Odontembia spinosa Navás, 1931

Miller, Kelly B., 2008, Review of the genus Odontembia Davis, 1939 (Embioptera: Embiidae) with description of a new species, Zootaxa 1723, pp. 63-68 : 65-67

Odontembia spinosa Navás, 1931

(Figs 1–6)

Dihybocercus spinosus Navás, 1931

Odontembia spinosa Davis, 1939 ; Szumik, 2004.

Type information: Holotype winged male on microscope slide in Musee Royal de l'Afrique Centrale, Turveren labeled, “ HOLOTYPE [red label with black line border]/ Typus [handwritten]/ Dihybocercus spinosus Nav. P. Navás S.J. det. [green label, handwritten]/ Dihybocercus spinosus Nav. [handwritten]/ MUSÉE DU CONGO Lulua: 1929 Dr Walker [“1929” handwritten]/ R. DÉT G 3518 [back of slide, “G” handwritten]/ R. DÉT. 1943 [back of slide]”. Only the holotype was examined of this species. This specimen is missing the left metathoracic leg and the right metathoracic tarsus is damaged with portions missing. The genitalia are compressed with some damage including a missing RC II.

Type locality: The Democratic Republic of the Congo [“The Congo ”], nr Lulua River [“Lulua”].

Diagnosis: This species differs from O. jacobi in having the process of the left hemitergite apically broad, truncate, flattened and covered with a field of small nodules (Figs 2–4). The right hemitergite is broadly triangular with the apical process directed medially and with a small ventral lobe directed anteromedially (Fig. 2). Finally, LC I bears several prominent teeth, with none of them forming a distinct row (Fig. 3). Female unknown.

Description: Measurements (in millimeters): TL = 11.80; HL = 1.95; HW = 1.45; EW = 1.20; HW/EW = 1.21; FWL = 8.93; HWL = 8.59; FWW = 1.56; HWW = 2.34; FWL/FWW = 5.72; HWL/HWW = 3.67. Coloration. “General colour [sic] orange-brown, eyes black, wing-veins dark brown, bordered by mid-brown bands” ( Davis, 1940b). Structure. Head moderately broad; eyes small; anterior margin of labrum evenly rounded (Fig. 1); mentum subrectangular, distance between lateral margins slightly greater than distance from anterior to posterior margins, anterior margin linear; mentum apparently absent. Male genitalia with tergite X entirely divided, left hemitergite similar in size to right hemitergite (Fig. 2); process of left hemitergite short, apically broad, with prominent dorsal and ventral acuminate lobes, dorsal lobe, left surface of process and dorsal base of process nodulose (Figs 2–4); right hemitergite moderately broad, elongate, right margin broadly rounded, process short, robust, acutely pointed, extending ventromedially, with an additional small ventral rounded lobe (Fig. 2), 10 RP II moderately broad, short (Fig. 2). LC1 with two lobes, a large subapical lobe and a smaller subbasal lobe which may be directed ventrally (Fig. 2, see Discussion below); apical lobe bearing three prominent teeth, basal lobe with two prominent teeth (Figs 2,3); LC1 with numerous (seven) additional scattered teeth on dorsal surface (Figs 2,3). Right basipodite partially fused to RC1 along apicodorsal margin, medially extending in lobe directed posteriorly (Fig. 2). Left basipodite located laterally at base of LC1 (Fig. 2). Hypandrium with broad apical lobe (Fig. 3). Left paraproct with small, acute, curved process and large, broadly rounded lobe directed medially (Fig. 3).

FIGURES 1–6. Odontembia spinosa (Navás, 1931) . 1 — head, dorsal aspect; 2 — male genitalia, dorsal aspect; 3 — male genitalia, ventral aspect; 4 — process of left hemitergite, left oblique aspect; 5 — left mesothoracic wing; 6 — left metathoracic wing. CuA1 – first branch of cubitus anterior; CuA2 – second branch of cubitus anterior; CuB – cubitus posterior; H – hypandrium; HP – process of hypandrium; IX – tergum nine; LCB – left cercus basipodite; LC I – basal segment of left cercus; LC II – apical segment of left cercus; LPPT – left paraproct; MA1+2 – first branch of media anterior; MA3+4 – second branch of media anterior; MP – media posterior; RA – radius anterior; RCB – right cercus basipodite; RC I – apical segment of right cercus; RC II – basal segment of right cercus; RP – radius posterior; SC – subcosta; XL – left tergite ten; XLP – process of left tergite ten; XR – right tergite ten; XRP I – first process of right tergite ten; XRP II – second process of right tergite ten.

Distribution and habitat: Odontembia spinosa is known only from the type locality, and nothing is known of its biology.

Discussion: The holotype of this species is cleared and mounted on a slide such that the natural coloration is impossible to assess; therefore, the description of color above is quoted from Davis (1939). In addition, the genitalia have been distorted and somewhat damaged based on a comparison with illustrations by Davis (1939). The apical segment of the right cercus has been removed and is apparently lost. Sclerites and membranes near the base of the right cercus have been damaged and distorted, and the entire genital region has been dorsoventrally compressed. The illustrations presented here (Figs 2–4) are taken from the specimen and not modified to match those by Davis (1939). As a result, there are some differences that may be important in future recognition of specimens belonging to this species. Davis’s (1939) illustration shows the basal dentate lobe of the basal segment of the left cercus on the medial surface and directed medially, and he described this lobe as directed medially. On the type specimen, however, this lobe is directed ventrad, perhaps due to artificial compression and rotation of the cercus. Szumik (2004) coded ventral orientation of this lobe as a unique state in this taxon based on examination of the type specimen, and it resulted as an autapomorphy derived from a dorsal position of the lobe. The other species in the genus, O. jacobi n. sp., has this lobe directed mediad (Figs 2,3). Examination of additional material will be required to more accurately assess the orientation of the lobe in this taxon.

Also, Davis (1939) shows the process of the left hemitergite flattened with the surfaces facing laterally. On the slide-mounted type specimen, this process has the flattened surfaces facing dorsally and ventrally, again possibly due to dorso-ventral compression and resulting rotation of these structures. Other structures appear generally misaligned or distorted from Davis’s (1939) illustrations.