Smicridea (Rhyacophylax) murina McLachlan 1871

Smicridea (Rhyacophylax) murina McLachlan

Smicridea murina McLachlan, 1871:137–138.—Fischer, 1963:134.—Kimmins, 1957:106.

Rhyacophylax magnus Ulmer, 1909a:120–124; 1913:391, 407, 412.—Fischer, 1963:136–137.—Weidner, 1964:95.

Rhyacophylax mendocensis Navás, 1920:42; 1924 (“1922”):368; 1934:170.

Synoeslropsis mendocensis (Navás).—Lestage, 1925:41, 42.—Fischer, 1963:210.

Rhyacophylax murina (McLachlan).—Flint, 1967a:55.

Smicridea (Rhyacophylax) zanclophora Flint, 1974b:39–40.—Maes and Flint, 1988:5.

Smicridea (Rhyacophylax) magna (Ulmer).—Flint, 1975:570.

Smicridea (R.) murina McLachlan.—Flint, 1974c:88; 1989:33.

This species has recently been revised (Flint, 1989), and with the above synonmy established it is now known to be widely distributed from northern Nicaragua south to central Chile along the Andes Mountains. It appears to be common at the lower, drier, elevations of the Cauca valley. I have also seen the species from the following Colombian Departments in addition to Antioquia: Cauqueti, Chocó, Meta, Santander, and Valle del Cauca.

MATERIAL.—COLOMBIA. DPTO. ANTIOQUIA: “Finca Velasquez,” Sopetrán, 14 Feb 1983, O.S. Flint, Jr., 11, 3. Río Aurrá, km 50, E San Jerónimo, 14 Feb 1983, O.S. Flint, Jr., 23, 10; same, but 22 Feb 1984, C.M. & O.S. Flint, Jr., 2, 1. Río Aurrá, 7 km W San Jerónimo, 22–23 Feb 1984, C.M. & O.S. Flint, Jr., 33, 79. Quebrada Honda, Marsella [12 km SW Fredonia], 1450 m, 3–4 Mar 1984, C.M. & O.S. Flint, Jr., 6, 1.

Smicridea (Rhyacophylax) murina McLachlan

Smicridea murina McLachlan, 1871:137–138.—Fischer, 1963:134.—Kimmins, 1957:106.

Rhyacophylax magnus Ulmer, 1909:120–124; 1913:391, 407, 412.—Fischer, 1963:136–137.—Weidner, 1964:95 [new synonymy].

Rhyacophylax mendocensis Navás, 1920:42; 1922 [1924]:368; 1934b:170 [new synonymy].

Synoestropsis mendocensis (Navás).—Lestage, 1925:41, 42.—Fischer, 1963:210.

Rhyacophylax murina (McLachlan).—Flint, 1967:55.

Smicridea (R.) zanclophora Flint, 1974a:39–40 [new synonymy].

Smicridea (R.) murina McLachlan.—Flint, 1974b:88.

Smicridea (Rhyacophylax) magna (Ulmer).—Flint, 1975:570.

This is probably the most widespread species in the genus. With the above synonymy established, it is known from Nicaragua south along the Andes to west central Argentina and Chile. I have specimens from Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, and Chile (only those from the Chilean Subregion are listed in the “Material Examined,” below). There seem to be some rather stable size differences between populations. Specimens from the Province of Mendoza, Argentina, are the largest, the forewing length being 7–8 mm. Chilean specimens are rarely as large, and are commonly about a millimeter smaller. Those from Salta, Argentina, north to Central America are the smallest, with forewing lengths of ∼5 mm. The structure of the male genitalia remains very constant throughout its range, however. The pair of hornlike lobes apically from the top of the phallus are distinctive; the internal sclerites are rather simple and linear. The morphology of the male genitalia is very distinctive, being approached to some degree only by appendiculata. Both species have similar internal sclerites in the phallus, but the phallus of appendiculata is greatly enlarged apically, and its paired processes are longer and more slender than those of murina.

