Leptocera sphaerotheca Buck & Marshall 2009, new species
Creators: name: Buck, Matthias
name: Marshall, Stephen A.
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2009
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Insecta
Diptera
Sphaeroceridae
Leptocera
Leptocera sphaerotheca

description: Leptocera sphaerotheca Buck, new species   
(Figs. 21, 102–108, 142)  
 Description. Nearly identical to L. erythrocera except for the following differences: Yellow areas on head and legs more restricted than in the sympatric L. e. erythrocera (i.e., similar to the largely allopatric L. erythrocera pararoralis). Frons only narrowly yellow to reddish anteriorly (usually largely yellow in L. e. erythrocera). Face brown, often with yellow ventral third (mostly yellow in L. e. erythrocera). Gena brown, sometimes partly yellow to reddish (mostly yellow in L. e. erythrocera). Fore coxa with brown anterior surface (area sometimes more or less restricted to base of bristles and not very dark) and yellow medial surface (coxa entirely yellow in L. e. erythrocera; this colour character is the most reliable one). Legs, especially inner surface of fore femur medium brown to yellowish brown (usually yellow in L. e. erythrocera). Mid tibia with ventral posteroapical bristle very long in specimens from Mexico and U.S. (longer than in any other species of the L. caenosa group), more than twice as long as dorsal posteroapical bristle and extending to or slightly beyond socket of ventrobasal metatarsal bristle (Fig. 21); this bristle usually shorter in specimens from Central America (some specimens from Guatemala, most specimens from Costa Rica and Panama); some specimens from Costa Rica with dorsal and ventral posteroapical bristle of subequal length (with ventral one extending about half-way to socket of ventrobasal metatarsal bristle; in L. e. erythrocera ventral bristle longer than dorsal one).   
 Male terminalia (Figs. 102–105, 142) as in L. erythrocera.   
Female terminalia (Figs. 106–108): Spermatheca spherical, with bumpy surface (narrow, ridged basal part not developed).  
 Type material. Holotype ♀ and 1 ♂, 1 ♀ paratypes (CNCI): MEXICO, Chiapas, San Cristóbal de las Casas, 7,200 ft, 10.vi.1969, malaise. Other paratypes: MEXICO. Chiapas: 2 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀, same as holotype but 1.vi.1969 (CNCI); 2 ♂♂, same as previous but 23.v and 7.vi.1969, W.R.M. Mason (CNCI); 20 ♂♂, 10 ♀♀, San Cristóbal de las Casas, various dates: 18.vii–9.viii.1969, D. Kritsch (CNCI); 3 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀, San Cristóbal de las Casas, 7,087 ft, various dates: 17.v–29.vi.1969, B.V. Peterson (CNCI); 1 ♀, “San Cristóbal de Chiapas” [= San Cristóbal de las Casas], 13.viii.1959, N.L.H. Krauss (USNM); 1 ♂, 7 mi SE San Cristóbal de las Casas, 7,000 ft, 26.v.1969, H.J. Teskey (CNCI); 1 ♀, Mt. Tzontehuitz, 