Manota natalensis Jaschhof & Mostovski 2006, sp. n.
Creators: name: Jaschhof, Mathias
name: Mostovski, Mike
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2006
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Insecta
Diptera
Mycetophilidae
Manota
Manota natalensis

description: Manota natalensis sp. n.   Figs 1–3  
Etymology: From the distribution area, KwaZulu-Natal.  
 Diagnosis: Distinguished from Manota whiteleyi, the only other Manota species known from South Africa (see below), by the shorter antennae and maxillary palpi, non-setose preepisternum 2, and in features of both male and female terminalia. Male gonocoxites are conspicuous, even in low magnification, by the dorsal row of numerous black megasetae.   
Description:  
 Male.   
Body size 2.6–3.0 mm.  
 Head: Antenna with node of fourth flagellomere 0.9 times as long as wide; nodes of more distal flagellomeres longer than wide. Maxillary palpus short, 1.5 times the height of head; third palpal segment with short apical process without curved sensilla; fourth segment with short apical process.   
 Thorax: Anepisternum fully setose. Anepisternal cleft completely separating anepisternum and anterior basalare. Anterior basalare, preepisternum 2 and laterotergite non-setose. Episternum 3 setose. Wing: Membrane with a few setae along posterior margin. Portion of Sc basally of h setose dorsally, portion distally of h non-setose. CuA-fork complete. CuA-stem setose. A1 discernible as long line of setae. A2 faint but long, setose.   
 Abdomen: Tergite 8 with broadly rounded distal margin; densely setose, including 5–7 very large setae apically. Terminalia: Sternite 9 large, almost as long as gonocoxites, very weak distally, with deeply incised distal margin, with large setae on central portion (Fig. 1). Tergite 9 not traceable. Gonocoxites with setae very dense ventro-mesially, and very large disto-laterally; dorso-mesially, in position I+II, with some 15 short, pointed megasetae on elongate lobe; disto-mesially, in position III+IV, with weak, elongate lobe bearing apically one short, pointed megaseta and one large, flat megaseta tapering to tip (Figs 1, 2). Gonostylus with basolateral apophysis long, handle-like; two-lobed which becomes apparent in lateral view; ventral lobe roundish, with 7–8 very large setae apically; dorsal lobe with some 5 large setae outside and innumerable finer setae inside (Figs 1, 2). Parastylar lobe large but weak, with 1 or 2 large setae (Fig. 1). Tegmen long, medially bulbous (Figs 1, 2). In between tegmen and apex of sternite 9 with large, sclerotised V-shaped rib. Hypoproct with numerous setae apically including 2 or 3 pairs of large setae; with pair of lobe-like extensions ventrally, forming hood above tegmen apex, with setae pointing ventrally (Fig. 1). Tergite 10 present as weak, bare lobe. Lobes of cerci elongate, dorso-medially fused, baso-laterally with elongate, curved apodemes; dorsally and apically setose (Fig. 2).   
 Female.   
Body size 3.0 mm.  
 Head: Antennal flagellomeres with nodes 0.8 times as long as wide.   
 Terminalia (Fig. 3): Segment 7 very short. Tergites 8 and 9 largely fused, only laterally separated, densely setose. Sternite and gonocoxite 8 merged, large, densely setose; apical lobe with dense, large setae. Gonapophysis 8 discernible, bare. Gonapophysis 9 extending far caudally, interconnected with ventro-lateral portions of sternite 10. Tergite 10 largely covered by preceding tergite, very short; on either side with 2 very large setae on large protuberances. Sternite 10 extending far caudally, with row of small lateral and large apical setae. Cercus two-segmented; proximal segment 4 times as long as distal segment; both segments with strong, stiff setae; distal segment inside with some 8–10 bud-like sensilla. Mouth of spermathecal ducts sclerotised.   
 Holotype: ơ (on slide). SOUTH AFRICA: KwaZulu-Natal: Karkloof Nat. Res. (29 ° 19.1'S: 30 ° 15.5'E), alt. 1325 m, mistbelt forest, 24.xi–18.xii.2005, Malaise trap, M. Mostovski, M. & C. Jaschhof.   
 Paratypes: 3ơ 1^(all on slides), same data as the holotype; 2ơ 1^(all on slides), KwaZulu-Natal: Northern Drakensberg, Royal Natal Nat. Park, Gudu Forest (28 ° 40.9'S: 28 ° 55.8'E), alt. 1680–1730 m, old-growth indigenous forest, 28.xi–13.xii.2005, Malaise trap, M. Mostovski, M. & C. Jaschhof; 2ơ (on slides), Central Drakensberg, Cathedral Peak Nat. Res., Rainbow Gorge (28 ° 57.6'S: 29 ° 13.6'E), alt. 1500 m, old-growth indigenous forest, 3–15.xii.2005, Malaise trap, M. Mostovski, M. & C. Jaschhof.   
 Other material examined: SOUTH AFRICA: KwaZulu-Natal: 1ơ (in ethanol), same locality as holotype but 24.iv–27.v.2005; 1ơ (in ethanol), same locality but 26.vii–28.ix.2005; 1ơ (in ethanol), Northern Drakensberg, Royal Natal Nat. Park, Devil’s Hoek valley (28 ° 42.7'S: 28 ° 55.3'E), alt. 1650 m, old-growth indigenous forest, 11.xii.2005, sweepnet and aspirator, M. Jaschhof; 1ơ (in ethanol), Central Drakensberg, Cathedral Peak Nat. Res., Rainbow Gorge (28 ° 57.6'S: 29 ° 13.6'E), alt. 1500 m, old-growth indigenous forest, 4.xii.2005, sweepnet, M. Jaschhof; 1ơ (in ethanol), Pietermaritzburg, Hilton (29 ° 32'30.7''S: 30 ° 18'18.4''E), suburban garden with compost pile, 17–29.ii.2004, Malaise trap, M. Mostovski; 1ơ (in ethanol), Queen Elizabeth Park Nat. Res. (29 ° 34.157'S: 30 ° 19.299'E), alt. 860 m, forest patch, 1–5.xii.2003, Malaise trap, J.G.H. Londt & M. Mostovski.   
 Remarks: Among Afrotropical species of Manota, presence in the male gonocoxites of a dorsal row of megasetae is not unusual (see Søli 1993), but if other characters are taken into account, none of these species are really close to natalensis. Relatively short maxillary palpus and lack of curved sensilla on the third palpal segment are characters giving natalensis a rather isolated position among its congeners.   
This new species was collected predominantly in various indigenous forests of both the mountains and lowland of KwaZulu-Natal, with one specimen being found in a suburban garden. Preimaginal stages and the habitat of larvae are unknown.
description: Published as part of Jaschhof, Mathias & Mostovski, Mike, 2006, First record of Manota (Diptera: Mycetophilidae: Manotinae) from southern Africa, with the description of two new species, pp. 237 in African Invertebrates 47 on pages 238-240, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.7667327