New fossil species of Ragas Walker (Diptera: Empididae) in Baltic amber (Tertiary, Eocene)

2013·4.4 MB·English

by  Bradley J Sinclair

Bonn zoological Bulletin 62 (1): 92-99 May 2013
New fossil species of Ragas Walker (Diptera: Empididae) in Baltic amber
(Tertiary, Eocene)
&
Bradley J. Sinclair1 Christel Hoffeins2
' Canadian National Collection ofInsects and Ottawa PlantLaboratory- Entomology, CFIA, K.W. NeatbyBldg., C.E.F., 960
CarlingAve., Ottawa, ON, Canada K1A 0C6; E-mail: [email protected]; 2 Liseistieg 10, D-22149Hamburg,
Germany; E-mail: [email protected].
Abstract. Five species ofRagas from Baltic amber are described (R. baltica sp. nov., R. electrica sp. nov., R. eocenica
sp. nov. R. succinea-sp. nov., R. ulrichi sp. nov.). These are the first definitive fossil species ofRagas described. A key
to species is provided and relationships ofthe fossil taxa to extant species are discussed.
Key words. Diptera, Empididae, Ragas, new species, Baltic amber.
INTRODUCTION
RagasWalker(Diptera: Empididae) is a small, rarely col- illustrated. These specimens represent the first definitive
lected genus, and includes six described extant species fossil species ofRagas and their relationships to extant
(Sinclair & Saigusa 2001). Ragas is assigned to a primi- species are discussed.
tive empidoid clade {Ragas group), which also includes
Zanclotus Wilder, Dipsomyia Bezzi, Hydropeza Sinclair,
and Hormopeza Zetterstedt (Sinclair 1999; Sinclair & MATERIALS AND METHODS
Cumming 2006). Support forthe monophyly ofthis genus
group is based on the apomorphic similarities ofthe phal- The pieces will be deposited in the amber collection of
lus, a stout andposteriorly arched labrumpresent inat least Dr. Hans Ulrich at the Zoologisches Forschungsmuseum
females, and an apical epipharyngeal comb (Sinclair A. Koenig (ZFMK), Bonn, Germany andthe Hoffeins am-
1999). This clade was assigned as incertae sedis within bercollection (CCHH) ofthe Senckenberg Deutsches En-
the family Empididae (Sinclair & Cumming 2006), but tomologisches Institut (SDEI), Muncheberg, Germany.
was not raised to subfamily level due to uncertainties con- Amber pieces in the Hoffeins collection with Ragas in-
cerning the definition ofthe Empididae. In molecularphy- clusions were selected from material purchased from dif-
logenetic studies, the genus Hormopeza was assigned ferent sources over a period of 20 years. Dr. Ulrich ob-
along with several other genera as sister to the remaining tained amber specimens exclusively from Dr. Audrey
Empididae (Moulton & Wiegmann 2007). Krylov (Sea Venture Bureau Ltd., Kaliningrad, Russia)
Adults ofthe European species, R. unica Walker, have who offered inclusions sorted to Empidoidea.
been observed clustered and mating on tree trunks, about Amberpieces from the ZFMKcollectionwereprepared
one metre above the ground (Collin 1961; Qvick 1985). for identification as follows: the amber was cut and pol-
These observations were made in a small hardwoodwood- ished using an IsoMef* Low Speed Saw (Buehler, Lake
lot, surrounded by cultivated fields, lawns and gardens Bluff, Illinois, USA) cutting machine and a Phoenix* Be-
(Qvick 1985). This tree trunk behaviour likely explains taGrinder-Polisher(Buehler) polishing machine with SiC
why the empidid species described in the present study grindingpaperformetallography, grit 800, 1200 and2500,
have been found in Baltic amber. Microcuf Abrasive Paper(Buehler)plainbacking P4000,
'
A first fossil species ofRagas in Baltic amber (Ragas and paperboard. To protect holotype ofthe new species
generosd) was described by Meunier (1908), but this the piece was embedded in synthetic resinAraldite* 2020
species was subsequently transferred to a possible new (XW396/XW397) (HuntsmanAdvancedMaterials, Ever-
&
genus (Sinclair Saigusa 2001). In the revision ofextant berg, Belgium) (Sinclair 2010). Specimens from the Hof-
species ofRagas, Sinclair & Saigusa (2001 briefly men- feins collection were treated in a similarway and embed-
)
tionedthe discoveryoftwo congeneric species from Baltic ded in GTS-polyester resin (Voss Chemie) (Hoffeins
amber. In this study these species, along with additional 2001).
