A new genus of Macrosiphini Wilson, 1910 (1887) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) from Rhododendron in Turkey

ZOOTAXA

ISSN 1175-5326 (print edition)

ISSN 1175-5334 (online edition)Copyright © 2014 Magnolia Press

Zootaxa 3835 (1): 121–126

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http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3835.1.7

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:05455C3D-DA3E-42E6-9FB2-9E93981349C0

A new genus of Macrosiphini Wilson, 1910 (1887) (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

from Rhododendron in Turkey

SHALVA BARJADZE1,3 & IŞIL ÖZDEMIR2

1Institute of Entomology, Agricultural University of Georgia, 13th km of David Aghmashenebeli Alley, 0159, Tbilisi, Georgia2Plant Protection Central Research Institute Gayret Mahallesi, Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bulvari, No.: 66, P.K.49 06172, Yenimahalle/

Ankara,Turkey3Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]; Mobile: (+995 32) 99 26 60 83

Abstract

Rhododendraphis tuatayae gen. n., sp. n. living on Rhododendron sp. (Ericaceae) in Turkey is described based on apter-

ous viviparous females. The new genus is morphologically most similar to Rostratusaphis Fang and Qiao, 2009, but dif-

fers in several important characters. Differences between the new genus and other aphid genera with a spinulose second

tarsal segment living on Rhododendron spp. worldwide are described. Type specimens are deposited at the Natural History

Museum of London (BMNH).

Key words: Rhododendraphis tuatayae, new genus, new species, Rhododendron, Turkey

Introduction

Rhododendron spp. (Ericaceae) are hosts to species in 19 aphid genera, and 10 of these genera including 35 species have a specific association with this host (Holman 2009; Blackman & Eastop 2014). The genera specifically associated with Rhododendron spp. are: Chaetomyzus A.K. Ghosh & D.N. Raychaudhuri 1962, Ericolophium Tao, 1963, Hillerislambersia Basu 1968, Illinoia Wilson, 1910, Indiaphis Basu, 1969, Indomasonaphis Verma, 1971, Neoamphorophora Mason, 1924, Rostratusaphis Fang & Qiao, 2009, Sinomegoura Takahashi, 1960, and Vesiculaphis Del Guercio, 1911 (Holman 2009; Blackman & Eastop 2014).

Illinoia species are distributed worldwide, while Neoamphorophora species are holarctic. Chaetomyzus,

Ericolophium, Sinomegoura and Vesiculaphis species are distributed in Asia. Indomasonaphis species are recorded only in the Oriental region, while the distribution of Hillerislambersia, Indiaphis and Rostratusaphis species is restricted to India and China respectively (Holman 2009; Blackman & Eastop 2014).

Blackman & Eastop (2006), in their treatment of Neoamphorophora (p.1249), noted an undescribed species from Turkey in the collection of the Natural History Museum (BMNH) that “probably requires the creation of a new genus”. The new genus Rhododendraphis is here described, with Rhododendraphis tuatayae sp. n. as a type species on Rhododendron sp. from north-eastern Turkey, based on apterous viviparous females sampled by Dr. Nazife Tuatay in 1971.

Rhododendraphis gen. n.

Type species: Rhododendraphis tuatayae sp. n.

Description. Apterous viviparous female. Body small, elliptical with 6-segmented antennae, antennae shorter than length of body. A few secondary rhinaria arranged distally on antennal segment III. Antennal segment III with imbrications on the distal 1/2 or 2/3. Processus terminalis short, length of processus terminalis/basal part of

Accepted by D. Ouvrard: 12 Jun. 2014; published: 9 Jul. 2014 121

antennal segment VI is 1.45–1.65. Head with low antennal tubercles and low or absent median tubercles. Rostrum long, passes to hind coxae. Ultimate rostral segments oblong triangular with blunt apices, with 24–28 accessory hairs, ca. 2 times longer than length of second segment of hind tarsus. Legs normal, smooth. Tarsal I and II segments with spinulose imbrications, second segment of hind tarsus short (0.063–0.072 mm length) and wide (length of second segment of hind tarsus/width of second segment of hind tarsus - 3.00–3.43). First tarsal chaetotaxy: 3:3:3. Tergum dark and sclerotic with dark bands on abdominal tergites VII and VIII. Dorsum of body with reticulation pattern made by small cells. Hairs on dorsum are short with capitate apices, while on the ventral side long and pointed hairs are presented. Marginal wax gland plate absent from body. Subgenital and anal plates and cauda with spinulose imbrications. Siphunculi clavate, slightly or moderately swollen on the distal half, with scaly pattern and transverse striae before flange. Siphunculi with distinct flange. Cauda short, tongue-shaped, not constricted in the middle, with a small number of hairs on it.

