Mortoniella (Mortoniella) bothrops, 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 : 56-57

Mortoniella (Mortoniella) bothrops , new species

Fig. 38

Mexitrichia n. sp. 2: Flint 1996: 381.

This species very closely resembles M. panamensis Blahnik and Holzenthal , agreeing in having a mesal process on the inferior appendages that is inflated, scabrous, and curled up apically, and in having short paramere appendages. It is possible that these two will eventually be found to represent variation within a single species. However, M. bothrops has small, but distinct, dorsolateral projections on the phallicata, absent in M. panamensis , longer apicolateral projections on tergum X, and also has the apex of the paramere appendage somewhat scabrous. It also appears that the apex of the mesal process of the inferior appendage in this species is not quite as inflated or strongly flexed as in M. panamensis . However, the latter is known only from the unique holotype specimen.

Adult —Length of forewing: male 2.3-2.8 mm; female 2.9-3.2 mm. Forewing with forks I, II, and III present, hind wing with forks II and III. Spur formula 0:3:4. Overall color medium brown, apices of tarsal segments and basal segments of antennae whitish. Tibial spurs darker than legs, contrasting in color. Wing bar at anastamosis relatively indistinct, marked with light brown setae.

Male genitalia —Ventral process of segment VI laterally compressed, short, ventrally projecting, truncately rounded apically, length slightly greater than width at base, process slightly retracted anterobasally. Segment IX nearly evenly rounded anterolaterally, length greatest midlaterally, posterolateral margin rounded dorsally, narrowing ventrally; segment deeply mesally excised dorsally and ventrally, forming lateral lobes, separated dorsomesally by much less than ½ width of segment. Tergum X elongate, lateral margins subparallel, apicomesal projection either suggestively developed or absent, apicolateral lobes relatively elongate, subacute, slightly mesally curved; ventrolateral lobes rounded, weakly developed. Inferior appendages with short rounded dorsolateral projections, and very elongate, asymmetric, mesal projection, apex of mesal projection distinctly inflated and dorsally curved, with numerous sensilla. Mesal pockets of inferior appendage with apical processes short, posteroventrally curved. Paramere appendages short (much shorter than dorsal phallic spine), narrow, apex scabrous and slightly enlarged; base of appendage emerging from projecting membranous lobe. Dorsal phallic spine, as viewed laterally, with dorsal margin undulate in contour, ventral margin widened in about middle, apex narrow, acute, only slightly dorsally curved; spine, in dorsal view, widened in middle, apex very acutely narrowed. Phallicata with small rounded and sclerotized projections on dorsal margin, ventrally with microsetae at base. Endophallic membrane elongate, simple in structure, without ventromesal spine; phallotremal spines distinct, small, spine-like.

Holotype male (pinned)— PERU: Madre de Dios: Manu, Pakitza Biol. Station, 11.94417° S, 71.28300° W, Quebrada Trompetero , 350 m, 6.vii.1993, Blahnik and Pescador ( MJP) ( UMSP000157376 ).

Paratypes — PERU: Madre de Dios: same data as Holotype, 7 males, 6 females (pinned) ( NMNH), 3 males, 3 females (pinned) ( UMSP) ; same locality and collectors, 3.vii.1993 – 3 females (pinned), 38 females (alcohol) ( NMNH) ; Manu, Pakitza Biol. Station, Quebrada Paujil-Picoflor , 11.94417° S, 71.28300° W, 350 m, 2.vii.1993, Blahnik and Pescador – 4 females (pinned) ( NMNH), 2 females (pinned) ( UMSP) ; same locality and collectors, 4-6.vii.1993 – 3 females (pinned) ( NMNH) ; Manu, Pakitza Biol. Station, Quebrada Pachija near intersection with Río Manu , 350 m, 4.vii.1993, Blahnik and Pescador – 1 female (pinned) ( NMNH) ; Manu, Pakitza , 11.93333° S, 71.30000° W, 250 m, 12-23.ix.1989, N Adams et al.– 1 female (pinned), 4 males, 16 females (alcohol) ( NMNH) ; Manu, Pakitza , 11.93333° S, 71.30000° W, 250 m, 9-14.ix.1988, O Flint and N Adams – 1 female (alcohol) ( NMNH) ; Manu, Pakitza , 12.11667° S, 70.96667° W, malaise trap (day collection), 250 m, 14-23.ix.1988, O Flint and N Adams – 1 male, 2 females (pinned), 9 males, 22 females (alcohol) ( NMNH) ; same locality and collectors, 18.ix.1988 – 1 male, 14 females (alcohol) ( NMNH) ; same locality and collectors, 17-20.ix.1988, – 1 female (pinned), 8 males, 27 females (alcohol) ( NMNH) ; same locality and collectors 18.ix.1988 – 2 females (pinned) ( NMNH) .

Etymology —This species is named M. bothrops , from the generic name for a rattlesnake, used as a noun in apposition, for the scabrous apex of the mesal process of the inferior appendages, which is characteristically curled upward in this species and somewhat resembles the rattle of a rattlesnake.

Figures

Figure 38. Mortoniella (Mortoniella) bothrops, new species, male genitalia. A—lateral; B—segment IX and tergum X, dorsal; C—phallic ensemble, ventral; D—dorsal phallic spine and paramere appendages, dorsal; E— ventral process of segment VI, lateral.