Paraclius pumilio Loew 1872
Creators: name: Soares, Matheus M. M.
name: Runyon, Justin B.
name: Capellari, Renato S.
name: Ale-Rocha, Rosaly
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2023
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Insecta
Diptera
Dolichopodidae
Paraclius
Paraclius pumilio

description: Paraclius pumilio Loew
(Figs 14–18, 22)
Paraclius pumilio Loew, 1872: 90. Type locality: USA, Texas.
Paraclius magnicornis Van Duzee, 1927: 146. Type locality: USA, Idaho, Lewiston. Syn. nov.
Diagnosis. Postpedicel suboval to subtriangular, with rounded apex (Figs 14A, 15D, F). Anepisternum without yellow spot above coxa I (Figs 14A, 15A). Legs mostly dark brown, except apex of all coxae, trochanters, tibiae I and II and basal 1/4 of dorsal surface of tibia III, basal 1/2 of It 1 and IIt 1 yellow (Figs 14A, 15A). Wing hyaline to gently brownish anteriorly; M 1 strongly bowed towards R 4+5, weakly concave posteriorly; CuAx ratio: 0.35 (Figs 14D, 15E, 18A). Male tergite 6 with 4 strong lateral setae (Fig. 16I). Ventral lobe of surstylus long and narrow, somewhat L-shaped, abruptly curved ventrally, almost forming a 90º angle (Fig. 16C–E). Dorsal lobe of surstylus weakly sclerotized, short, subrectangular, with 1 slender apicoventral seta, longer than dorsal lobe of surstylus, and 2 strong setae, 1 at apical margin and 1 subapical at dorsal edge (Fig. 16F). Cercus long, suboval, about 1/2 as long as epandrium (Fig. 16C, D, H).
Redescription. Male (based on photographs of the male syntype and identified specimens). Body length: 2.2–2.8 mm; wing length: 1.9–2.5 mm, width: 0.6–0.9 mm (n = 20). Head (Figs 14A–C, 15A, B, 18B, C). Similar to P. arcuatus, except as noted: Upper-most 4–5 postocular setae black, remaining setae white. Frons covered with dense yellowish gray pruinosity, with weak greenish reflections. Face homogeneously obscured by dense silvery pruinosity. Postpedicel suboval or subtriangular, with rounded apex, about 1.2–1.5X longer than wide; arista-like stylus dorsal, arising near base of postpedicel, length about 4/6 of eye height; two-segmented, first segment, short, arched, ending at apex of postpedicel, covered with short pubescence; second segment long, about 3X longer than first segment, covered with short microtrichia. Thorax (Figs 14A, B, 15A, B). Mesonotum metallic green with weak purple and coppery reflections, postalar callus covered with silvery pruinosity. Scutellum metallic green, with lateral margins covered with silvery pruinosity. Pleura dark gray, covered with dense silvery pruinosity, with weak greenish and bluish reflection mainly on anepisternum. Metepimeron dark gray. Chaetotaxy: scutellum with 1 pair of strong medial scutellars and 1 pair of smaller setae laterad, about 1/5 as long as medial scutellars. Wing (Figs 14A, D, 15C, E, 18A). Membrane grayish; CuAx ratio: 0.35–0.40; plumule yellow to black. Legs (Figs 14A, 15A). Mostly dark brown, except apex of all coxae, trochanters, extreme base of all femora, apex of femur I, basal 1/2 of It 1 and IIt 1 and basal 1/3 of dorsal surface of tibia III yellow to dark yellow. Leg I. Podomere ratios: 24, 22, 7/3/2/2/3. Apical 1/2 of anterior surface of coxa I covered with dense silvery pruinosity, apical edge with 2–3 strong setae and 1–2 slender setae. Femur I with anteroventral row of short setae from base to apex (about 1/4 as long as width of femur) ending in 2–3 more conspicuous preapical setae, 2 posteroventral preapical short setae. Tarsus I unmodified. Leg II. Podomere ratios: 32, 32, 12/10/8/5/4. Femur II with row of short anteroventral setae from base to apical 5/6 (about 1/3 as long as width of femur at broadest point), ending in 2 preapical more conspicuous setae, 1 strong anterior preapical seta, 1 posteroventral more conspicuous preapical setae. Leg III. Podomere ratios: 40, 50, 12/15/12/8/5. Femur III laterally compressed, about 1.5X wider than femur II at broadest point. Femur III with anterodorsal row of short setae at basal 1/2, anteroventral row of short setae from base to apical 5/6, ending in 1 longer preapical seta, 2 posteroventral preapical short setae and 1 strong anterior preapical seta. Abdomen (Figs 14A, 15A, 16A, B, I, 18D). Metallic green, with weak