Tomosvaryella lanterna Motamedinia, Skevington & Foldvari 2023, sp. nov.
Creators: name: Motamedinia, Behnam
name: Földvari, Mihaly
name: Skevington, Jeffrey H.
name: Kelso, Scott
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2025
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Insecta
Diptera
Pipunculidae
Tomosvaryella
Tomosvaryella lanterna

description: Tomosvaryella lanterna Motamedinia, Skevington & Földvari sp. nov.
urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: 88BB65A9-BB6C-4D0A-92DE-9F080677ADAE
Figs 52A–E, 126, 153D
Diagnosis: This species can be recognized by the shiny thorax and abdominal tergites; wide surstyli at basal two thirds in dorsal view (Fig. 52A); both gonopods equal in height, with a finger-like projection towards surstyli in ventral view (Fig. 52B); phallic guide broadened in the middle, with two protrusions ventromedially, pointed at apex in lateral view (Fig. 52D–E).
Description: MALE: Body length: 2.9–3.2 mm. Head. Scape, pedicel and arista dark brown. Pedicel with two upper bristles; flagellum brown, gray pollinose and tapering. Face silvery pollinose. Frons, upper part shining black; lower part distinctly silver pollinose; eyes touching for distance twice as the length of ocellar triangle. Occiput grey pollinose. Thorax. Postpronotum light yellow, with 4–5 long brown bristles in upper margin. Mesonotum (viewed obliquely from front) gray pollinose, rather shiny; scutum with scattered dark bristles at anterior supra-alar area, extended to posterior and uniseriate rows of intra-alar dark bristles. Postalar callus dark brown with 1–2 light brown bristles in the middle. Scutellum rather shiny, with 15–20 short pale bristles, scattered throughout it. Halter, knob pale, stem light brown, base dark. Legs. Fore coxa with 2–3 light brown bristles, mid coxa with four long dark bristles. Coxae, trochanters, femora dark, all femora shining ventrally, knees and basal 1/3 of tibiae yellow (tibiae otherwise dark brown), tarsomeres brown ventrally, dark dorsally. Hind trochanter silvery pollinose covered by some (8–12) scattered short brown bristles ventrally; two ventrobasal spines present on fore mid femur. Hind tibia with two rows of short brown bristle on anterior and posterior side. Hind metatarsus not flattened, covered by short dark bristles, as long as 2–4 combined; pulvilli shorter than last tarsal segment. Wing. Length: 3.0 mm. Upper side of basal costal cell with 2–3 long brown bristles. Fourth costal section 1.5–2 times as long as third costal section. Cross-vein r-m at middle of discal cell. 3–4 short dark setulae on tegula. Abdomen. Tergites 1 silvery pollinose with 5–9 different-sized lateral bristles; tergite 2–3 brown spots on dorsal margin, otherwise shiny; all tergites covered by scattered short pale bristles. Genitalia. Genital capsule in dorsal view: epandrium as long as wide (MLE:MWE = 1.0). Surstyli symmetrical, widened at base, moderately narrowed to apex (Fig. 52A). Genital capsule in ventral view: both gonopods equal in height, with a finger-like projection towards surstyli, right one wider than left one; subepandrial sclerite long (Fig. 52B); Genital capsule in lateral view: both surstyli wide, curved to sternite; phallic guide broadened in the middle, with two protrusions ventromedially, pointed at apex (Fig. 52D–E); ejaculatory apodeme tube-like, bent, with a bulb in its middle (Fig. 52C).
FEMALE: Body length: 3.0 mm.As male except for the following characters. Frons, eyes separated; completely silver-grey pollinose on lower 1/3, wider in middle, shiny black only around ocellar triangle, depression in just before ocellar triangle. Enlarged ommatidia shining; pulvilli and claws longer than last tarsal segment. Lateral bristles on the tergite 1 shorter than male, tergite 2–3 without brown spots (4–8). Ovipositor. Straight in ventral view, straight and short in lateral view (piercer brown), reaching sternite 3; basal two thirds silvery brown pollinose. LP: LB = 3.5. LDP:LPP = 3.0. (Fig. 153D).
