BPBM • 2 ♀♀; Naitasiri, 2 km SE of Nabukavesi Village, Ocean Pacific Resort ; 18°10′16″ S, 178°15′29″ E; 40 m a.s.l.; 13–27 Feb. 2003; Schlinger and Tokota’a leg.; Malaise; BPBM • 5 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding; 5–22 Jun. 2003; DEBU • 2 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding; 26 Apr.–5 May 2004; BPBM • 4 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀; Naitasiri, 3.8 km N of Veisari Settlement, logging road to Waivudawa ; 18°04′05″ S, 178°22′01″ E; 300 m a.s.l.; 14 Feb.–8 Mar. 2003; Schlinger and Tokota’ a leg.; Malaise; BPBM • 7 ♂♂, 8 ♀♀; Naitasiri, 4 km WSW of Colo-I-Suva Village, Mount Nakobalevu ; 18°03′22″ S, 178°25′19″ E; 325 m a.s.l.; 17 Mar.–9 Apr. 2003; Schlinger and Tokota’ a leg.; Malaise; BPBM • 2 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding; 14–28 Jul. 2003; BPBM • 2 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding; 4–14 Nov. 2003; BPBM • 4 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀; Naitasiri, 4 km WSW of Colo-I-Suva Village, Mount Nakobalevu ; 18°03′18″ S, 178°25′26″ E; 372 m a.s.l.; 12–24 Feb. 2003; Schlinger and Tokota’ a leg.; Malaise; BPBM • 6 ♂♂, 4 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding; 18°03′18″ S, 178°25′26″ E; 12 Oct. 2004 – 24 Oct. 2002; Timoci leg.; BPBM • 34 ♂♂, 45 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding; 25 Feb.–17 Mar. 2003; BPBM • 11 ♂♂, 15 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding; 17 Mar.–9 Apr. 2003; BPBM • 1 ♂, 3 ♀♀; Naitasiri, Mount Nakobalevu ; 18°03′ S, 178°25′ E; 340 m a.s.l.; 22 Sep.–9 Oct. 2002; Irwin, Schlinger, and Tokota’ a leg.; rainforest, Malaise; BPBM • 7 ♂♂, 12 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding; 24–29 Oct. 2003; BPBM • 11 ♂♂, 11 ♀♀; Naitasari, Navai Village, Eteni ; 17°37′ S, 177°59′ E; 700 m a.s.l.; 6 Jun.–15 Jul. 2003; Irwin, Schlinger, and Tokota’a leg.; Malaise; DEBU • 1 ♀; Naitasiri, Sovi Basin, Wainivalau ; 17°54′ S, 178°14′ E; 300 m a.s.l.; 8–16 May 2003; Irwin, Schlinger, and Tokota’ a leg.; Malaise; BPBM • 5 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀; Rewa, 4 km NW of Lami Town, Mount Korobaba ; 18°06′14″ S, 178°22′52″ E; 1–13 Dec. 2004; 260 m a.s.l.; L. Koto leg.; BPBM • 8 ♂♂, 10 ♀♀; Rewa, Mount Nakobalevu , below tower; 18°03′ S, 178°25′ E; 461 m a.s.l.; 22 Sep.–8 Oct. 2002; Irwin, Schlinger, and Tokota’a leg.; near Scaevola in bloom; BPBM • 1 ♀; Sigatoka, 1.1 km SSW of Volivoli Village, Sigatoka Sand Dunes ; 18°10′08″ S, 177°29′06″ E; 55 m a.s.l.; 14–22 Jul. 2002; Schlinger and Tokota’a leg.; Malaise; BPBM • 4 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀; Sigatoka, Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park ; 18°10′ S, 177°30′ E; 10 m a.s.l.; 14–22 Jul. 2002; Irwin, Schlinger, and Tokota’a leg.; coastal forest, Malaise; BPBM • 15 ♂♂, 12 ♀♀; Vuda, Koroyanitu EcoPark , 1 km E of Abaca Village; 17°40′01″ S, 177°33′00″ E; 800 m a.s.l.; 2–16 Nov. 2004; L. Tuimereke leg.; Malaise; BPBM .

