Rhamphomyia (Dasyrhamphomyia) nigrita Zetterstedt
Creators: name: Sinclair, Bradley J.
name: Vajda, Élodie A.
name: Saigusa, Toyohei
name: Shamshev, Igor V.
name: Wheeler, Terry A.
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2019
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Insecta
Diptera
Chironomidae
Rhamphomyia
Rhamphomyia nigrita

description: Rhamphomyia (Dasyrhamphomyia) nigrita Zetterstedt
(Figs 14–16)
Rhamphomyza nigrita Zetterstedt, 1838: 567. Type-locality: Greenland. Other references: Bezzi, 1903: 227 (catalogue); Melander, 1928: 199 (catalogue); Collin, 1931: 67 (faunal survey); Henriksen, 1939: 80 (Greenland list); Oliver, 1963: 178 (species list); Melander, 1965: 465 (catalogue); Gorodkov & Kovalev, 1969: 631 (key); Downes, 1970: 770 (phenology); Danks, 1981: 465 (arctic insects); Barták & Danielson, 2007: 107 (type data).
R. (Dasyrhamphomyia) nigrita: Frey, 1922: 66 (key); Frey, 1955b: 518 (revision).
R. (Rhamphomyia) nigrita: Chvála & Wagner, 1989: 288 (catalogue); Shamshev, 2001: 333 (key); Yang et al., 2007: 186 (catalogue); Barták, 2015: 576 (Greenland fauna); Shamshev, 2016: 78 (checklist).
Empis borealis Fabricius, 1780: 211 (junior primary homonym of Empis borealis Linnaeus, 1758). Type-locality: Greenland.
Rhamphomyia conservativa Malloch, 1919: 48. Type-locality: Bernard Harbour, Nunavut, Canada.
Other references: Melander, 1928: 189 (catalogue); 1965: 462 (catalogue); Downes, 1970: 770 (as new synonym of R. nigrita); Cooper & Cumming, 1993: 32 (type catalogue).
Notes on synonymy. Rhamphomyia conservativa was described from nine specimens, of which seven were found in CNC. This synonym was long recognized in the Empididae collection of the CNC and Downes (1970) clearly proposed this synonymy, which we can also confirm. This synonymy was apparently unknown to Melander (1965).
Type material examined. Rhamphomyia conservativa: HOLOTYPE ♂ (Fig. 14A), labelled (Fig. 14B): “HO- LOTYPE/ Rhamphomyia / conservativa Mall. / CNC No. 219”; “W. of Bernard Isl/ N.W. T.”; “ F. Johansen / Coll.”; “Canadian/ Arctic/ Expedition/ July 14, 1916 ”; “ Rhamphomyia / conservativa/ Mall. Type” (CNC). PARATYPES: CANADA. Nunavut: Bernard Harbour, 10.vii., 1–7.viii.1915, 10, 14.vii.1916, F. Johansen (1 ♂, 4 ♀, CNC). Yukon: Herschel Island, 29.vii.1916, F. Johansen (1 ♀, CNC).