Examined material: HOLOTYPE: AUSTRALIA: Western Australia: Neerabup Lake National Park, 31°38’S, 115°43’E, 18–29.XII.1999, J.&A. Skevington, C. Lambkin & P. Bouchard, Malaise trap, JSS7642 (1♂, WAM); PARATYPES: AUSTRALIA: New South Wales: Culgoa National Park, 13.5km SW Cawwell Homestead (CGN1M), 29°7’S, 146°56’E, Callitrus, 21.XII.2009 – 30.I.2010, B. Schiebaan, Malaise trap, CNC576567, CNC576577 (2♂, QM); Callitris, 30.I–18.V.2010, QM Team, B. Shiebaan & R. Ohlsen, Malaise trap, CNC576602, CNC576605, CNC576609, CNC576614–15 (5♂, QM), C. Lambkin, R. Olsen & B. Shieban, CNC575141, CNC575149 (2♂, USNM); Culgoa National Park, 8km WNW Cawwell Homestead, Diemunga Lagoon (CGN2M), 29°3’S, 146°60’E, Coolibah, 22.XI–21.XII.2009, C. Lambkin, B. Shiebaan & N. Starick, Malaise trap, DB 9 (2nd bottle), CNC593680–81 (2♂, QM); Culgoa National Park, 8km West–Northwest Cawwell Homestead, Diemunga Lagoon (CGN2M), 29°3’S, 146°60’E, Coolibah, 30.I–18.V.2010, C. Lambkin, R. Olsen & B. Shieban, Malaise trap, CNC575123; CNC575129; CNC575135 (3♂, QM); Urila Rd, Tilembeya 14.2 km E Williamsdale, 35°34’S, 149°17’E, 804m, in dry ravine, 20.XI–19.XII.2004, C. Lambkin, N. Starick, Malaise trap, ANIC Bulk sample 2559, JSS50569 (1♀, ANIC); Queensland: Carnarvon, National Park Marlong Creek, 24°56’S, 147°57’E, 13.X.2002, C. Chenard, sweep net, LEM_0016193 (1♂, LEM); Culgoa Floodplain National Park, 7km Northwest of Toulby Gate (TOLB7M), 28°57’S, 146°53’E, 138m, reedy swamp, 20.I–19.III.2010, C. Kelly & A. Coward, Malaise trap, 19269, CNC575378 (1♂, QM); Culgoa Floodplain National Park, 7km WNW Toulby Gate (TOLB6M), 28°57’S, 146°52’E, 138m, Callitris, 19.III–20.V.2010, C. Kelly, A. Coward, Malaise trap, 19280, CNC575029 (1♂, QM); Plevan Downs, 2.3km South–Southwest of Arima (PD2 M), 26°32’S, 142°31’E, 134m, Gidgee, 13.I–3.IV.2008, R. Mackenzie, Malaise trap, 17284, CNC595390 (1♂, QM); Plevna Downs, 2.3km SSW Arima (PD2 M), 26°32’S, 142°31’E; 28°32’S, 142°31’E, 134m, Gidgee, 25.XI–17.XII.2008; 13.I–3.IV.2008, R. Mackenzie, Malaise trap, 17292; 17284, CNC595265, CNC595267, CNC575360 (3♂, QM); Plevna Downs, 2.3km South–Southwest Arima (PD2 M), 28°32’S, 142°31’E, 134m, Gidgee, 13.I–3.IV.2008, R. Mackenzie, Malaise trap, 17284, CNC575359 (1♂, QM); Plevna Downs, 2.5km WNW Homestead (PD3), 26°40’S, 142°35’E, 133m, Gidgee, 16.IX–2.X.2008, Starick, Lambkin & Mackenzie, Malaise trap, 16272, CNC591860 (1♂, QM); Plevna Downs, Tompilly Hill base (PD6 M), 26°44’S, 142°39’E, 187m, Gidgee, 25.XI–18.XII.2008, R. Mackenzie, Malaise trap, 17329, CNC576411, CNC576413 (2♂, QM); 23 km SE Tamworth, 31°13’S, 151°7’E, 25.XI.1982, D.S. Horning, Jr., JSS9155 (1♂, ANIC); Murray River 50 miles west of Wentworth, 34°3’S, 141°3’E, 