Taxonomic revisionary notes on some Neotropical Coenosiini (Diptera: Muscidae)

Abstract

Coenosiinae is an important component of the Neotropical Muscidae diversity due to the high diversity of species and high population numbers. Based on the examination of type-specimens of some species of Coenosiini, the following taxonomic changes are proposed: Neodexiopsis medinai Snyder, 1957 stat. rev., Pilispina xanthogaster (Albuquerque, 1958) comb. nov., Pilispina differa Couri & Carvalho, 1999 is a junior synonym of Pilispina pilitibia Albuquerque, 1954, Neodexiopsis barbiventris Couri & Albuquerque, 1979 is a junior synonym of Neodexiopsis flavipalpis Albuquerque, 1956 and a neotype is proposed for Coenosia latitibia Albuquerque 1957. In all cases, remarks include reevaluation of relevant characters.

Coenosiinae is the most diverse subfamily of Neotropical Muscidae and is considered to be one of the apical groups within the family (CARVALHO 1989b). Two tribes are currently recognized, Limnophorini and Coenosiini (CARVALHO et al. 2005), but only the monophyly of the latter is strongly supported (COURI & PONT 2000). The Coenosiini are very abundant in well-preserved forests (COSTACURTA et al. 2003a, b) and are usually collected by sweeping over grass or other short vegetation (SNYDER 1958). The Coenosiini are an important component of the Neotropical Muscidae diversity due to the high diversity of species and high population numbers (RODRÍGUEZ-FERNÁNDEZ et al. 2006).

Following a revision of the type material deposited in the collection of the Museu Nacional (Rio de Janeiro), this contribution proposes several taxonomic changes for species included in the Coenosiini.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The material studied is deposited in the following institutions: Coleção de Entomologia Pe. J.S. Moure, Departamento de Zoologia, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba (DZUP); Museu Nacional, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro (MNRJ), and United States National Museum, Washington, D.C. (USNM).

The morphological terminology follows MCALPINE (1981) and HUCKETT & VOCKEROTH (1987), with a few exceptions indicated by CARVALHO (1989a). The following abbreviations were used: (DC) dorsocentral setae, (PD) posterodorsal setae, and (AV) anteroventral setae.In this paper, only a reference to the original description of a species is given. A complete list of references for each species can be found in CARVALHO et al. (2005).

TAXONOMY

Pilispina pilitibia Albuquerque, 1954 Figs 1-3

Pilispina pilitibia Albuquerque, 1954: 180.

Parvomusca differa Couri & Carvalho, 1993: 732. Syn. nov.

Pilispina differa; Couri & Pont 1999: 99 (key, synonym of Pilispina).

Type material examined. Pilispina pilitibia: holotype male (MNRJ) labeled: "Itatiaia, 2000m P.Wichart, II/[19]41"; "HOLÓTIPO [red label], nº4974" [Albuquerque handwriting]; "Pilispina pilitibia" [Albuquerque handwriting]. Parvomusca differa: paratype male (DZUP) labeled: "CURITIBA-PR [Paraná]/03.XI.1989./Maia, J.C.S. LEG."; "CAPÃO DA IMBUIA/MALAISE TRAP"; "PARATYPO" [Green label]; "Parvomusca differa/Couri & Carvalho, sp. nov./M. S. Couri det. 92" [handwriting]; "11...DZUP"; "Pilispina pilitibia/Albuquerque, 1954/J.I.R. Fernández det. 2008".

Distribution. Brazil: Rio de Janeiro, Paraná.

Remarks. ALBUQUERQUE (1954) erected the genus Pilispina based on a single asymmetrical specimen of the type-species, P. pilitibia (Figs 1-3). The specimen has one presutural DC seta on the left side, two on the right side, and three postsutural setae on either side. Mistakenly, the author described the DC setae pattern as 2+2. Latter, COURI (2000) noted the error in the interpretation of the number of postsutural setae and corrected the DC pattern to 2+3. However, examination of additional specimens from the type-locality indicates that the DC pattern for this species is actually 1+3 (Fig. 2). Parvomusca differa was tentatively described in Parvomusca Medeiros, 1980, a monobasic genus, mainly based on similarities shared with the type-species, P. paula Medeiros, in the chaetotaxy of the hind leg. Latter, COURI & CARVALHO (1993) questioned the inclusion of P. differa in Parvomusca, noting the following: "but the general aspect is not the same, P. differa was included in this genus tentatively, until other studies clarify the position of the Neotropical Coenosiinae genera." After the correct interpretation of the DC setae of P. pilitibia and comparison of the holotype of this species with that of P. differa, we herein propose the synonym of these two species. Additionally, we have observed that the posterior femur of P. pilitibia has three preapical setae and not two, as described in the literature.

Pilispina xanthogaster (Albuquerque, 1958) comb. nov. Figs 4-6

Levallonia xanthogaster Albuquerque, 1958: 101.

