Mortoniella (Mortoniella) schlingeri, 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 : 56

Mortoniella (Mortoniella) schlingeri , new species

Fig. 37

This species probably most closely resembles M. munozi Blahnik and Holzenthal , especially in the shape of the dorsal phallic spine, which has a pronounced rounded ventral bulge that articulates with the base of the phallicata. It can be distinguished in that the acute apicolateral projections of the inferior appendages are not down-turned apically. It also lacks the pair of acute scabrous sclerites that are associated with the phallicata in M. munozi ; instead, it has a pair of apically acute, wing-like, dorsolateral processes. The endophallic membrane has a very small curved spine. The combination of characters possesses by these two species make it possible that they are not closely related to the core of species included in the florica subgroup, and thus the placement of M. schlingeri in this subgroup is partly a matter of diagnostic convenience.

Adult —Length of forewing: male 3.6 mm. Forewing with forks I, II, and III present, hind wing with forks II and III. Spur formula 0:4:4. Overall color (in alcohol) yellowish brown (specimen faded and largely denuded).

Male genitalia —Ventral process of segment VI laterally compressed, short, ventrally projecting, truncately rounded apically, length slightly greater than width at base, process slightly retracted anterobasally. Segment IX nearly evenly rounded anterolaterally, length greatest midlaterally, posterolateral margin rounded dorsally, 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, lateral margins subparallel, apically with very weakly developed mesal projection, apicolateral lobes elongate, slightly mesally curved; ventrolateral lobes very small, rounded; ventromesal lobes not evident. Inferior appendages with short rounded dorsolateral lobes and elongate, narrow, paired, apicoventral projections, apices of projections acute. Mesal pockets of inferior appendage with apical processes short, dorsally curved. Paramere appendage elongate, narrow, extending about same length as dorsal phallic spine, distinctly widened and somewhat cupped preapically, apex acute. Dorsal phallic spine, as viewed laterally, undulate in contour, spine distinctly widened on ventral margin at about middle, ventral bulge articulating with dorsal margin of phallicata, apex of spine narrow, acute, obtusely upturned in about apical 1/5; spine, in dorsal view, widened in middle, apex acute. Phallicata moderately elongate, basodorsal margin with upright, apically acute, dorsolateral projections. Endophallic membrane simple, with single small curved ventromesal spine; phallotremal spines absent.

Holotype male (alcohol)— COLOMBIA: 3 mi W Villavicencio , 11.iii.1955, EI Schlinger and ES Ross ( UMSP000129555 ) ( CAS).

Etymology —The species is named M. schlingeri in honor of Evert I. Schlinger, one of the co-collectors of this species.

— “leroda” subgroup

Figures

Figure 37. Mortoniella (Mortoniella) schlingeri, 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.