Etymology. The generic name Rhododendraphis is of feminine gender and derived from the ancient Greek word “Rhododendron”, which is the host plant of the aphid, and “aphis” (= plant louse).

Diagnosis. This genus belongs to the tribe Macrosiphini Wilson, 1910 (1887) (Hemiptera: Aphididae). Of the Rhododendron-feeding aphids, it resembles Rostratusaphis Fang and Qiao, 2009 in the following features: (1) poorly developed antennal tubercles, (2) long rostrum, (3) high number of secondary hairs on the ultimate rostral segment, (4) spinulose hind tarsi, (5) clavate siphunculi without subapical zone of reticulation and (6) small number of caudal hairs (Fang & Qiao 2009). However apterous viviparous females of Rhododendraphis differ from the same form of Rostratusaphis by having (1) a processus terminalis that is longer than the basal part of antennal segment VI; (2) secondary rhinaria on antennal segment III; (3) a much shorter ultimate rostral segment; (4) dorsal hairs with capitate rather than pointed; (5) no marginal wax plates on metanotum and abdominal tergites I–VI.

It also resembles Neoamphorophora, but that genus has apterae without secondary rhinaria on the antennae, tarsi without spinules, and a much shorter ultimate rostral segment with only a few accessory hairs.

Apart from Rostratusaphis, six other Rhododendron-feeding genera (Chaetomyzus, Ericolophium, Illinoia,

Indiaphis, Indomasonaphis and Vesiculaphis) have species with spinulose second tarsal segments. Of these, only Illinoia has apterae with antennae bearing secondary rhinaria, and that is a Nearctic genus with well-developed antennal tubercles and siphunculi with a subapical zone of polygonal reticulation. Chaetomyzus and Indomasonaphis have characteristic dorsal seta-bearing processes, and Ericolophium and Indiaphis have tapering/cylindrical siphunculi with no trace of distal swelling. Vesiculaphis has apterae with projections on the head as a ledge or lobes in front of the antennal bases.

Key to aphid genera with spinulose second tarsal segment from Rhododendron spp. worldwide based on

apterous viviparous females

1. Siphunculus with subapical zone of polygonal reticulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Illinoia Wilson

-. Siphunculus without subapical zone of polygonal reticulation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

2. Antennal segment III with secondary rhinaria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Rhododendraphis gen. n.

-. Antennal segment III without secondary rhinaria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

3. Dorsal processes on abdomen present. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

-. Dorsal processes on abdomen absent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

4. Scabrous dorsal processes present on abdomen. Cauda with 5–6 hairs . . . . . . Chaetomyzus A.K. Ghosh & D.N. Raychaudhuri

-. Smooth, hemispherical dorsal processes present on abdomen. Cauda with 24–60 hairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . Indomasonaphis Verma

5. Siphunculi conspicuously warty or nodulose throughout length. Head projecting forward in front of antennal bases . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vesiculaphis del Guercio

-. Siphunculi smooth or with normal imbrication. Head not projecting forward in front of antennal bases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

6. Ultimate rostral segments 3–4 times length of second segment of hind tarsus. Antennal segment III with spinules on imbrica-

tions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rostratusaphis Fang & Qiao

-. Ultimate rostral segments 1–2 times length of second segment of hind tarsus. Antennal segment III smooth or imbricated, but

without spinules. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

7. Antennal and median tubercles not developed. Triommatidium not distinct. Dorsum of abdomen wrinkled . . . Indiaphis Basu

-. Antennal and median tubercles developed. Triommatidium distinct. Dorsum of abdomen smooth . . . . . . . . Ericolophium Tao

BARJADZE & ÖZDEMIR122 · Zootaxa 3835 (1) © 2014 Magnolia Press

FIGURES 1–10. Rhododendraphis tuatayae sp. n., apterous viviparous female. 1. antennal segment VI (scale bar=200 µm); 2.

