Valid Names Results

Ripersiella malschae (Williams, 2004) (Rhizoecidae: Ripersiella)

Nomenclatural History

• Rhizoecus malschae Williams 2004a: 779. Type data: MALAYSIA: Sabah, Kinabalu National Park, Poring Hot Springs, associated with Pseudolasius sp. ants; collected A.K.F. Malsch, 28.vii.1997.. Holotype, female, Type depository: London: The Natural History Museum, England, UK; accepted valid name Illustr.
• Ripersiella malschae (Williams, 2004); Kozár & Konczné Benedicty 2004: 330. change of combination

Common Names

Ecological Associates

Associates:

Families: 1 | Genera: 1

Geographic Distribution

Keys

• Hodgso2012: pp.49-50 ( Adult (M) ) [Key to the adult males of Rhizoecinae seen during this study:]
• KozarKo2007: pp.386-390 ( Adult (F) ) [Ripersiella species of the world]
• Willia2004a: pp.748-750 ( Adult (F) ) [Rhizoecus species of southern Asia]

Remarks

• Systematics: The adult male of Ri. malschae differs significantly from other apterous rhizoecine males in having: (i) no eyes; (ii) only a single tarsal segment; (iii) trochanter with only 2 pairs of campaniform pores and (iv) no Y-shaped sclerotisation on the trochanter. In addition, Ri. malschae has: (i) abundant short dorsal setae in dense bands across each segment; (ii) loculate pores that appear to be intersegmentally arranged, at least on dorsum; (iii) antennae with an unusually long segment III, and (iv) penial sheath relatively large, with many setae on dorsal ridge. Many of the features found on Ri. kondonis, Ri. malschae and Ripersiella sp. A are extremely similar to those on Pseudorhizoecus proximus.. It seems likely that these four species are closely related. (Hodgson, 2012)
• Structure: Prepupae and pupae possess legs with well-developed claws and, although the claw digitules and tarsal digitules are short and setose, they are similar to those of mobile female stages. The prepupa of R. malschae looks similar to the adult male but lacks the well-developed penial sheath. In addition, the loculate pores on the prepupa clearly have mainly 8 loculi whereas they appeared to have 5 or fewer on the adult male. (Williams & Hodgson, 2013)
• Biology: This species lives in close association with ants of the genus Pseudolasius. The adult male is wingless. It would be an advantage for the prepupae and pupae living in ants’ nests to move and the well-developed claws would help in this process. (Williams & Hodgson, 2013)
• General Remarks: Description and illustration of adult female by Williams (2004a) and by Kozár & Konczné Benedicty (2007). Description and illustration of second-instar female by Williams (2004a). Description and illustration of prepupa and pupa in Williams & Hodgson, 2013.

Illustrations

Citations