ADULT.—Length of forewing, 5.5–7 mm. Color grayish brown, body fuscous, appendages stramineous; forewing grayish brown, with darker marks over crossveins of chord, and a paler subterminal band (paler areas may have a yellowish cast). Eye of male in frontal aspect with diameter about half that of interocular distance. Fifth sternum with anterolateral processes 1½ times as long as sternum; lacking internal sacs.

Male Genitalia: Ninth segment with anterolateral margin produced upward and angulate. Tenth tergite in lateral aspect with tip barely upturned and produced, with ventrolateral margin heavily sclerotized, forming a distinct rim; in dorsal aspect with tip slightly produced and rounded, broad laterally. Clasper with basal segment long, parallel-sided; apical segment with tip pointed in dorsal aspect. Phallus tubular, with basal and apical sections meeting at about 90° apical section slightly enlarged apicad, tip with a pair of hooked processes directed dorsomesad; internal sclerites long, slender enlarged apically, with a ventral curved plate.

Female Genitalia: Internal plate in posterodorsal aspect with lateral arms parallel, anterior bridge transverse. Vagina with anterior bar bearing posterolateral processes about 1/3 as long as bar; centrally with a small, dark pore.

TYPE MATERIAL.—Smicridea murina McLachlan, lectotype in BMNH, labeled: “Chili”; “Type”; “McLachlan Coll., B.M. 1938–674”; “Smicridea murina McL”; “Lectotype, D.E. Kimmins det. 1956.”

Rhyacophylax magnus Ulmer, Lectotype in ZSZMH, labeled: “Mendoza 20.10.08 P. Jorgensen”; “Type”; “Coll. Ulmer Eing. Nr 6–63”; “Rhyacophylax magnus Ulm.” The species was described from many syntypes, but I accept Weidner's statement (1964:95) of “, Holotypus…” to serve as a lectotype designation.

Smicridea zanclophora Flint, holotype in NMNH, labeled: “Panama: C.Z. Pipeline Rd. Río Agua Salud 8–12 July 1967 Flint & Ortiz”; “Holotype 72711 USNM”; “Holotype , Smicridea (R.) zanclophora Flint.”

MATERIAL EXAMINED.—ARGENTINA: PCIA. MENDOZA: 4 km E Potrerillos, 20–22 Dec 1973, C.M. & O.S. Flint, Jr., 3 , 44 (NMNH); same, but 4 km SW Potrerillos, 18 Dec 1973, 1 (NMNH); same, but Río Blanco 8 km SW Potrerillos, 18 Dec 1973, 3, 2 (NMNH); 3 km E Cacheuta, 20 Dec 1973, C.M. & O.S. Flint, Jr., 1 (NMNH); Río Mendoza, 1600 m, 5–6 Dec 1983, L.E. Peña G., 2 , 12 (NMNH).

PCIA. NEUQUÉN: Río Agrio, N Zapala, 9–11 Dec 1983, L.E. Peña G., 9 , 17 (NMNH).

PCIA. RÍO NEGRO: General Fernández Oro, Jan–Feb 1976, S. Coscarón, 2 (AMNH & NMNH).

CHILE: PCIA. CACHAPOAL: Pilay, Río Peuco, ∼45 km S Santiago, 800 m, 23–24 Nov 1981, D.R. Davis, 1 (NMNH); Palmar de Cocolán, NE Las Cabras, 15–16 Dec 1986, L.E. Peña G., 3 , 6 (NMNH).

PCIA. CHOAPA: Hacienda Illapel, 29–30 Oct 1954, L.E. Peña G., 57 (CNC).

PCIA. CORDILLERA: El Manzano, near San José de Maipo, 19 Dec 1976, Gurney & Barria, 1 (NMNH); El Peumo [near El Canelo], near river [Río Maipo], 18 Dec 1976, Gurney & Barria, 12 (NMNH).

PCIA. CURICO: El Coigo, 1 Mar 1968, Flint & Peña, 19 , 12 (NMNH); Estero Potrero Grande, 3 km E Potrero Grande, 8 Feb 1987, C.M. & O.S. Flint, Jr., 1 (NMNH); Río Teno, 7 Mar 1962, L.E. Peña G., 2 (CNC).

