Chimarra (Chimarra) nicehuh Blahnik & Holzenthal

Blahnik, Roger J. & Holzenthal, Ralph W., 2012, New Neotropical species of Chimarra (Trichoptera, Philopotamidae), ZooKeys 184, pp. 1-33 : 9-11

Chimarra (Chimarra) nicehuh Blahnik & Holzenthal sp. n. Figs 4 A–F 11

Description.

This is perhaps one of the most distinctive of the species in the Chimarra picea group described to date and unlikely to be confused with any other described species. Especially distinctive is the shape of the lateral lobes of tergum X, which are short, but broad apically, as viewed laterally, each with a small, obliquely oriented, lateral sensilla-bearing processes. Like the previous species, it has the lateral margins of the mesal lobe of tergum X somewhat sclerotized, though not projecting apically. The thumb-like dorsolateral projections of the inferior appendages are especially blunt and strongly curled, not clearly evident in either lateral or dorsal views. Additionally the apicoventral margin of the appendage is recurved, and thus evident as a ridge on the mesal surface, as viewed caudally.

Adult. Forewing length (male) 5.1-5.3 mm, (female) 5.5-5.9 mm. Cuticle of head and thorax very dark, nearly black, setae of anteromesal and frontal setal warts brown or brownish-white, setae of other setal warts and tegulae black, grizzled (grayish at apices or intermixed with grayish setae), otherwise color nearly uniformly dark brownish-black (fuscous), including appendages and antennae (femora not or hardly paler). Postocular parietal sclerite elongate (extended behind eye). Second segment of maxillary palp much shorter than segment 3 (less than 2/3 length). Male protarsal claws enlarged, asymmetrical in size and shape, outer claw much larger, twisted, nearly linear apically.

Male genitalia. Abdominal segment IX, in lateral view, with pronounced linear extension of anteroventral margin and with distinct, enlarged apodemes from anterodorsal margin; posteroventral process short, broad basally, rounded apically. Tergum X with mesal lobe membranous and weakly incised mesally, lightly sclerotized laterally; lateral lobes sclerotized, relatively short, very broadly truncate apically as viewed laterally, each bearing short, lateral, obliquely flattened projection with 2 sensilla. Preanal appendage short, knob-like. Inferior appendage very short, apicoventral margin weakly projecting and slightly recurved, apically with elongate marginal setae, dorsally with very short, bluntly rounded, mesally curved process, visible in caudal view, but not fully evident in either lateral or dorsal views. Phallotheca with acute apicoventral projection; endotheca membranous, elongate tubular, with numerous minute spines in apical ½, preapically on ventral margin with very short sclerotized spines, endothecal spines 2, basal one elongate, apical one moderately elongate. Phallotremal sclerite complex composed of rod and ring structure, rod relatively elongate, ring reclinate, complex laterally with pair of short sclerites.

Female genitalia. Sternum IX rounded apically, laterally with small, broadly rounded clasper receptacles. Vaginal apparatus relatively membranous apically; laterally with conspicuous, projecting preapical sclerites on either side; anteriorly with deflexed, cup-like sclerite.

Holotype

, male (pinned) (UMSP000026909):VENEZUELA:Trujillo: Quebrada Potrerito, 7.5 km NE Boconó, 9°16.435'N, 70°13.102'W, 1530 m, 29-30.iv.1995, Holzenthal, Cressa, Gutic (UMSP).

Paratypes.

VENEZUELA: Lara: Parque Nacional Dinira, Quebrada Buenos Aires, 9°36.407'N, 70°04.178'W, 1850 m, 18-19.vi.2001, Holzenthal, Blahnik, Paprocki, Cressa, 3 males (pinned) (UMSP); Trujillo: same data as holotype, 5 males, 5 females (pinned) (UMSP) (MIZA).

Etymology.

The name of this species should be considered an arbitrary combination of letters. It resulted from an observation made by the first author when seeing the genitalia of this distinctive species for the first time, "Nice, huh?"