urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: D98C0465-D5D9-4059-A85E-8EB2DE6A2D33
(Figs 17, 35 a, b, 156-163, 198)
HOLOTYPE (male): CANADA, Ontario, Rondeau Provincial Park, South Point, [ 42°17'00" N, 81°51'00" W] 2.VI.1985, moss on logs in pond, A. Davies and J.M. Campbell, CNC No. 23679 ( CNC). PARATYPES: listed in Appendix A.
Diagnosis
Gnypeta canadensis is externally similar to G. helenae, from which it may be distinguished with certainty by the shape of the narrower and ventrally produced apical portion of the median lobe of the aedeagus (Fig. 156), thicker stem of the spermatheca (Fig. 161), and different geographic distribution. It may be distinguished from the oth- er Nearctic Gnypeta species by the following combination of characters: body length 2.7-3.0 mm, integument strongly glossy (Fig. 17); elytra at suture as long as pronotum or slightly longer and about 1/4 wider than maximum width of pronotum (Fig. 17); abdomen subparallel and at base distinctly narrower than elytra (Fig. 17); antennal article 4 strongly elongate, 5-10 moderately to strongly elongate (Figs 35 a, b); median lobe of aedeagus with apical part strongly produced ventrally in lateral view (Fig. 156); spermatheca S-shaped, capsule pipe-shaped and consisting of a small cylindrical apical part angularly connected to a tubular part and the elongate sinuate stem (Fig. 161); male tergite 8 truncate apically and with slight apical emargination (Fig. 159); female sternite 8 with large apical emargination (Fig. 163). The elongate antennal articles 1-10 (1-7 strongly, 8-10 slightly) (Figs 35 a, b); distinct shape of spermatheca; medially emarginated female sternite 8, and the shape of the apical portion of the median lobe of the aedeagus are the best characters for recognition of this species.
Description
As for G. helenae except for the characters of the median lobe of the aedeagus and the spermatheca (see above).
Distribution (Fig. 198)
Gnypeta canadensis is known to occur in Ontario and Alberta.
Collection and habitat data
Adults were captured in March, May and June. Some specimens were collected from an intercept trap in open marsh forest, and the holotype was captured in moss on a log.
Comments
The late Gustav Adolf Lohse ( Hamburg, Germany) worked on revision of Nearctic Gnypeta but was not able to complete his project. Three CNC specimens of this species bear his identification labels as G. glabricula Lohse [manuscript name].
G. canadensis is similar to G. helenae and the two cannot be distinguished externally. They may be separated by the width of the spermatheca, the width of the apical portion of the median lobe of the aedeagus in lateral view, and by the different distribution ranges. For details, see the diagnosis and description.
Due to a lack of study material, we did not see a broad geographic variation in genital characters in this species. Should the variations in genital characters prove to be clinal based on a broader sample size in future studies and the geographic ranges overlapping between this species and G. helenae, the status of G. canadensis should be reconsidered.