Levallonia medinai; Couri & Albuquerque 1979: 516.

Pilispina medinai; Couri & Pont 1999: 99 (key).

Type material examined. Levallonia xanthogaster male (MNRJ) labeled: "Petrópolis; Estado do Rio, Le Vallon, Alt. Mosella, Albuquerque, 1/II-8/III/[19]57"; "HOLOTIPO [red label], nº 5360" [Albuquerque handwriting]; "Levallonia xanthogaster" [Albuquerque handwriting].

Distribution. Brazil: Rio de Janeiro.

Remarks. The examination of the type material of P. xanthogaster enabled the reevaluation of the following characters mentioned in the original description: pollinosity on head and mesonotum, observed under white light, grey (and not golden); apex of flagellum rounded (and not pointed); and vitta on mesonotum absent (and not three faint ones) (Fig. 4). Other morphological differences between P. xanthogaster and other related species are in the table I. Originally ALBUQUERQUE (1958) described the second and the third (posterior) frontal setae of the head as reclinate. This led to some discussions by subsequent authors (HENNIG 1965, COURI & PONT 2000) because in all other genera of Neotropical Coenosiini only the last pair (the third one) is reclinate and only non-Neotropical genera species of Coenosiini have the second and the third (posterior) frontal setae reclinated. After examining the holotype of P. xanthogaster we have concluded that the interpretation of ALBUQUERQUE (1958) was wrong and that only the last pair of frontal setae is reclinate as in all other genera of Neotropical Coenosiini and,contrasting with the state found in other, non-Neotropical Coenosiini genera, in which the second and third frontal setae are clearly reclinate, and the curvature of the second seta follows the curvature of the third (Fig. 4). Historical differences in taxonomic concepts associated with P. xanthogaster are in the table II.

Neodexiopsis flavipalpis Albuquerque, 1956 Figs 7-8

Neodexiopsis flavipalpis Albuquerque, 1956: 198.

Neodexiopsis barbiventris Couri & Albuquerque, 1979: 502. Syn. nov.

Type material examined. Neodexiopsis flavipalpis: holotype: male (MNRJ) labeled: "Itatiaia, L. [lake] Azul, E. do Rio [Rio de Janeiro State], Trav. [L. Travassos], [R.] Barth, [D.] Albuquerque, [A.R.R.] Barros col., 26/IX/[1]954; nº 4755 [Albuquerque handwriting]"; "HOLÓTIPO" [red label]; "Neodexiopsis flavipalpis" [Albuquerque handwriting]. Neodexiopsis barbiventris: holotype: male (MNRJ) labeled: "Itatiaia, L. [lake] Azul, 19-21/VI/[19]55, [D.] Albuquerque, [A.R.R.] Barros, Pearson [Albuquerque handwriting]"; "HOLÓTIPO" [red label]; "Neodexiopsis barbiventris Couri & Albuquerque, 1979" [Couri handwriting].

Distribution. Brazil: Rio de Janeiro, Paraná.

Remarks. This is a typical species of the ovata- group of Neodexiopsis Malloch, 1920, proposed by SNYDER (1958). Males and females of this group are easily differentiated from congeners by modifications in the anal area of the wing. In males, this area is shaped like a lobe (Figs 7 and 8). In females, it is more angular than in other species of Neodexiopsis (SNYDER 1958: figs 1-13 and 16). Additionally, the following modifications in the male abdomen are unique for this group of species: the abdomen, in lateral view, is short and distinctly oval; tergites 3-5 are conspicuously narrow ventrally, but the fifth sternite is more elongated dorsally and a small lateral posterior portion of the third abdominal tergite, and the anterior portion of the forth abdominal tergite are shiny and without pollinosity (Fig. 8) (SNYDER 1958). In his original description of N. flavipalpis, ALBUQUERQUE (1956) did not mention the modification in the anal area of the male wing. Subsequently, COURI & ALBUQUERQUE (1979) represented the modification of the male wing in a figure in their description of N. barviventris (Fig. 7). ALBUQUERQUE (1956) also failed to note the presence of a group of strong, comb-like setae on the abdominal sternite 4 of N. flavipalpis. This autoapomorphic character was subsequently described for N. barbiventris by COURI & ALBUQUERQUE (1979), and the specific epithet, barbiventris, refers to the condition (Figs 7 and 8). After detecting the afore mentioned problems in the original description of N. flavipalpis, and based on the examination of the holotypes of N. flavipalpis and N. barbiventris, we herein propose the synonym of these two species.

Neodexiopsis medinai Snyder, 1957 stat. rev. Fig. 9

Neodexiopsis medinai Snyder, 1957: 223.

Levallonia medinai; Couri & Albuquerque 1979: 516.

Pilispina medinai; Couri & Pont 1999: 99 (key).

Neodexiopsis cavalata Snyder, 1957: 224.

