Mortoniella (Mortoniella) ruedae, 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 : 62-63

Mortoniella (Mortoniella) ruedae , new species

Fig. 44 , 45

Mexitrichia simla Flint : Rueda Martín and Gibon 2008: 224 (fig. 10).

This species was originally illustrated by Rueda Martín and Gibon, who considered it to be M. simla (Flint) . They did note, however, a difference in the length of the paramere appendages, from the illustration of the type. We also observed this difference, based on direct comparison of the two forms, and also noted differences in the female genitalia ( Fig. 45 and 46). We believe them to be distinct species. Mortoniella ruedae is also very similar to M. curtispina , n. sp., as noted in the diagnosis for M. simla . All of these species have inferior appendages, with an elongate, asymmetric, and apically scabrous mesal process, and also prominent rounded lateral projections on the phallicata. The three species differ in the relative lengths of the paramere appendages: very short in M. curtispina , 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 . The ventromesal spine of the endophallic membrane also differs in the three species: absent in M. curtispina , small in M. ruedae , and large and prominent in M. simla . Mortoniella ruedae could also be confused with M. parameralda , n. sp., due to the very similar length and development of the paramere appendages in the two species. However, M. parameralda lacks rounded processes on the phallicata and also lacks a ventromesal endophallic spine (and thus is more similar in overall characteristics to M. meralda .).

Adult —Length of forewing: male 2.4-3.0 mm; female 2.5-3.1 mm. Forewing with forks I, II, and III present, hind wing with forks II and III. Spur formula 0:3:4. Overall color medium brown, apices of tarsal segments and basal segments of antennae whitish or pale brown. Tibial spurs darker than legs, contrasting in color. Wing bar at anastamosis relatively indistinct, marked with light brown setae.

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 elongate, lateral margins subparallel, apicomesal projection only suggestively developed, apicolateral lobes elongate, subacute, slightly mesally curved; ventrolateral lobes rounded, weakly developed. Inferior appendages with short rounded dorsolateral lobes, and very elongate, asymmetric ventromesal projection, apex of ventromesal projection scabrous, projecting nearly straight, not (or only indistinctly) inflated. Mesal pockets of inferior appendage with apical processes very short. Paramere appendage elongate, narrow, subequal in length to dorsal phallic spine, distinctly enlarged and scabrous preapically, apex acute. Dorsal phallic spine, as viewed laterally, with dorsal margin undulate in contour, ventral margin widened in basal ½, apex of spine acute, slightly dorsally inflected; spine in dorsal view, widened through middle, apex very acutely narrowed. Phallicata relatively elongate and tube-like, with rounded, sclerotized, dorsolateral projections, laterally with longitudinal, flattened, crease-like projection. Endophallic membrane relatively simple in structure, elongate, ventromesal spine very short; phallotremal spines present, short and spine-like.

Holotype male (pinned)— BOLIVIA: La Paz: San Buenaventura-Ixiamas rd., km 23, Hacienda Chiquitos, Arroyo Chiquitos , 14.33470° S, 67.70340° W, el 284 m, 23.vii.2003, Robertson and Blahnik ( UMSP000093907 ) ( UASC).

Paratypes — BOLIVIA: La Paz: same data as holotype– 1 male, 11 females (pinned) ( UMSP) ; AMNI Madidi, Comun. San Miguel de Bala, Arroyo Bacuatra Grande , 14.51228° S, 67.52308° W, el 280 m, 17-19.vii.2003, Robertson, Blahnik, Apaza– 3 males, 5 females (pinned) ( UMSP), 1 male, 2 females (pinned) ( NMNH) .

Etymology —This species is named M. ruedae for P. A. Rueda Martín, who recorded it from Bolivia under the name of M. simla and also illustrated it.

Figures

Figure 44. Mortoniella (Mortoniella) ruedae, new species, male genitalia. A—lateral; B—segment IX and tergum X, dorsal; C—phallic ensemble, ventral; D—dorsal phallic spine and paramere appendages, dorsal; E—ventral process of segment VI, lateral.