Mortoniella (Mortoniella) furcula, 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 : 60-61

Mortoniella (Mortoniella) furcula , new species

Fig. 42

Among species in the leroda subgroup that are characterized by an asymmetric and apically modified ventromesal process on the inferior appendages, this species is unique in having the apex of this structure forked, with small spines or sensilla. It is also characterized by having paramere appendages that are relatively thick and downward curved, with the apices scabrous. The latter character is useful in separating it from M. parameralda , n. sp., with which it co-occurs. In M. parameralda the appendages are narrower and dorsally curved. Both species lack rounded basodorsal processes on the phallicata.

Adult —Length of forewing: male 2.6-3.0 mm; female 2.8-3.0 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, rounded apically, length slightly greater than width at base, process slightly retracted anterobasally. Segment IX nearly evenly rounded anterolaterally, length greatest midlaterally, posterolateral margin slightly 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 elongate, lateral margins subparallel, apicomesal projection only suggestively developed, apicolateral lobes short, subacute, slightly mesally curved; ventrolateral lobes rounded, weakly developed. Inferior appendages with short rounded dorsolateral projections, and elongate, asymmetric mesal projection, mesal projection forked preapically, apices with small spines or sensilla. Mesal pockets of inferior appendage with apical processes very short. Paramere appendages long, relatively thick, rod-like, distinctly ventromesally curved, subequal in length to dorsal phallic spine, apex scabrous and slightly enlarged. Dorsal phallic spine, as viewed laterally, with dorsal margin undulate in contour, ventral margin widened in basal ½, apex acute, slightly dorsally curved; spine in dorsal view, relatively narrow throughout, slightly widened preapically, apex abruptly and acutely narrowed. Phallicata without distinct basodorsal projections, ventral margin with short lateral sclerites. Endophallic membrane short, inflated, with short curved ventromesal spine; phallotremal spines consisting of 2 pairs of widely separated processes, dorsal ones lightly sclerotized, subtending apex of dorsal phallic spine, ventral ones submembranous, projecting apically.

Holotype male (alcohol)— ECUADOR: Los Rios: Quevedo (56 km N), 28-29.vii.1976, J Cohen ( UMSP000124889 ) ( NMNH).

Paratypes — ECUADOR: Cotopaxi: Quevedo (36 km NE), 335 m, 21.vii.1976, J Cohen – 2 males (alcohol) ( NMNH) ; Los Rios: same data as Holotype– 2 males (alcohol) ( NMNH) ; Pichincha: Santo Domingo (47 km S), Río Palenque Biol. Station, 29.vii.1976, J Cohen – 27 males (alcohol) ( NMNH), 5 males (alcohol) ( UMSP) ; Tungurahua: Yanayacu, 300 m, 29-30.viii.1977, LE Peña G – 4 males, 2 females (alcohol) ( NMNH) .

Etymology —This species is named M. furcula , as a diminutive form of the Latin furca, meaning fork, and referring to the forked apex of the ventromesal process of the inferior appendages.

Figures

Figure 42. Mortoniella (Mortoniella) furcula, 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.