material ofspecies ofRagas in amber, are described and
Received: 14.02.2013 Corresponding editor: N. Dorchin
Accepted: 11.03.2013
New fossil species ofRagas in Baltic amber 93
Photographs (Figs 2-4) were taken with a Nikon edwith short, apical sensillum; length ofstylus two-thirds
Coolpix 4500 digital camera attached to Wild M3Z and length of postpedicel. Thorax: Dark brown. Two noto-
DMLS
Leica stereo-microscopes. Photographs were ed- pleurals, one supra-alar, one postalar, acrostichalspresent,
ited with IrfanView and Photoshop. Photographs (Figs 1, seven dorsocentrals, anteriorsetae sfrongerand longerthan
5, 6) were taken with a Canon EOS 40D digital camera posterior setae; apical setae on scutellum visible. Wing:
using a 65mm l-5x macro lens and ring LED lighting. Radial forkpresent, V-shaped. Legs: Brown. Anteriorface
Multiple images were staked and montaged using Auto- of fore coxa with rows of irregularly arranged, strong,
Montage by Syncroscopy and edited with Photoshop. erect black setae ofnearby equal length; trochanter with
Terms used for adult structures follow McAlpine ten strong, black spine-like setae, varying in length, low-
(1981), Stuckenberg (1999-antennae), and Saigusa (2006 ermost longer than width offemur; fore femur with four
- wing venation). In the system outlined by Saigusa stout setae nearbase, ofequal length, as long as width of
(2006), the dipteran veinA (as used in McAlpine 1981) femur(Fig. 8), 4th setashorterthanpreceding, apex slight-
l
is homologizedwiththe mecopteran CuP, andconsequent- lybent downwards; fore tibiawithrow ofanteriorandpos-
M
ly CuAj (ofMcAlpine) is termed 4, CuA2 is CuA, the terior short setae, bent downwards, and with interadjacent
anal cell is cell cua, and the anal vein (A[+CuA2) is erectmicro-setulae; mid andhind femora lacking outstand-
CuP+CuA. Homologies ofthe male terminalia follow Sin- ing setae; mid tibia with short, regularly arranged setae;
clair and Cumming (2006). hind tibia with row ofanterior and posterior short setae,
bent downwards, and with interadjacent erect micro-se-
tulae. Apical tibial comb present on fore and hind tibiae.
Genus Ragas Walker Terminalia: Obscured by wings.
Ragas Walker, 1837: 229. Type-species: Ragas unica Etymology. The specific name is in reference to the geo-
Walker (monotypy). graphic origin ofthe amber species, the Baltic region.
Rhagas Agassiz, 1847: 320. Unjustified emendation.
Remarks. This female specimen in Baltic amber is ap-
Diagnosis. Ragas is defined by short spine-like setae on parently not conspecific with any known species, recog-
the postgena, fore coxa and trochanter, recurved labrum, nized by the spine-like setae of the postgena, fore coxa
&
and subapical laterallyprojected surstylus (Sinclair Sai- and fore femur, and V-shaped radial fork. Describing a
gusa 2001). new species based on a single female is problematic. The
chances ofdiscovering a male with the same combination
ofcharacters present as in the female are a matter ofco-
Ragas baltica sp. nov. (Figs 7, 8) incidence. Ifa male is discovered in the future, with cer-
tainty the diagnostic feature offour distinct setae on the
Type material. Holotype female inBaltic amber, with fol- fore femur will be present.
