Lepidostoma zapoteca Razo-González, n. sp.
(Figs. 3A–3E)
Diagnosis. Based on male genital features, Lepidostoma zapoteca, is a member of the L. mexicanum Group. It is closely related to L. delongi Ross 1946 and L. xolotl Holzenthal & Strand 1992 by the shape of their inferior appendages in lateral view; nevertheless, this new species can be distinguished from previous ones by the particular shape of segment X, which is more rounded than the others and with converging apical lobes. The parameres are shorter and the phallic sclerite larger than in L. delongi and L. xolotl . Lepidostoma zapoteca is distinguished from L. xolotl and L. delongi by the general structure of segment X which is rounded with converging apices, whereas in the other two species, the lobes are narrower and diverging apically. In lateral view, segment X of L. zapoteca is semicircular, but in L. xolotl and L. delongi, the form is quadrangular.
Adult. Length of each male forewing 8.8–9.1 mm (n = 2). Head brown, with stramineous setae (coloration in alcohol). Antennal scapes cylindrical, about as long as intraocular distance, mesal surface with long setae colored as those on head; pedicels with short pale setae; flagellomeres pale brown, densely covered with fine, silky, pale setae; flagellomeres each with distal brown band. Maxillary palps one-segmented, long, ovate, their apices attenuated, covered with brown and pale brown setae. Thoracic sclerites brownish. Legs pale brown, surfaces covered with pale brown setae; tibial spur formula 2,4,4. Wings covered with pale brown setae.
Male. Segment IX annular, anterior and posterior margins parallel. Segment X broad and posteriorly rounded, with scattered setae dorsally, anteroventral margin with an angular concavity of about 90° (Fig. 3A); in dorsal view, bilobed with pair of apically rounded processes closely appressed (Fig. 3B). Inferior appendages each broad basally, with long, terete, basodorsal process; thumb-like middorsal process bearing long spine-like setae on its dorsal margin; apex of inferior appendage bifid, with terete, rounded apicomesal process and heavily sclerotized, ridged, pointed apicolateral process; ventral surface of inferior appendage with subbasal invagination in lateral view and covered with short, stout setae (Figs. 3A, 3D, 3E). Phallus, in lateral view, with phallobase widest basally, phallicata tubular, curved ventrad, broader and truncate apically; parameres glabrous, shorter than phallicata; phallotremal sclerite near 1/4 as long as phallicata (Fig. 3C).
Holotype male. MÉXICO: Oaxaca: Santa Catarina Lachatao, Terrenos del General, 17°11’04”N, 96°27’31”W, 2831 m asl, 29.vi.2010, entomological net, J.A. Casasola-González & M. Razo-González, 1 male (alcohol, CNIN-IBUNAM).
Paratype. MÉXICO: Oaxaca: Santiago Laxopa, Flor de Azahar stream, 17°13’21”N, 96°19’39”W, 1967 m asl, 12.ii.2016, light trap, R. Novelo-Gutiérrez, J.A. Gómez-Anaya & M. Razo-González, 1 male (alcohol, CNIN- IBUNAM) .
Etymology. The species epithet refers to the Zapoteca descendants that inhabit the region in the State of Oaxaca where the types were collected.
Distribution. MÉXICO: Oaxaca.