Mortoniella (Mortoniella) unilineata Sykora, 1999

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 : 93

Mortoniella (Mortoniella) unilineata Sykora, 1999

Fig. 78 , 115

Mortoniella unilineata Sykora 1999: 385 [member of argentinica subgroup]; Blahnik and Holzenthal 2008: 70 [member of bilineata group]; Blahnik and Holzenthal 2011: 63 [doubtful member of bilineata group].

This is a unique species and is not likely to be confused with any other described species. Particularly distinctive are the broadened and upturned apex of the dorsal phallic spine, which seems to articulate with a membranous lobe on the endophallic membrane; the short tergum X, with only a weak mesal invagination and without distinctive apicolateral lobes; the strongly reflexed dorsolateral projections of the inferior appendages; and the elongate, narrow ventral process of segment VI.

Adult —Length of forewing: male 4.6-6.0 mm; female (undeterminable, from pharate pupa). Forewing with forks I, II, and III present, hind wing with forks II, III, and V. Spur formula 0:4:4. Color (in alcohol) medium brown. Tibial spurs slightly darker than legs, contrasting in color. Wing bar not evident (one white band at midlength, in original description).

Male genitalia —Ventral process of segment VI very narrow elongate, posteriorly directed, length about 6 times width at base, apex acute as viewed laterally and ventrally. Segment IX with anterolateral margin rounded, somewhat more produced in ventral ½, posterolateral margin slightly produced dorsally, narrowing ventrally; segment deeply mesally excised dorsally and ventrally, forming lateral lobes, separated dorsomesally by about ½ width of segment. Tergum X short, apicomesal margin with weak emargination, apicolateral lobes not evident as such, broadly rounded; ventrolateral lobes prominent and projecting, continuous with apicolateral lobes. Inferior appendages with very elongate, narrow, reflexed dorsolateral projections, acute apically, ventromesal margin narrow, without projection. Mesal pockets of inferior appendage with spinelike apical processes moderately elongate, posteriorly projecting, apparently fused to and projecting below ventral margin of phallicata. Paramere appendages absent. Phallobase with short, lightly sclerotized, dorsomesal apodeme. Dorsal phallic spine, as viewed laterally, relatively uniform in width, distinctly upturned in about apical 2/5, apical inflection hollowed on ventral surface, apparently to accommodate large membranous lobe from dorsal margin of endophallic membrane; as viewed dorsally, with broadly rounded lateral expansions at apical inflection, narrowing apically, apex rounded. Phallicata with broadly rounded and distinctly sclerotized basodorsal expansion, ventrally with projecting mesal sclerite, arched above and fused to spine-like projections of mesal pockets of inferior appendages. Endophallic membrane elongate, with projecting lateral and dorsomesal membranous lobes, spines absent; phallotremal spines absent.

Material examined — VENEZUELA: Merida: Laguna de Murubaji, Paramos zone, site 1, rocky stream below lake, el 3300 m, 10.vii.1991, GS Vick– 2 males, 1 female (alcohol, pharate adults) (NMNH).

Distribution — Venezuela.

Figures

Figure 78. Mortoniella (Mortoniella) unilineata Sykora, 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 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.