12 mi NE San Cristóbal de las Casas, 9,400 ft, B.V. Peterson (CNCI); 1 ♂, 9 mi E San Cristóbal de las Casas, 30.vii.1957, Chemsak & Rannells (EMEC); 1 ♂, 4 ♀♀, 5 mi S San Carlos, 6.iii.1953, at light (2 ♀♀), E.I. Schlinger and Bechtel & Schlinger (EMEC). México: 5 ♂♂, Mexico City, ix. 1965, N. L. H. Krauss (USNM); 1 ♀, 3 km S Chapingo, 31. vii. 1962, Cucurbita, P.D. Hurd (EMEC). Michoacán: 3 ♂♂, 1 ♀, 8 mi E Morelia, 1.v.1953, E.I. Schlinger (EMEC). Puebla: 1 ♀, 3 mi NE Xicotepec de Juárez, ca. 4,700 ft, 28.xii.1963, Toschi & Tauber (EMEC). Veracruz: 7 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀, Fortín de las Flores, 25.xii.1963, Toschi & Tauber (EMEC). Zacatecas: 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀, 9 mi S Fresnillo, 20.viii.1956, D.D. Linsdale (EMEC); 3 ♂♂, 5 mi S Fresnillo, 7.viii.1954, Linsley et al. (EMEC). GUATEMALA. Dpto. Chimaltenango: 8 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀, Mun. Yepocapa, Finca Monserrat, W slope V. Acatenango, 7,500 ft, 18.v.1948, sweeping, R.D. Mitchell (FMNH). COSTA RICA. Prov. Cartago: 13 ♂♂, 9 ♀♀, Tres de Junio Biol. Stn., Carretera Interam. Sur km 68, 2,600 m, 10.ii.1996 (1 ♂ dung vac), S.A. Marshall (INBC). Prov. Puntarenas: 33 ♂♂, 32 ♀♀, Zurquí de Moravia, 1,600 m, various dates: ii–v, x–xii, 1981, 1989–1991, malaise, P. Hanson (DEBU, INBC); 1 ♂, same but 30.v.1998, S.A. Marshall (DEBU); 2 ♀♀, San Gerardo de Dota, 2,200 m, 8.viii.1995, sweeping over raspberry, D.C. Caloren (DEBU); 4 ♂♂, 6 ♀♀, San Gerardo de Dota, nr. Lodge, 2,000 m, 9.viii.1995, stream in pasture, S.A. Marshall (DEBU); 1 ♀, San Gerardo de Dota, 2,500 m, 10.viii.1995, wet trail, S.A. Marshall (DEBU); 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀, San Gerardo de Dota, 9.viii.1995, disturbed area nr. river and roadside, sweeping, S.A. Marshall (DEBU); 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀, San Gerardo de Dota, Río Savegre, 2,200 m, 9.viii.1995, C.W. Young (CMNH).   
 Other material examined. U.S.A. Arizona: 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀, Santa Cruz Co., Patagonia Lk. St. Pk., 9–11.viii.1984, dung trap, B.V. Brown (DEBU); 1 ♂, Patagonia, 23.x.1937, Oman (USNM); 1 ♀, Madera Canyon nr. Nature Trail, 4.vi.1991, J.E. Swann (DEBU); 1 ♀, Cochise Co., Coronado Natl. Mon., 15–24.viii.1984, FIT, B.V. Brown (DEBU); 1 ♂, Portal, 9.iv.1959, A.L. Melander (USNM); 1 ♀, Southwest Res. Stn., 5 mi SW Portal, 5,400 ft, 5–25.ix.1965, C. Sabrosky (USNM). Texas: 1 ♂, Presidio Co., Big Bend Ranch S.N.A., La Sauceda (Hdqrs.), 27.iv.1991, J.C. Schaffner (TAMU). MEXICO. Aguascalientes: 1 ♂, 14 mi W Aguascalientes, 10.vii.1983, Kovarik et al. (TAMU); 2 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀, 10 mi NE Calvillo, 5.vii.1984, Carroll et al. (TAMU). Chiapas: 1 ♂, 5 mi S San Carlos, 6.iii.1953, E.I. Schlinger (EMEC); 1 ♀, Mpio. San