Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Dolichopodidae; Sciapus heteropygus from Greece

Posted by David Gibbs on 02-04-2009 12:35
#1

Using Grichanov 2007 this Sciapus runs to couplet 20 but does not appear to fit description of either included species. Genitalia seem distinctive so hopefully it can be identified.

Edited by David Gibbs on 05-04-2009 15:02

Posted by David Gibbs on 02-04-2009 12:37
#2

Genitalia

Posted by Igor Grichanov on 03-04-2009 14:18
#3

Why not Sciapus heteropygus Parent, 1926? If not, then it is a new species.

Posted by David Gibbs on 04-04-2009 11:14
#4

Thanks for your response Igor.

Igor Grichanov wrote:
Why not Sciapus heteropygus Parent, 1926? If not, then it is a new species.


Certainly it fits this species better than alternative (holoxanthos) but "abdomen dark at most with yellow spots on basal segments", my specimens has largely yellow abdomen with dark basal bands, only apical segment predominantly dark. Could be just variation but thought the discrepancy warranted posting here.

Posted by Igor Grichanov on 05-04-2009 10:21
#5

It is Sciapus heteropygus.
1st, abdomen colour is variable in this genus.
2nd, dark probably means reddish-yellow to brown-black.
3rd, alcohol lightens colour, sometimes strongly.
4th, I have checked original description:
Abdomen: les 4 premiers segments jaune rougeâtre, brillant, le segment 1 entièrement, 2, 3 et 4 avec bordure noire antérieure et postérieure, un léger reflet métallique
sur la ligne médiane; segment 5 jaune à l'extrême racine, 6 sur le quart apical, 7 entièrement.

Finally, I checked 14 males in my hands: most of them have darker abdomen, but 2-3 males have lighter segments, than your specimen.

Posted by David Gibbs on 05-04-2009 15:01
#6

Excellent, many thanks for your help.