Smicridea (Rhyacophylax) valeni Rueda Martín and Sganga, 2011

Rueda Martín, Paola A. & Sganga, Julieta V., 2011, Smicridea McLachlan (Trichoptera: Hydropsychidae) from northwestern Argentina and Bolivia: new species, redescription, association and new records, Journal of Natural History 45 (35 - 36), pp. 2215-2230 : 2223-2225

Smicridea (Rhyacophylax) valeni Rueda Martín and Sganga , sp. nov.

( Figure 4A–G )

Material examined

Holotype male. Argentina: Tucumán, El Siambón , Río el Siambón, 1 November 2008, Rueda Martín col. ( IML).

Paratypes. Argentina: Tucumán, El Siambón , Río el Siambón, 1 November 2008, Rueda Martín col.: one male ; Trancas, Gonzalo , 29 October 1999: one male . Bolivia: Tarija, Río Camacho , 27 Ferbuary 2008, Rueda Martín col.: one male ; Río Salinas , 6 March 2006, Rueda Martín col.: one male ( IML) .

Species description

Male. Length of forewings 4.9 mm. Colouration of head and thorax light reddish brown, setal warts and abdomen stramineous. Forewing yellowish, with an oval pale macula parallel to the costal margin (pterostigma), and light brown stripes over transversal veins. The colouration of the body and wings was observed in specimens preserved in alcohol.

Diameter of eye, in dorsal view, 2.3 times the length of the interocular distance. Anterolateral process of sternum V 1.5 times the length of the sternum.

Genitalia. Segment IX with anterolateral margin rounded ( Figure 4A ). Tergum X, in dorsal view, deeply divided mesally, internal margin of each hemitergite concave with apex slightly curved to the midline bearing a small fold preapically ( Figure 4B ); in lateral view with ventral margin almost straight, apex pointed ( Figure 4A ). Inferior appendages two-segmented, setose; basal portion long (2.5 times the length of the apical segment), narrow basally, broad at apex ( Figure 4A,C ). Phallus long, tubular; basal portion broad, forming an angle of about 90 ◦ with the distal part ( Figure 4D,E ); distal portion with apex produced dorsally, bifid in dorsal view ( Figure 4D ); ventroapical area of phallus membranous when the endophallus is invaginated ( Figure 4E ). Endophallus membranous, tubular, truncated at apex, without spines or processes; when evaginated the tip can be seen through the dorsal process of the phallus as an oval membranous structure, because of the transversal wrinkles that cover its surface. Internal sclerite long and slender, in lateral view slightly curved in the apex ( Figure 4E ).

Female. Unknown.

Systematic considerations

This species is related to S. (R.) elisae sp. nov. Both species share the bifid dorsoapical area of phallus. The S. (R.) valeni is distinguished from other species by the tip of

phallus. The bifid apex and the membranous tubular endophallus truncated at apex are the main characters for the identification of this species.

Etymology

This species is dedicated to Valentino, son of one of the authors (JVS). The name valeni is derived from his nickname, “Valen”.

Figures

Figure 4. Smicridea (Rhyacophylax) valeni sp. nov. (A) Male genitalia, lateral view; (B) male genitalia, dorsal view; (C) inferior appendages, ventral view; (D) phallus, dorsal view; (E) phallus, lateral view. Smicridea (Rhyacophylax) atrobasis. (F) male genitalia, lateral view; (G) male genitalia, dorsal view; (H) inferior appendages, ventral view; (I) phallus, dorsal view; (J) phallus, lateral view. Smicridea (Rhyacophylax) dithyra. (K) male genitalia, lateral view; (L) male genitalia, dorsal view; (M) inferior appendages, ventral view; (N) phallus, lateral view; (O) phallus, dorsal view.