lowing label data: "HOLOTYPE/Ragas/baltica/ Sinclair
& Hoffeins"; "CCHH 1458-2" (SDEI). Ragas electrica sp. nov. (Figs 1,9, 10)
Amberwith inclusion embedded in a rectangularpoly-
ester block 16x10x4 mm; inclusion badly preserved, left Type material. Holotype male in Baltic amber, with fol-
sidetotally milky, wings inresin layer, venationpartlyob- lowing label data: "HOLOTYPE/ Ragas/ electrical Sin-
scured, surface ofbody lacerated and thus chaetotaxy of clair & Hoffeins"; "CNC DIPTERA/ #12255" (ZFMK).
mesonotum difficult to detect. Syninclusion: stellate hair. Paratype: 1 female, #12256 (ZFMK).
mm
Holotype embedded in6.5x6.4x4 block; milky coat-
Recognition. This species is distinctive with four setae ing on right side partly obscuring thorax and terminalia.
mm
near the base ofthe fore femur. Female paratype embedded in 6x6x4 block; in good
condition, exceptairbubble on right side partially obscur-
Description. Female. Body length 2.4 mm, wing length ing posteriorregion ofhead, thorax and anteriorsegments
approximately 2.5 mm. Head: Dark brown. Dichoptic, ofabdomen.
bare. Frons at innermargin ofeyewiththree setulae; ocel-
lar triangle dorsal, with pair of short anterior ocellar se- Recognition. This species is distinguished by dichoptic
tae and shorter and weaker posterior pair; two long ver- male, stylus two-thirds length of postpedicel, auxiliary
tical setae; occiput with scattered short setae Postgena crossvein between R4 and R2+3 lacking, wing with well
with cluster of black, spine-like setae. Proboscis with developed and rounded anal lobe, fore femur with three
labrum strongly bent backwards, as long as width ofeye, basal setae, male mid femur with two long ventral setae,
with tip nearly touching fore coxa. Antennal postpedicel male terminalia enlarged, broaderthan abdomen andheld
bulbous and tapered apically (Fig. 7), stylus 2-segment- upright.
©ZFMK
Bonn zoological Bulletin 62 (1): 92-99
&
94 Bradley J. Sinclair Christel Hoffeins
Figs 1-6. Habitus and male terminalia photographs of Baltic amber species ofRagas. 1. R. electrica, male. 2. R. succinea,
female. 3. R. eocenica, male. 4. R. eocenica, male terminalia. 5. R. ulrichi, male, right side. 6. R. ulrichi, male, left side.
Scale bar = 1.0 mm, except Fig. 4 where scale bar = 0.25 mm.
Bonn zoological Bulletin 62 (1): 92-99 ©ZFMK
New fossil species ofRagas in Baltic amber 95
Description. Wing length 1.9-2.3 mm. Male. Head: Dark Ragas eocenica sp. nov. (Figs 3, 4, 11, 12)
brown. Dichoptic, bare; upper facets not enlarged. Frons
very broadly V-shaped; lacking setulae. Ocellar triangle Type material. Holotype male in Baltic amber, with fol-
dorsal, with pair ofshort ocellar setae and posterior pair lowing label data: "HOLOTYPE/ Ragas/ eocenica/ Sin-
lacking; upper postocular setae similar in size to ocellar clair & Hoffeins"; "CCHH 1622-1" (SDEI).
setae. Postgenal spine-like setaepresent. Postpedicel with Amber with inclusion embedded in a rectangularpoly-
bulbous base, 2x length of base; stylus broad, approxi- ester block 14x9x5 mm. The amber piece was treated in
mately two-thirds length ofpostpedicel. Proboscis view autoclave underhigh pressure and heating, thus body and
obscured. Antennalpostpedicel bulbous andtapering api- legs of the inclusion are shrunken and somewhat com-
cally, stylus 2-segmentedwith short apical sensillum (Fig. pressed laterally, cuticlepartlydestroyed, setae ofheadand
9); stylus nearly two-thirds length ofpostpedicel, 2nd seg- thorax are visiblejust from lateral view, main diagnostic
mentmorethan twice length of1st segment. Thorax: Dark features not modified by autoclave treatment (Hoffeins
brown. Mesonotal setae mostly short and inconspicuous; 2012). Syninclusion: stellate hairs.
