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Research Article
Eryngiofaga perrara sp. nov. (Hemiptera, Psylloidea) from Mount Pilatus (Obwalden), a new species of a genus previously unknown from Switzerland or the Alps
expand article infoDaniel Burckhardt‡
‡ Naturhistorisches Museum, Basel, Switzerland

Corresponding author: Daniel Burckhardt ( daniel.burckhardt@bs.ch )

Academic editor: Thibault Lachat
© 2022 Daniel Burckhardt.
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Citation: Burckhardt D (2022) Eryngiofaga perrara sp. nov. (Hemiptera, Psylloidea) from Mount Pilatus (Obwalden), a new species of a genus previously unknown from Switzerland or the Alps. Alpine Entomology 6: 147-151. https://doi.org/10.3897/alpento.6.97595
ZooBank: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:74F9780D-4AEC-4CDF-AC51-68F827CB87BB
Open Access

Abstract

Eryngiofaga perrara sp. nov. is described, diagnosed and illustrated from two adult specimens found on Mount Pilatus (Switzerland, Obwalden). The new species is morphologically most similar to E. matura (Loginova, 1972), a species from Mongolia, from which it differs in the light genal processes and in details of the terminalia. Eryngiofaga consists of 13 previously described species of which five occur in Central and Western Europe. Up to now, the genus was not known from Switzerland or the Alps. The host plant of E. perrara remains unknown, but Bupleurum ranunculoides L. (Apiaceae) is a likely candidate.

Key Words

Sternorrhyncha, Triozidae, systematics, phytophagy, Central Switzerland, Prealps

Introduction

Jumping plant lice or psyllids constitute a superfamily of Sternorrhyncha with slightly over 4000 described species worldwide. As immatures, most species are mono- or oligophagous, i.e. they develop only on one or several phylogenetically close plant species. Often related psyllid species develop on related host taxa and many genera are restricted to a single plant genus or family (Burckhardt et al. 2014, 2021; Ouvrard et al. 2015). A genus illustrating this pattern is Eryngiofaga Klimaszewski, 1968 (Triozidae) with 13 described species associated with Bupleurum and Eryngium (Apiaceae) (Ouvrard 2022). Several species have been misidentified in the older literature, but Loginova (1977) revised the genus and provided an identification key diagnosing most of the constituent species. For the lack of material, E. mesomela (Flor, 1861), E. loewiana (Šulc, 1913) and E. expectata Klimaszewski, 1971 were not treated. The last species is only known from one female. Most species occur in temperate Asia and Eastern Europe, but five species are also found in Central and Western Europe. The genus has not yet been reported from Switzerland or the Alps.

Studies on the psyllid fauna of the Central Swiss Prealps in the last 45 years showed an unexpected psyllid diversity (Burckhardt 1983, 1994), including four species that were, at the time, new to science (Burckhardt et al. 1991; Burckhardt and Lauterer 2002a, b). Pilatus, which rises from Lake Lucerne at about 430 m a.s.l. to just over 2100 m a.s.l., is one of the mountains that has been regularly visited. An alpine meadow with rocks called “Chilchsteine” is located on the southern slope between 1850 and 1900 m a.s.l. About a dozen psyllid species were found at this site, of which Aphalara longicaudata Wagner & Franz, 1961 on Polygonum bistorta and Bactericera femoralis (Foerster, 1848) on Alchemilla spp. were by far the most common species. In 2000, a single female of an unknown species was discovered. Despite intensive search, no additional specimens turned up until in 2010, at the same place, one male was discovered. The two specimens turned out to be a new species of the genus Eryngiofaga. Here the new species is described and its relationships to other congeners are discussed.

Material and methods

For the identification of the specimens, following species from the psyllid collections of the Muséum d’histoire naturelle, Genève, Switzerland (MHNG) and the Naturhistorisches Museum, Basel, Switzerland (NHMB) were examined: Eryngiofaga deserta Loginova, 1977, E. hungarica (Klimaszewski, 1968), E. lautereri Loginova, 1977, E. matura (Loginova, 1972) and E. mesomela. In addition, the key of Loginova (1977) was used. The holotype and paratype of the new species are deposited in NHMB. The morphological terminology follows Halbert and Burckhardt (2020). Measurements were taken as follows: adult body length from dry mounted specimens, measuring the distance between the fore margin of the head and the tip of the forewings when folded over the body; the measurements of the terminalia were taken from temporary mounts on a slide in glycerine, the other structures from dry mounted specimens. The measurements and ratios are given as range. The classification and nomenclature of Psylloidea follow Burckhardt et al. (2021) and Ouvrard (2022).

Results

Taxonomy

Eryngiofaga Klimaszewski

Remarks

Eryngiofaga is a palaearctic genus comprising 13 described species (Loginova 1977). Based on the paramere shape, two species groups can be recognised. The mesomela group, with digitiform parameres bearing a small basal sclerotised process on the inner face, includes E. babugani (Loginova, 1964), E. deserta, E. dlabolai (Vondráček, 1957), E. lautereri, E. loewiana and E. mesomela. The congenita group, with lamellar or triangular parameres bearing a large sclerotised process usually arising on the inner face from the middle, is composed of E. armeniaca (Gegechkori, 1974), E. congenita (Loginova, 1966), E. hungarica, E. maga (Loginova, 1966), E. matura and E. refuga (Loginova, 1966). An additional species, E. expectata, is known from a single female only.

