Physopelta (Physopeltoides) dentipes Stehlík 2013, sp. nov.
Creators: name: Stehlík, Jaroslav L.
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2013
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Insecta
Hemiptera
Largidae
Physopelta
Physopelta dentipes

description: Physopelta (Physopeltoides) dentipes sp. nov.
(Figs 48–61)
Physopelta melanoptera Distant, 1904 (partim): 61–62 (description, distribution).
Type locality. Uganda, Kasese province, Ibanda, 4,700 ft [= 1433 m a.s.l.].
Type material. HOLOTYPE: ♂, ‘ UGANDA: / Ruwenzori Range / Ibanda, 4.700ft. / 4-12.ix.1952. / D. S. Fletscher. [p, white label] // Ruwenzori Exped./ B.M. 1952-566. [p, white label] //♂ [p, white label] // Holo- / typus [p, red label with black frame submarginally] // Physopelta / dentipes / sp.nov. [hw] / det.J. L. Stehlík [p] 2008 [hw, red label] (BMNH). The specimen is pinned through right hemelytron, left hind leg and right antennomere 4 missing.
PARATYPES: CAMEROON: Cameroons, 1903-355, Escalera [lgt.], 1 ♀, paralectotypus of Ph. melanoptera Distant, 1904 (misidentification) (BMNH). – CENTRAL PROVNCE: Youndé-N’Kolbisson, 9.viii.1967, 1 ♂, at light, L. Matile lgt. (MNHN); ditto, N’Kolbisson, xi.[19]64, 6♂♂ 2♀♀, B. de Miré lgt.(MNHN, NMPC); ditto, 17.ix.[19]67, 1 ♂, B. de Miré lgt. (MNHN); ditto, N’Kolbisson, 28.x.[19]69, 1 ♂ 1 ♀, no collector (MNHN). – SOUTH- WEST PROVINCE: 1.5–2.5 km Bakingili, 04°05.43′N 09°02.13′E, 200 m a.s.l., 23.–25.xi.2009, 1 ♀, R. Sehnal lgt. (ZJPC); ANR Ifora, Nyasoso, 860 m a.s.l., at light, 30.x.2007, 1♂ l ♀, H. Perrin lgt. (MNHN). – WEST PROVINCE: Faumbot, xi.[19]66, 1 ♀, B. de Miré (MNHN). – CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: LOMBAYE PROVINCE: La Maboké, 1.ix.1967, 1 ♂, L. Matile lgt. (MNHN); ditto, 17.iii.[19]68, 1 ♂, P. Teochi lgt. (MNHN); ditto, 14.x.1992, 1 ♂, no collector (MNHN); 35 km E Nola, 03°31′N 16°17′E, 16.xii.2008, 1 ♀, J. Halada lgt. (ZJPC); 55 km NWW Mbaiki, 04°03′N 17°40′E, 510 m a.s.l., 16.vi.2009, 1 ♂, J. Halada lgt. (ZJPC). – MAMBARÉ- KADEI PROVINCE: 90 km N Carnot, 05°30′N 15°54′E, 820 m a.s.l., 23.iii.2010, 1 ♂, J. Halada lgt.·(ZJPC). – NANA- MAMBARÉ PROVINCE: 60 km W Bouard, 05°45′N 15°13′E, 660 m a.s.l., 23.iii.2010, 1 ♀, J. Halada lgt. (ZJPC). – DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO (former Congo Belge and Zaire): BAS- UELÉ: Dakwa, 9.vii.1933, 1 ♀, J. V. Leroy lgt. (MRAC); Dingila, i.–iv.1933, 1 ♂, H. J. Bredoy lgt. (MRAC). – HAUT- LOMAMI: P.N. U. [= Park National Upemba], Gorge de la Pelenge, 1,150 m a.s.l., 6.