Type material examined. Neodexiopsis medinai male (USNM) labeled: "El Yunque, P.R., March 20-22, 1954 (J. Maldonado & S. Medina)". "Holotype 1 &/Neodexiopsis medinai/Snyder" (handwritting red label). Neodexiopsis cavalata male (USNM) labeled: "El Yunque, P.R., March 20-22, 1954 (J. Maldonado & S. Medina)". "Holotype 1 /Neodexiopsis cavalata/Snyder" (handwriting red label).

Distribution: Puerto Rico.

Remarks. COURI & ALBUQUERQUE (1979) proposed the synonymy of Levallonia xanthogaster Albuquerque, 1958, Neodexiopsis medinai Snyder, 1957 and Neodexiopsis cavalata Snyder, 1957. Based on one synapomorphy, a reduction in the length of the apical scutellar setae, COURI & PONT (1999, 2000) synonimyzed some phylogenetically related Coenosiini genera under Pilispina (Levallonia Albuquerque, 1958, Noelia Albuquerque, 1957, Parvomusca, and Cholomyioides Albuquerque, 1954). The examination of the type material of L. xanthogaster and N. medinai revealed that they are different species (Figs 4-6 and 9), as shown in table I. Consequently, the specific status of N. medinai Snyder is herein revalidated (different taxonomic positions shown in table II). Neodexiopsis cavalata is maintained as a synonym of N. medinai, and L. xanthogaster received a new combination as indicated above.

Coenosia latitibia Albuquerque, 1957

Coenosia latitibia Albuquerque, 1957: 362.

Type material examined. Neotype: male (DZUP) labeled: "BRASIL PR [Paraná] Antonina/Reserva Biol. Sapitundava/21.XII.1987/Lev Ent. PROFAUPAR"; "Plumispina sp. nov. 2/J.I.Rodríguez-Fernández/det. 2003"; "NEÓTIPO" [red label]. Additional material examined. "BRASIL PR Antonina/Reserva Biol. Sapitundava/21. IX.1987 (1 male, DZUP), 23.XI.1987 (1 male, DZUP), 07.XII.1987 (1 male, DZUP), 26.X.1987 (1 male, DZUP), 02.XI.1987 (2 males, DZUP), 12.X.1987 (1 male, DZUP), 14.XII.1987 (1 male, DZUP), 28.XII.1987 (1 male, DZUP), 07.IX. 1987 (1 male, DZUP), 16.XI.1987 (1 male, MNRJ)/Lev Ent. PROFAUPAR"; "Plumispina sp. nov. 2/J.I.Rodríguez-Fernández/det. 2003".

Distribution. Brazil: Rio de Janeiro, Paraná.

Remarks. In the description of C. latitibia, ALBUQUERQUE (1957) wrote the possibility that this species belong to another genus. Years later, COURI & CARVALHO (2002) placed C. latitibia on a list of species that are not included in any key to the identification of species of Coenosia and noted that the Neotropical Coenosia needs to be revised. When the identification is based in the last key to the Neotropical genera of Muscidae (CARVALHO 2002), C. latitibia may be erroneusly assigned as a species of Neodexiopsis, Plumispina, Pilispina (see above) or Cordiluroides By the combination of autapomorphic characters. The International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN 1999: articles 75.3.1 and 75.3.4) states that a neotype may be designed if the author includes (1) "a statement that it is designated with the express purpose of clarifying the taxonomic status or the type locality of a nominal taxon" and (2) the "reasons for believing the name-bearing type specimen(s) (i.e. holotype, or lectotype, or all syntypes, or prior neotype) to be lost or destroyed, and the steps that had been taken to trace it or them". After examining all type material of the Coenosiini described by Dalcy de Oliveira Albuquerque, deposited at MNRJ, we have concluded that the type-material of C. latitibia is lost, as indicated by LOPES et al. (1997). Thus, a neotype is herein designated.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

JIRF thanks Valéria C. Maia (Museu Nacional, Rio de Janeiro) and Nancy Orellana (Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro) for all support during the scientific visits to their institutions. JIRF also thanks Ana Paula Marques-Costa (Universidade Federal do Paraná - UFPR) for taking photographs of the type material deposited at USNM; to the people of the Laboratório de Sistemática e Ecologia de Coleoptera (UFPR) for their assistance in taking photographs; to Marcio Pie (UFPR) for the English revision; to Kirstern L.F. Haseyama (UFPR), James O'Hara (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada), Gabriel Mejdalani (Museu Nacional, Rio de Janeiro), Ana DalMolin (Texas A&M University), and two anonymous referees for reviewing the manuscript. CJBC and MSC are fellows of CNPq (processes 302454/2005-5 and 301301/2007-7, respectively). JIRF thanks the Program of Qualification in Taxonomy (PROTAX-CNPq) for providing a Post-doctoral fellowship.

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Submitted: 28.I.2009; Accepted: 16.I.2010.

Editorial responsibility: Gabriel L.F. Mejdalani

1 Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]