PCIA. LINARES: Rinconada de Parral [36°04′ 71°46′W], 19–20 Mar 1952, L.E. Peña G., 2 , 58 (CNC).

PCIA. MAIPO: Aculeo, 18–20 Dec 1983, Yrarrázaval, 1 , 28 (NMNH); El Patagual, Aculeo, 5–8 Dec 1983, Yrarrázaval, 77 (NMNH).

PCIA. MALLECO: Río Blanco, 5–27 Mar 1950, L.E. Peña G., 3 , 1 (CNC).

PCIA. MELIPILLA: Bollenar, N Melipilla, 15 Feb 1986, L.E. Peña G., 1 , 8 (NMNH).

AREA METROPOLITANA: Rinconada Maipú, Apr 1963, R. Charlin, 4 (EEAM & NMNH); same, but 29 Dec 1965, light trap, 1 (EEAM).

PCIA. ÑUBLE: Las Trancas, 1260 m, 23–30 Feb 1956, L.E. Peña G., 2 , 2 (CNC).

PCIA. TALCA: Forel Carrizalilo [near Río Maule, ∼25 km E coast], 250 m, 30 Jan–5 Feb 1981, L.E. Peña G., 2 (NMNH); Tonlemo, 15 Feb 1951, L.E. Peña G., 12 , 2 (CNC); same, but 14–21 Dec 1984, 2 (NMNH); Río Maule [Rt. 5, 15 km S Talca], 6 Feb 1957, L.E. Peña G., 5 , 110 (NMNH).

PCIA. TALGANTE: Isla de Maipo, station VII, 13 Mar 1958, J. Illies, 10 , 2 (NMNH).

PCIA. VALPARAÍSO: Quilpué, 13–14 Mar 1964, L.E. Peña G., 1 (NMNH).

Systematic Relationships

The annulicornis and frequens species groups of Smicridea seem to be most closely related to each other with no other New World species of subgenus Smicridea remotely approaching them in appearance. Although some of the subgenus Rhyacophylax species, e.g., S. dithyra Flint or S. mesembrina (Navás), seem to show a condition whereby the apex of the phallus is closed by a pair of plates, these species are true members of the subgenus Rhyacophylax exhibiting all the diagnostic characteristics of the subgenus. However, these plates are differently formed and articulate from different points, thus I believe that they are analagous not homologous.

The Australian genera Smicrophylax and Asmicridea (Neboiss 1977, 1986), show great similarity in general appearance and especially in the apices of the phallus to the frequens species group of subgenus Smicridea. Both of the Australian genera do have the internal abdominal sacs and short lateral filaments from the fifth sternum as do the species of the subgenus Smicridea. I have cleared specimens of Smicrophylax ulmeri (Banks) and Smicridea frequens (Navás) and compared them side by side and find most differences noted by Neboiss (1977:68) are due to differences in interpretations of figures and words. The only real differences apparent between the two genera are a small, second spur on the foreleg and a much larger anal area of the hind wing in Smicrophylax; in all other areas they are virtually identical. The apicolateral phallic lobes of Smicrophylax are not concave mesally as they are in the frequens species group of the subgenus Smicridea, but convex; otherwise the genitalia are nearly identical. I believe that the Australian genus Smicrophylax and/or Asmicridea are most likely the sister group of the frequens species group, but probably the more pleisiomorphic of the two due to the presence of the second apical spur of the foreleg. Probably the annulicornis species group is derived from the frequens species group by a further development of the apicolateral plates of the phallus.

This suggests that the genus Smicridea is paraphyletic. However, because the resolution of this and other problems of phylogeny of Smicridea requires a thorough analysis of this and related genera, beyond the scope of this paper, I am leaving the basic nomenclatorial status as it currently exists. The relationships of the smilodon species group and the unplaced species are totally problematic. There is some possibility of a relationship between complicatissima and members of the nigripennis species group (Flint 1974a), but even this is questionable (see the section “Smicridea (Smicridea) complicatissima, new species”). The genitalia of these species are so different from anything known to me that no close relationship anywhere within the genus is apparent.