Mortoniella (Mortoniella) biramosa, Blahnik & Holzenthal, 2017

Blahnik, Roger J. & Holzenthal, Ralph W., 2017, Revision of the northern South American species of Mortoniella Ulmer 1906 (Trichoptera: Glossosomatidae: Protoptilinae) *, Insecta Mundi 2017 (602), pp. 1-251 : 80

Mortoniella (Mortoniella) biramosa , new species

Fig. 65 , 113

Mortoniella biramosa is best diagnosed by having 2 pairs of subequal paramere appendages and paired ventral endophallic spines. Paired endophallic spines are typical of members of the bolivica subgroup, which differ in having a reflexed dorsal lobe on the inferior appendages. The relatively short, but distinctly posteriorly directed ventral process of segment VI is similar to species in the punensis subgroup. The elongate, spine-like projections from the mesal pockets of the inferior appendages are also distinctive and represent a relatively unusual character within the leroda group, most of whose species have short curved projections.

Adult —Length of forewing: male 2.6 mm. Forewing with forks I, II, and III present, hind wing with fork II only. Spur formula 0:3:4. Overall color light brown (in alcohol). Wing bar not evident.

Male genitalia —Ventral process of segment VI laterally compressed, subtriangular, posteriorly directed, length slightly greater than width at base, apex acute, process not retracted anterobasally. Segment IX nearly evenly rounded anterolaterally, length greatest midlaterally, posterolateral margin broadly rounded, narrowing ventrally; segment deeply mesally excised dorsally and ventrally, forming lateral lobes, separated dorsomesally by much less than ½ width of segment. Tergum X moderate in length, lateral margins subparallel, apicomesal margin with shallow V-shaped emargination, apicolateral lobes narrow, moderately elongate, subacute; ventrolateral lobes short, rounded. Inferior appendages without dorsolateral lobes, apicoventral projections moderately elongate, upturned apically, apices acute. Mesal pockets of inferior appendage with spine-like apical processes elongate, narrow, posteriorly projected. Paramere appendages doubled, appendages on each side elongate, narrow, subequal in length, apices acute, extending about as far as dorsal phallic spine. Dorsal phallic spine undulate in contour, nearly uniform in width, strongly upturned in about apical 1/3, apex acute or subacute. Phallicata moderately elongate, without basodorsal projection, basoventral margin with short rounded lobes on either side. Endophallic membrane with membranous or lightly sclerotized basodorsal lobes and projecting, divided apex, ventrally with pair of prominent curved spines; phallotremal spines absent.

Holotype male (alcohol)— VENEZUELA: Barinas: Río Sinigüis in Caño Grande , 8.4000° N, 70.77417° W, el 520 m, 1997.iii.22, Holzenthal ( UMSP000092464 ) ( UMSP).

Etymology —This species is named M. biramosa , from the Latin ramosus, or branch, and referring to the doubled paramere appendages that characterizes this species.

Figures

Figure 65. Mortoniella (Mortoniella) biramosa, new species, male genitalia. A—lateral; B—segment IX and tergum X, dorsal; C—phallic ensemble, ventral; D—ventral process of segment VI, lateral.

Figures 110-113. Mortoniella (M.), leroda group species, female genitalia. 110—Mortoniella atenuata (Flint). A—lateral; B—dorsal; C—ventral. 111—Mortoniella flexuosa, n. sp. A—lateral; B—caudal. 112—Mortoniella brevis, n. sp., caudal. 113—Mortoniella biramosa, n. sp., caudal.