antennal segments I–V (scale bar=200 µm); 3. body (scale bar=500 µm); 4. head (scale bar=50 µm); 5. posterior part of body

with siphunculus and cauda (scale bar=50 µm); 6. ultimate rostral segments (scale bar=25 µm); 7. cauda (scale bar=50 µm); 8.

subgenital plate (scale bar=50 µm); 9. reticulation pattern of abdominal dorsum on abdominal tergites V–VI (scale bar=50 µm);

10. hind tarsus (scale bar=25 µm).

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Rhododendraphis tuatayae sp. n.

(Figures 1–10, Table 1)

Type material. Holotype: apterous viviparous female, slide N 295-77, specimen No. 4 (lower specimen on the left side), North-eastern Turkey, Trabzon Province, Trabzon, 06.VII.1971, Rhododendron sp., leg. Nazife Tuatay; Paratypes: 7 apterous females on two slides, the same data as for holotype. Type specimens are deposited at the Natural History Museum of London (BMNH). This species was included in as “Neoamphorophora sp.” in the identification key for Rhododendron-living aphids of Blackman & Eastop (2006, 2014).

Etymology. The specific name is given in honor of Dr. Nazife Tuatay, who worked on the Turkish aphid fauna during several decades and who collected specimens of the new species.

Description. Apterous viviparous female (n=8). Color in life: unknown, probably brown or black. Color on slide: tergum dark and sclerotic with dark bands on abdominal tergites VII and VIII. Antennal segments I–III dusky, antennal segments IV–VI pale, rostrum pale except rostral segments III–V, which are dusky, coxa dusky, femora and tibia pale except their dusky apices, tarsus dusky, basal half of siphunculus pale, while apical half is dusky, subgenital, anal plates dusky, cauda pale.

Body small and elliptic, 1.38–1.71 mm long (fig. 3). Width of body 0.46–0.51 times as long as its length. Length of antenna 0.83–0.93 times as long as length of body. Antennae 6-segmented (fig. 1–2). Antennal tubercles low and medial tubercles small or absent (fig. 4). Marginal wax gland plate absent from body. Antennal hairs pointed, length of the longest hair on antennal segment III 0.57–0.80 times as long as basal diameter of antennal segment III. Antennal segment III with imbrications on the distal 1/2 or 2/3. Antennal segment III 1.27–1.61 longer than siphunculus and 0.28–0.37 length of body. Secondary rhinaria 3–8, arranged in one line on distal 0.47–0.71 part of antennal segment III. Length of antennal segments IV and V and basal part of antennal segment VI respectively 0.33–0.55, 0.34–0.45 and 0.24–0.28 times as long as antennal segment III. Processus terminalis 0.35–0.45 as long as antennal segment III and 1.45–1.65 times longer than basal part of antennal segment VI. Basal part of antennal segment VI and processus terminalis respectively 0.32–0.34 and 0.46–0.55 times as long as head width across compound eyes. Cephalic dorsal hairs capitate, 1.05–1.21 times longer than basal diameter of antennal segment III. Dorsum of body with reticulation pattern made by small cells (fig. 9). Hairs on dorsum are short with capitate apices, while on the ventral side long and pointed hairs are presented. Rostrum large, extending to hind coxae. Ultimate rostral segment (R IV+V) oblong triangular with blunt apex (fig. 6), 2.01–2.50 as long as its basal width, 0.34–0.39 as long as head width across compound eyes, 1.09–1.19 times length of basal part of antennal segment VI, and 1.96–2.16 times length of second segment of hind tarsus. Length of ventral hairs on the hind trochanter 0.50–0.76 times as long as trochantrofemoral suture. Legs long, length of hind femora and hind tibia 0.32–0.37 and 0.59–0.67 times as long as length of body respectively. Length of hind femora and hind tibia respectively 1.32–1.54 and 2.40–2.74 times as long as head width across compound eyes. Second segment of hind tarsus short with spinulose imbrications (fig. 10), 3.00–3.43 times longer than wide and 0.17–0.19 times head width across compound eyes. Small marginal tubercles always present on the abdominal tergites II–IV. Spinal tubercles absent. Longest hairs of abdominal tergites III and VIII respectively 0.86–1.05 and 0.90–1.26 times as long as basal diameter of antennal segment III. Siphunculus clavate, slightly or moderately swollen on the distal half, with scaly pattern and transverse striae before flange (fig. 5). Siphunculus with distinct flange. Maximum width of siphunculus 1.31–2.11 times longer than its minimum width. Length of siphunculus 0.22–0.25 of length of body, 0.90–1.01 times head width across compound eyes and 1.99–2.28 times as long as cauda. Subgenital plate round, sclerotized and with spinulose imbrications (fig. 8). Cauda short, tongue-shaped, not constricted in the middle, with spinulose imbrications (fig. 7). Length of cauda 1.38–1.72 times its basal width and 0.41–0.45 times head width across compound eyes. Measurements and chaetotaxy are given in table 1.

