Mortoniella (Nanotrichia) cognata, Blahnik & Holzenthal, 2017

Blahnik, Roger J. & Holzenthal, Ralph W., 2017, Revision of the northern South American species of Mortoniella Ulmer 1906 (Trichoptera: Glossosomatidae: Protoptilinae) *, Insecta Mundi 2017 (602), pp. 1-251 : 105-106

Mortoniella (Nanotrichia) cognata , new species

Fig. 90 , 120

Mortoniella cognata is very similar to M. velasquezi Flint. Both species have relatively short, bluntly rounded lobes on what appear to be inferior appendages, but probably represents elongate lateral lobes of the phallicata. The most readily diagnosed difference is that the hind wings of males of M. cognata do not have a distinct field of upright scale-like setae, although it does have a field of upright, narrow setae. There are several other differences. The dorsal phallic spine is narrower in lateral view (i.e. it lacks a distinct protruding “belly”), the apex is slightly less reflexed, and the angular projection on the posteroventral margin is less defined. Additionally, the paramere appendages are shorter and the dorsomesal projection on the endophallic membrane tends to be membranous or only weakly sclerotized, rather than distinctly sclerotized and spine-like.

Adult —Length of forewing: male 2.5-3.0 mm; female 2.8-3.5 mm. Forewing with forks I, II, and III present, hind wing with fork II only. Spur formula 0:3:4. Overall color medium brown, apices of tarsi slightly paler. Tibial spurs darker than legs, contrasting in color. Forewing with narrow white wing bar at anastomosis. Males with forewings densely covered with short, adpressed setae; hind wings with scale-like setae paralleling major veins and with field of elongate, upright setae, but without darkened, semi-erect scale-like setae.

Male genitalia —Ventral process of segment VI posteriorly projecting, narrow and slightly constricted basally, length about 3½ times width at base. Segment IX with anterolateral margin rounded and distinctly produced in ventral ½, posterolateral margin nearly straight; segment deeply mesally excised dorsally and ventrally, forming lateral lobes, separated dorsomesally by about ½ width of segment. Tergum X, as viewed laterally, short and narrow, rod-like, basomesally with pair of setose sclerites; as viewed dorsally, short and very wide, apicomesally with deep and very wide Ushaped emargination, extending more than ½ length of tergum; ventrolateral lobes obsolete. Inferior appendage with short digitate, setose dorsolateral projections, fused apicoventrally to spine-like projections of mesal pockets. Mesal pockets of inferior appendage very large, with moderately elongate, thick, posterodorsally curved, spine-like, apicoventral projections. Paramere appendage very short, apex acute, emerging near dorsal margin of basal segment. Phallobase very short, with elongate ventral rod-like projections, strongly flared apically. Dorsal phallic spine, as viewed laterally, short and relatively narrow, dorsolateral margins expanded, spine weakly reflexed in about apical 2/5, basal part with weakly projecting “belly,” ventral margin with rounded indentation at apical inflection, reflexed apex with distinct, but rather weakly produced, angular projection on posterior margin, apex acute; as viewed dorsally, very wide, lateral margins subparallel, apex bluntly rounded. Phallicata short, continuous with endophallic membrane apically, laterally with relatively elongate, apically rounded, sclerotized projections, subequal in length to spine-like projections of mesal pockets of inferior appendage; projections appearing ventrally as broad, apically rounded lobes of inferior appendages. Endophallic membrane continuous with phallicata, without membranous lateral lobes, dorsomesally with membranous or blunt, weakly sclerotized projection, apparently articulating with indentation in dorsal phallic spine; ventrally with pair of short blunt sclerites (modified phallotremal spines?).

Holotype male (pinned)— VENEZUELA: Barinas: Río Sinigüis in Caño Grande , 8.40000° N, 70.77417° W, el 520 m, 22.iii.1997, Holzenthal ( UMSP000001557 ) ( UMSP).

Paratypes — ECUADOR: Napo: Río Jondachi , 30 km N Tena, 950 m, 10.ix.1990, OS Flint, Jr – 2 males, 5 females (pinned), 2 males, 8 females (alcohol) ( NMNH) ; Pastaza: Puyo, 30.i.1976, Spangler , et al.– 1 male (alcohol) ( NMNH) ; Puyo , 5.v.1977, PJ Spangler and DR Givens – 2 males, 5 females (pinned) ; 1 male, 17 females (alcohol) ( NMNH) ; VENEZUELA: Barinas: same data as holotype– 5 males (pinned), 47 males (alcohol) ( UMSP), 15 males (alcohol) ( MIZA) ; Portuguesa: Río Las Marias at Finca Los Cerajones, ca. 5 km NE Potrero , 9.20550° N, 69.70750 ° W, el 270 m, 25.iii.1997, Holzenthal and Flecker – 1 male (alcohol) ( UMSP) .

Etymology —This species is named M. cognata from the Latin word cognatus, meaning kindred or related, and referring to the close similarity between this species and M. velasquezi .

Figures

Figure 90. Mortoniella (Nanotrichia) cognata, new species, male genitalia. A—lateral; B—segment IX and tergum X, dorsal; C—phallic ensemble, ventral.

Figures 119-120. Mortoniella (Nanotrichia), velasquezi group species, female genitalia. 119—Mortoniella velasquezi (Flint). A—lateral; B—ventral; C—dorsal; D—glands of tergum VII. 120—Mortoniella cognata, n. sp., dorsal.