Amphinemura pediformis Li & Yang

Li, Weihai & Yang, Ding, 2008, Species of Amphinemura (Plecoptera: Nemouridae) from Tibet, China, Zootaxa 1688, pp. 54-60 : 55-57

Amphinemura pediformis Li & Yang , sp. nov.

( Figs. 6–10 )

Diagnosis. The epiproct of this species is rectangular at its base, extending to an enlarged rhombic tip. Its dorsal sclerite is composed of two laterally curved arms that become truncate apically where they bear several tiny spines. The ventral sclerite extends past the dorsal one, ending in a dorsally curved projection. The outer lobe of the paraproct is distinctly sclerotized, with a finger-like tip that is fringed with two rows of spines. The median lobe has an inverted, foot-like apex that has several heavy spines at its bend dorsally.

Male. Forewing length 4.8–6.2 mm, hindwing length 4.1–5.3 mm. Head and compound eyes dark; antennae and legs brown. Thorax and mouthparts dark brown. Wings hyaline. Abdomen brownish and cerci yellowish brown; hairs on abdomen mostly pale.

Terminalia ( Figs. 6–10 ): Tergum 9 weakly sclerotized, with a large anterior emargination and a row of long hairs posteriorly. Sternum 9 with slender vesicle, slightly enlarged at base; hypoproct somewhat triangular, gradually tapering toward tip. Tergum 10 weakly sclerotized except with anterior and posterior margins mostly sclerotized, and with two groups of tiny spines at middle. Cercus slightly sclerotized, longer than wide. Epiproct rectangular at base, extending to a enlarged rhombic tip; dorsal sclerite with two laterally curved lateral arms bearing several tiny spines at truncate tip; ventral sclerite strongly sclerotized, extending beyond tip of dorsal sclerite, expanded ventrally into large keel-shaped ridge with many black spines. Paraprocts divided into three lobes: outer lobe distinctly sclerotized, with finger-like tip fringed with two rows of spines, slightly shorter than median lobe; median lobe sclerotized and distinctly curved upward medially, with inverted footlike apex and several heavy spines at turn; inner lobe slightly sclerotized, with slim stripe at tip, shorter than median lobe.

Female. Unknown.

Type material. Holotype male ( CAU), CHINA: Tibet, Zayü, 1978. VI.24, Fasheng Li. Paratype 1 male ( IZCAS), Tibet, Motuo, 800–1000 m, 1983. I.7, Yinheng Han.

Distribution. China (Tibet).

Etymology. The epithet of this species refers to the foot-like apex of the median lobe of the paraproct; the Latin “pedis” meaning a foot and “formis” meaning shape.

Remarks. The new species is related to A. varzobi Zhiltzova, 1989 from Tadzhikistan in having a similar paraproct, but it is different from the latter in the shape of the epiproct which has a rectangular base and an enlarged rhombic tip composed of the ventral sclerites, which exceed in length the dorsal sclerites. In A. varzobi , the epiproct is slightly tapering and the ventral sclerites do not extend past the dorsal ones. Additionally, the hind margin of tergum 9 bears two papillate lobes ( Zhiltzova 2003).

Figures

FIGURES 6 – 10. Amphinemura pediformis sp. nov. (male). 6. Terminalia, dorsal view. 7. Terminalia, ventral view. 8. Epiproct, dorsal view. 9. Epiproct, lateral view. 10. Right paraproct, caudal view.