Iotacypha vishniakovae Shcherbakov et Shmakov, 2024

Shcherbakov, Dmitry E. & Shmakov, Alexei S., 2024, Another new species of Iotacyphinae (Lophioneuridae, Thysanoptera s. l.) from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber, Russian Entomological Journal 33 (4), pp. 415-418 : 417

Iotacypha vishniakovae Shcherbakov et Shmakov , sp.n.

Figs 1–9 .

MATERIAL. Holotype PIN 5608 /174, female — Burmese amber, Hukawng Valley, Kachin State, Myanmar; mid-Cretaceous (Albian–Cenomanian).

DESCRIPTION. Very small, robust lophioneurids; female body length 0.65 mm (as preserved). Subbrachypterous. Forewings 0.7 mm long, rather broad (1.9:1), widest beyond 2/3 wing length, broadly rounded apically, steeply tectiform in repose (their apical margins held vertically and meeting along midline), deeply convex, strongly sclerotized (especially proximally); wing base pale; membrane translucent, covered with stub-like microtrichia and fine dark hexagonal areolation, areoles increase and somewhat fade towards apex; veins dark, raised, beset with strong curved setae (including distal C). Costal margin sinuate about midlength (at least in anterior view); costal vein submarginal, with well-developed areolate precostal carina reaching RP2. Sc absent. RA strongly sigmoidal, almost as long as wing width, distant from C distally, leaving short R+M stem about its midlength (short RP+M stem developed). Arculus (basal m-cu crossvein) between R+M and CuA closing broad basal cell. RP and M both forked before 2/3 wing length, RP1 and M2 transverse, oblique RP2 and M1 fused for a short distance, forming petiole of apical cell enclosing wing apex. RP1 apex not far from RA; discal cell longer than each of two preapical cells; apical and anterior preapical cells transverse, posterior preapical cell elongated. Clavus short and broad, with two anal veins. Hind wings narrow, broadly rounded at apex; veins dark; R+M+CuA stem dividing distal to 1/2 wing length, R and M separating distal to 1/3 wing length; R, M and CuA subtransverse; claval furrow distinct; clavus with areolation near base.

Antennae 7-segmented, about 1/2 as long as forewing; scape and pedicel stout; flagellum moderately slender; first and last flagellomeres shortest, terminal flagellomere with two very long curved sense cones (much surpassing its apex) and three unequal apical setae. Eyes protruding, rounded; ommatidia few in number, loosely arranged. Cranium rounded; lateral ocelli near eyes; median ocellus near base of clypeus. Mouth cone wide, directed ventrally and slightly anteriorly; maxillary palps moderately long, stout, probably 3-segmented, 2nd segment long and massive, 3rd segment minute; labial palps short, unsegmented. Pronotum transverse, saddle-shaped; mesoscutum subtriangular. Legs rather short, hind tibia no longer than 1/4 forewing length. Hind coxae largest. Tibiae with rows of setae. Tarsi 2-segmented, basitarsus about 1/2 distitarsus length; right fore tarsus deformed or malformed, longer than any other tarsus and appearing 3-segmented; two slender curved claws with sub-basal tooth. Female abdomen as long as head + thorax, widest and more sclerotized proximally. Last two sternites with small rounded median projection on posterior margin. Ovipositor rudimentary, concealed by last sternite.

ETYMOLOGY.After paleoentomologist Valentina N. Vishniakova for her great contribution to our knowledge of lophioneurids.

Figures

Figs 1–9. Iotacypha vishniakovae Shcherbakov et Shmakov, sp.n., female holotype PIN 5608/174 (photographs by Dmitry Vorontsov, except 7–8; 5–6 in polarized light): 1 — habitus, dorsal (a — apical cell; d — discal cell; pa — preapical cell; arrow — precostal carina); 2 — habitus, ventral; 3 — head and thorax, dorsal; 4 — apex of abdomen, ventral; 5 — anterior part of body, left lateral (arrow, left ocellus); 6 — distal part of abdomen, right lateral; 7 — right antenna, dorsal; 8 — left antenna, ventral; 9 — right fore tarsus, ventral. Scale bars: 1–2 — 0.2 mm; 3–9 — 0.1 mm. Рис. 1–9. Iotacypha vishniakovae Shcherbakov et Shmakov, sp.n., голотип ПИН 5608/174, самка (фото ДмитриЯ Воронцова, кроме 7–8; 5–6 в полЯриЗованном свете): 1 — общий вид сверху (a — апикальнаЯ, d — дискальнаЯ, pa — преапикальные Ячейки; стрелка — прекостальный киль); 2 — общий вид сниЗу; 3 — голова и грудь сверху; 4 — вершина брюшка сниЗу; 5 — переднЯЯ часть тела слева (стрелка – левый глаЗок); 6 — дистальнаЯ часть брюшка справа; 7 — правый усик сверху; 8 — левый усик сниЗу; 9 — праваЯ переднЯЯ лапка сниЗу. Длина масштабных линеек: 1–2 — 0,2 мм; 3–9 — 0,1 мм.