greenish and coppery reflections. Posterior margin of tergite 5 with long setae, but not overlapping posterior margin of tergite 6. Lateral margin of tergite 6 with 4 strong setae on posterior 1/2 (all shorter than tergite). Tergite 7 covered with weak pruinosity, with narrow and deep concavity at posterior margin, almost dividing tergite in two hemitergites. Sternites pale brown to brown (sternites 1–4 not examined). Sternite 5 U-shaped, as long as sternite 6 and weakly connected with tergite 6. Sternite 8 subovoid, setose on posterior 1/2. Hypopygium (Fig. 16C–H). Epandrium dark brown, long and narrow, about 3X longer than high, with acute apicoventral lateral ridge (Fig. 16C, D). Basal apicoventral epandrial seta slightly longer than ventral lobe of surstylus and 2X longer than apical seta (Fig. 16C, D). Ventral lobe of surstylus long and narrow, somewhat L-shaped, abruptly curved ventrally, almost forming 90º angle, with short and stout modified apical seta and 1 short dorsal seta inserted on short tubercle at base (Fig. 16C–E). Dorsal lobe of surstylus weakly sclerotized, short, subrectangular, with 1 slender apicoventral seta, as long as dorsal lobe of surstylus and 2 strong setae, 1 at apical margin and 1 subapical at dorsal edge (Fig. 16F). Postgonite plain, well sclerotized and curved ventrally at apex (Fig. 16E). Proctiger plain, weakly sclerotized and dorsoventrally flattened (Fig. 16E). Hypandrium trough-shaped, with weak connection to epandrium basally, free laterally, apex bifurcate, asymmetrical and somewhat arrow-shaped in ventral view, left lateral margin with 2 dentiform preapical processes, apicalmost process bifid, right lateral margin with 1 preapical bifid process; base of hypandrium projecting up inside epandrial capsule, cradling phallus (Fig. 16C, G). Phallus strongly sclerotized, divided in two narrow arms, narrowing at apex, both arms with 1 short subapical dentiform process (Fig. 16C, E); ejaculatory apodeme long, about 1/2 as long as epandrium, gradually widening towards apex, laterally compressed and well sclerotized (Fig. 16C, E); sperm pump short, somewhat pipe-shaped, about 1/2 as long as ejaculatory apodeme (Fig. 16C, E). Cercus long, suboval, about 1/2 as long as epandrium, whitish-yellow, outer surface covered with short setae, ventral edge with long setae (Fig. 16C, D, H). Female (Fig. 17). Body length: 2.9–3.3 mm; wing length: 2.5–2.8 mm (n = 12). Similar to male, except as noted: Postpedicel short, oval, about as long as wide; face and clypeus wide, both wider than ocellar tubercle. Abdomen metallic green with weak coppery reflections. Tergites 1–5 setose, with long setae at posterior margins (about 1/2 as long as tergite) and with weak lateral patches of silvery pruinosity. Terminalia as in P. arcuatus, including number of spines on each acanthophorite.
Type material examined. Paraclius pumilio: SYNTYPE ♁ (based on photographs) (Fig. 14) labelled as: “[USA], Texas ” [handwritten]; “pumilio” [handwritten]; “Loew | Coll.” “Type | 13028”; “MCZ-ENT | 00013028” (MCZ).
Paraclius magnicornis: HOLOTYPE ♁ (based on photographs and examination of specimen) (Fig. 18) labelled as: “[USA], Lewiston [ca 46°23′24.8″N 117°00′08.8″W] | Idaho | July 20 ’ 25”; “Pres by | C.L Fox | Collector”; “ Paraclius | magnicornis [handwritten] | Holotype Van Duzee”; “California Academy | of Sciences | Type No. 1881” (CAS).
Additional material examined. MEXICO: Oaxaca [ca 17°09′46.5″N 96°47′11.8″W], nr 660 km rt 190 [Mexican Federal Highway 190], 09.viii.1962, Paraclius pumilio Loew (1 ♁, dissected CNC); idem, nr km 220 rt 185, (1 ♀, CNC). USA: Arizona, Mohave Co., Burro Creek [34°33′13.8″N 113°31′25.1″W] 1900 ft, 15 mi. S Wikieup, 18.viii.1985, R. Hurley (1 ♁, MTEC). Arkansas, Scott Co. Bates [ca 34°54′23.6″N 94°23′16.3″W], 8.viii.1988, R. Hurley (1 ♁, MTEC). California, Alamo Creek, S.L. Obispo Co. [ca 35°15′39.1″N 120°42′52.2″W], 22.i.1948, W.W. Wirth, Collector, Paraclius magnicornis Van Duzee, Det. F.C.H. Harmston, 1948 (1 ♀, NMNH). Colorado, Las Animas Co. Chacuaco Creek [ca 37°30′04.8″N 103°37′43.9″W] 5500 ft 7.5 mi. E Walts Corner 11.viii.1988, R. Hurley (1 ♁, MTEC). Illinois, Vermillion Co., Middle Fk, Vermillion River, Potomac [ca 40°18′03.1″N 87°47′52.8″W], 