–10.vi.1949, 2 ♀♀, Miss. G. F. de Witte (MRAC). – ITURI: Kilo, i.1940, 1 ♂, RR. FF. Maristes lgt. (MRAC); Mongbwalu (Kilo), 1937, 3 ♂♂ 2 ♀♀, Mme Scheitz lgt. (MRAC); ditto, vii.1938, 3 ♂♂ l ♀, Mme Scheitz lgt. (MRAC); ditto, 20.v.1939, 2 ♂♂ 2 ♀♀, Mme Scheitz lgt. (MRAC); Stanleyville [= Simba] and Kilo, 1 ♂, L. Burgeon lgt. (MRAC); Kasenye, viii.1935, l ♀, H. J. Bredo lgt. (MRAC); ditto, ix.1935, 1 ♂, H. J. Bredo lgt. (MRAC); d’Okondo à Birune, 20.ix.1929, 1 ♂, A. Collart lgt. (MRAC). – KINSHASA: Leopoldville [= Kinshasa], 1926, l ♂, J. Miller lgt. (ISNB); ditto, 30.v.1955, l ♂, P. Jobels lgt. (MRAC); ditto, 6.ix.1955, 1 ♂, P. Jobels lgt. (MRAC). – KONGO CENTRAL: Kiniati-Zobe, fin [= end of] xii.1915, l ♀, R. Mayné lgt. (MRAC); Ganda Sundi, 1 ♀, no collector (MRAC); Kitobola, 1911, 1 ♂, Rovere lgt. (MRAC). – NORD- KIVU: Goma Paste, 2.ii.1953, 1 ♂, J. Verbeke lgt. (ISNB); Masisi-Kisheryo, 1935, 1 ♀, H. Herman lgt. (MRAC); Kivu, Lulenga, fin [= end of] ix.1952, 2 ♀♀, L. Burgeon lgt. (MRAC); Semliki: Mutwanga, vii.1932, 1 ♂, Dr. Van Hoof lgt. (MRAC); Kavuma a Kabunga km 82 (Mingazi), ii.–iii.1951, 2 ♂♂, H. Bomans lgt. (MRAC); ditto, viii.1951, 1 ♂, H. Bomans lgt. (MRAC); P.N. A. [= Park National Albert], Massif [= Mts.] Ruvenzori, Kalonge, 2,060 m a.s.l., riv.[er] Katauleko, aff. [= near] Butahu, 9.xii.1957, VS 225, 1 ♂, P. Vanschuytbroek lgt. (MRAC). – SUD- KIVU: Rwankwi, 31.v.1951, 5♀♀, xi.1951, 2♀♀, ii.1952, 1 ♀, iii.1952, 1♂, all J. V.Leroy lgt. (ISNB); ditto, N Lac Kivu, Rwankwi, xi.1947, 1 ♀, J. V. Leroy lgt. (MRAC); ditto, 15.–30.iv.1948, 1 ♂ 11 ♀♀, J. W. Leroy lgt. (MRAC, 1 ♂ 1 ♀ NMPC); ditto, iii.1951, 6 ♂♂ 3 ♀♀, J. W. Leroy lgt. (MRAC, 1 ♂ NMPC); ditto, xi.1951, 4 ♂♂ 8 ♀♀, J. W. Leroy lgt. (MRAC, 1 ♀ NMPC); ditto, ii.1952, 1 ♀, J. W. Leroy lgt. (ISNB); ditto, iii.1952, 1 ♂, J. W. Leroy lgt. (ISNB); Mont Kahuzi km 82, ix.[19]81–ii.[19]82, 1 ♂, H. Bomans lgt. (BMNH); Mulungu (Tshibinda), 195[?], 1 ♂, J. Hecq lgt. (MRAC); Costermansville [= Bukavu], 1951, 1 ♂ 1 ♀, H. Bomans lgt. (MRAC); Terr. Mwenga, Kitulu, 650 m a.s.l., iv.[no year given], 1 ♂, N. Lepeup lgt. (MRAC); Kavimvira (Uvira), ii.–iii.1955, 1 ♂, G. Marlier lgt. (MRAC). – GABON: Belinga, 15.ii.[19]63, 2 ♀♀, 23.ii.[19]63, 1 ♂, 1.iii.[19]63, 1 ♀, 12.iii.[19]63, 5 ♂♂ 6 ♀♀, 12.iv.[19]63, 1 ♀; 12.vii.[19]63, 2 ♂♂ l ♀, all H. Coiffait lgt. (MNHN, NMPC); Belinga, Mt. Vadi, 13.iii.[19]63, 1 ♂, 13.vi.[19]63, 2 ♂♂, H. Coiffait lgt. (MNHN); Makokou, 26.iii.