Mortoniella (Mortoniella) esrossi, 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 : 87-88

Mortoniella (Mortoniella) esrossi , new species

Fig. 73

This species is best diagnosed by the reflexed dorsal lobe of the inferior appendages, subquadrate tergum X, without distinct apicolateral processes, and by the structure of the dorsal phallic spine, which has a projecting ventral “foot” in its apical ½.

Adult —Length of forewing: male 3.0 mm. Forewing with forks I, II, and III present, hind wing with forks II, III, and V; both wings broadly rounded apically. Spur formula 0:4:4. Color (in alcohol) yellowish brown (specimen faded and partially denuded). Wing bar not evident.

Male genitalia —Ventral process of segment VI laterally compressed, narrow, elongate, posteriorly directed, length about 2 times width at base, apex subacute. Segment IX nearly evenly rounded anterolaterally, length greatest midlaterally, posterolateral margin broadly rounded, narrowing ventrally; segment deeply mesally excised dorsally and ventrally, forming lateral lobes, separated dorsomesally by much less than ½ width of segment. Tergum X moderately elongate, subquadrate, lateral margins subparallel, apicomesal margin nearly straight, apicolateral lobes absent (or not evident in dorsal view); ventrolateral lobes elongate, more or less truncate apically. Inferior appendages with elongate, narrow, posteriorly recurved, dorsolateral projections, reflexed apices attenuate, lightly sclerotized, acute apically, apicoventral projections absent. Mesal pockets of inferior appendage with spine-like apical processes narrow, elongate, posteriorly projecting; as viewed ventrally, sinuously curved at base, subparallel apically. Paramere appendage elongate (extending about as far as dorsal phallic spine), narrow, nearly uniform in width, acute apically. Basal segment of parameres not evident as such, but with projecting, rounded, flattened lateral lobes. Dorsal phallic spine, as viewed laterally, nearly uniform in width, apex slightly upturned, acute, ventral margin at about apical 1/3, with foot-like projection, possibly fused to dorsal margin of endophallic membrane; spine, as viewed dorsally, relatively broad, apex very acutely narrowed. Phallicata simple in structure, without distinct projections. Endophallic membrane with prominent, forked sclerite (possibly modified phallotremal spines), apices of branches acute.

Holotype male (alcohol)— COLOMBIA: 3 mi W Villavicencio , 11.iii.1955. EI Schlinger and ES Ross ( UMSP000095053 ) ( CAS).

Etymology —This species is named M. esrossi in honor of Edward S. Ross, co-collector of the type specimen.

— proakantha subgroup

Included species: Mortoniella proakantha , n. sp.

Except for its primitive hind wing venation (3 forks present, II, III, and V) and the very elongate, narrow ventral process of segment VI, this species could easily pass as a member of the akantha subgroup of the leroda species group. Characters suggestive of this include the overall structure of the inferior appendages, with a symmetrical ventromesal projection and e l o n g a t e, r e f l e x e d d o r s a l l o b e s. T h e l a t t e r c h a r a c t e r, a s d i s c u s s e d a b o v e, i s l i k e l y a plesiomorphic character for the subgenus Mortoniella (present in the immediate ancestor of the group). Other character similarities to the leroda group include a segment IX with uniformly rounded anterior margin and with lobes narrowly separated dorsally; short, curved, spine-like projections from the mesal pockets of the inferior appendages; and the general shape of tergum X, with a rounded mesal excavation and projecting lateral lobes. Female genitalia for the species are highly unusual, and unlike any other species of Mortoniella examined, in having a segment VIII with elongate, wiry setae and in having a segment X that is bulbous, rather than flattened and fused to segment IX ( Fig. 114 ). It is conceivable that the female is incorrectly associated, but there is no other described species within Protoptilinae that it could be assigned to. Despite the name given to the included species, a basal or even close relationship to the akantha group cannot be inferred and we are uncertain about its actual relationship.

Figures

Figure 73. Mortoniella (Mortoniella) esrossi, new species, male genitalia. A—lateral; B—segment IX and tergum X, dorsal; C—phallic ensemble, ventral; D—dorsal phallic spine and paramere appendages, dorsal; E—ventral process of segment VI, lateral.

Figures 114-115. Mortoniella (M.), species, unplaced to species group, female genitalia. 114—Mortoniella proakantha, n. sp. A—lateral; B—dorsal; C—ventral. 115—Mortoniella unilineata Sykora. A—lateral; B—dorsal; C—ventral.