acrostichals ? uniserial; 7-8 uniserial dorsocentral setae,
prescutellarseta long and stout; one shortpostpronotal se- Recognition. This species is distinguished by dichoptic
ta; several short presutural supra-alar setae; one long and males, elongate and narrow wing, long and V-shaped ra-
stout upper notopleural seta; one postalar seta; two pairs dial fork, stylus nearly subequal in length to postpedicel,
scutellar setae, apical pair longest. Wing: Pigmentation and spine-like setae on the fore coxa lacking.
and cloudiness not visible; anal lobe well developed,
broadly rounded. Radial fork V-shaped, branching near Description. Male. Body length 1.7 mm, wing length 2.2
mid-length of Mj; auxiliary crossvein between R4 and mm, width 1.6 mm. Head: Dark brown. Dichoptic, bare,
R2+3 lacking; cell dm broad, extended apically less than anterior facets slightly enlarged; frons at vertex broader
halflength ofcell.Apex ofcell cua slightly rounded; anal than above antenna, with lateral eye emargination above
vein (CuP+ CuA) obscured. Pterostigmanotvisible. Hal- antenna. Frons at inner margin of eye with 3^1 setulae;
ter light brown. Legs: Light brown. Anterior face offore ocellar triangle dorsal, with pair of short posterior and
coxa with at least six long, erect spine-like setae. An- longer anterior ocellar setae; two long vertical setae; oc-
teroventral and ventral face offore trochanter with some ciput with scattered long setae. Postgena with cluster of
eight long, erect spine-like setae, several longer than se- black, spine-like setae. Proboscis andlabrum arched, about
tae onbase offore femur. Fore femurwith three stout, an- as long as height ofhead. Antennal postpedicel bulbous
teroventral setae near base (assumed one seta lost on left and tapering apically, stylus 2-segmented with short api-
femur), afterwhich femur slightly attenuated, setae near- cal sensillum (Fig. 11); stylus nearly subequal in length
ly subequal to width offemur. Mid femur with two stout to postpedicel, 2nd segment 2.5x longer than Is' segment.
posteroventral setae beyond midlength, 1.5-2.Ox longer Thorax: Dark brown. Mesonotal setae short and incon-
thanwidth offemur. Mid tibia lacking modified setae op- spicuous, approximately 7-8 dorsocentrals, scutellumwith
posite seta on femur. Terminalia (Fig. 10): Held upright, one pair of apical setae. Wing: Auxiliary crossvein be-
broader than width ofabdomen, unrotated. Hypandrium tween R and R2+3 absent; radial fork long and V-shaped
4
subequal in length to epandrium. Phallus long and mem- (Fig. 3). Anal lobe narrow; anal vein (CuP + CuA) long,
branous, projecting beyond terminalia along ventral mar- ending at end of wing margin. Pterostigma overlapping
gin ofhypandrium. Epandrium U-shaped, lamella broad Rj. Halterbrown. Legs: Brown. Anteriorface offore coxa
laterally with broad apex. Cercus view obscured. without spine-like setae; trochanterwith six spine-like se-
Female. Similar to male, except lacking stout setae on tae, varying in length; fore femur with two (antero)ven-
mid femur. Terminalia: cercus short, slender, shorterthan tral setae nearbase, ofequal length, nearlyas longaswidth
preceding segment. offemur, mid femurwith one stout, blackposterior spine-
like setanearapex, 2-3x longerthan width offemur(legs
Etymology. The specific name is from the Greek n^s- shrunken, thus exact comparison not reliable). Fore and
Kipov elektron (amber). hind tibiae with rows of anterior and posterior short se-
tae, bent downwards and with interadjacent erect micro-
Remarks. The relationship ofthis species to otherspecies setulae, setae on mid tibia inconspicuous. Apical tibial
ofRagas is unknown. The details ofthe male terminalia comb present on fore and hind tibiae. Terminalia (Figs
are not sufficient to make comparisons. 4, 12): Held upright, unrotated. Hypandrium longer than
epandrium. Epandrium slenderwith arched apex; at least
three anteriorpairs oflong setae, posterior part with sev-
eral shorter, stronger and apically arched setae. Cercus
with strongly sclerotizedbifidtip. Phallic comprising slen-
der filaments with coiled apex. Female. Unknown.
