Mortoniella paraguaiensis, Blahnik & Holzenthal, 2011

Blahnik, Roger J. & Holzenthal, Ralph W., 2011, Revision of the austral South American species of Mortoniella (Trichoptera: Glossosomatidae: Protoptilinae) 2851, Zootaxa 2851 (1), pp. 1-75 : 26-28

Mortoniella paraguaiensis , new species

Fig. 12

Mortoniella paraguaiensis is closely related to a group of species including M. paraunota , n. sp., M. unota , and M. uruguaiensis , n. sp. All of these species are characterized by a dorsal phallic spine that, in lateral view, has a sharply upturned, blade-like apex, accompanied by a slight ventral deflection at the point of inflexion. In dorsal view the spine is very narrow apically and distinctly widened at the point of inflection. Other useful characters defining the group include the absence of a ventromesal process on the inferior appendages and a tergum X with sharply pointed apicolateral processes and a relatively narrow mesal incision. All of the species except M. paraunota also have short paramere appendages and inferior appendages with the dorsal apices at least somewhat recurved. Mortoniella paraguaiensis is most similar to M. unota , especially in having the apex of the dorsal phallic spine very sharply upturned and in having a 0:3:4 spur formula. It differs in the more robust dorsolateral processes of the phallicata and in having the lateral lobes of the inferior appendages with only a minute recurved apex, rather than a strongly bent one.

Adult. Length of forewing: male 2.7–2.8 mm. Forewing with forks I, II, and III present, hind wing with fork II only. Spur formula 0:3:4. Overall color medium brown. Legs same color, apices of tarsi whitish, tibial spurs somewhat darker than legs, but not strongly contrasting in color. Wing bar at anastamosis more or less distinctly marked with whitish setae, bar discontinuous

Male genitalia. Ventral process of segment VI laterally compressed, ventrally projecting, wide basally, narrowed and subacute apically, length about 2 times width at base. Segment IX nearly evenly rounded anterolaterally, length greatest midlaterally, posterolateral margin convexly rounded, narrowing ventrally; segment deeply excised dorsomesally and ventromesally, forming lateral lobes, lobes separated dorsomesally by much less than 1/2 width of segment. Tergum X with somewhat angular, U-shaped mesal excision and distinctly projecting lateral lobes; lateral lobes acute apically, as viewed both dorsally and laterally. Inferior appendages without ventromesal projection; laterally, on each side, with setose, tapering, dorsally-directed lobes, apices of lobes each with short, spine-like, posteriorly angled process. Mesal pockets of fused inferior appendages with apical processes short, dorsally curved. Paramere appendages short, narrow, uniform in width, apices acute, appendages somewhat downcurved. Dorsal phallic spine, as viewed laterally, with apical 1/3rd sharply upturned, apex slightly recurved, spine with distinct sinuous deflection on ventral margin at point of upturn; in dorsal view, very distinctly widened from base to point of inflection, apical part abruptly narrowed, making overall appearance of apex blade-like. Phallicata with strongly sclerotized dorsal process, subtending dorsal phallic spine, and broad, sclerotized, posteriorly directed dorsolateral processes. Endophallic membrane relatively simple, with short, stout, curved, ventromesal spine; phallotremal spines absent.

Holotype male: PARAGUAY: Alto Parana: SE Naranja, ca. 20 km S. Pto. Stroessner, 18-24.viii.1988, L E Peña G ( UMSP000118564 ) (pinned) ( NMNH).

Paratypes: PARAGUAY: Alto Parana: same locality and date as holotype — 1 male (pinned) ( NMNH) .

Etymology. This species is named M. paraguaiensis for the country of origin of the holotype of this species.

Figures

FIGURE 12. Mortoniella paraguaiensis, new species, male genitalia: A—lateral; B—segment IX and tergum X, dorsal; C— dorsal phallic spine, dorsal.