Cicinnus, St Laurent & Giusti & Mielke, 2018

St Laurent, Ryan A., Giusti, Alessandro & Mielke, Carlos G. C., 2018, The identity of Cicinnus orthane Blanchard, 1852 (Lepidoptera, Mimallonidae, Cicinninae), type species of Cicinnus Blanchard, 1852, Zootaxa 4450 (2), pp. 275-285 : 277-280

Diagnosis of Cicinnus sensu stricto

Considering the lectotypification of the present article, Cicinnus s. s. is restricted to Mimallonidae displaying the genitalia characters listed below. Based on this morphological characterization, phylogenetic, and systematic research currently being undertaken by the first author ( St Laurent et al. 2018), most of the species currently placed in Cicinnus do not belong in this genus upon comparing them with the type species C. orthane , and the reorganization of Cicinnus is underway. The present article is a necessary first step to establish a morphological framework for classification of true Cicinnus .

The following are genitalia characters that can be used to recognize true species of Cicinnus : Male genitalia: Vincular arms may (e.g. C. melsheimeri ( Harris 1841) , ( Fig. 7I ) or may not (e.g. C. cf orthane ) be present. Valvae predominantly membranous, usually with well-sclerotized mesal “clasper” region ( Figs 6 II, 7II). Gnathos originating from below base of the uncus, near the dorsal edge of the vinculum ( Figs 6 III, 7III), the margins of gnathos swoop downward from origination point at top of vinculum fusing mesally with two small distal arms ( Figs 6 IV, 7IV). Species currently placed in Cicinnus that lack mesal gnathos arms may be more appropriately placed in another genus, but are currently treated as Cicinnus sensu lato ( St Laurent et al. 2018). The uncus is simple, triangular, stout, and unfused meso-ventrally along its longitudinal axis. The phallus is of variable length, but is always fused to a complex juxta which is highly variable in shape ( Figs 6V , 7V ).

Female genitalia characteristics defining Cicinnus s. s.: The lamella antevaginalis is wide and narrow, appearing as a simple bar, it extends nearly the width of segment VIII, and lacks setae covered bulbous masses on either side, which are present in related genera (e.g. Isoscella St Laurent & Carvalho, 2017, Aleyda Schaus, 1928 , and also Cicinnus s. l.). Tergite VIII is variously developed, but always well-sclerotized and protruding posteriorly ( Figs 8, 9 Arrows I). Apophyses anteriores reduced and stout ( Figs 8, 9 , Arrows III), the length of which are about one quarter that of apophyses posteriores.

Figures

FIGURE 6. Cicinnus cf orthane male genitalia, a = ventral, b = lateral, c = phallus. Brazil, Santa Catarina, São Bento do Sul, Rio Natal, 450 m [St Laurent dissection 10-30-17:1] (MGCL). Roman numerals refer to specific structures mentioned in the text: II = clasper, III = base of gnathos, IV = mesal gnathos arms, V = juxtal complex. Scale bar = 1 mm.

FIGURE 7. Cicinnus melsheimeri male genitalia, ventral, USA, New Jersey, Lakehurst [Franclemont dissection 5673] (CUIC). Roman numerals refer to specific structures mentioned in the text: I = vincular arm, II = clasper, III = base of gnathos, IV = mesal gnathos arms, V = juxtal complex. Scale bar = 1 mm.

FIGURE 8, 9. Cicinnus female genitalia, a = ventral, b = dorsal, c = lateral, d = lateral with corpus bursae. 8. C. orthane lectotype, “Chili” [Tams dissection 142|51] (NHMUK). 9. C. cf orthane Brazil, Santa Catarina, São Bento do Sul, Rio Natal, 450 m [C. Mielke dissection 34.365] (CGCM). Arrows I–III refer to diagnostic characters as referenced in the text: I = tergite VIII, II = papillae anales, III = apophyses anteriores. Scale bar = 1 mm.