Protonemura pennina Vinçon, Ravizza & Reding, 2021

Vinçon, Gilles, Reding, Jean-Paul G. & Ravizza, Carlalberto, 2021, Two new species of Protonemura Kempny, 1898 (Plecoptera: Nemouridae) from the Italian Alps, Zootaxa 4985 (4), pp. 493-512 : 501-502

Protonemura pennina Vinçon, Ravizza & Reding sp. n.

( Figs. 23–31 )

- Protonemura auberti (sequences PLEAA135-20, PLEAA190-20 and PLEAA147-20 on Boldsystems website, www.boldsystems.org)

Morphological diagnosis. A medium-sized Protonemura species. Body length of males 6–7 mm, females 8–12 mm. Males and females macropterous. General color light reddish-brown; head dark; antennae and legs light-colored. Forewings smoky brown. Cervical gills very short, without pre-apical constriction (cf. Figs. 9 , 32 ). Sclerotized base of the median lobe of the paraprocts of adult males very narrow and with a small, nearly triangular middle expansion; sclerotized stem long and slender, with a long apical thorn ( Figs. 26–28 ).

Type material. Holotype male: ITALY: Pennine Alps. Gressoney valley, Colombit, torrent and spring, 850 m, 45.655N, 7.864E, 16.10.2015, leg. G. Vinçon (deposited in the MZL, catalogue number: GBIFCH00660507).

Paratypes: same locality and date, 2♂, 2♀, leg. G. Vinçon (deposited in the MZL, catalogue number: GBIFCH00660508) .

Additional material. ITALY: Pennine Alps. Gressoney valley: Pillaz , 1340–1380 m, brook and spring, 45.642N, 7.875E, 16.10.2015, 1♂ ; 17.10.2020, 2♂, 5♀, leg. G. Vinçon ( VIN) ; Trovinasse , brook and spring ( Fig. 41 ), 1600–1650 m, 45.579N, 7.868E, 13.08.2005, 3♂, 5♀, leg. G. Vinçon ( VIN) ; 1♂, leg. G. Vinçon ( RED) ; 31.08.2012, 1♀, leg. G. Vinçon ( VIN) ; Colma di Mambarone , brook and spring, 1850–1900 m, 45.583N, 7.8815E, 8.08.2020, 1♂, 1♀, leg. G. Vinçon ( VIN) ; Carema , 500 m, 45.594N, 7.806E, 2.11.1990, 1♀, leg. G. Vinçon ( VIN) ; Andrate, Viona Valley , torrent and brook, 1120 m, 45.547N, 7.889E, 8.08.2020, 1♂, 3♀, leg. G. Vinçon ( VIN) ; Biella, Oropa , 1850 m, 45.634N, 7.949E, 4.07.2020, 4♀, leg. G. Vinçon ( VIN) ; Oropa, Gias Comune , brook, 1300 m, 5.06.1978, 1♂, 1♀, leg. C. Ravizza ( VIN) ; Ailoche, < Noveis , 1000 m, 45.707N, 8.2E, 6.11.2015, 1♀, leg. G. Vinçon ( VIN) ; Civiasco , brook, 850 m, 45.822N, 8.313E, 13.08.2005, 1♂, leg. G. Vinçon ( VIN) ; 11.10.2014, 2♀, leg. G. Vinçon ( MZL, catalogue number: GBIFCH00279864, used for molecular studies, Boldsystems item PLEAA147-20 ) ; Cervarolo , brook, 1200 m, 45.874N, 8.264E, 2.06.1991, 11♂, leg. G. Vinçon ( VIN) ; Cervarolo , brook, 750 m, 45.843N, 8.2585E, 6.11.2015, 3♂, 2♀, leg. G. Vinçon ( VIN) ; Colma Pass , brook, 850 m, 45.819N, 8.333E, 13.08.2005, 1♂, 1♀, leg. G. Vinçon ( VIN) ; Graglia , rivulet, 900 m, 45.568N, 7.953E, 24.06.1978, 1♂, 3 mature larvae, leg. C. Ravizza ( MZL, catalogue number: GBIFCH00967667) .

