A conspectus on the Canacidae (Diptera) of Brazil
Author
Mathis, Wayne N.
Author
Marinoni, Luciane
text
ZooKeys
2012
162
59
92
http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.162.2370
journal article
http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.162.2370
1313-2970-162-59
Genus
Tethina Haliday
(77 species worldwide; 3 from Brazil)
Tethina
Haliday, in
Curtis 1837
: 293 (as a subgenus of
Opomyza
; published in synonymy; first made available by use in
Haliday 1838
: 188). Type species:
Opomyza (Tethina) illota
Haliday 1838
, by subsequent monotypy (
Haliday 1838
: 188).
Sturtevant 1923
: 5-7 [discussion of synonymy, listing of Nearctic species].
Thompson and Mathis 1981
: 86 [citation, nomenclature].
Mathis and Munari 1996
: 13-19 [world catalog].
Foster and Mathis 1998
: 608-630 [revision of Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico species].
Sabrosky 1999
: 32, 304 [citations, nomenclature].
Munari and Mathis 2010
: 48-66 [world catalog].
Rhicnoessa
Loew 1862
: 174. Type species:
Rhicnoessa cinerea
Loew, by monotypy.
Loew 1865
: 34-39 [revision].
Williston 1908
: 292, 296 [fig. of head, key].
Collin 1911
: 234 [probable synonymy with
Tethina
].
Malloch 1913
: 147 [discussion, fig. of head].
Hendel 1917
: 46 [synonymy in key]; 1934: 46 [references].
Munari 1990
: 60-61 [status as a subgenus of
Tethina
].
Phycomyza
Melander 1952
: 198. Type species:
Rhicnoessa milichioides
Melander, by original designation.
Vockeroth 1965
: 727 [Nearctic catalog].
Foster 1976a
: 338 [synonymy].
Diagnosis.
Tethina
is distinguished from other genera of the subfamily
Tethininae
by the following combination of characters: Head: Frons bearing some setulae in addition to larger setae; fronto-orbital and orbital setae usually with similar orientation, mostly reclinate or lateroclinate; fronto-orbital setae 3-4; postocellar setae more or less
convergent
(lacking in
Tethina lusitanica
). Face with shiny tubercle above vibrissal pore. Eye appearing bare, setulae very sparse or lacking. Gena bare (except for
Tethina pictipennis
and
Tethina lusitanica
, which have scattered, inconspicuous setulae) except for a ventral or nearly ventral row of setulae; gena high in many species, height 0.50-0.75 that of eye height. Palpus and proboscis usually normally developed; clypeus small, if exposed not protruding anteriad beyond oral margin. Thorax: Scutum generally with more or less numerous rows of coarse setulae arising from punctures; scutellar disc bare; postpronotum with 3 or more setae, ventral seta curved upward; acrostichal setulae in two or more complete or nearly complete rows (lacking in
Tethina lusitanica
); prescutellar acrostichal setae present (lacking in
Tethina lusitanica
). Wing with costa not spinose; vein A1+CuA2 short, much shorter than discal cell; wing usually shorter, about twice as long as wide (less often 2.5-3.0 times); cell bm and discal cell distinct. Mid and hind tibiae evenly setulose, lacking anterodorsal or posterodorsal setae. Abdomen: Tergites wider than long; tergite 6 well differentiated from short syntergosternite 7+8, the latter forming a dorsal pregenital sclerite. Male terminalia: Surstylus positioned at ventral margin of epandrium, usually broadly articulated externally with epandrium, internally with subepandrial sclerite; aedeagus usually very long and sinuous, either thick and straplike or narrow and ribbonlike; aedeagus micropubescent dorsally.
Discussion.
Worldwide among genera of
Tethininae
,
Tethina
has more than half of the described species (77 of 115) (
Munari 2002
). Two species occur in the study area and a third,
Tethina albula
(Loew), has been reported (
Prado and Tavares 1966
) but not seen as part of this study. Since
Tethina albula
has been reported from Brazil, and as there is the possibility of its occurrence there, we have included it in the key to species. The included species of
Tethina
occur along maritime beaches of the littoral biotic region. Specimens are sometimes abundant, especially on fresh and decomposing wrack.
Key to Species of
Tethina
from Brazil
Tethina xanthopoda
|
Tethina willistoni
|
Tethina albula
|