Protoptila harrisi Blahnik, Aguirre & Armitage, 2023

Blahnik, Roger J., Aguirre, Yusseff P. & Armitage, Brian J., 2023, The Trichoptera of Panama. XXVI. Status of the genus Protoptila (Trichoptera, Glossosomatidae), Neotropical Biology and Conservation 18 (4), pp. 251-258 : 251

Protoptila harrisi Blahnik, Aguirre & Armitage sp. nov.

Fig. 2

Type locality.

Panama: Comarca Ngäbe-Buglé, Cuenca 093, Bosque Protector Palo Seco, Quebrada Martínez, Alto del Valle, PSPSCB-BPPS-C093-2019-033; 8.79199°N, 82.19320°W, 520 m a.s.l.

Type specimen.

Holotype: ♂, in alcohol. Original label: "Panama: Comarca Ngäbe-Buglé, Bosque Protector Palo Seco, Quebrada Martínez, Alto del Valle; PSPSCB-BPPS-C093-2019-033; 8.79199°N, 82.19320°W, 520 m a.s.l., 8-12 Oct. 2019; Y. Aguirre, T. Ríos, and E. Pérez; Malaise trap"; MIUP-022-T-2023. Paratype • ♂; in alcohol; same as holotype; except, behind the park ranger control post of MiAmbiente; 8.794836°N, 82.190469°W; 480 m a.s.l.; 24 Apr.-8 May 2019; Malaise trap; Y. Aguirre and T. Ríos; MUPADI-016-T-2023.

Diagnosis.

The male of Protoptila harrisi sp. nov. has a rather simple and relatively unremarkable genitalic structure. In general, it resembles P. maculata (Hagen, 1861), P. palina Ross, 1941, and some other North American species, in having a lateral lobes of tergum X that are undivided or unjointed and in having relatively simple paramere appendages. However, unlike the North American species, the lateral lobes of tergum X have no indication of basal preanal appendages. Among species from Central America, it probably most closely resembles P. jolandae Holzenhal & Blahnik, 2006 from Costa Rica, especially in having relatively elongate and apically tapering lateral lobes of tergum X and in having sternum IX developed into a narrow, projecting process, with a somewhat forked or divided apex. It differs from that species in having longer, more spiral paramere appendages, in the overall shape of the lateral lobes of tergum X and phallus, and in having a shorter and more distinctly apically forked or bifid ventral lobe of sternum VIII. In most of these features Protoptila sp. nov. also resembles the more recently described P. inflata Blahnik & Armitage, 2019 and P. totumas Blahnik & Armitage, 2019, both described from Panama, but these species are morphologically distinctive and are unlikely to be confused with the new species.

Description.

Male. Total length of forewing: 2.0 mm. Forewing with forks I, II, and III present; hind wing with fork II only, wing narrow and acute apically, costal margin with pronounced invagination. Spur formula 0:4:4. Overall color (specimens cleared; in alcohol) yellowish-brown. Genitalia (Fig. 2 ). Sternum VI process relatively prominent, posteriorly directed, longer than wide, apex subacute. Tergum VIII with a row of elongate setae along posterior margin; sternum VIII moderately densely setose, setae elongate, posterior margin distinctly produced, slightly curved upward, extending about same length as dorsolateral lobes of tergum X; as viewed ventrally, with ventral projection narrow, shallowly forked apically, apices of fork rounded. Segment IX with anterior margin broadly rounded, sternum mesally produced into short, acute process, posterolateral margin of segment IX with rounded projection dorsally. Preanal appendages absent. Tergum X, as viewed laterally, with lateral lobes not obviously subsegmented, distinctly ventrally deflexed, apical margin of lateral lobe distinctly narrowed, tapered, and acute, dorsal margin between lobes short and continuous, mesally with short membranous lobe; lateral lobes simple, elongate and narrow, downturned, with short apical setae; apex acutely narrowed, projecting nearly straight. Phallobase dorsally with large, laterally compressed apodeme, ventrally with pair of short, rod-like, articulated appendages, appendages fitting into sclerotized pockets on ventral margin of phallobase, ventral margin of each pocket with short, hook-like projection. Phallicata, as viewed laterally, tubular, fused to phallobase, distinctly arched, slightly widened in apical half, apicoventral margin with short, acute projection; as viewed dorsally, slightly widened apically. Phallotremal sclerite indistinct. Parameres each with “nested” membranous basal structure and relatively short, narrow, sclerotized paramere appendage, appendage with distinct spiral curvature, apex acute.

Distribution.

Panama: Comarca Ngäbe-Buglé (Bosque Protector Palo Seco).

Etymology.

This species is named for Dr. Steven C. Harris of Pennsylvania Western University in Clarion, Pennsylvania, USA in recognition of his lifetime dedication to aquatic sciences, adult Trichoptera systematics, and, in particular, the taxonomy of microcaddisflies in the Nearctic and Neotropical Regions. The name is a noun in the genitive (possessive) case.

Figures

Figure 2. Protoptila harrisi, sp. nov., male genitalia A lateral (position of phallic apparatus in genital capsule indicated with cross hatches B phallic ensemble, lateral C sternum VIII, ventral D sternum VI, ventral process, lateral.