Mortoniella (Mortoniella) langleyae, 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 : 29-30

Mortoniella (Mortoniella) langleyae , new species

Fig. 14

This is a very distinctive species, probably most closely related to M. denticulata Sykora , though superficially very different. Both species have a dorsal phallic spine with small apical spines (also present in M. silacea , n. sp.) and an endophallic membrane with conspicuous membranous lateral lobes with minute spines. Both species also lack paramere appendages. As compared to either M. denticulata or M. silacea , the apex of the dorsal phallic spine is much narrower, as viewed laterally. Especially distinctive aspects of M. langleyae include the very elongate and apically curved tergum X, with a very deep mesal invagination and very elongate, pencil-like, ventrolateral lobes. Additionally, the tergum has very conspicuously developed, enlarged and projecting, ventromesal lobes. Like M. denticulata , the tergum lacks either obvious apicoventral sclerotization or a distinctly inflated and demarcated basal portion. As compared to other species in the bilineata group, the anteroventral margin of segment IX is only weakly produced.

Adult —Length of forewing: male 3.5 mm. Forewing with forks I, II, and III present, hind wing with forks II, III, and V. Spur formula 0:4:4. Color (in alcohol) yellowish-brown; setae of forewing (apparently) golden or golden-brown. Wing membranes not obviously infuscated. Wing bars not evident.

Male genitalia —Ventral process of segment VI posteriorly projecting, relatively short, narrow basally, length about 3 times width at base. Tergum VIII relatively narrow, subtending ventral margin of segment IX; membranous connection to tergum IX elongate. Segment IX with anterolateral margin rounded and weakly produced in ventral half, posterolateral margin with nearly rectilinearly angular projection in dorsal half; segment deeply mesally excised dorsally and ventrally, forming lateral lobes, separated dorsomesally by more than ½ width of segment. Tergum X very elongate and curved apically, base of segment not inflated, lateral margins slightly constricted at base, subparallel laterally, apex of tergum with very deep V-shaped mesal incision, apex sclerotized, but not forming evident “cap,” tergum ventrolaterally with very elongate narrow, pencil-like, lateral lobes, each with elongate apical seta, lobe narrowly separated from and subparallel to apicolateral lobes; tergum ventromesally with very prominent, paired, sclerotized and projecting, ventromesal lobes in basal half, each with short setae. Inferior appendages with very short (apparently vestigial) dorsolateral lobes and short paired, curved, apicoventral lobes, each with a distinct apicoventral spine-like projection. Mesal pockets of inferior appendage with elongate, posteriorly-directed, spine-like, apicoventral projections. Fused basal segments of parameres articulating near middle of stalk-like basal part of dorsal phallic spine, paramere appendages absent. Phallobase with relatively small rounded, laterally compressed, dorsomesal apodeme. Dorsal phallic spine, as viewed laterally, with dorsal margin nearly straight, obtusely upturned in about apical 1/3, base of spine narrow, stalk-like and sinuously curved, distinctly widened on ventral margin in basal ½, forming acute ventral projection; upturned apex of spine very distinctly narrowed, with scattered small lateral spines, apex rounded; spine, as viewed dorsally, narrow basally and apically, slightly widened in middle, apex rounded. Phallicata with sclerotized basodorsal projection, articulating with angular ventral projection of dorsal phallic spine; phallicata ventrally with indistinct, paired, lightly sclerotized lobes, extending beyond lateral lobes of endophallic membrane. Endophallic membrane with distinct projecting membranous lateral lobes at midlength, each with minute spines; phallotremal spines absent.

Holotype male (alcohol)— ECUADOR: Zamora-Chinchipe: Cumbaratza, 12.vi.1976, A Langley et al. ( NMNH) ( UMSP000097033 ).

Etymology —This species is named in honor of Andrea Langley, who collected the type specimen as part of a Peace Corps project in the 1970’s, in recognition of the value of this endeavor to the study of Neotropical caddisflies.

Figures

Figure 14. Mortoniella (Mortoniella) langleyae, 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.