Additional material examined. CANADA. British Columbia: Summit Lake, mi 392 Alaska Hwy, 5000 ft, 6.vii.1959, R.E. Leech (1 ♀, CNC); same locality, 4700 ft, 7.vii.1959 (1 ♀, CNC). Manitoba: Churchill, 14.vii.1947, C. R. Twinn (2 ♂, CNC); Churchill, 12.vii.1948, W. R. Richards (1 ♂, CNC); Churchill, 29.vi.1948, G.E. Shewell (1 ♀, CNC); Fort Churchill, 4.vii.1952, J.G. Chillcott (1 ♀, CNC); Eastern Cr. nr. Churchill, 25.vi.1952, J.G. Chillcott (1 ♀, CNC); Churchill, 10–25.vi.1930, O. Bryant (7 ♂, 4 ♀, CNC); Churchill, 58°45′16″ 93°59′55″W, A frame, MT, 26–30.vi., 30.vi.–3.vii.2007, A. Renaud (14 ♂, 13 ♀, CNC); Churchill, 58.73351°, -93.79729°, Repl.1, mesic, MT, 5–9.vii.2010, NBP field party, CCDB-21421-G08 (1 ♀, barcode associated, LEM); Churchill, Twin Lakes, MT, 58°37′53″ 93°47′20″W, 26–29.vi.2007, J. Skevington (2 ♂, 1 ♀, CNC). Northwest Territories: Aklavik, 29.vi.–18.vii.1931, O. Bryant (5 ♀, CNC); Banks Is., Aulavik NP, 73.233284°, -119.54719°, Repl.2–3, wet & mesic, Pans/ sweeps, 7-19.vii.2011, NBP field party (4 ♂, LEM); same data except, 13.vii.2011, CCBD-2141- D02 (1 ♂, barcoded, LEM); Masik Riv., Banks Is., 4–10.vii.1968, W. R.N. Mason (16 ♂, 11 ♀, CNC); Masik Riv., Banks Is., 14–31.vii.1968, G.E. Shewell (29 ♂, 19 ♀, CNC); Holman, Victoria Is., 26.vi.–10.vii.1952, D.P.Gray (3 ♂, 6 ♀, CNC); Hooper Is., Mackenzie Delta, 28.vi.–16.vii.1971, D.M. Wood (3 ♂, 5 ♀, CNC); Kidluit Bay, N. Richards Is. W., 27.vii.1948, J. R. Vockeroth (1 ♀, CNC); Sachs Harbour, 27–30.vi.1968, W. R. Mason (2 ♂, 2 ♀, CNC); Salmita Mines, 64°05′N, 111°15′W, 4.vii.1953, J.G. Chillcott (1 ♂, 4 ♀, CNC); - 21 mi E Tuktoyaktuk, 20.vi.–12.vii.1971, D.M. Wood (7 ♂, 2 ♀, CNC); Victoria Is., 71°17′N, 114°W, 1–28.vii.1975, G. & M. Wood (14 ♂, 11 ♀, CNC). Nunavut: Axel Heiberg Is., 79°25′N, 90°45′W, 19–31.vii.1963, H.K. Rutz (92 ♂, 54 ♀, CNC); Cambridge Bay, 12.viii.1950, W. R.M. Mason (4 ♂, 2 ♀, CNC); Cambridge Bay, 12.viii.1959, W. R. Richards (2 ♂, 2 ♀, CNC); Cambridge Bay, 18–31.vii.1950, E.H.N. Smith (2 ♂, 9 ♀, CNC); Cambridge Bay, 22–26.vii.1950, G.K. Sweatman (6 ♂, 9 ♀, CNC); Cambridge Bay, 69.120 7, -105.42582, 11–19.vii.2011, mesic, MT / sweep, Repl.2–3, NBP field party (4 ♂, LEM); Cambridge Bay, 69.121 57, -105.43124, 15–19.vii.2011, mesic, MT, Repl.3, NBP field party, CCDB-21421-G06, CCDB-21421-G09 (2 ♀, barcode associated, LEM); Chesterfield, 30.vii.–6.viii.1950, J. R. Vockeroth (1 ♂, 1 ♀, CNC); Chesterfield, 6–31.viii.1950, J.G. Chillcott (2 ♂, 1 ♀, CNC); Head of Clyde In- let, Baffin Is., 7.viii.1958, J.E.H. Martin (1 ♂, 5 ♀, CNC); Coppermine, 15.vii.1951, S.D. Hicks (2 ♂, 4 ♀, CNC); Coral Harbour, Southampton Is., 1–17.vii.1948, G. E. Shewell (55 ♂, 64 ♀, CNC); Coral Harbour, Southampton Is., 18.vii.1952, T.P. R. Ehlich (1 ♂, CNC); Eureka, 2–3.viii.1963, J. R. Vockeroth (4 ♂, CNC); Hot Weather Creek, Forsheim Peninsula, Ellesmere Is., 79°58′N, 84°28′W, 24.vi.