Cristóbal, San Felipe, 7,200 ft, 25–30.vii.1990, malaise trap, R.W. Jones (TAMU); 1 ♀, Teopisca, 9 mi SW Hwy 24, 23.v.1969, B.V. Peterson (CNCI); 1 ♀, Montebello Natl. Pk., 17.v.1969, H.J. Teskey (CNCI); 1 ♂, 1 ♀, Yerba Buena, 5,800 ft, 18.vi.1969, malaise, B.V. Peterson (CNCI); 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀, Yerba Buena Hwy 195, 24.vi.1969, B.V. Peterson (CNCI); 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀, nr. km 100 on Rte. 195 S of Rayón, 1,600 m, 19.ix.1987, A.L. Norrbom (USNM). Chihuahua: 1 ♀, Chihuahua, 14–17.iv.1961, Howden & Martin (CNCI). Durango: 2 ♂♂, 5 mi W Durango, 6,500 ft, 14.vii.1964, J.F. McAlpine (CNCI). Guanajuato: 1 ♂, 10 mi NW León, 6,700 ft, 19.viii.1954, J.G. Chillcott (CNCI). Guerrero: 1 ♂, 4 mi S Taxco, 4,800 ft, 8.viii.1954, J.G. Chillcott (CNCI); 1 ♂, Iguala, 2,400 ft, 8.viii.1954, J.G. Chillcott (CNCI). Hidalgo: 1 ♀, Lagunilla, 14.vi.1951, P.D. Hurd (EMEC); 1 ♀, 4 mi W Tulancingo, 7,600 ft, 1–6.vii.1971, human dung, A. Newton (DEBU); 1 ♀, Zimapán, xi.1954, N.L.H. Krauss (USNM). Jalisco: 1 ♂, 5 mi SE Plan de Barrancas, 3.v.1953, Bechtel & Schlinger (EMEC); 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀, 18 mi NW Guadalajara, 30.iv.1961, pine / oak area, Howden & Martin (CNCI); 1 ♀, Puente Grande, 5,000 ft, 20.viii.1954, J.G. Chillcott (CNCI); 1 ♂, 1 ♀, “Tlaqueplaque” [= Tlaquepaque], ix.1965, N.L.H. Krauss (USNM). México: 1 ♀, San Juan Teotihuacán, 30.iv.1953, Bechtel & Schlinger (EMEC); 1 ♂, Tepexpan, 6,900 ft, 12.viii.1954, J.G. Chillcott (CNCI); 1 ♂, Paso de Cortés, W side, 9,500 ft, 13.viii.1954, J.G. Chillcott (CNCI); 1 ♂, Teotihuacán, 6,900 ft, 12.viii.1954, J.G. Chillcott (CNCI); 1 ♂, Toluca, 28.iv.1965, N.L.H. Krauss (USNM); 2 ♀, 10 mi E Toluca, 8,600 ft, 17.viii.1954, J.G. Chillcott (CNCI); 1 ♀, 10 mi E Toluca, 8,900 ft, 31.vii.1954, J.G. Chillcott (CNCI); 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀, Ixtapan, La Sal [= Ixtapan de la Sal], 5,500 ft, 9.viii.1954, J.G. Chillcott (CNCI); 9 ♂♂, 5 ♀♀, Atlacomulco, 8,500 ft, 18.viii.1954, J.G. Chillcott (CNCI); 1 ♀, 22 mi N Atlacomulco, 8,100 ft, 18.viii.1954, J.G. Chillcott (CNCI); 12 ♂♂, 10 ♀♀, 4 mi S Amecameca, 7,700 ft, 13.viii.1954, J.G. Chillcott (CNCI); 1 ♀, Contreras, ix.1965, N.L.H. Krauss (USNM). Michoacán: 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀, Morelia, 7.vii.1969, D. Kritsch CNCI); 1 ♀, Zitácuaro, 1.v.1953, E.I. Schlinger (EMEC); 1 ♀, Carapa [= Carapan], 2.ix.1938, L.J. Lipousky (SEMC); 1 ♂, 4 ♀♀, 6 mi N Cherán, 23.vii.1983, Kovarik et al. (TAMU); 1 ♂, Huetamo, Hwy 15, 7.iii.1972, Parker & Miller (USNM); 1 ♂, San José Purua, vi.1965, N.L.H. Krauss (USNM). Morelos: 1 ♂, Cuernavaca, 22.xii.1963, O. Lund (UGCA); 1 ♂, 1 ♀, 12 mi E Cuernavaca, 4,300 ft, 14.viii.1954, J.G. Chillcott (CNCI); 1 ♀, 6 mi N Cuernavaca, 7,500 ft, 15.viii.1954, J.G. Chillcott (CNCI); 1 ♂, km 9–10 