Mortoniella (Mortoniella) emarginata, 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 : 74-75

Mortoniella (Mortoniella) emarginata , new species

Fig. 59

Mortoniella emarginata is probably most similar to M. dentiterga , n. sp., especially in the relatively spine-like dorsal projections from the phallicata. It is most readily distinguished by the structure of tergum X, which has a small V-shaped apicomesal emargination, and apicolateral projections of the tergum that are acute, rather than bluntly toothed. Neither the holotype specimen from Ecuador, nor paratypes from the same country, have the paramere appendages crossed over one another. The single specimen from Colombia has the spines crossed and held in place by the rounded posterior margin of the phallicata spines. This is an unusual configuration and whether it is normal is difficult to say without additional material. The apex of the dorsal phallic spine in the specimen from Colombia is also slightly less upturned. Despite these differences, a close comparison of specimens from the two countries reveals no significant structural differences; we infer that the differences only represent regional or individual variation.

Adult —Length of forewing: male 3.2-3.6 mm; female 3.6-4.1 mm. Forewing with forks I, II, and III present, hind wing with forks II and III. Spur formula 0:4:4. Overall color (in alcohol) medium brown. Tibial spurs darker than legs, contrasting in color. Wing bar not evident.

Male genitalia —Ventral process of segment VI laterally compressed, short, posteriorly projecting, subtriangular, acute apically, length about 1½ times width at base, process not retracted anterobasally. Segment IX nearly evenly rounded anterolaterally, length greatest midlaterally, posterolateral margin somewhat produced dorsally, rounded laterally, narrowing ventrally; segment deeply mesally excised dorsally and ventrally, forming lateral lobes, separated dorsomesally by much less than ½ width of segment. Tergum X moderate in length, lateral margins subparallel, apical margin with small, but distinct, V-shaped mesal emargination, apicolateral lobes short, subtriangular, acute apically; ventrolateral lobe short, rounded. Inferior appendages with dorsolateral margin rounded, apically with pair of relatively short, apically acute, ventral projections, ventromesal projection very short (about ½ length of ventral projections), acute apically. Mesal pockets of inferior appendage with apical processes short, posteriorly projected. Paramere appendage moderately elongate (shorter than dorsal phallic spine), narrow, nearly uniform in width, apex acute; appendages curved mesally, but not crossing over one another (except in specimen from Colombia). Dorsal phallic spine, as viewed laterally, relatively stout, undulate in contour, upturned in about apical ¼; in dorsal view, relatively broad, distinctly widened in apical 1/2, apex narrowed and notched mesally. Phallicata with pair of curved, spine-like projections from dorsal margin, basoventrally with pair of rounded, sclerotized lobes. Endophallic membrane with pair of short curved ventromesal spines (or ventromesal spine divided apically into pair of spines); phallotremal spines short, blunt, weakly sclerotized.

Holotype male (alcohol)— ECUADOR: Pichincha: Pachijal, 26.vi.1976, J Cohen ( UMSP000097042 ) ( NMNH).

Paratypes — COLOMBIA: Antioquia: Km. 50, Río Aurra, San Jeronimo , 14.ii.1983, OS Flint, Jr – 1 male, 1 female (alcohol) ( NMNH) ; ECUADOR: Pastaza: Pachijal , 26.vi.1976, J Cohen – 3 males, 2 females (alcohol) ( NMNH) ; Pichincha: same data as Holotype– 2 males, 4 females (alcohol) ( NMNH) ; Río Umachaca, Forest Station Maquipucuna, ca. 5 km E Nanegal, 0.12500° N, 78.61667° W, 1250 m, 4-5.ix.1990, OS Flint, Jr – 2 males (alcohol) ( NMNH) ; Nanegal , 335 m, 19-20.ix.1977, LE Peña G – 1 male, 1 female (alcohol) ( UMSP) .

Etymology —This species is named M. emarginata for tergum X of the male, which has a characteristic narrow, V-shaped apicomesal emargination or notch.

Figures

Figure 59. Mortoniella (Mortoniella) emarginata, 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.