Mortoniella (Mortoniella) dentiterga, Blahnik & Holzenthal, 2017

Blahnik, Roger J. & Holzenthal, Ralph W., 2017, Revision of the northern South American species of Mortoniella Ulmer 1906 (Trichoptera: Glossosomatidae: Protoptilinae) *, Insecta Mundi 2017 (602), pp. 1-251 : 73-74

Mortoniella (Mortoniella) dentiterga , new species

Fig. 58

Mortoniella dentiterga is most readily diagnosed by the hooked, spine-like processes from the dorsal margin of the phallicata and by the characteristic structure of tergum X in dorsal view, which has the apicolateral processes subtruncate (tooth-like) and inset laterally. It lacks the upright processes from the ventral margin of the phallicata found in M. punensis (Flint) and M. marini (Rueda Martín and Gibon) , and also has a narrower apex on the dorsal phallic spine. The asymmetry of the spine-like projections from the phallicata seems to be a consistent feature, although possibly variable as to whether the longer spine is on the right or left side (as is often the case for asymmetrical features).

Adult —Length of forewing: male 2.3-2.9 mm; female 2.7-3.0 mm. Forewing with forks I, II, and III present, hind wing with fork II only. Spur formula 0:3:4. Overall color (in alcohol) medium brown (specimens largely denuded and faded).

Male genitalia —Ventral process of segment VI laterally compressed, short, posteriorly projecting, subtriangular, acute apically, length slightly greater than width at base, process not retracted anterobasally. Segment IX nearly evenly rounded anterolaterally, length greatest midlaterally, posterolateral margin convexly rounded dorsally, narrowing ventrally; segment deeply mesally excised dorsally and ventrally, forming lateral lobes, separated dorsomesally by much less than ½ width of segment. Tergum X relatively short, lateral margins subparallel, mesal margin straight or slightly convex, apicolateral lobes short, tooth-like, inset from acute lateral angles of tergum; ventrolateral lobe short, rounded. Inferior appendages with very short rounded dorsal projections, apically with pair of narrow, attenuate ventral projections, ventromesal projection very short, rounded. Mesal pockets of inferior appendage with apical processes posteriorly projected, moderately elongate (shorter than ventral projections of inferior appendage). Paramere appendage elongate, narrow, nearly uniform in width, extending about same length as dorsal phallic spine, apex acute; appendages curved mesally and crossing over one another. Dorsal phallic spine, as viewed laterally, widened in about middle, gradually upturned and narrowed apically, apex slightly notched; in dorsal view, distinctly widened in middle, apex narrow, subacute. Phallicata with pair of curved, spine-like projections from dorsal margin, crossing over paramere appendages (one projection typically more curved than the other). Endophallic membrane relatively simple, with single curved ventromesal spine; phallotremal spines only suggestively developed, short, weakly sclerotized.

Holotype male (alcohol)— ECUADOR: Los Rios: Quevedo (56 km N), Río Palenque Biol. Station, 28-29.vii.1976, J Cohen ( UMSP000124865 ) ( NMNH).

Paratypes — ECUADOR: Cotopaxi: Quevedo (36 km NE), Río Palenque Biol. Station , 335 m, 21.vii.1976, J Cohen – 3 males, 3 females (alcohol) ( NMNH) ; El Oro: Canton de Arenillas, Las Lajas , 600 m, 30.v.1979, JJ Anderson – 2 males (alcohol) ( NMNH) ; Esmeraldas: La Union , 3.ii.1979, JJ Anderon – 2 males 1 female (alcohol) ( NMNH) ; Loja: Río Puyango , 300 m, 17-18.viii.1977, LE Peña G – 19 males (alcohol) ( NMNH) ; Los Rios: same data as Holotype– 34 males (alcohol) ( NMNH), 5 males (alcohol) ( UMSP) ; Manabi: Santo Domingo (29 km SW), Rancho Ronald , 20.vii.1978, JJ Anderson – 2 males (alcohol) ( NMNH) ; Pichincha: Santo Domingo (47 km S), 29.vii.1976, J Cohen – 8 males (alcohol) ( NMNH) .

Etymology —This species is named M. dentiterga , from the Latin dens, for tooth, and tergum, for back (referring to the dorsal sclerites in Insecta), for the characteristic shape of tergum X of this species, which has somewhat tooth-like apicolateral projections.

Figures

Figure 58. Mortoniella (Mortoniella) dentiterga, new species, male genitalia. A—lateral; B—segment IX and tergum X, dorsal; C—phallic ensemble, ventral; D—dorsal phallic spine, dorsal; E—ventral process of segment VI, lateral.