Itauara bispinata sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: 7CAEB59B-2363-47A0-A5D5-98D55DAE45E1

Fig. 2

Differential diagnosis

This very distinctive species, known only from the male holotype, belongs to the amazonica species group. It was recovered as sister species to I. caparao sp. nov., supported by the character 67(0), tergum X without median process at posterior margin. This clade, I. bispinata sp. nov. + I. caparao sp. nov., was recovered as sister group to the clade representing the brasiliana species group. Despite the close relationship with I. caparao, I. bispinata is easily distinguished by the spoon-like phallicata, and the presence of a pair of tusk-like dorsomesal spines, emerging basally from the phallicata (Fig. 2A). Moreover, the extremely sinuous parameres with pointed and outwardly directed apices in ventral view (Fig. 2C), and the apically forked inferior appendages similar to a snake tongue (Fig. 2C) complement the list of characteristics that contribute to the easy recognition of I. bispinata .

Etymology

From the Latin ‘ bi ’ (‘two’), ‘ spina ’ (‘spine’) and ‘- ata ’ (‘possession’), in reference to the basal pair of tusk-like dorsomesal spines of phallicata.

Material examined

Holotype BRAZIL • ♂; Minas Gerais, Morro do Pilar, Rodovia MG-232, Km 198, Córrego Água Limpa; 19°14′26.8″ S, 43°27′57.9″ W, elev. 989 m; 19 Nov. 2018; A.A. Alves and A.P.M. Santos leg.; Pennsylvania trap; DZRJ 7639.

Paratype BRAZIL • 1 ♂; same collection data as for holotype; 19 Nov. 2018; A.A Alves and A.P.M. Santos leg.; DZRJ 7640 .

Description

Adult

Length of each forewing 2.7–3.0 mm (n = 2). Head, thorax, and appendages, in alcohol, light brown. Forewings covered with brown setae, slightly broad after anastomosis, with anterior and posterior margins approximately parallel, apex slightly rounded; forks I, II, and III present; Sc and R1 veins not fused; forks I and II sessile; fork III petiolate, with stem longer than fork; Cu1 vein complete, reaching wing margin; Cu1 and Cu2 separating near anastomosis; Cu2 vein with row of erect setae; A3 vein absent; crossveins constituting relatively straight transverse line; Rs vein shorter than discoidal cell. Hind wings with margins approximately parallel, with apical portion tapered; forks II and V present; Sc and R1 veins converging very near to wing margin; A2 vein absent. Spur formula 1, 4, 4, foretibial spur reduced and hairlike.Sternum VI with thumb-like process, rounded at apex.

Male genitalia

Preanal appendages absent. Segment IX ventrally narrow, broad medially; anterior margin rounded (Fig. 2A); posterolateral margin slightly sclerotized (Fig. 2A–B). Tergum X partially fused to tergum IX (Fig. 2A); dorsomesal margin slightly concave, without processes (Fig. 2B–C); dorsolateral margin with paired, downturned, acute processes (Fig. 2A–B); ventrolateral margin with a subquadrate, setose process in lateral view (Fig. 2A), lobe-like in ventral view (Fig. 2C), with pair of small digitate processes between ventrolateral processes (Fig. 2A). Inferior appendages present as single process, sinuous, tapering to apex when viewed laterally (Fig. 2A),with apical third bifid and deeply incised, resembling snake tongue, each apex pointed (Fig. 2C). Parameres present, paired, inserted in membranous lobe, arising laterally from endotheca, sclerotized and rod-like, extremely sinuous, apices pointed and downturned in lateral view (Fig. 2A), outwardly directed in ventral view (Fig. 2C). Phallobase reduced, slightly sclerotized. Phallicata spoon-like (Fig. 2A), with sclerotized base, median and apical portions divided in two juxtaposed, slightly sclerotized ventrolateral flanges (Fig. 2A, C); basally with pair of tusk-like, dorsomesal spines (Fig. 2A, C); with pair of small, sclerotized concave discs, positioned basolaterally to dorsomesal spines (Fig. 2A, C). Endophallus membranous, apparently small, arising dorsoapically from ventrolateral flanges of phallicata (Fig. 2A, C).

Female and immatures

Unknown.

Distribution

Brazil [state of Minas Gerais (municipality of Morro do Pilar)].