[19]63, 1 ♂, H. Coiffait lgt. (MNHN); Komo, Contreforts des Mts. de Cristal [= foothills of Cristal Mts.], 400 m a.s.l., 1.–15.x.1969, 5 ♂♂, A. Villiers lgt. (MNHN). – GUINEA: NZÉKORÉ PROVINCE: [Mt.] Nimba, vii.–xii.[19]51, 1 ♂ 1 ♀, Lamotte & Rey lgt. (MNHN); Mt. Nimba, 5.x.1956, 2 ♂♂, Lamotte lgt. (MNHN); Mt. Nimba, Ziéla, U.V. [light trap], 4 mai, xii.[19]56–v.[19]57 [sic!], 1 ♀, Lamotte, Amiet & Vanderploetsen lgt. (MNHN). – IVORY COAST: [Mt.] Nimba, 1.–4.viii. [19]52, 1♀, P. Real lgt. (ISNB). – MALAWI: Nyasaland, Mlanje [= Mulanje Mt.], 19.i.1913, 2 ♂♂, S.A. Neave lgt. (BMNH); Bvumbwe, light trap, 5.i.1973, 1 ♂, J. A. Whellan lgt. (BMNH). – NIGERIA: CROSS RIVER STATE: Calabar, 2.xi.[19]55, 2 ♂♂, Exped. Mus. G. Frey Nigeria-Kamerun 1955–1956, Bechyně lgt. (BMNH). – TARABA STATE: Gashaca Gunti NP, Kwano env., 07°20′N 11°35′E, 560 m a.s.l., 25.iv.–3.v.2011, 2 ♂♂ 4 ♀♀, Kremitovský lgt. (ZJPC); Gashaca Gunti NP, 25 km SW Serti env., 07°20′N 11°13′E, 400 m a.s.l., 9.–13.v.2011, 2 ♀♀, J. Halada lgt. (ZJPC); Gashaca Gunti NP, Gashaca env., 20 km SE of Serti, 07°22′N 11°29′E, 380 m a.s.l., 25.iv.–5.v.2011, 4 ♂♂ 6 ♀♀, Kremitovský lgt. (MMBC); Gashaca Gunti NP, 30 km SE of Serti env., 07°21′N 11°32′E, 380–500 m a.s.l., 24. iv.–8.v.2011, 2 ♂♂ 3 ♀♀, J. Halada lgt. (MMBC). – RWANDA: Ile Wahu [= Ile Iwawa], Lake Kivu, 15.–18.iii.1953, 2 ♀♀, J. Verbeke lgt. (ISNB); Kisenyi, près emb. river [= before confluence of river] Sebeya, 4.iv.1955, 2 ♂♂ l ♀, J. Verbeke lgt. (ISNB). – SIERRA LEONE: Kenema, ix.–x.1947, 1 ♀, don A. Allaer (MRAC). – UGANDA: KABAROLE AND KASESE PROVINCES: E Ruwenzori, 5,000 –7,000 ft [= 1524–2134 m a.s.l.], 17.i.1906, 1 ♀, 22.i.1926, 1 ♀, both Hon. G. Legge & A. F. R. Wollaston lgt. (BMNH). – KASESE PROVINCE: Ruwenzori Range, Ibanda, 4.700 ft [= 1433 m a.s.l.], 20.–21.viii.1952, 1 ♂, 4.–12.ix.1952, 4 ♂♂ 4 ♀♀, all D. S. Fletscher lgt. (BMNH); NE of Kasese, 23.xi.2001, 2 ♂♂ 2 ♀♀, M. Snížek lgt. (NHMW). – MUCANO PROVINCE: Kawanda, 15.v.1958, 1 ♀, J. R. Odhiambo lgt. (MMBC); ditto, 7.vi.1958, 1♂, T. R. Odhiambo lgt. (MMBC); ditto, 7.ix.1958, 1 ♂, T. R. Odhiambo lgt. (BMNH). – ZAMBIA: NORTH- WEST PROVINCE: 15 km E of Solwezi, I.G. 31.175, 17.x.2008, 1 ♀, M. Snížek lgt. (ISNB); 5 km of Chisasa W of Solwezi, 24.x.2008, 2 ♂♂, M. Snížek lgt. (ISNB); 50 km E of Mwinilunga, I.G. 31.175, 28.x.2008, 2 ♂♂ 1 ♀, M. Snížek lgt. (ISNB); 82 km SSW Solwezi, 3.xii.2004, 1 ♀, M. Snížek & V. Tichý lgt. (NHMW). – ZIMBABWE: MANICALANG PROVINCE: Mt. Selinda env., 35 km of Chipinge, 14.xii.1998, 1 ♂, F. Kantner lgt. (ZJPC).
