Amphoropsyche matsigenka Razuri-Gonzales , Holzenthal & Rios-Touma

Razuri-Gonzales, Ernesto, Holzenthal, Ralph W. & Rios-Touma, Blanca, 2017, Two new species of the rare Neotropical caddisfly genus Amphoropsyche Holzenthal (Trichoptera, Leptoceridae), ZooKeys 707, pp. 63-72 : 64-68

Amphoropsyche matsigenka Razuri-Gonzales, Holzenthal & Rios-Touma sp. n. Figs 2, 3

Diagnosis.

This species is mainly diagnosed by the structure of the inferior appendage, the phallic apparatus, and the mesal process of tergum X. The inferior appendage is very slender and straight and bears a pair of spine-like mesoventral projections. One or both of these spine-like mesoventral projections could represent the 2nd article that has become fused to the body (1st article) of the inferior appendage; however, while these are positioned where the 2nd article occurs in those species that possess one, no indication of articulation or fusion is apparent). The phallic apparatus has a strongly sclerotized apicolateral projection of the phallobase and the endothecal membranes have a pair of lightly sclerotized spine-like projections dorsally. Finally, the mesal process of segment X is elongate, talon-like, curved ventrad apically, and much longer than the preanal appendages. As with A. carchi species, this new species is related to the group of species with divided tergum X. It resembles A. spinifera , due to the very slender and almost straight inferior appendage, but differs in the spine-like mesoventral projections (if these are interpreted to be the 2nd article, their structure is different). The lateral processes of tergum X are also similar between the 2 species, but the mesal processes are quite different; in A. spinifera the process is only slightly shorter than the preanal appendages and the apex is rounded, but in A. matsigenka it is much longer than the preanal appendages and the apex is sharply pointed. In the key to males of the genus provided by Holzenthal and Ríos-Touma (2016), A. matsigenka will lead to couplet 14 containing A. cauca and A. ayura if the 2nd article of the inferior appendage is assumed absent, but the new species lacks the phallic parameres found in those species.

Description.

Male. Forewing length 5.5 mm (n=1). Body and appendages brown (specimen preserved in 80% ethyl alcohol, wings denuded). Genitalia as in Fig. 2 A–D. Segment IX annular, sternum with anterior margin slightly extended anteriorly (Fig. 2A). Segment X composed of single mesal process and pair of lateral processes (Fig. 2 A–B); mesal process elongate, talon-like, curved ventrad apically, and much longer than preanal appendage; lateral process broadly crescent-shaped, with spine-like seta subapically on ventral margin; apically lateral process with ca. 5 small setae (Fig. 2A). Preanal appendages large, oval, fused basally but divided apically to 1/2 their lengths (apical emargination acute); with large reticulate internal gland and small subapicoventral pore (Fig. 2 A–B); apically with pair of very reduced, digitate, membranous dorsomesal processes (Fig. 2B). Inferior appendage narrow, elongate, almost straight, with pair of spine-like mesoventral projections (Fig. 2A, C); in ventral view, concave mesally; ending in bulbous, semi-membranous apex, bearing subterminal tuft of closely appressed setae emerging from membranous pocket and with prominent setae on mesal face; 2nd article of inferior appendage absent [or one or both of the spine-like mesoventral projections could represent the 2nd article that has become fused to the first article] (Fig. 2C). Phallic apparatus (Fig. 2D) with phallobase well-developed, with sclerotized apicolateral projection on each side, without apical spine-like seta; parameres absent; endothecal membranes well-developed, everted on specimen, with pair of lightly sclerotized spine-like projections dorsally; phallotremal sclerite U-shaped, well-developed, oval in lateral view.

Female. Forewing length 5.5 mm (n=1). Color and structure similar to male’s (specimen preserved in 80% ethyl alcohol, wings denuded). Genitalia as in Fig. 3 A–D. Abdominal tergum IX + X complete; dorsomesal margin entire; distinctive Y-shaped sclerite internally. Appendages of segment X quadrate, longer than wider, setose, directed laterad. Valves posterolateral, rounded, wider than longer, bare, but with highly folded membranous surface and prominemt dorsal ridge of folded membrane [these structures are less evident than the valves in other species so their homology as valves is uncertain]. Vulvar scale thin, more sclerotized than surrounding tissues, narrow in lateral view, round in dorsal view with slight mesal excavation. Pleuron region and sternum IX laterally forming large, prominent pocket-like structure. Vaginal apparatus (spermathecal sclerite complex) (see Fig. 3C, D) with broad, oval, posterior base bearing central “keyhole-shaped” structure; middle region to apex with narrow lightly sclerotized plates and membrane.

Holotype.

Male. PERU: Cusco: La Convención, Echarate, Cashiriari-3 [Shell prospecting and development project], 11.86667°S, 72.65°W, el. 690 m, xi-xii.1997, S. Córdoba, (UMSP000114270) (MUSM). Paratypes: Same data as holotype, 1 female (UMSP000114271) (MUSM).

Etymology.

This species is named after the Matsigenka ethnic group, whose communities are spread throughout the departments of Cusco and Madre de Dios in southeastern Peru, more specifically, the Cashiriari community that inhabits the area where the holotype was collected.