–26.vii.1990, F. Brodo (13 ♂, 6 ♀, CNC); Eureka, 6–30.vii.1954, P.F. Bruggemann (3 ♂, 5 ♀, CNC); Fraser Lake, 68°45′N, 120°36′W, 19.vii.1969, G.E. Shewell (4 ♂, 5 ♀, CNC); Frobisher Bay, 2–8.vii.1948, F.G. DiLabio (2 ♀, CNC); Frobisher Bay, Baffin Is., 26.vi.1948, T.N. Freeman (1 ♂, CNC); Hazen Camp, 81°49′N, 71°18′W, 1–30.vii.1962, R.B. Madge (20 ♂, 19 ♀, CNC; 1 ♂, 1 ♀, UGIC); Hazen Camp, 81°49′N, 71°18′W, 1.vii.1962, P.S. Corbet (1 ♂, 1 ♀, CNC); Hazen Camp, 81°49′N, 71°18′W, 5–7.vii.1962, R.E. Leech (3 ♂, 3 ♀, CNC); Hazen Camp, 81°49′N, 71°18′W, 11–14.vii.1963, H.K. Rutz (2 ♂, 8 ♀, CNC); Hazen Camp, 81°49′N, 71°16′W, 12–26.vii.1962, J.A. Downes (8 ♂, 4 ♀, CNC); Hazen Camp, Ellesmere Is., 20.vii.–18.viii.1961, 14.vii.1962, D. R. Oliver (14 ♂, 12 ♀, CNC); Hazen Camp, 81°49′N, 71°16′W, 21.vi.1962, J.F. McAlpine (1 ♂, CNC); Hazen Camp, 81°49′N, 71°18′W, 1.viii.1963, J. R. Vockeroth (1 ♀, CNC); Hazen L., Ellesmere Is., 7–13.vii.1963, B. Hocking (6 ♀, CNC); Hazen L., Ellesmere Is., 13.vii.1963, C.D. Sharplin (3 ♀, CNC); Hazen L., Ellesmere Is., 27.vi.1967, J.D. Shorthouse (1 ♂, 1 ♀, CNC); Ellesmere Is., Lake Hazen, 81.82975°, -71.32244° [Repl.1], 81.82941°, -71.48788° [Repl.2], 19–25.vii.2010, wet & mesic, MT / sweep, NBP Field Party (7 ♂, LEM); Keewatin, 64°15′N, 89°30′W, 22.vii.1950, J.G. Chillcott (1 ♂, CNC); Lady Melville Lk., 93°15′W, 69°25′N, 3.vii.1951, J.G. Chillcott (1 ♂, 1 ♀, CNC); Melville Pen., Rose Bay, 66°51′N, 84°53′W, 19–22.vii.1948, Cody & McArthur (2 ♂, CNC); Kugluktuk, 67.83538°, -115.20987°, 3–7.vii.2010, mesic, MT, Repl.2, NBP Field Party (4 ♂, LEM); Nettilling Lake, Baffin Is., 7–9.vii.1925, J.D. Soper (2 ♀, CNC); Notting- ham Is., J. Mckenzie (1 ♂, USNM); Pond Inlet, Baffin Is., 26.vii., 6.viii.1978, 1.vii.1979, G. Johnston (3 ♂, 2 ♀, UGIC); Repulse Bay, 6.vii.1950, P.F. Bruggemann (1 ♂, CNC); Repulse Bay, 4–26.vii.1950, J.E.H. Martin (1 ♂, 4 ♀, CNC); Tanquary Fjord, Ellesmere Is., 18.vii.1963, H.K. Rutz (1 ♂, CNC); Head of Traquary Fjord, Ellesmere Is., 2.viii.1963, J. R. Vockeroth (2 ♀, CNC); Spence Bay, 2–30.vii.1951, J.G. Chillcott (12 ♂, 24 ♀, CNC); Spence Bay, 11–30.vii.1951, A.E. R. Downe (3 ♂, 13♀, CNC); Wager Bay, 65°15′N, 88°00′W, 22.vii.1950, J.G. Chillcott (1 ♂, 1 ♀, CNC). Yukon: British Mts, 69°27′N 140°25′W, 2–4.vii.1984, G. &M. Wood, D. Lafontaine (1 ♂, 1 ♀, CNC); Dempster Hwy, km 456, MT in tundra stream, 7–9.vii.1985, S.A. Marshall (3 ♂, UGIC); Firth