22.XI.1967, A. Neboiss, JSS8799 (1♂, MVMA); Culgoa National Park, 8km WNW Cawwell Homestead, Diemunga Lagoon (CGN2M), 29°3’S, 146°60’E, Coolibah, 22.XI–21.XII.2009, C. Lambkin, B. Shiebaan, N. Starick, Malaise trap, DB 9 (2nd bottle), 19302, CNC593678–9 (2♂, CNC); Queensland: Lolworth National Park, site 2, 19°50’S, 146°5’E, 280m, vinescrub on basalt, 13–14.XII.2006, S. Wright, yellow pan trap, CNC593654 (1♂, CNC); 23 km SE Tamworth, 31°13’S, 151°7’E, 26.XI.1982, D.S. Horning, Jr., JSS9148, JSS9152 (2♂,ANIC); Culgoa National Park, 8km West-Northwest of Cawwell Homestead, Diemunga Lagoon (CGN2M), 29°3’S, 146°1’E, 136m, Coolibah, 21.XII.2009 – 30.I.2010, B. Schiebaan, Malaise trap, CNC574750–1 (2♂, CNC); Carnarvon Station, near Piebald Spring (CN1M1), 24°50’S, 147°45’E, 821m, Eucalyptus /Callistemon, in rocky gully, 13.XII.2010 – 15.VI.2011, C. Zwick & C. Wilson, Malaise trap, CNC595241, CNC595257 (2♂, QM); Cudmore National Park (CM1M), 22°54’S, 146°21’E, 365m, Eucalyptus woodland with Spinifex, 27.X.2010 – 2.VIII.2011, Lambkin, Starick & Bailey, Malaise trap, CNC591851 (1♂, QM); Culgoa Floodplain National Park, 7km Northwest of Toulby Gate (TOLB7M), 28°57’S, 146°53’E, 138m, reedy swamp, 20.I–19.III.2010, C. Kelly & A. Coward, Malaise trap, CNC575365 (1♂, QM); 12.7km South-Southeast of Plevna Downs Homestead (PD8 M), 26°47’S, 142°39’E, 145m, sandy creek bank, 25.XI–18.XII.2008, R. Mackenzie, Malaise trap, CNC593801 (1♂, QM); 204 km west Windorah, 25°42’S, 140°53’E, Malaise in dry creek bed, 4.IX.1997, S. Winterton, J.&A. Skevington, JSS8337 (1♂, QM); 91.2 km west Windorah, 25°22’S, 141°47’E, Malaise in dry creek bed, 31.VIII–5.IX.1997, S. Winterton, J.&A. Skevington, JSS8343 (1♂, QM); South Australia: Sulphur Peninsular, Madigan Gulf, Lake Eyre N., 28°22’S, 137°22’E, 30.X.1966, G.F. Gross, JSS8707 (1♂, SAM); Koonchera Dune near Koonchera Waterhole, 26°41’S, 139°30’E, 2.IX.1997, J.&A. Skevington, JSS8429 (1♂, QM); SE corner Yumbarra CP, 31°39’S, 133°22’E, 27.IX.1988, J.A. Forrest, JSS8824 (1♂, SAM); Scorpion Springs CP along main North-South track, 35°27’S, 140°53’E, 15.XII.1983, Museum party, JSS8825–6 (2♂, SAM); Simpson Desert between Purni Bore & 54 km ENE on French Track, 26°7’S, 138°37’E, 8.X.1987, J.A. Forrest, car net, JSS8820–1 (2♂, SAM); Simpson Desert, 25 km west Poeppel Corner, 26°7’S, 138°37’E, 8.X.1987, J.A. Forrest, at light, JSS8823 (1♂, SAM); Western Australia: Cadda Road, 30°24’S, 115°25’E, 244m, Eucalyptus Woodland, 20.IX–10.X.2003, C. Lambkin, N. Starick & J. Recsei, Malaise trap, ANIC BULK Sample 2177, JSS50567–68; JSS50570 (1♂, 2♀, ANIC); 23km E. Marble Bar, 21°11’S 119°57’E, 222m, Sandy wash, 15.V.2003, F.D. Parker, M.E. Irwin, pan trap, CSIRO–SCHLINGER PILBARA EXPEDITION 19.iv.