Description of the male of Simulium triglobus Takaoka & Kuvangkadilok (Diptera: Simuliidae) from Thailand.

Abstract

Simulium triglobus Takaoka & Kuvangkadilok from Thailand, in the Simulium (Simulium) multistriatum species-group, is unique among species in the family Simuliidae in having the female terminalia with three spermathecae (rather than one spermatheca). This species was described from Nan province, northern Thailand based on larvae, pupae and females but its male has remained unknown. In this study, the male of S. triglobus is described for the first time based on adult males reared from pupae collected from the type locality. The most distinctive characteristic of the male of S. triglobus is the shape of the ventral plate, which is hexagonal when viewed ventrally. No other members of S. multistriatum species group known thus far have such a unique ventral plate. In addition, the number of upper-eye (large) facets and color patterns of the legs can be used to differentiate this species in the male from other members of the S. multistriatum species-group. Mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I sequences enabled association of adult male specimens of S. triglobus with previously known life stages. Phylogenetic analysis based on these sequences revealed that specimens of S. triglobus formed a strongly supported monophyletic clade, being genetically distinct from other members of S. multistriatum species-group in Thailand.