River, 11– 14.vii.1956, R.E. Leech (8 ♂, 13 ♀, CNC); Firth River, 11–14.vii.1956, E.F. Cashman (3 ♂, 2 ♀, CNC); Herschel Is., 5–28.vii.1953, J.S. Waterhouse (24 ♂, 24 ♀, CNC); Herschel Is., 9–30.vii.1953, C.D. Bird (21 ♂, 29 ♀, CNC); Herschel Is., 28–29.vi.1971, D.M. Wood (12 ♂, 5 ♀, CNC); Herschel Is., 18–20.vii.1930, O. Bryant (1 ♂, 3 ♀, CNC); saddle, 68°01′N 136°42′W, 900 m, 1.vii.1987, J. Troubridge (1 ♂, 1 ♀, CNC). USA. Alaska: Cape Thompson, 22–26.vii.1961, R. Madge (14 ♂, 23 ♀, CNC); Kivalina R., 68°16′N 163°27′W, 10–17.vii.1974, K.W. Philip (2 ♂, CNC); mi. 213, Richardson Hwy, 17.vi.1951, J. R. McGillis (1 ♀, CNC); Schrader Lk., 3–5.vii.1972, K.W. Philip (1 ♂, CNC); St. George Is. [not shown on Fig. 16], 26–28.vii.1897, T. Kincaid (1 ♂, 3 ♀, USNM). GREENLAND. Auleitsivik, Nordskj. Exp. ’33 (1 ♂, USNM); Nedre Midsommer Sö [not shown on Fig. 16], 1–30.vii.1966, Can. Peary Land Expd. (86 ♂, 91 ♀, CNC); Sondrestrom Air Base, 10–14.vi., 18.vii.1952, W.J. Brown (10 ♂, 7 ♀, CNC); Sondrestrom Air Base, 11.vii.1963, W.P. DuBose (3 ♂, 3 ♀, USNM).
Diagnosis. This species is distinguished from other Dasyrhamphomyia by the multi-serial acrostichals and dorsocentral setae; dark vittae beneath acrostichal and dorsocentral rows, separated by pair of lighter grey stripes; pale halteres; male cerci very long, pale, folded or wrapped over each other in dried specimens, leaving no opening dorsally and right cercus with mid-length expansion; male mid and hind tibiae and femora with pronounced ventral pile. Female wing darkly infuscate and broader than male.
Redescription. Wing length 6.0–7.0 mm. Male. Head dark in ground-colour, with greyish pruinescence on face, frons, postgena and occiput; oral margin dark and lustrous. Holoptic, eye with ommatidia larger on upper half and smaller on lower half. Frons represented by very small triangular space below ocellar tubercle and larger subtriangular space above antennae, bare. Face divergent towards mouthparts, with oral margin dark and shiny. Ocellar triangle dark with 1 pair of anterior divergent setae, 1 pair of similar posterior setae; 2–3 pairs of postocellar setulae slightly shorter than ocellar setae. Occipital setae black, long, thin. Postgena with many long, hair-like dark setae. Antenna dark; scape slightly more than 2X longer than bulbous pedicel; pedicel broader than scape width; postpedicel cone-like, less than 3X basal width; stylus subequal to basal width of postpedicel. Palpus dark, with many dark, long, wavy hair-like setulae. Clypeus with upper margin glossy, grey pruinescent distally; labrum lustrous and reddish brown with yellow apex; labellum with dark setae.
