Deltoxenos indonesiensis Benda & Straka, 2025

Benda, Daniel, Pohl, Hans, Beutel, Rolf & Straka, Jakub, 2025, Four new species underline the hidden diversity and long-range dispersal in Deltoxenos Benda, Pohl, Nakase, Beutel & Straka (Strepsiptera, Xenidae), ZooKeys 1254, pp. 75-106 : 75-106

publication ID

https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1254.160903

publication LSID

lsid:zoobank.org:pub:40F911BE-9807-429B-8C3D-8729A2DE161C

DOI

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17234135

persistent identifier

https://treatment.plazi.org/id/4D87D5F9-26B9-5A2A-88E7-D1FD4C55C617

treatment provided by

ZooKeys by Pensoft

scientific name

Deltoxenos indonesiensis Benda & Straka
status

sp. nov.

Deltoxenos indonesiensis Benda & Straka sp. nov.

Figs 5 View Figure 5 , 6 A – D View Figure 6 , 7 A – D View Figure 7 , 8 A, B View Figure 8

Type material.

Holotype • ♀ ( NMPC), Indonesia: Tanimbar Islands, Yamdena isl. 20 km NE Soumiaki , 150 m, 15.iv.2007, host: Delta pyriforme miraculum Gusenleitner, 2008 , M. Obořil lgt., voucher code: PsIND 1 . Paratypes • ♀ ( OLML), data the same as holotype, voucher code: PsMr 2 ♀ ( OLML), data the same as holotype, host: Delta pyriforme miraculum Gusenleitner, 2008 (host specimen is paratype), voucher code: PsMr 1 2 ♀ ( OLML), Indonesia: Tanimbar Islands, Yamdena isl. 21 km N of Saumlaki , 150 m, 11.xii.2005, host: Delta pyriforme miraculum Gusenleitner, 2008 , S. Jákl lgt., voucher codes: PsMr 3 a, PsMr 3 b .

Diagnosis of female cephalothorax.

This species is diagnosed by a combination of features and differs from D. reginus in several characters. In D. reginus , the prosternum is differentiated, anteriorly pale brown with smooth or slightly wrinkled surface, posteriorly dark and reticulated, whereas in D. indonesiensis it is completely reticulated and dark. The ventral field of the labrum is slightly wider than long in D. indonesiensis (vlf, Fig. 8 A View Figure 8 ) but distinctly wider than long in D. reginus , transversely elongated, elliptic (vlf, Fig. 15 A View Figure 15 ). The mandible and maxilla of D. indonesiensis is dark brown and significantly darker than in D. reginus . The cuticle of the mandible is predominantly smooth in D. indonesiensis and laterally with longitudinal furrows but completely wrinkled in D. reginus . The periantennal area is narrow in D. indonesiensis but slightly expanded in D. reginus (paa, Fig. 15 B View Figure 15 ).

The area of the mouthparts in front of the birth opening is shortened and the maxillae are reduced compared to conditions found in D. hajeki and D. maceki . It differs from D. hajeki in the following features: frontal region distinctly reticulated (fr, Fig. 8 B View Figure 8 ), labium longer than wide (lb, Fig. 8 A View Figure 8 ). Differs from D. rueppelli by rounded and protruding clypeal lobe. Maxilla not well-developed, slightly bulging, triangular, slightly separated from labial area (mx, Fig. 8 A View Figure 8 ); and meso- and metathorax transverse, distinctly elongated as in D. reginus .

Description of female cephalothorax.

Shape and colouration. Size of cephalothorax of holotype: length 2.25 mm, width 1.78 mm. Range of size of cephalothorax: length 2.17–2.5 mm, width 1.78–2.0 mm (Fig. 6 A, C View Figure 6 ). Cephalothorax variable in size, but always elongated, distinctly longer than wide. Constriction at pro-mesothoracic segmental border indistinctly visible, meso-metathoracic segmental border conspicuously constricted laterally (sbpm, sbmm, Fig. 6 C View Figure 6 ). Abdominal segment I not protruding laterally, corner below spiracles rounded. Anterior head margin rounded, slightly protruding from remaining head capsule. Thorax elongated, very slightly widening posteriorly. Cephalothorax with conspicuously contrasting pale and dark colour pattern, predominantly dark ventrally and pale dorsally.

Head capsule. Ca 1 / 3 as long as entire cephalothorax including lateral cephalic extension. Colouration forming specific pattern with predominantly pale parts and dark brown mandibles, maxillae, and labium. Surface of lateral extensions at site of reduced compound eyes smooth, laterally with only poorly visible longitudinal grooves, mostly pale brown (lehc, Fig. 6 C View Figure 6 ). Clypeal area well delimited from labral area medially, poorly laterally; arcuate, clypeal lobe protruding from head capsule. Surface of clypeal area completely smooth with> 20 slightly exposed sensilla mainly concentrated on clypeal lobe on ventral side (cls, Fig. 8 A View Figure 8 ). Dorsal side of clypeal area not well visible, smooth, and lacking sensilla (cl, Fig. 8 B View Figure 8 ). Border between clypeal and frontal region distinct, distinguishable by cuticular surface structure. Frontal region distinctly reticulated (fr, Fig. 8 B View Figure 8 ). Segmental border between head and prothorax indicated by very indistinct mesal furrow on dorsal side (sbhp, Fig. 7 B View Figure 7 ) and by dark transverse stripe laterally (sbhp, Fig. 6 D View Figure 6 ). Head and prothorax distinctly separated by birth opening ventromedially (bo, Fig. 7 A View Figure 7 ) and laterally by suture (sbhp, Fig. 7 A View Figure 7 ).