ITALY: Graian Alps. Aosta Valley: Scalaro , 1500 m, 45.548N, 7.762E, 9.10.1999, 1♀, leg. G. Vinçon ( VIN) ; Scalaro , spring, 1375 m, 45.549N, 7.772E, 17.09.2009, 3♂, 1♀ ; 31.08.2012, 6♂, 8♀, leg. G. Vinçon ( VIN) ; 3♂, 3♀ leg. G. Vinçon ( RED) ; 11.10.2014, 2♀, leg. G. Vinçon ( MZL, catalogue numbers: GBIFCH00279852 and GBIFCH00279954, used for molecular studies; Boldsystems items PLEAA135-20 and PLEAA190-20 ) ; above Quincinetto , 1000 m, 45.555N, 7.792E, 9.10.1999, 1♀, leg. G. Vinçon ( VIN) .

Description of Protonemura pennina sp. n. Males ( Figs. 23–28 ). Tergites 8 and 7 with two rows of strong spines on each side and medially interrupted ( Fig. 25 ); tergite 6 without spines. Hypoproct terminated by a fingershaped expansion ( Figs. 26, 27 ). Ventral vesicle ovoid-shaped ( Figs. 26–28 ). Inner lobe of paraprocts hidden by hypoproct. In ventral and lateral view, sclerotized base of median lobe of the paraprocts very narrow and with a small, nearly triangular middle expansion ( Figs. 26–28 ); membranous field not extending over the length of the cercus ( Figs. 26–28 ) often with several dark thorns. Sclerotized stem arising from the inner posterior edge of the sclerotized median lobe, long and slender, largely extending over the membranous field, and with subapical spines and long apical tooth ( Figs. 26–28 ). Sclerotized stem barely bent in lateral view ( Figs. 27, 28 ). Sclerite of the outer lobe very large in its middle part ( Figs. 27, 28 ), from where arise two smaller outer sclerites, one with a narrow basal branch turning around the cercus (OLS1) and a second located between the cercus and the membranous field of the median lobe (OLS2), and a third sclerite (OLS3) that arises from the second branch ( Figs. 27, 28 ; cf. Figs. 8 , 18 ). Epiproct with a median widening in lateral view ( Figs. 23, 24 ). Tip of the epiproct large and swollen, bent upwards, with a wide notch between the tip and the upper median part of the epiproct ( Figs. 23, 24 ). Tip of epiproct with a dark circular sclerite, in dorsal view ( Fig. 25 ). Ventral sclerite of epiproct with a median bulge bearing a row of short spines pointing backward ( Fig. 23 ).

Females ( Figs. 29–31 ). Pregenital plate of sternite 7 grained, with rounded margin slightly extending over sternite 8 ( Fig. 31 ). Subgenital plate with a narrow ribbon-shaped sclerotized band, with blunt edges, covering at most two thirds of the total width of sternite 8 ( Figs. 29, 31 ). Vaginal lobes of the subgenital plate rather small, nearly square, not extending to the edge of sternite 8 ( Figs. 29, 31 ). Vaginal lobes medially separated by a notch ( Figs. 29, 31 ). In lateral view, pregenital and genital plates prominent ( Fig. 30 ). Paraprocts large and axe-shaped, with straight sides, acuminated laterally ( Fig. 29 ).

Larvae: unknown.

Morphological affinities. Males. Protonemura pennina sp. n. is morphologically close to P. auberti and to P. bispina sp. n. In ventral view, the paraprocts median lobe and sclerotized stem form a piriform structure in Protonemura auberti ( Figs. 5, 6, 7 ), whereas both meet at an acute angle in P. pennina sp. n. ( Figs. 27, 28 ) and a right angle in P. bispina . ( Figs. 16–18 ). The sclerotized stem of Protonemura pennina sp. n. is long and thin, nearly rectilinear in lateral view ( Figs. 26, 27 ), whereas it is shorter, thicker and curved in P. auberti ( Fig. 7 ; Aubert 1959, fig. 69) and shorter and thicker in P. bispina sp. n. ( Figs. 16 , 17 ). The tip of the epiproct of Protonemura auberti bears a small globulous extension flanked by two short and thick, dark, thorns visible by transparency ( Figs. 1, 2 ), whereas the epiproct of P. pennina sp. n. is large and swollen, without a globulous extension and without any thorns ( Figs. 23, 24 ). Protonemura pennina sp. n. is also easily separable from P. aestiva Kis, 1965 . The sclerotized base of the median lobe of the paraprocts of Protonemura aestiva ( Fig. 34 ; Kis 1974, fig. 100C) is much wider than the one of P. pennina sp. n. ( Figs. 27, 28 ); and its blade shaped middle expansion ( Fig. 34 ; Kis 1974, fig. 100C) is nearly twice as large as the one of P. pennina sp. n. ( Figs. 27, 28 ). The tip of the epiproct of Protonemura pennina sp. n. exhibits a dark circular sclerite, in dorsal view ( Fig. 25 ), whereas the one of P. aestiva has two comma-shaped stripes ( Kis 1965, fig. 5).

