Batrachomyia krausi Evenhuis, sp. nov.
Creators: name: Evenhuis, Neal L.
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2006
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Insecta
Diptera
Chloropidae
Batrachomyia
Batrachomyia krausi

description: Batrachomyia krausi Evenhuis, sp. nov.
Type material: Holotype (Ento. BPBM 16,668) and 2 paratypes of third (final) instar larval specimens from: Papua New Guinea: Fergusson Island: Oya Tabu [= Mt.
Kilkerran], 900–1000 m, [9.45ºS, 150.78ºE], 20–24 Aug 2002, F. Kraus et al., collectors (Vert. BPBM 16339). Other paratypes: 3 third (final) instar specimens, topotypic, same data as holotype (Vert. BPBM 16341); 2 third (final) instar specimens, topotypic, same data as holotype (Vert. BPBM 16337). Holotype deposited in BPBM; paratypes in AMS and BPBM.
Batrachomyia species Frog species Family Country Uperoleia laevigata Keferstein Myobatrachidae Australia
sp. Crinia signifera Girard Myobatrachidae Australia
Geocrinia laevis (Günther) Myobatrachidae Australia
Geocrinia victoriana (Boulenger) Myobatrachidae Australia
Heleioporus albopunctatus Gray Myobatrachidae Australia
Litorea citropa (Duméril & Bibron) Hylidae Australia
Litorea infrafrenata (Günther) Hylidae Australia
Pseudophryne corroboree Moore Myobatrachidae Australia
Pseudophryne dendyi Lucas Myobatrachidae Australia
Pseudophryne pengilleyi Wells & Myobatrachidae Australia Wellington
Larval Description. Length: 12.5–16.9 mm (n = 8). Greatest width (at level of segments 5 and 6): 5.0–6.0 mm. Body generally depressedly fusiform, tapered somewhat similarly at each end; lateral edges (when viewed dorsally) somewhat serrate in shape as a result of the general triangular shape of segments 3–9. In lateral view, larva flat on ventral surface, dorsal surface markedly convex with greatest girth and width at 5th and 6th segments. Head retracted into thorax leaving small visible cervical membrane anterior to anterior spiracles, mouthparts situated on ventral surface. First segment with spiracles on tentacle-like anterior respiratory processes. Anterior respiratory processes porrect, each tapering to blunt apex, constricted slightly subapically. Segments 2–10 with paired tubercles on tips of lateral processes; segments 2–10 dorsally each with three welt-like swellings: one medial bearing two small tubercles, one each admedianly bearing single small tubercle. Ventrally, segments 2–10 each with medial patch of dense microspicules (Fig. 5). Last segment with posterior spiracles borne on paired respiratory processes. Each process small and tapered to apex. Posterior spiracles each with three oval-shaped openings surrounded by a ridge.
Remarks. Adults have not been associated with the larvae, but the porrect anterior respiratory processes (Figs. 1, 3) (directed caudally or decumbent in other Batrachomyia species, cf. Figs. 2, 4) the distinctive triangular shape (when viewed dorsally) of the lateral portions of the abdominal segments with the presence of tubercles laterally on each segment (absent in Australian Batrachomyia species), and the ventromedial patches of dense microspicules (Fig. 5) (these segments each with single row of small blunt spinules in Batrachomyia, cf. Fig. 6) are unlike any other described species known and give me no hesitation in describing this species as new. Its large size (largest specimen 16.9 mm) is larger than the recorded larval length in other described Batrachomyia species but I have seen larval specimens of an undescribed species from Australia in AMS with specimens of a similar size, so this in itself may not be of any significance.
It is hoped that future collections can be made in the same general area to search specifically for adults but it is highly improbable that this specific area will be searched again for many years due to logistical difficulties. The frog species (Rana supragrisea) is fairly widespread on Fergusson Island but parasitized specimens were found only in the one specific area given above. A total of 16 frog specimens (7 males and 9 females) were found by Kraus to be parasitized. Only 3 of the frogs were dissected to obtain larvae for the type series. The rest of the parasites remain in situ. All larval parasites were found on the sides of the frogs in front of the hind legs.
Etymology. The specific epithet honors the primary collector of the species, Dr. E. Frederick Kraus. It has been pointed out to me that it is extremely unlikely that he will ever get something named after him, so I might as well do it now.
Distribution: Known only from Fergusson Island, Papua New Guinea.
description: Published as part of Evenhuis, Neal L., 2006, First record of the frog parasite genus Batrachomyia Krefft from New Guinea (Diptera: Chloropidae), pp. 53-59 in Zootaxa 1351 on pages 54-58, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.273597