Chimarra leptodactylus, Blahnik & Andersen, 2022

Blahnik, Roger & Andersen, Trond, 2022, New species of the genus Chimarra Stephens from Africa (Trichoptera, Philopotamidae) and characterization of the African groups and subgroups of the genus, ZooKeys 1111, pp. 43-198 : 43

Chimarra leptodactylus sp. nov.

Fig. 42A-F

Type material.

Holotype. Tanzania - Tanga Reg. ● ♂ (in alcohol); West Usambara Mts, Mazumbai, Kaputu Stream; 4°48'S, 38°30'E; 29 Nov. - 3 Dec. 1990; T Andersen leg.; Malaise trap; UMSP 000550040. Paratypes. Tanzania - Tanga Reg. ● 2♂♂; same data as for holotype except 20-26. Nov. 1990; ZMBN ● 1♂; same data as for holotype except 3 Nov. 1990; sweep net; ZMBN ● 1♂; West Usambra Mts, Mgwashi, Shokoi River; 4°46'S, 38°29'E; 24 Nov. 1990; T Andersen leg.; sweep net; UMSP.

Diagnosis.

Chimarra leptodactylus is closely related to C. latidentis sp. nov. and C. vermitergata sp. nov. It is most readily diagnosed by the overall structure of the lateral lobes of tergum X, each of which has a narrow dorsomesal projection and a widely separated, acute, ventral projection, rather than a generally dorsally directed lobe or lobes.

Description.

Adult. Overall color (in alcohol) medium brown, setal warts of head not contrasting. Head short (postocular parietal sclerite relatively short, shorter than eye). Palps elongate; maxillary palp with 1st segment very short (approximately as long as wide), 2nd segment short (~ 2 × 1st), apex with cluster of ~ 8 stiff setae, 3rd segment very elongate (~ 2 × 2nd), 4th segment short (shorter than 2nd), 5th segment elongate and narrow (subequal to 3rd). Forewing length: male, 5.5-6.0 mm. Fore- and hind wings with forks I, II, III, and V present. Forewing with R1 straight, stem of Rs straight, or nearly so, basal fork of discoidal cell distinctly enlarged, evenly forked, length of cell slightly> 2 × width, forks I and II sessile, r crossvein diagonal, intersecting discoidal cell near apical fork, s, r-m, and m crossveins linear and hyaline (m crossvein somewhat diagonal), both 2A and 3A looped to 1A (2A without apical fork). Hind wing with R1 evident basally, obsolete (or fused to subcosta) apically, forks I and II sessile, fork III distal and relatively narrow, anal loop small. Forelegs with apical tibial spur very short; male with tarsal claws not, or only slightly, enlarged, claws symmetrical, tarsal segments narrow.

Male genitalia. Segment VIII short, tergum longer than sternum, dorsal margin projecting, sternum without posteroventral projection. Segment IX, in lateral view, very short, anteroventral margin only slightly expanded, dorsal margin without apodemes, sternum with very short, rounded ventral process from posterior margin, inferior appendages inserted near ventral margin; as viewed dorsally, with tergum very narrow, but continuous (or nearly so), sternum short, subtruncate. Tergum X with mesal lobe short and membranous, lateral lobes short and sclerotized, each divided basally into dorsal and ventral spine-like processes, ventral processes larger and posteriorly curved, with short spine-like projection from dorsal margin in basal half, dorsal ones mesally curved; sensilla of lobes very small and reduced in number (possibly only 2 on each side, on apical half of dorsal lobe). Preanal appendages very short and rounded, slightly flattened, inserted membranously (not fused to segments IX or X). Inferior appendage with weak basal inflection; as viewed laterally, with apices narrowed and laterally projecting; as viewed ventrally, with mesal margins of opposite appendages proximate, then sharply bent, with apices narrowing and laterally projecting; mesal surface with distinctly sclerotized, anteriorly projecting, spine-like projection in basal part, apparently articulating with sclerotized ventral projection of phallobase. Phallic apparatus with phallobase very short and strongly sclerotized, with usual basodorsal expansion, securely anchored within segment by sclerotized periphallic membrane (and apparently fused to it); apicoventral margin of phallobase (or projections from periphallic membrane) very distinctly sclerotized and produced, downturned, apex truncate and narrowly divided mesally, apparently articulating with spine-like projections of mesal surface of inferior appendages; phallic apparatus distal to sclerotized ventral projection (possibly modified endotheca), lightly sclerotized, tube-like, and narrowing, with short rounded apical lobes; endotheca with pair of short, asymmetrically positioned spines; phallotremal sclerite complex composed of short rod and ring structure.

Etymology.

Chimarra leptodactylus , used as a noun in apposition, from the Greek words leptos, meaning thin, fine, small, or slender, and daktylos, a finger, for the narrow dorsal projection from each of the lateral lobes of tergum X.

Figures

Figure 42. Chimarra leptodactylus sp. nov., ♂ genitalia A lateral B dorsal, segments IX and X C caudal D inferior appendage, ventral E inferior appendage, dorsal F phallus, lateral.