Microphorites curtipedis Zhang et Wang, 2025

Microphorites curtipedis Zhang et Wang sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:E36D749B-0DDD-481D-B927-787FF6C7A891

( Fig. 2 View FIGURE 2 )

Etymology. The specific epithet is derived from the combination of Latin prefix “ curt- ” (meaning short, curtate) and “- pedis ” (meaning leg) in reference to the shortened hind tarsus.

Type material. HOLOTYPE ♂: CNU-DIB-MA- 2015153 .

Locality and horizon. Hukawng Valley , Kachin State, Northern Myanmar; lowermost Cenomanian, mid-Cretaceous (98.79 ± 0.62 Ma).

Diagnosis. Arista-like stylus, about 2 times as long as postpedicel. C ending at R 4+5; Sc termination close to C but not reaching the margin. Foreleg unmodified; mid tibia slightly curved and expanded in middle; hind tarsomeres I−V distinctly shortened and dilated.

Description. Male. Body length 2.86 mm ( Fig. 2A View FIGURE 2 ). Head ( Fig. 2B View FIGURE 2 ). Eyes large, holoptic; ocelli not visible. Scape subequal in length to pedicel; pedicel subspheroid; postpedicel subtriangular; arista-like stylus two-segmented. Proboscis retracted; palpus rod-like, with dense setae; labellum with marginal setae.

Thorax ( Fig. 2A View FIGURE 2 ). Mesoscutum distinctly arched, covered by dense, stout setae. Acrostichal and dorsocentral setae biserial; dorsocentral setae ending at one prescutellar seta. Scutellum thickened, subtriangular, with two pairs of scutellar setae.

Wing ( Fig. 2B, C View FIGURE 2 ). Length 1.76 mm. Crossvein h oblique. Sc feeble distally, not reaching C. R 1 reaching C at 2/3 of wing; R 2+3 and R 4+5 unbranched. Crossvein r-m situated at basal 1/5 of cell dm; cell dm slightly deformed, emitting three veins (M 1, M 2 and M 4); crossvein dm-m straight, perpendicular to M 4; cell cua closed, rounded apically. Anal lobe and alula not visible.

Legs ( Fig. 2D, E View FIGURE 2 ). Fore femur (0.61 mm) subequal in length to fore tibia; fore tibia with row of dorsal setae. Hind femur (0.69 mm) thick, with two rows of evenly spaced, long lateral setae; hind tarsus significantly shorter and thicker than mid and fore tarsus, hind tarsomere I approximately equal in length to length of tarsomeres II−V combined.

Abdomen. Segments 1−4 broad and thick, sternum with long posteromarginal setae; segments 5−7 progressively narrowed; segment 8 with 10 long, spine-like setae on posterior margin of sternite 8. Male terminalia ( Fig. 2F View FIGURE 2 ). Symmetrical, rotated about 45−90°; part of cercus visible, covered with long setae; epandrial lamella suboval (in lateral view), with long marginal setae; surstylus slender, apical; hypandrium long, strap-like, broad at base, hypandrial prolongation curved dorsad.

Female. Unknown.

Remarks. Compared to other species of Microphorites , the new species is easily distinguished by the shortened and dilated hind tarsomeres I−V.