Mortoniella unota ( Mosely, 1939 )

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 : 37

Mortoniella unota ( Mosely, 1939)

Fig. 17

Mexitrichia unota Mosely, 1939: 223 .

Mortoniella unota (Mosely) ; Blahnik & Holzenthal 2008: 69 [ M. leroda species group]

As discussed in the diagnosis for M. paraguaiensis n.sp., Mortoniella unota is closely related to a group of species, including M. paraguaiensis ; M. paraunota , n. sp.; 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 narrow apically and distinctly widened at the point of inflection. All of the species except M. paraunota also have short paramere appendages and inferior appendages with the dorsal apices at least somewhat recurved. Mortoniella unota is most similar to M. paraguaiensis , especially in having the apex of the dorsal phallic spine very sharply upturned. It differs in the more rounded, less robust dorsolateral processes of the phallicata and in having inferior appendages with a very strongly bent or recurved apex.

Adult. Length of forewing: male 2.8–3.0 mm. Forewing with forks I, II, and III present, hind wing with fork II only. Spur formula 0:3:4. Overall color (in alcohol) yellowish-brown. Wing bar at anastamosis not evident (in alcohol).

Male genitalia. Ventral process of segment VI laterally compressed, ventrally projecting, subtriangular, wide basally, acute apically. Segment IX nearly evenly rounded anterolaterally, length greatest midlaterally, posterolateral margin weakly, convexly rounded dorsally, 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 narrow, U-shaped mesal excision, extending less than 1/2 length of segment, and distinctly projecting lateral lobes; lateral lobes acute apically, as viewed both dorsally and laterally. Inferior appendages without ventromesal projection, but mesal margin somewhat produced and rounded; laterally, on each side, with setose, tapering, dorsally-directed lobes, apices of lobes strongly posteriorly bent, apex acute. Mesal pockets of fused inferior appendages with apical processes moderately elongate, posteriorly curved. Paramere appendages short, narrow, nearly uniform in width, apices acute, appendages somewhat downcurved. Dorsal phallic spine, as viewed laterally, with apical 1/3rd strongly upturned, spine with distinct sinuous deflection on ventral margin at point of upturn; in dorsal view, very distinctly widened at point of inflection, apical part strongly narrowed, apex acute, making overall appearance of apex somewhat blade-like. Phallicata with mesally fused, ovately rounded dorsolateral processes. Endophallic membrane apparently simple in structure, with stout, curved, ventromesal spine; phallotremal spines absent

Material examined. ARGENTINA: Entre Rios: Ao. Piray Mini W , Dos Hermanas, 33°10'00"S, 058°53'59"W, 23.xi.1973, O S Flint — 1 male (alcohol) ( NMNH); BRAZIL: Santa Catarina: Seara ( Nova Teutônia ), 27°11'S, 052°23'W, 300-500 m, x-xi.1971, F Plaumann - 1 male, 3 females (alcohol) ( NMNH) .

Distribution. Argentina, Brazil.

Figures

FIGURE 17. Mortoniella unota (Mosely), male genitalia: A—lateral; B—segment IX and tergum X, dorsal; C—phallic ensemble, ventral; D—dorsal phallic spine, dorsal.