Eryngiofaga perrara sp. nov.

https://zoobank.org/153CB420-A251-4F01-A70D-6B9787EF2520
Figs 1–4, 5–8

Type locality

Switzerland, Obwalden, Pilatus, Chilchsteine, 46.9758°N, 8.2542°E, 1850 m.

Holotype

Male. Switzerland: Obwalden, Pilatus, Chilchsteine, 46.9758°N, 8.2542°E, 1850 m, 12.vii.2010, D. Burckhardt & I. Zürcher // herbaceous vegetation with Alchemilla, Astrantia, Bupleurum, Cerastium // Eryngiofaga perrara sp. nov., holotype, det. D. Burckhardt, 2022 // NMB-PSYLL0007231 // NHMB, dry.

Paratype

Switzerland, 1 female, Obwalden, same data as holotype but 18.vii.2000, D. Burckhardt // herbaceous vegetation // PSYLL NHMB 00002446 // NHMB, dry.

Diagnosis

Adult yellow to orange (Figs 1–3); genal processes light apically (Fig. 4); with more or less distinct greyish brown longitudinal medial stripe on head and thorax. Antennal segments 1–3 yellow, segments 4–10 almost black. Forewing transparent, colourless. – Genal processes conical, subacute apically, 0.3–0.4 times as long as vertex along midline. Antenna 1.9–2.2 times as long as head width. Forewing (Figs 1, 3) 4.3–4.4 times as long as head width, 2.8 times as long as wide; costal margin strongly, evenly curved, anal margin almost straight; vein Rs short, distinctly concave; surface spinules lacking apart from base of wing. Paramere bifid (Figs 5, 6); with narrow inner anterior process which is sclerotised apically bearing each a small anterior and posterior toothlet, and with broader outer posterior lobe which is irregularly narrowing to strongly sclerotised apex forming apical tooth. Distal segment of aedeagus (Fig. 7), hardly expanded basally, weakly expanded apically with small subapical hook ventrally. Female terminalia (Fig. 8) short; proctiger ending in small apical tubercle.

Figures 1–4. 

Eryngiofaga perrara sp. nov. 1–3. Habitus, adults; 1. Male, in lateral view; 2. Male, in dorsal view; 3. Female in lateral view; 4. Head, in dorsal view. Scale bars: 0.5 mm (1–3); 0.2 mm (4).

Description

Adult (Figs 1–8). Colouration. Yellow to orange (Figs 1, 3). Head and thorax with a greyish brown longitudinal medial stripe, very light in male (Fig. 2), darker in female. Tips of genal processes light (Fig. 4). Eyes red to greyish. Antennal segments 1–3 yellow, segments 4–10 almost black (Figs 1–3). Legs yellow with apical tarsal segments dark brown; pro- and mesofemora dark brown laterally; pro- and mesotibiae yellow in basal quarter, greyish brown otherwise; basal segment of pro- and mesotarsi greyish brown. Forewing (Figs 1, 3) transparent, colourless with yellow to light brown veins. Hindwing whitish, transparent. Abdominal tergites in male ochreous, in female brown. Male with slightly less expanded and distinct dark colour.

Structure

Conforming to the generic description of Loginova (1977). Body length ♂ 2.5 mm, ♀ 2.7 mm (1 ♂, 1 ♀). Head hardly inclined from longitudinal body axis (Figs 1, 3). Vertex subtrapezoidal (Fig. 4). Genal processes conical, subacute apically, 0.3–0.4 times as long as vertex along midline (Fig. 4). Antenna 1.9–2.2 times as long as head width; relative length of flagellar segments as 1.0 : 0.3 : 0.3 : 0.3 : 0.3 : 0.2 : 0.2 : 0.2; segment 3 longer than segments 4–6 together; relative length of segment 10 and terminal setae as 1.0 : 0.7 : 0.4. Rostrum short, only tip of apical segment visible in lateral view. Metatibia 0.9–1.2 times as long as head width. Forewing (Figs 1, 3) 4.3–4.4 times as long as head width, 2.8 times as long as wide; costal margin strongly, evenly curved, anal margin almost straight; wing widest near the middle; subacute apically, wing apex lying in cell r2; vein Rs short, distinctly concave; m1 cell value 1.2–1.5, cell cu1 value 1.7–1.9; surface spinules lacking apart from base of wing; radular spinules present in cells m1, m2 and cu1. Hindwing two thirds length of forewing, membranous; costal setae not grouped. Terminalia as in Figs 5–8. Male proctiger (Fig. 5) 0.5 times as long as head width, sparsely beset with long setae, weakly produced posteriorly; posterior margin slightly angular in basal third. Paramere (Figs 5, 6) bifid; in lateral view, with narrow inner anterior process which is sclerotised apically, bearing each a small anterior and posterior toothlet, and with broader outer posterior lobe which is irregularly narrowing to strongly sclerotised apex forming an apical tooth; the outer face bears long setae mostly on the outer posterior lobe; the inner face with long setae along the anterior margin in basal half and on the outer posterior lobe in apical two thirds. Distal segment of aedeagus (Fig. 7) hardly expanded basally, weakly expanded apically, bearing small subapical hook ventrally; sclerotised end tube of ductus ejaculatorius moderately long, weakly sinuous. Female terminalia (Fig. 8) short; proctiger 0.8 times as long as head width, sparsely beset with long setae in the middle and short setae apically; dorsal outline, in lateral view, strongly narrowing towards apex which forms a small tubercle; circumanal ring oval, 0.6 times as long as proctiger, consisting of two unequal rows of pores. Female subgenital plate 0.6 times as long as proctiger, acute apically; sparsely beset with moderately long setae laterally. Dorsal valvulae, in lateral view, triangular; ventral valvulae straight, lacking teeth.

