Chimarra lanceolata, Blahnik & Andersen, 2022

Blahnik, Roger & Andersen, Trond, 2022, New species of the genus Chimarra Stephens from Africa (Trichoptera, Philopotamidae) and characterization of the African groups and subgroups of the genus, ZooKeys 1111, pp. 43-198 : 43

Chimarra lanceolata sp. nov.

Fig. 12A-E

Type material.

Holotype. Ghana - Volta Reg. ● ♂ (in alcohol); Wli, Agumatsa waterfall, station # 3; 7°07'29"N, 0°35'31"E; 17 Nov. 1993, J Kjærandsen leg.; light trap; UMSP 000550006. Paratypes. Ghana - Volta Reg. ● 2♂♂; same data as for holotype; ZMBN. - Central Reg. ● 1♂; Kakum Forest Reserve; 5°21'N, 1°22'W; 8-15 Nov. 1994; T. Andersen leg.; Malaise trap; ZMBN.

Additional material.

Ghana - Central Reg. ● 2♀♀; Kakum Forest Reserve ; 5°21'N 1°22'W; 8-15 Nov. 1994; T. Andersen leg. ; Malaise trap, ZMBN ● 1♀; same collection data as for preceding; UMSP. - Volta Reg. ● 1♀; Wli, Agumatsa waterfall, station # 5C; 7°07'29"N, 0°35'31"E; 12-15 Mar. 1993, JS Amakye & J Kjærandsen leg. ; Malaise trap; ZMBN ● 1♀; same collection data as for preceding except station # 8B; 4-7 Mar. 1993 ; ZMBN ● 1♀; same collection data as for preceding except station # 3; 10 Mar. 1993 ; light trap; ZMBN ● 4♀♀; same collection data as for preceding except 18 Nov. 1993; J Kjærandsen leg. ; ZMBN. - Western Reg. ● 1♀; Ankasa Game Production Reserve ; 5°15'N 2°37'W; 6-12 Dec. 1993; T Andersen & J Kjærandsen leg. ; Malaise trap; ZMBN.

Diagnosis.

Ventral process of segment IX incredibly elongate; tergum X without spine-like dorsal projection, ventral part completely divided laterally, but not strongly deflexed; inferior appendage mounted at approximately midheight on segment, far above ventral process, dorsal apex strongly narrowed, acute apically, and also very strongly posteriorly bent, ventral cusps visible in lateral view; phallobase with ventral apex extended and sclerotized, but not bent or excessively produced; phallic spines both moderately elongate and narrow; sternum VIII with posteroventral margin weakly produced.

Chimarra lanceolata is most readily identified by the very elongate ventral process of segment IX; the character is so unusual that it would almost appear to be an aberrant or mutation, but there is no evidence of this. Other characters, especially the overall shape of the inferior appendages, are also distinctive for this species and thus it is unlikely to be confused with any other species.

Description.

Adult. Overall color (in alcohol) yellowish brown, appendages paler, tibial spurs slightly darker. Head relatively short (postocular parietal sclerite ~ 1/2 length of eye). Palps moderately elongate; maxillary palp with 1st segment very short (approximately as long as wide), 2nd segment short (~ 2 × 1st), apex with small cluster of stiff setae, 3rd segment elongate, almost 2 × 2nd, 4th segment short (shorter than 2nd), 5th relatively elongate (longer than 3rd). Forewing length: male, 6.0-6.5 mm; female, 5.5-6.5 mm. Fore- and hind wings with forks I, II, III, and V present. Forewing with R1 somewhat sinuous, stem of Rs weakly inflected at past midlength, basal fork of discoidal cell distinctly enlarged, fork slightly asymmetric, length of cell> 2 × width, fork I subsessile, fork II sessile, r crossvein diagonal, intersecting discoidal cell at past midlength, just before fork I, s and r-m, crossveins linear, m crossvein more proximal, s pigmented (like wing), r-m and m crossveins hyaline, 2A with crossvein (apparently forked apically to 1A and 3A). Hind wing with R1 narrowly parallel to subcosta, forks I and II subsessile, anal loop moderate. Forelegs with apical tibial spur distinct; male with foretarsi unmodified, claws small and symmetrical.

Male genitalia. Segment VIII with sternum relatively short ventrally, with very short, posteriorly-projecting ventromesal projection, tergum slightly longer than sternum. Segment IX, in lateral view, with anteroventral margin distinctly produced, anterior margin with very angular inflection in ventral ¼, almost linearly narrowing dorsally; tergum very short dorsolaterally, with prominent apodemes, obsolete mesally between apodemes; posterior margin with obtuse angular projection at middle, at insertion of inferior appendages, ventral margin with extremely elongate, narrow, posteriorly-projecting, apically acute, ventral projection; anteroventral margin, as viewed dorsally or ventrally, with very distinct mesal invagination. Lateral lobes of tergum X relatively short, each divided midlaterally into short rounded dorsal lobe, with two sensilla at midlength, and somewhat longer ventral lobe; mesal lobe of tergum X short, membranous. Preanal appendages short and knob-like, constricted basally. Inferior appendage with basal inflection and dorsal process; ventral margin with apex acute, mesally curved, not strongly sclerotized; mesal margin below dorsal process with very strongly sclerotized cusp, at least partially visible in lateral view; dorsal projection elongated, narrow, apically acute, very strongly posteriorly bent. Phallic apparatus with phallobase tubular, with usual basodorsal expansion, apicoventral margin with acute, narrow, sclerotized projection, extending almost straight (not ventrally deflected). Endotheca with two asymmetrically positioned spines of moderate length, membrane textured with small spines, phallotremal sclerite complex composed of short rod and ring structure with short apical sclerite.

Etymology.

Chimarra lanceolata , used as an adjective, from the Latin lanceolatus, meaning spear-like, and referring to lance-like ventral process of segment IX, reminiscent of the elongate lance used in medieval jousting tournaments.

Figures

Figure 12. Chimarra lanceolata sp. nov., ♂ genitalia A lateral B dorsal, segments IX and X C inferior appendage, ventral D inferior appendage, dorsal E phallus, lateral.