©ZFMK
Bonn zoological Bulletin 62 (1): 92-99
&
96 Bradley J. Sinclair Christel Hoffeins
9
epand
epand
12
10
Figs 7-12. 7. Ragas baltica, antenna, female. 8. R. baltica, female foreleg. 9. R. electrica, antenna, female. 10. R. electrica, ma-
le terminalia. 11. R. eocenica, antenna, male. 12. R. eocenica, male terminalia. Abbreviations: cere - cercus; epand - epandrium;
hypd - hypandrium; ph - phallus. Scale bars = 0.1 mm.
Etymology. The specific name is in reference to the sized air bubbles. Syninclusions: female, right side
Eocene age ofthe amber species. slightly obscured by milky veil; stellate hairs.
Remarks. Ragas eocenica appears to possess slender Recognition. This species is distinguished by R4+5 un-
phallic filaments, also observed in the extant species, R. branched, fourspine-like ventral setaenearthebase ofthe
&
circinata Sinclair Saigusa. fore femur and spine-like setae ofthe postgena lacking.
Description. Male. Body length 3.4 mm, wing length 3.7
Ragas succinea sp. nov. (Figs 2, 13-15) mm, broadest width 1.15—1.2 mm. Head: Dark brown.
Holoptic, bare; upper facets enlarged. Frons lacking se-
Type material. Holotype male and paratype female in tulae. Ocellar triangle dorsal, with short ocellars and two
Baltic amber, with following label data: "HOLOTYPE/ pairs ofupper postocular setae, outerpair slightly longer.
Ragas/succinea/ Sinclair & Hoffeins"; "CCHH 1458-1" Postgena withdense silky long setae, spine-like setae lack-
(SDEI). ing. Proboscis and labrum slightly longer than face. An-
Amberwith inclusions embedded in arectangularpoly- tennal postpedicel withbulbous base, taperedapically, ty-
ester block 17x10x4 mm; abdomen in a decayed condi- lus nearly 3x longer than postpedicel. Thorax: Brown.
tion, distal segments ofabdomen densely coveredby fun- Mesonotal setae inconspicuous acrostichals anddorsocen-
gi hyphen; lateral and dorsal views obscured by multi- trals present. Wing: Anal lobe well developed, prominent
Bonn zoological Bulletin 62 (1): 92-99 ©ZFMK
New fossil species ofRagas in Baltic amber 97
Figs 13-19. 13. Ragas succinea, antenna, female. 14. R. succinea, right foreleg, female. 15. R. succinea, male terminalia. 16. R.
ulrichi, antenna, male. 17. R. ulrichi, male midleg. 18. R. ulrichi, male foreleg. 19. R. ulrichi, male terminalia.Abbreviations: cere
- cercus; epand - epandrium; hypd -hypandrium; ph - phallus. Scale bars = 0.1 mm.
and acute. Radial fork absent (Fig. 2); anal vein (CuP + Visible only from ventral side, terminal, not upright. Hy-
CuA) long, endingjust before wing margin. Pterostigma pandrium shorter than epandrium. Epandrium with pos-
present. Halterpale. Legs: Brown. Tibiae andtarsi offore teroventral hook-like projection.
andleftmidlegsbrokenoff, visible only fromventral side; Female. Body length 3.4 mm, wing length slightly
front ofleft fore coxa at base with two black, stout, short longer than 3.4 mm, width 1.2 mm; wings not in exact
spine-like setae; fore trochanter with 10-12 black, erect plain position caused by resin flow. Head: Dark brown.
