Nematode-induced demasculinization of Nearctic Dolichopodidae (Diptera) with five new synonyms
Author
Runyon, Justin B.
text
Zootaxa
2022
2022-01-24
5092
5
545
558
journal article
2447
10.11646/zootaxa.5092.5.3
851d995a-7acd-410b-9ab8-c38a81a2fc4f
1175-5326
5896385
5E84BAA2-9CD2-4471-93A2-56A468E69DF3
Rhaphium signiferum
(Osten Sacken), 1878
(
Figs 20–26
)
Rhaphium signiferum
(Osten Sacken), 1878: 242
.
Nematode.
Apparent
Mermithidae
.
Demasculinized male examined.
1 ♂
,
USA
,
Pennsylvania
,
Centre Co.
,
Black Moshannon State Park
, Moss-
Hanne Trail
,
Shirks Run
,
580 m
,
20 June 2007
,
JB Runyon
(
MTEC
)
.
Remarks.
The demasculinized specimen was initially thought to represent an undescribed species. Recognition that two species of
Dolichopus
from this site were infected by mermithid-like nematodes (
D. dorycerus
and
D. sincerus
) spurred re-examination that indicated this specimen to be a demasculinized form of
R. signiferum
, a common species at the site. The genitalia of the infected specimen is smaller and not fully centered beneath the abdomen. Most MSSCs are weakly developed in the infected specimen, including: postpedicel shorter with longer arista and smaller apical lamella (cf.
Figs 20, 21
), face broader (cf.
Figs 24, 25
), postocular setae scarcely flattened, mid coxa with poorly developed cluster of fused apical setae (cf.
Figs 22, 23
), weak development of longer white setae on front and mid femora, and smaller apical swelling of the front basitarsus.