Triplectides dawnae, Malm, Tobias & Johanson, Kjell Arne, 2008

Malm, Tobias & Johanson, Kjell Arne, 2008, Description of eleven new Triplectides species (Trichoptera: Leptoceridae) from New Caledonia, Zootaxa 1816, pp. 1-34 : 18-19

Triplectides dawnae , new species

Figs 73–80 , 98 .

Diagnosis. This species is separated from most other New Caledonian Triplectides species by the presence of 4 hind tibial spurs. It is easily distinguished from mariannae , nathaliae and wardi by the longer mesal lobe of the inferior appendages and the shape of tergum X. It is most similar to smithi and aequalichelatus , new species, from which it is separated by the shape of tergum X, and the longer harpagones and mesal lobe of the inferior appendages.

Male: Body colour light to medium brown (in alcohol). Tibial spur formula 2:2:4. Claws on all legs unmodified. Forewing ( Figs 73, 75 ) length 9.5–11.0 mm (N=33); colour medium brown (in alcohol), with dark, rugged area around junction of R and Sc, dark area between Sc and R; light area present around base of S4 and crossvein m-cu; forks 1, 2 and 5 present; fork 1 stalk slightly longer than 1/3 length of fork; branching of m with stalk slightly longer than 1/3 fork length; Dc broad, about 2/3 length of Tc; distance between crossveins s and S4 about equal to length of S4, S4 meeting M slightly apically of crossvein m-cu. Hind wing ( Fig. 74 ) forks 1, 2, 3 and 5 present; fork 1 stalk about 1/6 fork length; S4 arising at apical 1/3 of Dc. Nygma present in all wings in fork 2.

Male genitalia ( Figs 76–80 ): segment IX widest dorsally, narrowing ventrally; in ventral view ( Fig. 78 ) with minute central, posterior process. Superior appendages ( Figs 76, 77 ) slightly longer than half length of tergum X; digitate. Tergum X with small, slightly bipartite, dorsobasal projection; in ventral view ( Fig. 78 ) elongate rectangular; apically produced into dorsal and ventral lobes; ventral lobes rectangular with apical, deep mesal notch; minute setae scattered on dorsal surface and along posterior margin; dorsal lobe apically narrowing and laterally flattened, ridge-like; bearing minute dorsolateral setae. Inferior appendages ( Figs 76, 78 ) broad; apicodorsal lobes shorter than long, robust harpagones; basoventral processes long, digitate, nearly straight in lateral view, directed posterad, exceeding mesal lobes ( Fig. 78 ), reaching base of harpagones; mesal lobes wide, bearing posteromarginal setae, mesal part strongly produced into apically tapering branch, lateral corners prominently produced posterolaterad, deeply separated from major branches. Phallus ( Figs 79, 80 ), slender, curving 75 degrees ventrad slightly before mid-length, parallel-sided along its length in lateral view ( Fig. 79 ); apex produced ventrad with v-shaped lateral flanges; slightly broadening apically in ventral view ( Fig. 80 ).

Distribution. This species is found over all of Grande Terre, except the northernmost ¼ ( Fig. 98 ).

Etymology. Named after Ms Dawn Williams, for her never-ending belief and encouragement of the senior author’s work.

Holotype male: New Caledonia: Province Sud: stream draining to Marais de la Rivière Blanche, 1.35 km S Pont Pérignon, 22º08.496’S, 166º42.152’E, 180 m, 6–16.xi.2003, Malaise trap, loc#009 [KA Johanson].

Paratypes: Province Sud: Monts des Koghis, ca 300 m S Koghi Restaurant, 22º18.288’S, 166º50.073’E, 407 m, 2–16.xi.2003, Malaise trap, loc #005 [KA Johanson] – 1 male; Monts Kwa Ne Mwa, on road between Noumea and Yaté, 2.0 km E Pic Mouirange, 22º12.356’S, 166º40.798’E, 220 m, 7–16.xi.2003, Malaise trap, loc#014 [KA Johanson] – 4 males; ditto, except 16–30.xi.2003 – 2 males; ditto, except 5–18.x.2006 [KA Johanson & M Espeland] – 12 males; Monts Kwa Ne Mwa, on road between Noumea and Yaté, 800 m N Pont des Japonais, 22º11.043’S, 166º43.566’E, 120 m, 7–16.xi.2003, Malaise trap, loc#015 [KA Johanson] – 1 male; Mt Dzumac, source stream of Ouinne River, downstream cross-point to mountain track, 22º01.997’S, 166º28.486’E, 795 m, over about 30 m waterfall, 18.xi–4.xii.2003, Malaise trap, loc#031 [KA Johanson] – 2 males; on road between Noumea and Yaté, 1.0 km NW Pont des Japonais, 22º11.427’S, 166º42.868’E, 113 m, 22.xi–4.xii.2003, Malaise trap, loc#039 [KA Johanson] – 1 male; W slope Mt Ningua, Kwé Néco stream, at Camp Jacob, 3.7 km WNW summit of Mt Ningua, on Bouloparis-Thio road, about 50 m upstream road, 21º43.613’S, 166º06.567’E, 150 m, 29.xi–12.xii.2003, Malaise trap, loc#054 [KA Johanson] – 3 males; same data as previous except 12.xii.2003 – 5.i.2004 – 1 male; Dothio river, 10 m E bridge at Atè, 6.2 km WNW Thio, 21º35.288’S, 166º09.070’E, 13 m, 29.xi.2003, light trap, loc #057 [KA Johanson] – 1 male.

Province Nord: N slope of Mt Rembai, Xwé Méréxwana stream, 21º33.804’S, 165º50.528’E, 309 m, 20.xi–12.xii.2003, Malaise trap, loc #037 [KA Johanson] – 2 males; Ponandou Tiôgé river at Kögi, 3.9 km SSW Touho, 20º49.043’S, 165º13.551’E, 25 m, 26.xii.2003, light trap, loc #100 [KA Johanson] – 1 male; Xwê Dachava stream, Rembai Mt, 21º34.854’S, 165º49.478’E, 317 m, 5–12.i.2004, Malaise trap, loc#108 [KA Johanson] – 1 male; Forêt Plate, Ouendé River, at 2.5 km WNW summit of Katépouenda, 23.3 km E Pouembout, 21º07.490’S, 165º06.723’E, 470 m, 8–15.i.2004, Malaise trap, loc#112 [KA Johanson] – 1 male.

Figures

FIGURES 73 – 80. Triplectides dawnae, new species, male holotype. 73, forewing; 74, hind wing; 75, forewing anastomosis detail; 76, genitalia, lateral; 77, genitalia, dorsal; 78, genitalia, ventral; 79, phallus, lateral; 80, phallus, ventral.

FIGURES 98 – 100. Maps of Grande Terre, New Caledonia, with male Triplectides specimen records plotted. 98, Triplectides dawnae, new species; 99, Triplectides aequalichelatus, new species; 100, Triplectides australis Navás.