Mortoniella taurina, Blahnik & Holzenthal, 2008

Blahnik, Roger J. & Holzenthal, Ralph W., 2008, Revision of the Mexican and Central American species of Mortoniella (Trichoptera: Glossosomatidae: Protoptilinae), Zootaxa 1711 (1), pp. 1-72 : 62-64

Mortoniella taurina , new species

Fig. 33

Mortoniella taurina is a distinctive species, most similar to M. aviceps . Both species have spine-like processes on the dorsolateral margin of the phallicata, but these are much more prominent in M. taurina , and constitutes its most diagnostic character. Both species also have the apical half of the paramere appendages widened and bowed outward, but M. taurina differs in having sparse, but clearly evident spines near the apex of the structure. Mortoniella taurina also differs in that the apicolateral projections of the phallicata are subtruncate, rather than acute, the inferior appendage is differently shaped, and the endophallic membrane bears a prominent curved spine and also has a pair of membranous dorsolateral lobes with minute spines, both absent in M. aviceps .

Adult. Length of forewing: male 3.7–3.9 mm. Forewing with forks I, II, and III, hind wing with forks II and III. Overall color (in alcohol) medium brown. Wing bar at anastamosis not evident, crossveins pale. Ventral process of abdominal segment VI (male) short, ventrally oriented, subtriangular, subacute apically, length slightly greater than width at base, slightly constricted basally.

Male genitalia. Segment IX nearly evenly rounded anterolaterally, length greatest midlaterally, posterolateral margin forming rounded projection in dorsal half, narrowing ventrally; segment deeply mesally excised dorsally and ventrally, dorsal excision narrow, much less than half width of segment. Tergum X without or with very weakly developed mesal projection and projecting lateral lobes, lateral lobes relatively short and broad, distinctly dorsoventrally flattened, apices subtruncate. Inferior appendage with very short, acute apicomesal projection and relatively short, apically rounded basolateral projections on each side; mesal pockets of inferior appendage with apical processes short, dorsally curved. Paramere appendages elongate, narrow basally, wider in apical half, emerging from membranous lateral lobes; each appendage strongly dorsally curved at base, apical half bowed outward and posteriorly directed, preapically with small number of distinct spines, apex acute. Dorsal phallic spine with distinct bulge ventrally, dorsal margin weakly sinuous in lateral view, apex slightly upturned; as viewed dorsally, with apex narrowly acuminate. Phallicata relatively straight, tubular, dorsally with prominent, paired, spine-like projections, laterally with explanate, dorsoventrally flat- tened, rounded to subquadrate projections. Endophallic membrane relatively short, with small spinous apicolateral lobes and prominent, slender, curved spine.

Holotype male: COSTA RICA: Cartago: Quebrada Platanillo , ca. 5 km E Moravia de Chirripó, 09°49'16"N, 083°24'25"W, 1130 m, 6.viii.1987, Holzenthal, Morse & Clausen (alcohol) ( UMSP).

Paratypes: COSTA RICA: Cartago: same locality and date as holotype, Holzenthal, Morse & Clausen — 1 male (alcohol) ( UMSP) ; PANAMA: Chiriquí: Fortuna Dam Site nr. Hornitos , 08°55'00"N, 082°16'00"W, 1050 m, 19–25.x.1977, H. Wolda — 1 male (alcohol) ( NMNH) ; same locality, 9–15.xi.1977, H. Wolda — 1 male (alcohol) ( NMNH) .

Etymology. This species is named M. taurina , as a derivative of the Latin word taurus, meaning bull, and referring to the somewhat horn-like dorsolateral processes of the phallicata of this species.

Figures

FIGURE 33. Mortoniella taurina, new species. Male genitalia: A—lateral; B—segment IX and tergum X, dorsal; C— phallic ensemble, ventral; D—dorsal phallic spine, dorsal.