The Rare <i>Richardsitas</i> Betsch (Collembola, Symphypleona, Sminthuridae): A New Species from Australia with Comments on the Genus and on the Sminthurinae

• Main Authors: Gleyce da S. Medeiros, Penelope Greenslade, Bruno C. Bellini
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-08-01
• Series: Insects
• Subjects: chaetotaxy; Oceania; Sminthuroidea; survey; <i>Temeritas</i>-group
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/11/8/519

<i>Richardsitas</i> Betsch is a small genus of Sminthurinae with only two species described so far, both from Madagascar. It resembles other Sminthurinae with long antennae, especially <i>Temeritas</i> Richards. Here we provide the first record of <i>Richardsitas</i> from Australia, <i>Richardsitas subferoleum</i> sp. nov., which is similar to <i>R. najtae</i> Betsch and <i>R. griveaudi</i> Betsch in males’ large abdomen chaetotaxy and presence of tenent-hairs on tibiotarsi II–III, but lacks mucronal chaeta and has 28 segments on the fourth antennal segment plus a unique pair of sensilla on the second. We also provide an updated genus diagnosis to <i>Richardsitas</i>, a key to its species, a discussion of the affinities of <i>Temeritas</i> and <i>Richardsitas</i> to other Sminthurinae, and an updated key to this subfamily.