Distribution. Only known from the type locality in Trabzon, Trabzon Province, North-eastern Turkey.Biology. The host plant is an unidentified Rhododendron sp. The life cycle is unknown.

Conclusion

Although clearly related to some of the other aphids associated with Rhododendron, the new species thus has a unique combination of characters that requires the erection of a new genus. The number of genera of Macrosiphini

BARJADZE & ÖZDEMIR124 · Zootaxa 3835 (1) © 2014 Magnolia Press

on Rhododendron could be evidence of an ancient association, or might be the result of convergent evolution following multiple acquisitions of this host plant. Further work is needed to explore evolutionary relationships within and between the Rhododendron-feeding genera and species of Macrosiphini.

TABLE 1. Measurements and chaetotaxy of Rhododendraphis tuatayae sp. n. (Measurements are given in mm).

Measurements: apterous viviparous females (n=8)

Length of antenna 1.232–1.454

Length of antennal segment I 0.054–0.068

Length of antennal segment II 0.040–0.065

Basal diameter of antennal segment III 0.019–0.022

Length of antennal segment III 0.414–0.519

Length of longest hair on antennal segment III 0.011–0.016

Length of antennal segment IV 0.171–0.277

Length of antennal segment V 0.173–0.212

Length of basal part of antennal segment VI 0.114–0.136

Length of processus terminalis 0.179–0.210

Length of body 1.375–1.714

Width of body 0.675–0.849

Length of longest cephalic hair on dorsal side 0.020–0.025

Width of head across the compound eyes 0.361–0.401

Length of ultimate rostral segment 0.134–0.143

Basal width of ultimate rostral segment 0.056–0.069

Length of ventral hairs on the hind trochanter 0.021–0.033

Length of hind femora 0.477–0.588

Length of hind tibia 0.868–1.049

Length of second segment of hind tarsus 0.063–0.072

Width of second segment of hind tarsus 0.020–0.022

Length of longest hair on abdominal tergite III 0.017–0.021

Length of siphunculus 0.319–0.389

Length of longest hair on abdominal tergite VIII 0.016–0.026

Length of cauda 0.149–0.182

Basal width of cauda 0.094–0.113

Number of hairs on:

Antennal segment I 13–20

Antennal segment II 10–13

Antennal segment III 19–29

Antennal segment IV 7–14

Antennal segment V 7–10

Basal part of antennal segment VI 3–5

Processus terminalis 2–3

Antennal tubercles on the inner side ventrally 3–5

Ultimate rostral segment (accessory hairs) 24–28

Chaetotaxy of the first tarsal segments 3:3:3

Second segment of hind tarsus 5–7

Abdominal tergite VIII 6–9

Subgenital plate:

Anterior disc 2–4

Posterior margin 9–12

Gonapophyses:

Outer gonapophyses 3–5

Median gonapophysis 5–6

Cauda 5–6

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the colleagues who helped us during the preparation of this paper: P. Brown (The Natural History Museum, London, UK) for the loan of the specimens, and R.L Blackman (The Natural History Museum, London, UK) for invaluable information and critical review. We are grateful to Mr. Emre Evlice (Plant Protection Central Research Institute, Ankara, Turkey) for help with photographing aphids. This investigation was supported by TUBITAK foundation (2221-Fellowships for Visiting Scientists and Scientists on Sabbatical Leave, project number -1059B211401451).

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