between Huitzilac and Lago Zempoala, 22–24.ix.1991, roadside, A.L. Norrbom (DEBU). Nayarit: 1 ♀, Tepic, 3,000 ft, viii.1964, light trap, Blanton & Broce (USNM). Nuevo León: 1 ♀, Monterrey, 27.iv.1969, H.J. Teskey (CNCI); 1 ♂, 1 ♀, Cola de Caballos, 18.iii.1986, R. Wharton (TAMU); 1 ♀, 1.7 mi S Montemorelos, 13.iii.1977, Gruetzmacher et al. (TAMU). Oaxaca: 1 ♂, Oaxaca, 13.v.1938, R. Greenfield (USNM); 1 ♂, Oaxaca, ii.1945, N.L.H. Krauss (USNM); 2 ♂♂, Oaxaca, 14.vii.1964, black light, P.J. Spangler (USNM). Puebla: 1 ♂, 2 mi W Villa Ávila Camacho, 250 m, 24–27.i.1970, R.K. LaVal (TAMU); 4 ♂♂, 1 ♀, Tehuacán, vii.1965, N.L.H. Krauss (USNM). Querétaro: 1 ♂, 10 mi E San Juan del Río, 30.vii.1954, J.G. Chillcott (CNCI). San Luis Potosí: 1 ♀, 1 mi W Ciudad Santos, 14.iii.1977, Gruetzmacher et al. (TAMU). Sonora: 1 ♂, Imuris, 16.iv.1952, R.E. Ryckman (USNM). Tamaulipas: 1 ♂, Cañón de la Libertad, 6 mi N Ciudad Victoria, 7.iii.1986, Jones et al. (TAMU); 1 ♀, Ciudad Victoria, 12.xii.1991, at light, W.F. Chamberlain (TAMU); 1 ♂, Mun. Gómez Farías, Altas Cimas, 1,000 m, 22.iii.1987, UV light, Kovarik & Jones (USNM). Tlaxcala: 1 ♂, 2 mi W Tlaxcala, 26.iv.1953, Bechtel & Schlinger (EMEC); 1 ♂, 21 mi W Apizaco, 20.viii.1958, malaise, H.F. Howden (DEBU). Veracruz: 1 ♂, Fortín de las Flores, 23.xii.1963, Toschi & Tauber (EMEC); 3 ♂♂, 5 mi SW Ciudad Mendoza, 24.iv.1953, E.I. Schlinger (EMEC); 2 ♀♀, Coatepec, 8 mi S Jalapa, 4,100 ft, 26.xii.1963, Toschi & Tauber (EMEC); 1 ♂, Orizaba, i.1945, N.L.H. Krauss (USNM); 1 ♀, Xico, 7.ix.1951 (USNM). Zacatecas: 1 ♀, 9 mi S Fresnillo, 9.vii.1954, Zalvzania globosa, Linsley et al. (EMEC); 2 ♀♀, 5 mi S Fresnillo, 7.viii.1954, Linsley et al. (EMEC); 1 ♀, Concepción del Oro, 6,000 ft, 17.iv.1977, Murray et al. (TAMU). GUATEMALA. Dpto. Chimaltenango: 1 ♂, 1 ♀, Yepocapa, 1948–1949, H.T. Dalmat (USNM); 1 ♀, Chicastenango, viii.1959, N.L.H. Krauss (USNM). Dpto. San Marcos: 10 ♂♂, 9 ♀♀, San Antonio Sacatepéquez, 8,000 ft, 29.ix.1986, M.J. Sharkey (DEBU). Dpto. Sacatepéquez: 3 ♀♀, Finca San Rafael, 25 and 28.vi.1948, sweeping fallow field and edge of forest, R.D. Mitchell (FMNH); 1 ♀, Antigua, 2.iv.[no year], J.M. Aldrich (USNM); 1 ♂, Antigua, El Salto, 1.v.1926, J.M. Aldrich (USNM). Dpto. Zacapa: 90 ♂♂, 87 ♀♀, San Lorenzo, 1,800 m, various dates: 6–18.vii.1986, various habitats: abandoned field, edge of pine forest, pine / oak forest, pan traps, pitfall traps and sweeping at dusk, L. LeSage (DEBU); 1 ♂, 1 ♀, 5 mi N San Lorenzo, 7– 10 and 13.vii.1986, FIT, J.M. Campbell (DEBU); San Lorenzo, 9 ♂♂, 16 ♀♀, 7.xi.1986, 1 ♀, 12–17.xi.1986, sweeping and FIT/pans, M.J. Sharkey (DEBU); 1 ♀, 1 km S San Lorenzo, 7–10.xi.1986, pan/ malaise/ intercept trap, M.J. Sharkey (DEBU); 1 ♂, below San Lorenzo, 750 m, 17.xi.1986, sweeping, M.J. Sharkey (DEBU); 5 ♀♀, above San Lorenzo, 2,000 m, 7.xi.1986, M.J. Sharkey (DEBU); 5 ♀♀, 25 km N Santa Cruz, Río Pasabien, 18.xi.1986, moist river banks, sweeping, M.J. Sharkey (DEBU). EL SALVADOR. 