17.vii.1989, R. Hurley (1 ♁, MTEC). Indiana, Orange Co., Patoka Lake [ca 38°25′05.0″N 86°39′40.5″W], 4 mi. S Painter Creek, 20.viii.1981, R Hurley (1 ♁, MTEC). Kansas, Neosho Co., Canville Creek [ca 37°41′50.1″N 95°11′56.9″W], 2 mi. W Stark, 22.viii.1980, R. Hurley (1 ♁, MTEC). Kentucky, Adair Co., 1 mi. S Portland [ca 37°07′16.2″N 85°26′41.5″W], 4.ix.1976, R. Hurley (1 ♁, MTEC). Missouri, Caldwell Co., Little Otter Creek, 1 mi. E Hamilton [ca 39°44′40.5″N 94°00′51.3″W], 14.vii.1989, R. Hurley (1 ♁, MTEC). Montana, Carbon Co., Pryor Mountains, Gyp Springs, 1410 m, N45°00.36′ W108°25.80′, 4–5.vii.2018, J.B. Runyon (1 ♁, MTEC). Oklahoma, Logan Co. [ca 35°56′53.0″N 97°35′32.7″W], 3 mi. S Crescent, 5.viii.1974, R. Hurley (1 ♁, MTEC). Pennsylvania, Fulton Co., Little Tonoloway Creek, N39°47.936′ W78°14.489′, 22.vii.2007, J.B. Runyon (1 ♁, MTEC). South Dakota, Buffalo Co., Campbell Creek [ca 45°47′27.4″N 103°29′47.3″W], 2.5 mi., W Lees Corner, 23.vi.1987, R. Hurley (1 ♁, MTEC). Tennessee, Lincoln Co., Carr Creek, 4.6 mi NE Dellrose [ca 35°07′24.3″N 86°47′41.8″W], 7.viii.1992, R. Hurley (1 ♁, MTEC). Texas, Kerr Co., Guadalupe River, Kerrville [ca 30°03′17.0″N 99°09′58.5″W], 24.viii.1985, R. Hurley (1 ♁, MTEC); Plano [ca 33°03′04.6″N 96°40′16.0″W], July, 1907, E.S. Tucker (2 ♀, NMNH, one dissected). Virginia, Wise Co., Cranesnest River, 549 m, N37°02.67′ W82°29.66′, 18.vi.2008, J.B. Runyon (1♁ MTEC). West Virginia, Boone Co., Little Coal River, 198 m, N38°10.847′ W81°50.288′, 5.vi.2007, J.B. Runyon (1 ♁, MTEC);
Remarks. Paraclius pumilio possesses mostly brown to dark brown legs, similar to P. angustipennis and P. xibun sp. nov., but can be differentiated from P. angustipennis by the IIt 1 yellow at basal 1/2 (Fig. 15A) and phallus plain, lacking fringe of short spines (Fig. 16E) versus IIt 1 wholly brown (Figs 7A, 8A), and phallus with fringe of short spines in P. angustipennis (Fig. 9B–D), and from P. xibun sp. nov. by the male tergite 6 with row of 3–4 strong lateral setae increasing in length towards posterior margin (Fig. 16I), sternite 5 U-shaped (Fig. 16A) and dorsal lobe of surstylus subrectangular, with 1 slender apicoventral seta, longer than dorsal lobe of surstylus, and 2 strong setae, 1 at apical margin and 1 subapical at dorsal edge (Fig. 16F) versus tergite 6 with two rows of 7–8 subequally long lateral setae (Fig. 19E), sternite 5 divided in two narrow hemitergites (Fig. 20A) and dorsal lobe of surstylus suboval, with dorsal row of short setae at basal 1/2, ending in 1 strong seta at middle (Fig. 20D) in P. xibun sp. nov.
After the examination of photographs and subsequently the specimen of the male holotype of Paraclius magnicornis Van Duzee, 1934 housed at CAS (Fig. 18), we concluded that P. magnicornis is conspecific and should be synonymized under P. pumilio. The main difference between the two species is the shape of the postpedicel, suboval in the holotype of P. pumilio (Fig. 15D) and subtriangular in P. magnicornis (Fig. 18B). However, we have examined several specimens of P. pumilio with postpedicel subtriangular (Fig. 15F) and the male terminalia matches specimens with suboval postpedicel. Paraclius pumilio is the most widespread species in the arcuatus species-group, occurring across much of the USA to southern Mexico and presents a wide morphological variation e.g.: postpedicel can be subtriangular to suboval, wing varying from hyaline to brownish and the plumule can vary from yellow to dark brown.
Distribution. Southern Mexico (Oaxaca) and widespread in USA (Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Nebraska, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia (Pollet et al. 2004)) and newly recorded from Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Montana, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota and West Virginia (Fig. 22).
description: Published as part of Soares, Matheus M. M., Runyon, Justin B., Capellari, Renato S. & Ale-Rocha, Rosaly, 2023, Review of Paraclius arcuatus species-group (Diptera, Dolichopodidae) with description of two new species, pp. 151-182 in Zootaxa 5323 (2) on pages 170-176, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5323.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/8204101