Supra - antennal sensillary field. Reticulated to completely smooth, with dispersed sensilla inserted in cavities (sssf, Fig. 8 B View Figure 8 ). Very slightly delimited by furrow on medial side, almost unrecognisable (fssf, Fig. 8 B View Figure 8 ), surface of supra-antennal sensillary field and frontal region with different sculpture.

Antenna. Preserved as well-defined area, with numerous vestigial sensilla, rounded plates and inconspicuous cavities (a, Fig. 8 B View Figure 8 ). Edges of antennal area not defined, antennal torulus completely reduced. Periantennal area not expanded, reduced, smooth (paa, Fig. 8 B View Figure 8 ).

Labrum. Ventral field wider than long, elliptic. Dorsal field very slightly arcuate, flat, not raised, laterally not narrower than medially, 5 × wider than long in midline (vlf, dlf, Fig. 8 A View Figure 8 ). Dorsal field with ~ 10 sensilla inserted in cavities (dlf, Fig. 8 A View Figure 8 ).

Mandible. Mandibles anteromedially directed at angle of 25–40 ° (40 ° in holotype), enclosed in mandibular capsule. Mandibular bulge distinctly raised, anteriorly directed in straight line, blunt, not elongated; sensilla of mandibular bulge poorly visible (mdb, Fig. 8 A View Figure 8 ). Cuticle of mandible predominantly smooth, laterally with longitudinal furrows. Mandibular tooth not curved, pointed anterodorsally, armed with several spines (mdt, Fig. 8 A View Figure 8 ).

Maxilla. Indistinctly developed, slightly bulging, triangular, indistinctly separated from labial area (mx, Fig. 8 A View Figure 8 ). Mostly dark, cuticle smooth or slightly reticulated. Apical maxillary region not projecting beyond mandibular apex. Basal part connected with labium, laterally very slightly overlapping with mandible (mxb, Fig. 8 A View Figure 8 ). Vestige of palp present, located medially on ventral side of maxilla (mxp, Fig. 8 A View Figure 8 ). Maxillary base (mxb) distinctly produced anterolaterally as submaxillary groove. Space between prothoracic extension and head not extended (sbhp, mxb, Fig. 7 A View Figure 7 ).

Labium. Labial area between maxillae rather indistinct, delimited anteriorly by mouth opening and posteriorly by birth opening (lb, Fig. 8 A View Figure 8 ). Labial area flat, narrower than long. Cuticular surface smooth to very slightly reticulated.

Mouth opening. Medially straight, laterally arcuate, sclerotised along margin (os, Fig. 8 A View Figure 8 ).

Thorax. Pro-mesothoracic and meso-metathoracic borders visible ventrally as slightly to distinctly imprinted mesal furrows (sbpm, sbmm, Figs 6 A View Figure 6 , 7 A View Figure 7 ). On dorsal side separated by conspicuous dark mesal furrows, distinctly contrasting with mostly pale thoracic segments (sbpm, sbmm, Figs 6 B View Figure 6 , 7 B View Figure 7 ). Border between metathorax and abdomen indicated by ventral ridge or indicated by change in colour and cuticular sculpture. Cuticle of thoracic segments on ventral side reticulated or smooth, with dark papillae concentrated medially on mesosternum and metasternum. Prosternum differentiated, mostly dark, anteriorly with inconspicuous field with dozens of sensilla (psf, Fig. 7 A, C View Figure 7 ). Mesosternum mostly dark, without spots, with dark papillae medially. Metasternum mostly dark, lighter medially, with two mesal areas of dark papillae (mtstp, Fig. 6 C View Figure 6 ). All thoracic segments dorsally mostly pale, but darker laterally. Meso- and metathorax transverse, distinctly elongated.

Abdominal segment I and spiracles. Setae and cuticular spines present on lateral region of abdominal segment I posterior to spiracle (Fig. 7 D View Figure 7 ). Spiracles on posterior ~ 1 / 3 of cephalothorax, very slightly elevated, with lateral or dorsolateral orientation. Cephalothoracic part of abdominal segment I below spiracles dark brown on both sides (asI, Fig. 6 B View Figure 6 ).

Host.

Delta pyriforme miraculum Gusenleitner, 2008 .

DNA barcode sequence (GenBank).

MK 431200.1 (voucher code: PsInd 1) ( Benda et al. 2021).

Phylogenetic relationships.

Sister species to Deltoxenos sp. from Thailand, related to Deltoxenos rueppelli ( Benda et al. 2021) .

Distribution.

Indonesia.

Etymology.

The specific epithet refers to Indonesia, the geographic region where the species was collected.

NMPC

National Museum Prague

OLML

Oberösterreichisches Landesmuseum

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Arthropoda

Class

Insecta

Order

Strepsiptera

Family

Xenidae

Genus

Deltoxenos