Siccia mukuyu, Volynkin, 2023

Volynkin, Anton V., 2023, Contribution to the knowledge of the genus Siccia Walker (= Aemene Walker, syn. n.) in the Afrotropics with descriptions of seventy-three new species, three new subspecies, and a check-list of Asiatic taxa of the genus (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae: Lithosiini), Ecologica Montenegrina 64, pp. 1-184 : 84

Siccia mukuyu sp. n.

https://zoobank.org/ urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:E4347256-758B-4A89-A04D-C5A83998F904

( Figs 226 , 428 )

Type material. Holotype ( Figs 226 , 428 ): male, [ Tanzania, Kigoma Region, Mukuyu Forest ] “Mukuyu | Kigoma T. T. | Nov. 1962 | Japanese | Primate Exped.” / “ Coryndon Museum | B.M.1963-322” / QR-code label with unique number “NHMUK 010916030” / “ Slide | NHMUK010314626” ( NHMUK).

Diagnosis. The forewing length is 8.0 mm in the male holotype. Siccia mukuyu is externally almost alike to S. bicolorata and differs from it only in somewhat narrower forewing with a discal spot being slightly more distant from the postmedial line. In the male genital capsule, the new species is distinguished from S. bicolorata by the shorter valva with a shorter and narrower cucullus bearing narrower clusters of thinner setae, and the narrower sacculus bearing a shorter and narrower dorsal crest, a large proximal process (it is reduced in the congener) and a markedly shorter and narrower distal process. Additionally, the costal process of S. mukuyu is apically rounded whereas it is apically pointed in S. bicolorata . The phallus of the new species bears a short cluster of spines distally whereas in S. bicolorata , it is markedly longer, stretching along almost the entire length of the carinal plate. Compared to S. bicolorata , the vesica of S. mukuyu is somewhat shorter, having a narrower distal semiglobular diverticulum (it is semielliptical in the congener) bearing a remarkably shorter but thicker terminal cornutus. In addition, the dorso-lateral sclerotised plate of the vesica of the new species is markedly narrower and shorter than in S. bicolorata .

The female is unknown.

Molecular data. Currently unavailable for this species.

Distribution. The new species is currently known only from its type locality in western Tanzania.

Etymology. The specific epithet is homonymic of Mukuyu Forest , where the new species was found. The name is a noun in the nominative singular in apposition.

Figures

Figures 223–239. Siccia spp., adults. Depositories of the specimens: 223 in MHNG (photo by B. Landry); 224, 225, 227, 229–231, and 238, 239 in ANHRT (227: ex AKW); 226 and 233 in NHMUK (©The Trustees of NHMUK); 228, 236 and 237 in ALW; 232 in MWM/ZSM; 234 and 235 in MfN.

Figures 427–430. Siccia spp., male genitalia. Depositories of the specimens dissected: 427, 429 and 430 in ANHRT (429: ex AKW); 428 in NHMUK (©The Trustees of NHMUK).