Description. Colouration (Figs 60−61). Head, antennomeres 1–3, apical third of antennomere 4, pronotum except lateral and posterior margins, scutellum, clavus, large elongate central spot on corium, apex of corium, membrane, legs, and ventral side of body (except ventral laterotergites), black. Lateral and posterior margin of pronotum, corium except the central spot and apex, hypocostal lamina, pronotal epipleuron, ventral and dorsal laterotergites, red. Head and pronotum shiny; scutellum, clavus, and central spot on corium dull. Antennomere 4 in basal two-thirds white.
Pilosity. Body covered with short adpressed to semierect setae, dorsum of head, callar lobe, and base of scutellum with sparse longer erect setae.
Punctation. Pronotum, scutellum, clavus, and black spots on corium with prominent, dense punctures.
Structure. Pronotum with median carina along its entire length; lateral margins nearly straight. Labium reaching between or slightly surpassing metacoxae.
Measurements (mm). Males (n = 5). Body length 11.74 (11.18–12.26); head: width (including eyes) 1.83 (1.78–1.86), interocular width 1.11 (1.03–1.19); lengths of antennomeres: 1–1.54 (1.51–1.62), 2 – 1.97 (1.75–2.11), 3 – 1.33 (1.24–1.40), 4 – 2.10 (1.89–2.32); pronotum: length 2.32 (2.16–2.48), width 3.87 (3.67–4.05); scutellum: length 1.75 (1.70–1.78), width 2.18 (2.11–2.38); corium: length 5.85 (5.51–6.05), width 2.06 (2.00–2.27).
Females (n = 5). Body length 11.79 (11.39–12.47); head: width (including eyes) 1.85 (1.78–1.89), interocular width 1.15 (1.13–1.21); lengths of antennomeres: 1 – 1.51 (1.46– 1.57), 2 – 1.85 (1.73–1.89), 3 – 1.33 (1.30–1.35), 4 – 1.99 (1.84–2.21); pronotum: length 2.20 (2.05–2.38), width 3.88 (3.73–4.10); scutellum: length 1.80 (1.62–1.94), width 2.23 (2.16–2.27); corium: length 6.24 (6.16–6.43), width 2.18 (2.11–2.32).
Differential diagnosis. Physopelta (Physopeltoides) dentipes sp. nov. is very similar to Ph. (Afrophysopelta) melanoptera Distant, 1904 externally, and it was confused with the latter species until the present study. The black central spot on the corium of Ph. dentipes sp. nov. is more elongate towards the apex of the corium (see Figs 60−61 versus 62−63) and it is also slightly larger than Ph. melanoptera (see measurements under that species). However, both species clearly differ in the characters used for defining the two subgenera (see the key above).
Etymology. The species epithet is a noun in apposition, composed of the Latin nouns dens, - tis (= tooth) and pes, - dis (= leg), referring to the characteristic denticles on legs.
Bionomics. Unknown. According to label data, the species apparently prefers higher altitudes.
Distribution. Cameroon (DISTANT 1904, as Ph. melanoptera), Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo (Bas-Uelé, Haut-Lomami, Ituri, Kinshasa, Kongo Central, Nord-Kivu, Sud-Kivu), Gabon, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Malawi, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe (this paper).
description: Published as part of Stehlík, Jaroslav L., 2013, Review and reclassification of the Old World genus Physopelta (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Largidae), pp. 505-584 in Acta Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae 53 (2) on pages 550-554, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5739959