Microperla qinlinga Chen, 2019

Chen, Zhi-Teng, 2020, Holomorphology and Neotype designation of Microperla geei Chu, with egg morphology of Microperla qinlinga Chen (Plecoptera: Peltoperlidae), Zootaxa 4780 (3), pp. 563-578 : 576

Microperla qinlinga Chen, 2019

Figs. 17 .

Microperla qinlinga Chen, 2019 . Zootaxa 4619(3): 556; Huo & Du, 2019. Zootaxa 4706(3): 428.

Material examined. Six males, China: Shaanxi Province, Xi’an City, Qinling Mountains , Taiping National Forest Park , 900–1100 m, 33°59′18″N, 108°59′52″E, 28 April 2019, leg. Zhi-Teng Chen (ICJUST); one male and one female, China: Shaanxi Province, Xi’an City, Qinling Mountains , Cuihuashan National Geopark, 1000–1200 m, 33°58′45″N, 108°59′45″E, 29 April 2019, leg. Zhi-Teng Chen (ICJUST) .

Egg. Disc shaped ( Fig. 17 ), similar to Yoraperla ( Stark & Nelson 1994) , diameter approximately 0.35 mm. Entire chorionic surface covered with irregular follicle cell impressions; dorsal aspect with a circular depression, the cells in which are obscure ( Fig. 17A, B ). Impressions on circular lid shallow and obscure ( Fig. 17C, D ).

Remarks. Egg of M. qinlinga is characterized by the conspicuously deep, circular depression on dorsal aspect of chorion, which is absent in M. geei , the misidentified species in Stark & Sivec (2000) and the Japanese M. brevicauda (see figs. 5–10 in Stark & Sivec 2000); impressions on the circular lid of M. qinlinga are visible, completely absence in M. geei . The Microperla species described by Stark & Sivec (2000) appears to be neither M. geei nor M. qinlinga based on differences in egg morphology. This species is more similar to M. retrolobata in regard to the terminalia of both sexes. It is suggested that this species currently remain unidentified until egg morphology of M. retrolobata from Gansu Province becomes available.

Figures

FIGURE 17. Microperla qinlinga Chen, 2019, egg. A–B. dorsal view; C–D. ventral view.