Females. In female adults, the subgenital plate of Protonemura pennina sp. n. bears a narrow ribbon-shaped sclerotized band ( Figs. 29, 31 ), whereas this band is much wider in P. auberti ( Figs. 10, 12 ). Vaginal lobes of Protonemura auberti are voluminous and bulbiform ( Figs. 10, 12 ), whereas they are small and nearly square in P. pennina sp. n. ( Figs. 29, 31 ) and reniform in P. bispina ( Figs. 20 , 22 ). The vaginal lobes of Protonemura aestiva are large and outward pointing ( Fig. 33 ; Kis 1965, fig. 3), whereas they are small and nearly square in P. pennina sp. n. ( Figs. 29, 31 ).

Distribution area and biogeographical notes. Protonemura pennina sp. n. is a steno-endemic species that occurs widely across the Pennine Alps and in the eastern part of the Graian Alps ( Figs. 39 , 41 ). It is a strongly crenophilic species. Its altitudinal range is very large (500–1900 m). The flight period is extended, lasting from late spring to autumn (VI–XI).

Derivatio nominis of Protonemura pennina sp. n. This species is named after the region in which it mainly occurs, namely the Pennine Alps. The epithet is to be treated as a Latin adjective, feminine in gender combined with Protonemura .

Figures

FIGURE 39. Distribution map of taxa belonging to the Protonemura auberti species complex in the Italian Alps

FIGURE 41. Biotope of Protonemura pennina sp. n. (Trovinasse, near Mambarone lake)

FIGURES 21–24. Protonemura bispina sp. n., 21. female, subgenital plate and vaginal lobes, lateral view. 22. female, subgenital plate and vaginal lobes, ventral view. 23. Protonemura pennina sp. n., male, epiproct, lateral view. 24. male, epiproct, lateral view

FIGURES 25–28. Protonemura pennina sp. n., 25. male terminalia with epiproct, dorsal view. 26. male terminalia, ventral view. 27. male, paraproct median lobe and outer lobe with trifurcated sclerite. 28. male, paraproct median lobe and outer lobe with trifurcated sclerite

FIGURES 29–32. Protonemura pennina sp. n., 29. female, ventral view. 30. female, lateral view. 31. female, ventral view. 32. female, cervical gills

FIGURES 9–12. Protonemura auberti female. 9. cervical gills. 10. subgenital plate and vaginal lobes, ventral view. 11. vaginal lobes, lateral view. 12. subgenital plate and vaginal lobes, ventral view

FIGURES 5–8. Protonemura auberti. 5–6. male terminalia, ventral view. 7. male, paraproct median lobe with sclerotized stem. 8. male, paraproct outer lobe with trifurcated sclerite

FIGURES 17–20. Protonemura bispina sp. n., 17. male, paraproct median lobe with sclerotized stem. 18. male, paraproct outer lobe with trifurcated sclerite. 19. hybrid x Protonemura auberti, male, ventral view (Julian Alps). 20. female, ventral view

FIGURES 13–16. Protonemura bispina sp. n., 13. male, epiproct, lateral view. 14. male, epiproct, lateral view. 15. male terminalia with epiproct, dorsal view. 16. male terminalia, ventral view

FIGURES 1–4. Protonemura auberti, male. 1–2. epiproct, lateral view. 3. male terminalia with epiproct, dorsal view. 4. male terminalia, dorsal view

FIGURES 33–34. 33. Protonemura aestiva, female, ventral view. 34. Protonemura aestiva, male terminalia, ventral view