stout spine-like setae, size variable, longest one subequal Dichoptic, eyes bare, upper facets not enlarged, anterior
to width oftrochanter; fore femurwith fourventral, black, ocellars short, posteriorpostocularsetae longer, some scat-
spine-like setae, shorter than width of femur. Hind tibia tered upperpostocular setae longer; frons with four short
distallywith short setae and interadjacent, erect micro-se- setae at inner margin of eye. Postgena densely covered
tulae. Apical tibial comb present. Terminalia (Fig. 15): with cluster of silky setae. Proboscis with labrum bent
Bonn zoological Bulletin 62 (1): 92-99 ©ZFMK
MS Bradley J. Sinclair & Christel Hoffeins
backwards, slightly longer than width of eye. Antennal Recognition. This species is distinguished by holoptic
postpedicel with bulbous base, tapered apically (Fig. 13), males, stylus one-third length of postpedicel, auxiliary
stylus 2-segmented, 1st segment short, 2nd segment 3x crossvein between R4 and R2+3 lacking, wing with broad
longer than postpedicel. Thorax: As in male, chaetotaxy anal lobe, fore femur with two basal setae, male mid fe-
ofmesoscutum only visible laterally, dc present. Wing: mur with one long ventral seta, and long coiled and slen-
As in male. Legs: Brown. Fore coxawith two black, erect, der phallus.
anterior spine-like setae at base as in male, slightly short-
er than width of coxa; trochanter with cluster of black, Description. Wing length 1.9-2.3 mm. Male: Head: Dark
erect spine-like setae, lowerone 3x longerthan uppermost; brown. Holoptic, bare; upper facets enlarged. Frons lack-
fore femur with four ventral black (Fig. 14), erect spine- ing setulae. Ocellar triangle dorsal, with pair ofshort an-
like setae nearbase, shorterthan width offemur. Foretib- teriorocellar setae and shorterposteriorpair; two pairs of
ia opposite femur with row ofabout 20 short, stout erect upper postocular setae similar in size to anterior ocellar
setae, length ofsetae decreasing to apex oftibia, row of setae. Postgena with broad cluster ofsome 10-15 spine-
stout setae continuing to base oftarsomere 1, short stout like setae. Postpedicel with bulbous base, 3x length of
setae clustered at apex of tibia and base of tarsomere 1 base; stylusbroad, approximately one-third length ofpost-
neararticulation. Hind tibia distally with short setae, bent pedicel. Proboscis with labrum slightly longer than post-
downwards, and with interadjacent erect micro-setulae. pedicel. Antennal postpedicel bulbous and tapering api-
Apical comb present on hind tibia. Terminalia: No clear cally, stylus 2-segmentedwith short apical sensillum (Fig.
details discernible, cerci withdrawn between tergite and 16); stylus nearly one-halflength ofpostpedicel, 2nd seg-
sternite ofterminal segment. ment twice length of lsl segment. Thorax: Dark brown.
