Agmina chela, Espeland & Sjöberg & Johanson, 2020

Espeland, Marianne, Sjoeberg, Tin & Johanson, Kjell Arne, 2020, Description of 47 new species of the New Caledonian endemic caddisfly genus Agmina Ward & Schefter (Trichoptera, Ecnomidae), ZooKeys 956, pp. 49-162 : 49

Agmina chela sp. nov. Figs 94-98

Diagnosis.

The inferior appendages of A. chela sp. nov. are distinguished from those of most other species in the genus due to being almost rectangular in ventral view; and a wide, with a convex ventral margin and presence of a posterodorsal and posteroventral process when viewed from the lateral side. The inferior appendages of Agmina diriwi Ward & Schefter, 2000, and A. hexacantha Ward, 2003 resemble those of A. chela sp. nov. in lateral view, except lacking the posterodorsal processes, and in ventral view the shape of the appendages is different, i.e., the plate is produced posteriorly in A. chela while excised in A. diriwi and A. hexacantha . The species that is closest morphologically is A. rectangulata sp. nov. Agmina chela sp. nov. is distinguished from A. rectangulata sp. nov. in the inferior appendages by the, in lateral view, slightly larger posterodorsal process; in ventral view, a more truncate posterior margin of inferior appendages; and the superior appendage is clearly longer than in A. rectangulata sp. nov., as seen in lateral view.

Etymology.

From Greek chela (noun, feminine), meaning pincer-like claw. Named for the crab-claw shaped inferior appendage in lateral view.

Material examined.

Holotype: New Caledonia, Province Sud, Monts des Koghis, ca 300 m S Koghi Restaurant, 22.18288S, 166.50167E, 457 m, 16-26.xi.2003, Malaise trap, loc#001a [KA Johanson].

Paratypes: New Caledonia - Province Sud • 1 ♂; Monts des Koghis, ca 300 m S Koghi Restaurant; 22.18288S, 166.50245E; 427 m; 2-16.xi.2003, Malaise trap, loc#003; leg. KA Johanson; NHRS; • 1 ♂; Monts des Koghis, ca 300 m S Koghi Restaurant; 22.18288S, 166.50167E; 417 m; 2-16.xi.2003; Malaise trap; loc#004; leg. KA Johanson; NHRS.

Measurements.

Fore wing length 4.0-4.3 mm (N = 3). Total length of genitalia: 0.5 mm.

Description.

Genitalia: In lateral view, segment IX triangular anteriorly, apex located medially; in ventral view anteriorly U-shaped. Sternal processes, lateral view, with each apex almost reaching posterior apex of superior appendage, gently curving with convex dorsal margin and concave ventral margin, apex blunt; in ventral view, long, slender, almost parallel, blunt apex. Tergum X in lateral view anteriorly narrowly triangular with acuminate apex, anterior margin straight, dorsal margin slightly concave, shorter than superior appendage; in dorsal view, mesally fused, semi-rectangular, inner margins forming very wide U-shape. Parameres starting before tergum X, in lateral view widening along its length, apex club-shaped, not exceeding superior appendage; in dorsal view, separated, straight, club-shaped apices slightly converging, with complex, sheet-like structure curving ventrally, ending just below superior appendage, anterior end semi-triangular. Superior appendages, in lateral view, longer than wide, anterior margin straight, apex rounded, slightly tapering along its length; in dorsal view robust, longer than wide, apex rounded with claw-shaped spine directed mesoanterad. Inferior appendages, in lateral view, with dorsoposterad orientated slightly shorter, but broader straight dorsal branch; ventral branch longer, curving at base, then straight, orientated dorsoposterad; in ventral view almost rectangular with oval anterior margin, posterior margin almost straight, narrow ventral process with blunt apex, dorsal processes clearly exceeding posterior margin, apices rounded with rounded notch mesally, lateral margins straight. Phallus, in lateral view shorter than segment IX, dorsal margin concave, ventral margin almost straight; in ventral view uniformly tapering along its length, with narrow lateral lobes at anterior end.

Additional information.

This species was referred to as "sp. 55" in Espeland and Johanson (2010a).

Figures

Figures 94 - 98. Agmina chela sp. nov. male holotype 94 genitalia, left lateral view 95 genitalia, dorsal view 96 genitalia, ventral view 97 phallus, lateral view 98 phallus, ventral view.