1 ♀, Monte Cristo, 7–9.v.1958, O.L. Cartwright (USNM). Dpto. Santa Ana: 1 ♂, Cerro Verde, 18.vi.1958, L.J. Bottimer (USNM). HONDURAS. Dpto. Olancho: 1 ♀, La Muralla Natl. Pk., 1,450 m, 15°05'49"N, 86°44'17"W, 4–7.vii.2002, FIT, Smith & Ocampo (DEBU). COSTA RICA. Prov. Alajuela: 1 ♀, San Ramón For. Res., 5 km N Colonia Palmareña, Río San Lorencito, 900 m, iii.1990 (INBC); 1 ♂, nr. Volcán Poás, 2.iv.1988, Steiner et al. (USNM). Prov. Cartago: 1 ♀, Tapantí Natl. Pk. nr. W entrance, trail to hydro tower/ creek, 1,150 m, 11.x.1999, sweep, Marshall & Buck (DEBU); 1 ♂, 4 ♀♀, Tapantí Natl. Pk., 1,150 m, i.1994, G. Mora (INBC); 1 ♀, Tapantí Natl. Pk., Quebrada Segunda, 1,250 m, iii.1992, R. Vargas (INBC); 1 ♂, 1 ♀, Río Grande de Orosí nr. Tapantí Natl. Pk., 1,100 –1,150 m, 9.x.1999, floodplain and forest, Marshall & Buck (DEBU). Prov. Guanacaste: 1 ♀, Pitilla Biol. Stn., 9 km S Santa Cecilia, 700 m, iii.1991, P. Ríos (INBC); 1 ♂, 3 ♀♀, Mengo Biol. Stn., SW side Volcán Cacao, 1,100 m, ii.1989 (INBC). Prov. Heredia: 2 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀, Braulio Carrillo Natl. Pk., Barva Biol. Stn., 2,500 m, iv, v and vi.1990, A. Fernández (INBC); 1 ♀, Braulio Carrillo Natl. Pk., Barva Biol. Stn., Trail to Laguna, 2,600 –2,760 m, 10°07'52"N, 84°07'39"W, 16.ii.2003, sweep downed bromeliads, S.A. Marshall (DEBU); 54 ♂♂, 45 ♀♀, 16 km SSE La Virgen, 1,050 –1,150 m, 10°16'N, 84°05'W, various dates: 11.ii–9.iv.2001, transect, [malaise] (DEBU, INBC). Prov. Puntarenas: 1 ♀, Monteverde, San Luis, 1,040 m, xi.1993, Z. Fuentes (INBC); 1 ♀, Monteverde, 1,390 m, 25.ii–2.iii.1988, second growth, malaise, B. Hubley (ROME); 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀, Monteverde, 1,500 m, 20.ii.1980, D.M. Wood (DEBU); 5 ♂♂, 5 ♀♀, same but 22 or 23–27.ii.1991, at light and malaise, B.J. Sinclair (DEBU); 4 ♀♀, same but 27 and 29.ii.1980, cloud forest, Mason & Wood (DEBU); 1 ♀, same but 20–26.viii.1993, malaise, E.R. Barr (DEBU); 1 ♂, 1 ♀, same but 11(–13). vi.2000, sweep, M. Buck / S.A. Marshall (DEBU); 2 ♀♀, Monteverde, 1,800 m, 25.ii.1991, guava clearing, B.J. Sinclair (DEBU); 2 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀, Monteverde, 26.iii.1987, malaise trap at edge of montane forest and open grass pasture (in part), W.E. Steiner (USNM); 2 ♂♂, Monteverde area, 1,400 –1,700 m, 6–14.vi.1973, Erwin & Hevel (USNM); 2 ♂♂, Amistad Natl. Pk., Las Mellizas Biol. Stn., Finca Cafrosa, 1,300 m, 20.viii–4.ix.1989, Ramírez & Mora (INBC); 1 ♀, same but iv.1991, G. Mora (INBC); 5 ♂♂, 1 ♀, Las Alturas, 1,500 m, 12.viii.1995, forest/pasture margin, sweeping, S.A. Marshall (DEBU); 1 ♀, Las Alturas Biol. Stn., 1,550 m, 17.viii.1995, T. Pape (DEBU); 9 ♂♂, 5 ♀♀, Monteverde, high pass between Atlantic and Pacific slopes, 