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Issue: Vol. 2559 No. 1: 5 Aug. 2010
Type: Articles
Published: 2010-08-05
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.2559.1.3
Page range: 36–46
Abstract views: 30
PDF downloaded: 2

Adult morphology of Paramorganiella adventurosa Tonnoir (Diptera: Mycetophilidae: Sciophilinae), including a description of the unique maxillary palpi

Senckenberg Deutsches Entomologisches Institut, Eberswalder Strasse 90, D-15374 Müncheberg, Germany
Senckenberg Deutsches Entomologisches Institut, Eberswalder Strasse 90, D-15374 Müncheberg, Germany
Senckenberg Naturhistorische Sammlungen, Museum für Tierkunde, Königsbrücker Landstrasse 159, D-01109 Dresden, Germany
Diptera Mycetophilidae Paramorganiella adventurosa anatomy maxillary palpus sexual dimorphism sexual selection female description Australia

Abstract

The adult morphology of male Paramorganiella adventurosa Tonnoir is redescribed on the basis of new material from Tasmania. Details of the male genitalia are described and figured for the first time. The female is described for the first time. Special attention is paid to the clypeus and maxillary palpus, both sexually dimorphic, of which the anatomy is extensively illustrated and discussed with respect to possible function and in the context of palpal modifications found in other Mycetophilidae. Anatomy suggests the palpi of males function as a mechanical tool rather than a probing organ, which is unique among Mycetophilidae and Diptera. Various functional hypotheses are discussed in the context of sexual selection.

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