Mortoniella (Mortoniella) membranacea, 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 : 80-81

Mortoniella (Mortoniella) membranacea , new species

Fig. 66

This species has the distinctive feature of having the apex of the dorsal phallic spine modified into a membranous lobe, and can be diagnosed on that basis alone, since it is found in no other described species. Other characters, considered in combination, are also distinctive and do not suggest a close relationship of M. membranacea to any other described species. Characters of note, most probably plesiomorphic for the leroda group, are the simple tubular phallicata, without distinct processes, the elongate, spine-like projections from the mesal pockets of the inferior appendages, the absence of endophallic spines, the general shape of tergum X, which has a general similarity to species in the florica/leroda subgroups, and the short, posteriorly projected, ventral process of segment VI. It also lacks fork III in the hind wing, a presumably derived character state.

Adult —Length of forewing: male 2.9-3.2 mm; female 3.2-3.6 mm. Forewing with forks I, II, and III present, hind wing with fork II only. Spur formula 0:4:4. Overall color light brown, apices of tarsal segments whitish or pale brown. Tibial spurs darker than legs, contrasting in color. Wing bar at anastamosis indistinct, marked with light brown setae, most evident at arculus.

Male genitalia —Ventral process of segment VI laterally compressed, subtriangular, posteriorly directed, length slightly greater than width at base, apex acute, process not retracted anterobasally. Segment IX nearly evenly rounded anterolaterally, length greatest midlaterally, posterolateral margin rounded in dorsal half, narrowing ventrally; segment deeply mesally excised dorsally and ventrally, forming lateral lobes, separated dorsomesally by much less than ½ width of segment. Tergum X moderate in length, lateral margins subparallel, apicomesal margin nearly straight, apicolateral lobes narrow, moderately elongate, acute or subacute apically, somewhat mesally curved from lateral margin; ventrolateral lobes short, rounded. Inferior appendages with short dorsolateral lobes, apicoventral projections moderately elongate, narrow, acute apically. Mesal pockets of inferior appendage with spine-like apical processes narrow, elongate, posteriorly projecting. Paramere appendage elongate (extending about as far as dorsal phallic spine), uniformly narrow, acute apically, dorsally inflected at base and ventrally curved apically. Dorsal phallic spine nearly uniform in width, strongly upturned in about apical ¼, upturned apex with projecting membranous posterior lobe. Phallicata simple in structure, elongate, tubular, without distinct projections. Endophallic membrane without spines, but with conspicuous membranous basodorsal lobes (apparently subtending apices of paramere appendages); phallotremal spines absent.

Holotype male (pinned)— BOLIVIA: Santa Cruz: PN and ANMI Amboró, Guardia Parque Mataracú, Quebrada Verde Uno , 17.55389° S, 63.86917° W, el 374 m, 19-23.xi.2004, Robertson, Garcia and Vidaurre ( UMSP000094105 ) ( UASC).

Paratypes — BOLIVIA: Santa Cruz: same data as Holotype– 6 males, 65 females (pinned) ; 7 males (alcohol) ( UMSP), 1 male (pinned) ( NMNH) ; PN and ANMI Amboró, Guardia Parque Mataracú, Río Yapacaní , 17.52072° S, 63.86795° W, el 329 m, 26.xi.2004, Robertson, Garcia and Vidaurre – 21 males (alcohol) ( UMSP) ; same locality and collectors, 28.xi.2004 – 1 male, 12 females (pinned) ( UMSP) ; PN and ANMI Amboró, Guardia Parque Mataracú, Las Cataratas , 17.56972° S, 63.85013° W, el 375 m, 24-25.xi.2004, Robertson , Garcia and Vidaurre – 1 male, 9 females (pinned) ( NMNH) .

Etymology —This species is names M. membranacea for the membranous apex of the dorsal phallic spine, a diagnostic character for this species.

Figures

Figure 66. Mortoniella (Mortoniella) membranacea, new species, 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.