Description of the sandfly species Chinius samarensis n. sp. (Psychodidae; Diptera) from the Philippines

Abstract

The authors have described Chinius samarensis n. sp. (Diptera; Psychodidae) from the Philippines (Island of Samar). This is the fourth known species belonging to the Asiatic genus Chinius Leng, 1987. Like the other Chinius, C. samarensis n. sp. is a cavernicolous species. The genital ducts of the male are four times shorter than the spermathecal ducts. However, the authors think that male and female belong to the same species due to their similar cytochrome b mt DNA sequences. A differential diagnosis with the other species belonging to the genus Chinius is provided.

Keywords:

• Phlebotomine sandflies
• Chinius
• New species
• Description
• Caves
• Philippines
• Cytochrome b mt DNA