Mesonotal setae mostly short and inconspicuous; acros-
Etymology. The specific name is fromthe Latinsuccinum tichals ? uniserial; some 4-8 uniserial dorsocentral setae,
(amber). prescutellar seta longer and stouter; one short postprono-
tal seta; three short presutural supra-alar setae; one long
Remarks. The male and female are embedded very close and stout upper and two shorter lower, more slender no-
together, and no differences in chaetotaxy ofthe legs can topleural setae; one postalar seta; two pairs scutellar se-
be recognized although forelegs ofthe male are not com- tae, apical pair longest. Wing: Pigmentation and cloudi-
plete. The male and female specimens are confidently con- ness not visible; anal lobe well developed, prominent and
sidered conspecific. acute. Radial fork bell-shaped, branching near proximal
thirdofMj; auxiliarycrossveinbetween R4 andR2+3 lack-
ing; cell dmbroad, extended apically less than halflength
Ragas ulrichi sp. nov. (Figs 5, 6, 16-19) ofcell. Apex ofcell cua truncate; anal vein (CuP + CuA)
long, ending short ofwing margin. Pterostigma overlap-
Type material. Holotype male in Baltic amber, with fol- pingapex ofRj. Halterbrown. Legs: Brown.Anteriorface
lowing label data: "HOLOTYPE/ Ragas/ ulrichil Sinclair offore coxawith approximately 6-8 long, erect spine-like
& Hoffeins"; "CNC DIPTERA/ #12249" (ZFMK). setae. Anteroventral and ventral face of fore trochanter
Paratypes: 2 males, 3 females, #12250-12254 (ZFMK); with some 6-9 long, erect spine-like setae, several longer
1 female, #CCHH 1458-5 (SDEI), 1 male, #CCHH than setae on base of fore femur. Fore femur with two
1458-6 (SDEI). Additional material. 1 male, #CCHH stout, anteroventral setae near base (Fig. 17), distal seta
1458^1 (SDEI);1 male, #CCHH 1458-7 (SDEI); 1 fe- longer and stouter, after which femur slightly attenuated,
male, #CCHH 1458-3 (SDEI); 1 male, #CCHH 1458-8 setae nearly subequal to width offemur. Mid femur with
(SDEI). stout, archedposteroventral seta at apical third, 2x longer
than width offemur (Fig. 18). Mid tibia lacking modified
mm
Holotype embedded in 6x6x4 block; in good con- setae opposite seta on femur. Terminalia (Fig. 19): Erect
dition, milky coating partially obscuring thorax and back not projecting dorsally over abdomen, unrotated. Hypan-
ofhead on right side. Male paratype (1458-6) embedded drium U-shaped in posterior view, with thinly sclerotized
in polyester block 9x9x5 mm; partly in poor condition, ventral face. Phallus (orphallic filaments) long and coiled
milkycoating obscuringpartly thorax and occiput, airbub- into at least three circles, usually lying on right-hand side.
bles between mid and hind legs, inner part ofmid femo- Epandrium U-shaped, apical portion of lamella slender,
ra hidden. Female paratype 1458-5) embedded in poly- apex attenuated. Cercus short and broad, apparently less
(
esterblock 13x11x6 mm; in poorcondition, right side ob- than halflength ofepandrium.
scured by milky coating, basal segments of abdomen Female. Similar to male, except eyes widely separated
bloated, wings overlapping over abdomen; not all char- on frons; 3-4 setulae along inner eye margin above an-
acters discernable. tenna. Lacking stout seta on mid femur. Terminalia: cer-
cus short, slender, longer than preceding segment.
Bonn zoological Bulletin 62 (1): 92-99 ©ZFMK
New fossil species ofRagas in Baltic amber 99
Males holoptic. Fore femur with 2 spine-like ventral
Etymology. This species is dedicated to Dr. Hans Ulrich
who kindly made available his rich collection of amber setae (Fig. 8). Mid femurwith 1 spine-like ventral se-
tae (Fig. 7). Male with long coiled phallus (Figs 6,
Empidoidea.
9) R. ulrichi
Remarks. This amber species is possibly related to the
& Acknowledgments. Hans Ulrich (Bonn, Germany) is thanked
four extant species (R. alpina Sinclair Saigusa, R. cir-
& for the loan ofspecimens to BJS from his valuable amber col-
cinata,R. longicauda Sinclair Saigusa, R. munroei Sin- lectionofEmpidoidea. Shannon Henderson(Ottawa)kindlypro-
&
clair Saigusa) on the basis ofmodified setae onthe male duced the photographs of electrica and R. ulrichi and Hans
midfemur. However, the terminalia are unrotated and held Werner Hoffeins is thanked for preparing the Hoffeins' inclu-
upright, but not over the abdomen, holoptic males and sions. Monica Solorzano Kraemer (Frankfurt) kindly prepared
broad wings in the fossil species prevents assignment to the ZFMK amber specimens.
this group. The coiledphallus and/orphallic filaments are
similarto the coiled phallic filaments ofR. circinata, but
it is difficult to determine whether this condition is ho- REFERENCES
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Bonn zoological Bulletin 62 (1): 92-99 ©ZFMK