Mortoniella (Nanotrichia) simplicis, 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 : 101

Mortoniella (Nanotrichia) simplicis , new species

Fig. 86

This is a very distinctive species with several character attributes similar to M. rodmani Blahnik and Holzenthal. The two species are probably related. Both are provisionally placed in the ormina group, because this is the group with which they share the greatest superficial similarity. Female genitalia, which are distinctive for the ormina group, would more conclusively demonstrate this, but are unknown for either species. Possibly, the two form the nucleus of an additional species group. Character similarities to M. rodmani include the possession of ventromesal lobes on tergum X, which probably serve as guides for the dorsal phallic spine; the general shape of the paramere appendages, which are curved ventrally from their base and dorsally curved apically; the basoventral projections from phallicata, which seem to form a ventral support for the paramere appendages (the projections in M. rodmani with an apical spine); and the prominent 3-lobed apicoventral sclerite on the endotheca. Neither of the species seems to have scale-like setae paralleling the veins of the wings. Mortoniella simplicis is easily distinguished by the shape of the dorsal phallic spine, which is sinuously curved in the middle and rounded apically, and rests in a depression formed by the dorsal margin of the phallicata (or phallicata/endotheca), and by the shape of tergum X and its ventromesal lobes.

Adult — Length of forewing: male 2.3 mm. Forewing with forks I, II, and III present, hind wing with fork II only; both wings narrow, acute apically. Spur formula 0:3:4. Overall color medium brown. Tibial spurs relatively short, darker than legs, contrasting in color. Forewing with distinct white wing bar at anastomosis. Males without scale-like setae on wings.

Male genitalia —Ventral process of segment VI posteriorly projecting, narrow basally, length about 2 times width at base, apex subacute. 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 relatively short, lateral margins subparallel; apex of tergum with deep U-shaped emargination, extending about ½ length of tergum; apicolateral lobes formed by mesal invagination, apices of lobes rounded laterally, acute on margin bordering mesal invagination; tergum, in lateral view, with projecting, broadly rounded, non-setose, ventromesal lobes, apparently straddling dorsal phallic spine. Inferior appendages very small, setose, rounded dorsally. Mesal pockets of inferior appendage with moderately elongate, posterodorsally curved, spine-like, apicoventral projections. Paramere appendage elongate, narrow, nearly uniform in width, apex acute; appendage uniformly curved, ventrally from base and dorsally projecting apically. Phallobase with short ventral rod-like projections, not flared apically. Dorsal phallic spine, as viewed laterally, nearly uniform in width, rounded apically, with pronounced sinuous deflection in about middle. Phallicata with raised dorsal projection, articulating with sinuous deflection of dorsal phallic spine, basoventrally with depressed, rounded, lateral projections (apparently as resting platform for ventral deflection of paramere appendage). Endophallic membrane with small internal sclerite (possibly phallotremal sclerite), and prominent elongate, narrow ventral sclerite, branched apically into 3 acute lobes; phallotremal spines absent.

Holotype male (pinned)— VENEZUELA: Miranda: Parque Nacional Guatopo, Quebrada Macanilla at La Macanilla, 10.113° N, 66.516° W, el 550 m, 23.i.1994, Holzenthal, Cressa, Rincón ( UMSP000041336 ) ( UMSP).

Etymology —This species is named M. simplicis , derived from the Latin word for simple, in reference to the relatively simple and unspecialized genitalia of this species.

Figures

Figure 86. Mortoniella (Nanotrichia) simplicis, new species, male genitalia. A—lateral; B—segment IX and tergum X, dorsal; C—phallic ensemble, ventral; D—ventral process of segment VI, lateral.