Mortoniella (Mortoniella) curtispina, 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 : 58-59

Mortoniella (Mortoniella) curtispina , new species

Fig. 40

As discussed in the diagnosis for M. simla (Flint) , both this species and M. ruedae , n. sp., are very similar to M. simla . Unlike other species with an elongate, asymmetric mesal process on the inferior appendages, and with a scabrous apex, all of these species have prominent upright lateral projections on the phallicata. The species differ in the relative lengths of the paramere appendages: very short in M. curtispina , n. sp., of intermediate length (generally shorter than the dorsal phallic spine or mesal process of the inferior appendages) in M. simla , and elongate (longer than either the dorsal phallic spine or mesal process of the inferior appendages) in M. ruedae . Additionally, this species lacks a ventromesal endophallic spine, although it does have paired sclerotized phallotremal spines. In contrast, Mortoniella simla has a prominent ventromesal endophallic spine and M. ruedae has a relatively small one. The very short paramere appendages of M. curtispina are especially distinctive and should easily distinguish this species.

Adult — Length of forewing: male 2.5 mm. Forewing with forks I, II, and III present, hind wing with forks II and III. Spur formula 0:3:4. Overall color (in alcohol) yellowish brown (specimen largely denuded and faded).

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 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 elongate, lateral margins subparallel, apicomesal projection obtusely angular, weakly projecting, apicolateral lobes relatively elongate, subacute, slightly mesally curved; ventrolateral lobes rounded, weakly developed. Inferior appendages with short rounded dorsolateral projections, and very elongate, asymmetric, mesal projection, apex of mesal projection somewhat inflated, with numerous sensilla. Mesal pockets of inferior appendage with apical processes very short. Paramere appendage very short and spine-like, apex acute. Dorsal phallic spine, as viewed laterally, with dorsal margin undulate in contour, ventral margin distinctly widened in basal ½, apex narrow, acute, only slightly dorsally curved; spine, in dorsal view, relatively narrow throughout, apex very acutely narrowed. Phallicata with rounded, sclerotized, projections on dorsal margin. Endophallic membrane simple in structure, without ventromesal spine; phallotremal spines distinct, small, spine-like.

Holotype male (alcohol)— VENEZUELA: Zulia: El Tucuco, Sierra de Perija , montane forest, 28- 29.i.1978, JB Heppner ( UMSP000124881 ) ( NMNH).

Etymology —This species is named M. curtispina, Latin for short-spined, in reference to the very short paramere appendages of this species, which helps to distinguish it from closely related species.

Figures

Figure 40. Mortoniella (Mortoniella) curtispina, 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.