–23.v.2003, CNCD6950, CNCD6952 (2♂, ANIC); 158 km S Newman, 9 km N Kumarina Road House, 24°38’S, 117°37’E, 638m, in wide sandy wash, 18–21.V.2003; 24.IV–7.V.2003; 7–18.V.2003, M.E. Irwin & F.D. Parker, Malaise trap, JSS15706, JSS15709, JSS15715–6, JSS15722–3, JSS15732, JSS16416 (6♂, 2♀, CNC); 70 km S Newman on Great Northern Highway, 23°54’S, 119°45’E, 626m, small wash with Eucalyptus, 24.IV–6.V.2003, M.E. Irwin & F.D. Parker, Malaise trap, JSS15881, JSS15883 (1♂, 1♀, CNC); Cape Range National Park; Milyering Ranger House, 22°2’S, 113°56’E, 22m, below cliff near Ficus, 28.IV–11.V.2003, M.E. Irwin & F.D. Parker, Malaise trap, JSS15655–6 (2♂, CNC); Karijini National Park, Hamersley-Mount Bruce Road, 22°37’S, 118°21’E, 755m, dry rocky creek bed, open Eucalyptus scrub, 20–25.IV.2003, C. Lambkin & T. Weir, Malaise trap, JSS15969 (1♂, ANIC); Karijini National Park, Juna Downs Road, 22°40’S, 118°26’E; 22°44’S, 118°25’E, 797m; 798m, in open mulga with flowering Ptilotus; dry Turee Creek, grassy open Eucalyptus scrub, 25.IV–14.V.2003, C. Lambkin & T. Weir, Malaise trap, JSS16002, JSS16097 (1♂, 1♀, ANIC); Millstream-Chichester National Park near Crossing Pool, 21°35’S, 117°4’E, 276m, over creek, Melaleuca riverine forest, 28.IV–5.V.2003, C. Lambkin & T. Weir, Malaise trap, JSS16189 (1♂, ANIC); Neerabup Lake National Park, 31°38’S, 115°43’E, 18–29.XII.1999; 8–18.XII.1999, J.&A. Skevington, C. Lambkin & P. Bouchard, Malaise trap, JSS7635–6, JSS7639–40, JSS7647–9, JSS7652 (8♂, QM); base of “The Governor” on Great Northern Highway, 23°3’S, 118°50’E, 722m, dry wash in wooded area, 23.IV–6.V.2003, M.E. Irwin & F.D. Parker, Malaise trap, JSS15688, JSS15690–2, JSS15694–7 (1♂, 7♀, CNC).
Etymology: The specific name is derived from the Latin word ‘lanterna’, meaning shine, referring to the shiny thorax and abdominal tergites.
Distribution: Australia (New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia) (Fig. 126).
Notes: This is a widespread common species in the Australian outback. It apparently does not use hilltops as a mating site as it appears to be common enough not to need to employ a landmark mating system. Intraspecific genetic distance ranges from 0.0% to 2.5%. It is genetically most similar to T. quadrata sp. nov. (8.2% pairwise divergence) (Supplementary file 3).
description: Published as part of Motamedinia, Behnam, Földvari, Mihaly, Skevington, Jeffrey H. & Kelso, Scott, 2023, Revision of Australian Tomosvaryella Aczél (Diptera: Pipunculidae) with description of 100 new species, pp. 1-271 in Zootaxa 5599 (1) on pages 117-120, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5599.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/14970961