Description

BODY ( Fig. 57 ). Length 1.2–1.5 mm. Head caramel-brown, slightly darkened at level of ocelli. Interfrontal bristles in four pairs. Thorax brown, scutum caramel-brown and shiny, lower half of anepisternum and below dark brown; scutellum dark brown. Anterior dorsocentral bristles separated by 8–9 rows of acrostichal setulae. Ventral surface of male mid tibia with two rows of stout setae along apical quarter; mid femur with two corresponding rows of proximoventral setae; female mid tibia with a large apicoventral bristle. Hind tibia with a very large, dorsal preapical seta (slightly longer than first hind tarsomere) and a thick, curved, apicoventral spur. Wing ( Fig. 68F ) dark with several pale vertical bars. R 2+3 gently sinuate to almost straight.

MALE ABDOMEN ( Fig. 58 ). S5 significantly reduced, arched medially, right side tapered and curled upwards apically, setae restricted to a row of eight anterior to a membranous posteromedial area and a single seta on far-left side. S6 long and sinuate, length reduced. Epandrium wedge-shaped and uniformly setose, ventrolateral margin distinctly notched; cercus large, flattened, and slightly paler than epandrium, with several long setae. Surstylus large, inverted V-shaped: anterior lobe rectangular with a patch of setulae on outer surface, inner surface with several long preapical setae, ventral margin with a row of long but thick setae, posterior lobe triangular with a patch of long laterobasal setae and a row of stout, tooth-like setae running along outer margin. Postgonite elongate, slender, bisinuate, and tapered. Phallapodeme long, curved, and apically pointed; basiphallus tall, 3.5× as tall as long, curved, constricted around basal third with large dorsal notch. Distiphallus large, box-like, with a broad, apically bifid ventral sclerite and a pair of thin, sinuate dorsolateral sclerites; basolateral membrane between dorsal and ventral sclerites slightly sclerotized and setulose.

FEMALE ABDOMEN ( Fig. 59 ). Epiproct broad, subtriangular, desclerotized anteromedially. Cercus subtriangular with slightly thickened apical seta and two long preapical setae. S8 subtriangular with transverse desclerotized strip splitting large anterior part (with long lateral setae) from small posterior part (with four fine setae). Hypoproct trough-shaped. Spermathecae stout, urn-shaped (with globose basal part and constricted cylindrical apical part), basal part covered in small depressions, apical part lightly grooved with apical invagination.

Remarks

Specimens of Pseudopterogramma fijiensis sp. nov. constitute almost 85% of the Parapterogramma genus group specimens collected in Malaise traps during the Fiji Arthropod Survey (see Evenhuis & Bickel 2005). Relatively few specimens of Ps. fijiensis were found in the pitfall trap samples provided by S. and J. Peck, which were otherwise rich in Parapterogramma genus group specimens.

Figures

Fig. 1. Pseudopterogramma fijiensis sp. nov., male habitus (DEBU).

Fig. 57.Pseudopterogramma fijiensis sp. nov., paratype (BPBM). A. Male habitus, lateral view. B. Male head, anterodorsal view. Scale bars: A = 0.50 mm; B = 0.25 mm.

Fig. 58.Pseudopterogramma fijiensis sp. nov., paratype (DEBU).A. Aedeagus and associated structures, lateral view. B. Male terminalia, lateral view. C. Male S5-8, ventral view. Scale bars: A–C = 0.10 mm.

Fig. 59. Pseudopterogramma fijiensis sp. nov., paratype (DEBU). A. Female terminalia, dorsal view. B. Female terminalia, ventral view. C. Female terminalia, lateral view. D. Single spermatheca. E. Paired spermathecae. Scale bars: A–C = 0.30 mm; D–E = 0.01 mm.

Fig. 68. Pseudopterogramma Papp, 2008, left wings, ventral views. A. Ps. aestivale (Richards, 1973) (QMBA). B. Ps. annectens (Richards, 1964) (CAS). C. Ps. brevivenosum (Tenorio, 1967) (DEBU). D. Ps. conicum (Richards, 1946) (DEBU). E. Ps. fenestrata (Richards, 1973) (QMBA). F. Ps. fijiensis sp. nov., paratype (BPBM). G. Ps. kasut sp. nov., paratype (DEBU). H. Ps. ketambensis sp. nov., paratype (ROME). I. Ps. metatarsalis (Papp, 2008) (LKCNMH). J. Ps. siamense Papp, 2008 (ROME). Scale bars: A–J = 0.50 mm.

Fig. 69. Distribution map of Pseudopterogramma Papp, 2008.