Mortoniella argentinica Flint, 1974

Blahnik, Roger J. & Holzenthal, Ralph W., 2011, Revision of the austral South American species of Mortoniella (Trichoptera: Glossosomatidae: Protoptilinae) 2851, Zootaxa 2851 (1), pp. 1-75 : 67

Mortoniella argentinica Flint, 1974

Figs. 35 , 39

Mortoniella argentinica Flint, 1974: 13 ; Sykora 1999: 386 [ M. argentinica group]; Rueda & Gibon 2008: 223 [illustration]; 224 [distribution]; Blahnik & Holzenthal 2008: 70 [ M. bilineata species group].

Despite having a hind wing with 3 forks and also a narrow, elongate ventral process on segment VI, as in members of the M. bilineata species group, in most other respects this species is typical of species in the M. leroda species group. The anterior margin of segment IX is uniformly rounded, as viewed laterally, and the lobes of the segment are narrowly divided dorsomesally. Moreover the general structure of tergum X, with a U-shaped mesal excision, strongly angled apicolateral lobes, and setation (basal setae much longer than the apical ones), are also typical of the M. leroda species group. Additionally, the female genitalia (not illustrated), with tergum VIII unincised and tergum IX very short, also seems to be typical of this group. In other respects, this is a very distinctive species, unlikely to be confused with any other described species. Especially distinctive characters are the elongate, narrow, curved inferior appendages, the elongate lance-like processes from the mesal pockets of the fused inferior appendages, and the presence of 2 pairs of paramere appendages. In all of these respects the species resembles M. spinulata (Flint) , which is its most probable sister species. Mortoniella spinulata differs in having elongate spines on the inferior appendages and also in having a much modified tergum X, with a very narrow apical incision and also in having the dorsal phallic spine greatly narrowed apically. Like M. argentinica , M. spinulata has 3 forks in the hind wing, but has a ventral process of segment VI more characteristic of the M. leroda species group.

Adult. Length of forewing: male 4.0- 4.8 mm, female 4.6 mm. Forewing with forks I, II, and III present, hind wing with forks II, III, and V. Spur formula 0:4:4. Overall color dark brown. Legs same color, tibial spurs somewhat darker than legs, but not strongly contrasting in color. Wing bar at anastamosis indistinct, discontinuous, most strongly marked with whitish setae near arculus on anal margin.

Male genitalia. Ventral process of segment VI posteriorly projecting, narrow, elongate, length about twice width at base ( Fig. 35E ). Segment IX nearly evenly rounded anterolaterally, length greatest midlaterally, posterolateral margin convexly rounded, narrowing ventrally; segment deeply excised dorsomesally and ventromesally, forming lateral lobes, lobes separated dorsomesally by much less than 1/2 width of segment. Tergum X with Ushaped mesal excision, extending less than 1/2 length of tergum, and distinctly projecting lateral lobes; lateral lobes acute apically, as viewed both dorsally and laterally. Inferior appendages short basally, with elongate, narrow, posteriorly arched, dorsolateral lobes; lobes with short papillae or papillate-like structures at apex and usually also at base. Mesal pockets of fused inferior appendages with apical processes very elongate, lance-like, posteriorly directed. Paramere appendages apparently with 2 processes on each side; 1 pair elongate, narrow, distinctly bowed outward in apical 1/2, slightly widened preapically, apex acute; 2nd pair short, ventrally curved, narrowing apically, apex very narrow and acute. Dorsal phallic spine, as viewed laterally, more or less uniform in width, distinctly sinuously undulate in contour, apical 1/3rd strongly upturned; in dorsal view, narrow throughout, apex narrowly acuminate. Phallicata moderately elongate, tubular, without dorsal processes, ventral margin lightly sclerotized. Endophallic membrane somewhat ballooned, simple in structure, without distinct lateral or ventral spines; phallotremal spines very short, curved outward.

Material examined. ARGENTINA: Catamarca: N . Aconquija , 1-2.x.1968, LE Peña G . — 1 male, 1 female (paratypes) ( NMNH); Tucuman: Rt. 307, 7 km W . Acheral , 11.x.1973, OS Flint, Jr., — 7 males ( NMNH, UMSP) .

Distribution. Argentina.

Figures

FIGURE 35. Mortoniella argentinica Flint, male genitalia: A—lateral; B—segment IX and tergum X, dorsal; C—phallic ensemble, ventral; D—dorsal phallic spine, dorsal; E—ventral process of segment VI, lateral.

FIGURES 38–40. Wings of exemplar species: 38, Mortoniella albolineata Ulmer: A—forewing; B—hind wing. 39, Mortoniella argentinica Flint: A—forewing; B—hind wing. 40, Mortoniella froehlichi, new species: A—forewing; B—hind wing.