1,570 m, 10°18'N, 84°48'W, 3 and 28.ii.1986, A. Forsyth (ROME); 1 ♂, 1 ♀, 1 km SW Cerro Biolley, 1,300 m, 2–20.iv.1995, L. Angulo (INBC); 1 ♂, Pittier Biol. Stn., 1,670 m, 23.i–2.ii.1995, M. Lobo (INBC). Prov. San José: 3 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀, San José, 15.v.1907, H. Schmidt (USNM); 1 ♂, La Palma, 5,600 ft, 28.i.1972, on Neomirandea angularis, R.M. King (USNM); 3 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀, 20 km S Empalme, 2,800 m, iii–iv.1989, Hanson & Gould (CMNH); 2 ♀♀, Cerro de la Muerte beside Pan-Am Hwy, 2,953 m, 9°35'N, 83°45'W, 10–13.ii.1988, malaise, Hubley & Darling (ROME); 1 ♂, Cerro de la Muerte, carretera interamericana km 72, La Turbera, 2,900 m, 22.i.2007, W. Rossi (DEBU). PANAMA. Prov. Chiriquí: 1 ♂, Volcán, 24.vi.1999, W. Reeves (DEBU); 1 ♀, Las Lagunas, 4.5 km WSW Hato del Volcán, 8,360 ft, 1–8.vi.1977, sweeping, S. & J. Peck (DEBU); 1 ♂, 1 ♀, Bambito, 1,550 m, 4.vii.1996, at light, Gillogly & Schaffner (TAMU); 1 ♂, Reserva La Fortuna, lights at Fortuna Dam, 1,000 m, 25–29.vi.1996, Gillogly & Schaffner (TAMU).   
 Doubtful specimens (L. sphaerotheca sp.n. or L. erythrocera, unassociated males): COSTA RICA. Prov. Alajuela: 2 ♂♂, Río Peñas Blancas, 700 m, 18.viii.1986, L. Masner (DEBU).   
 Etymology. The species name is a noun in apposition and refers to the spherical spermathecae, the main diagnostic character distinguishing this species from L. erythrocera.   
 Distribution (Map 3). From southern Arizona and Texas to Panama. Usually at medium to high elevations (700–2,950 m), in the northern part of its range sometimes as low as 250 m.   
 Discussion. This is the Central American sibling species of the widespread L. erythrocera. The only completely reliable distinguishing character is the shape of the female spermatheca (spherical in L. sphaerotheca sp.n., elongate in L. erythrocera). The length of the ventral posteroapical midtibial bristle is subject to geographic variation and only reliably separates northern populations (U.S., Mexico) from L. erythrocera. The length of this bristle in L. sphaerotheca sp.n. decreases from the north to the south, resulting in no appreciable difference between southern populations and L. erythrocera. The darker coloration of head and legs (in particular the fore coxa) is also diagnostic but extreme forms of both species can be very similar. The two species also differ ecologically. Leptocera sphaerotheca sp.n. prefers higher altitudes than L. e. erythrocera but the two often occur sympatrically at intermediate elevations.
description: Published as part of Buck, Matthias & Marshall, Stephen A., 2009, Revision of New World Leptocera Olivier (Diptera, Sphaeroceridae), pp. 1-139 in Zootaxa 2039 (1) on pages 57-61, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.2039.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/5311868