Figures 5–8. 

Eryngiofaga perrara sp. nov., terminalia. 5. Male terminalia, in lateral view; 6. Inner face of paramere; 7. Distal portion of aedeagus; 8. Female terminalia, in profile. Scale bars: 0.1 mm (5, 8); 0.05 mm (6, 7).

Measurements

(in mm; 1 ♂, 1 ♀). Head width 0.46–0.50; antenna length 0.96–1.00; forewing length 1.98–2.20; male proctiger length 0.24; paramere length 0.16; length of distal segment of aedeagus 0.22; female proctiger length 0.40.

Immature

unknown.

Etymology

From Latin perrarus = very rare, in reference to the paucity of available material.

Distribution

Known only from Mount Pilatus (Switzerland, Obwalden).

Host plant unknown

As host plants of Eryngiofaga species are restricted to the genera Bupleurum and Eryngium (Apiaceae) a likely host of E. perrara is Bupleurum ranunculoides L. which grows at the site “Chilchsteine” on Mount Pilatus.

Comments

The morphology of the parameres places E. perrara in the congenita group. It differs from E. armeniaca and E. maga in the basally more slender distal segment of the aedeagus, and from E. congenita, E. refuga, E. hungarica and E. matura in the much shorter subapical ventral hook on the distal segment of the aedeagus. It differs also from the other species of the congenita group in details of the paramere. In E. hungarica the anterior process of the paramere is broad (slender in all the other species); in E. congenita, E. maga and E. matura the posterior lobe of the paramere, in lateral view, is narrowly triangular and distinctly longer than the anterior one (broadly triangular and only slightly longer in the other species); in E. armeniaca the posterior lobe is big and the incision between anterior and posterior lobes is shallow not reaching the apical quarter of paramere (posterior lobe narrower and incision deep reaching basal third in E. perrara); in E. refuga the anterior process of the paramere is strongly curved along fore margin terminating in a posteriorly directed tooth (anterior process weakly curved anteriorly and terminating in each a forward and backward directed toothlet in E. perrara). The head, thorax and abdomen of E. congenita, E. refuga and E. hungarica are dark brown or almost black, but yellow, ochreous or, at most, light brown in E. perrara. The new species also differs markedly in the distribution from its putatively closest relatives (based on paramere shape): Switzerland (E. perrara) versus Caucasus, Kazakhstan, Siberia and Mongolia (E. armeniaca, E. congenita, E. matura and E. refuga).

Discussion and conclusions

Hosts are known for only five of the 13 previously described Eryngiofaga species (Loginova 1977). Three species of the mesomela group develop on Eryngium species, and one species each of the congenita group and the mesomela group on Bupleurum falcatum. Li (2011) reported also E. babugani from this host based on a single male from China with reference to Loginova (1964). Judging from figure 867, Li’s (2011) species is not E. babugani but resembles more E. congenita. Furthermore, Loginova (1964) treated under E. babugani a mix of E. babugani and E. lautereri. Loginova (1977) when revising the taxonomy, listed B. falcatum as host of the latter and wrote that the host of the former is unknown. The available data suggest that species of Eryngiofaga are monophagous. The host of E. perrara is unknown but the presence of B. ranunculoides at the type locality makes this plant a likely host.

Even though narrow geographic endemism is generally rare in psyllids (Burckhardt and Queiroz 2021), there are at least five species restricted to the Alps: Craspedolepta carinthica Ossiannilsson, 1963, Cyamophila prohaskai (Priesner, 1927), Livilla vicina (Löw, 1886), L. vittipennella (Reuter, 1875) and Trioza remaudierei Burckhardt & Lauterer, 2002. The biogeographic pattern of E. perrara is similar to that of C. prohaskai the only species known of the Alps of a genus very species rich in Central Asia.

It is unlikely, that E. perrara occurs only on Mount Pilatus, judging from the much wider distribution of the potential host plant. With only two specimens known, it is impossible to explain why E. perrara was so rarely collected and only at a single locality. More intensive and targeted fieldwork is needed to unravel the many questions surrounding this rare species.

Acknowledgements

I am very grateful to Igor Malenovský (Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic) and Roland Mühlethaler for their valuable comments and suggestions on a previous manuscript draft.

References

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