Thorax dark in ground-colour, largely densely grey-blue pruinescent; anterior and posterior spiracles brownish; brownish vittae along acr and dc rows and psut spal face. Proepisternum with many long, hair-like, dark setae on lower part and small cluster of dark setae on upper part in front of anterior spiracle; prosternum bare. Antepronotum with row of short, stout dark setae. Postpronotal lobe with many long, uniform dark setae. Scutum with multiserial dark acr, shorter than postpronotal setae; multiserial dc similar to acr, increasing in length posteriorly, expanded laterally into presut spal area; 4 npl, with numerous hair-like setae anteriorly; psut spal face with numerous long setae; pal face with 1–3 long, dark setae; 5–7 pairs of sctl, slightly longer than dc. Laterotergite with cluster of dark setae longer than postpronotal setae.
Legs entirely dark; femora reddish brown, somewhat lustrous; coxae with bluish pruinescence; fore coxa with numerous dark, fine setae anteriorly. Fore femur with 1 anteroventral and 1 posteroventral rows of long, thin setae. Mid femur with ventral pile; 1 anteroventral and 1 posteroventral rows of setae, latter setae longer apically than anteroventral setae. Hind femur with ventral pile; 1–2 rows of dark anteroventral and posteroventral setae, never extending beyond basal half of femur (Fig. 15A). Tibiae with dense ventral white pile; fore and hind tibiae with anteroventral row of black minute spinule-like setae, not longer than pile; mid tibia with anteroventral and posteroventral rows of spinule-like setae, slightly longer than pile; hind tibia with anterodorsal and posterodorsal rows of setae, not longer than width of tibia (Fig. 15A); posteroapical comb without outstanding seta. Mid and hind tarsomere 1 with stronger ventral setae.
Wing broad, infuscate, with yellowish veins; all veins complete (except Sc), well sclerotized, including CuA+CuP. Basal costal seta absent; pterostigma present, although sometimes not obvious. Anal lobe well-developed; axillary incision acute. Halter pale with stem slightly darker.
Abdomen darker than thorax, with fainter pruinescence; anterior margins of sclerites somewhat paler; clothed in long, dark setae; setae shorter on dorsal region of tergites. Sternite 8 large and sub-triangular, with posterior setae shorter than length of sclerite. Tergite 8 one-half length of sternite, closely approximated laterally with sternite; posteromarginal setae shorter than length of corresponding sclerite.
Terminalia (Figs 15B, C) elongate. Epandrium rounded, with posterior finger-like projection, densely pruinose and bearing many dark, longer setae. Hypandrium short, slim, subrectangular, hugging phallus base following recurved bend. Phallus with expanded cylindrical mid section, abruptly tapered to very slender apical half, without loops, extending to base of cerci. Ejaculatory apodeme triangular, with lateral wings shorter than vertical wing. Cercus very elongate, yellow to yellowish brown, strongly contrasting with dark epandrium; fold over each other such that no opening left, with mid-length expansion on right cercus (Fig. 12C); extended anteriorly over abdomen to tergite 3; base of cercus with finger-like projection bearing many short, dark, fine setae.
Female. Similar to male, except wing broader, especially anal lobe; anteroventral and posteroventral setae of hind femur extending entire length; ventral pile on all femora greatly reduced or absent; legs without pennate setae.
Distribution. Rhamphomyia nigrita is widespread across the low and high arctic (with some records from the boreal zone) in the Nearctic Region, from Greenland to Alaska and as far south as Churchill, Manitoba and northern British Columbia (Fig. 16). It also occurs in Russia, Sweden and Norway (Shamshev 2016). A single female specimen is recorded also from Colorado (Mt. Evans, 12000 ft, 3.viii.1961, W.R.M. Mason), but a male is required to confirm this disjunct alpine population.
Remarks. Although the holotype was not examined during this study (see Barták & Danielson 2007), identification was confirmed by comparison with Frey (1955, figs 420, 423) and Barták (2015, figs 1B, C).
description: Published as part of Sinclair, Bradley J., Vajda, Élodie A., Saigusa, Toyohei, Shamshev, Igor V. & Wheeler, Terry A., 2019, Rhamphomyia Meigen of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, Greenland and Iceland (Diptera: Empididae), pp. 1-94 in Zootaxa 4670 (1) on pages 24-29, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4670.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/3773507