Mortoniella (Mortoniella) applanata, 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 : 78-79

Mortoniella (Mortoniella) applanata , new species

Fig. 63 , 101

Mexitrichia n. sp. 1: Flint 1996: 381.

This species is distinctive because of the shape of the inferior appendages, which are relatively elongate and projecting apically and very much flattened, appearing relatively narrow in lateral view and distinctly broadened in ventral view. The dorsal phallic spine, which is asymmetrically forked apically to form 2 acute apices, is also distinctive. The dorsal phallic spine is more nearly depressed, as in members of the punensis subgroup, than compressed, as in members of the limona subgroup. An interesting feature is the presence of 2 pairs of paramere appendages, one of them very short. Doubled paramere appendages are found in various lineages of Mortoniella , but within the leroda group is otherwise found only in M. biramosa , n. sp., discussed below. The two species are not otherwise similar. The ventromesal spine of the endophallic membrane is nearly continuous with ventral margin of the phallicata, possibly suggesting the origin of this structure, which is common feature of a number of the other subgroups of the leroda group. The spine could have originated as a projection from the distal margin of the phallicata, which subsequently became detached, isolated, and surrounded by membrane.

Adult —Length of forewing: male 2.5-3.2 mm; female 3.0- 3.4 mm. Forewing with forks I, II, and III present, hind wing fork II only. Spur formula 0:4:4. Overall color medium brown, apices of tarsal segments whitish or pale brown. Tibial spurs darker than legs, somewhat contrasting in color. Wing bar at anastamosis indistinct, marked with light brown setae, most evident at arculus.

Male genitalia —Ventral process of segment VI large, laterally compressed, subtriangular, ventrally or posteroventrally directed, length slightly greater width at base, apex acute, process not retracted anterobasally. Segment IX nearly evenly rounded anterolaterally, length greatest midlaterally, posterolateral margin broadly rounded, narrowing ventrally; segment deeply mesally excised dorsally and ventrally, forming lateral lobes, separated dorsomesally by less than ½ width of segment. Tergum X short, lateral margins subparallel, apicomesal margin nearly straight, apicolateral lobes relatively broad and short, irregular in shape; ventrolateral lobes short, rounded. Inferior appendages distinctly setose, without dorsolateral projections, apicoventral projections relatively elongate, very distinctly depressed (dorsoventrally flattened), narrow in lateral view, broad in ventral view, with narrow, attenuate apices. Mesal pockets of inferior appendage with spine-like apical processes short, posteriorly curved. Paramere appendages apparently doubled, one pair very short, other pair moderately elongate, narrow (extending about as far as dorsal phallic spine), apices acute. Dorsal phallic spine relatively short and stout, ventrally deflected in about middle, apex broadly and asymmetrically bifurcate (more or less depressed), apices of bifurcation acute. Phallicata tubular, without dorsal projections, ventral margin distinctly sclerotized. Endophallic membrane short rounded, with paired membranous lobes; ventromesal spine short, apparently nearly continuous with ventral margin of phallicata; phallotremal spines absent.

Holotype male (pinned)— PERU: Madre de Dios: Manu, Pakitza , 12.11667° S, 70.96667° W, malaise trap (day collection), 250 m, 14-23.ix.1988, O Flint and N Adams ( UMSP000157355 ) ( MJP).

Paratypes — PERU: Madre de Dios: same data as Holotype– 3 males, 3 females (pinned) ( NMNH) ; Manu, Pakitza, 11.93333° S, 71.30000° W, 250 m, 19-23.ix.1989, N Adams et al.– 1 male (pinned) ( NMNH) ; Manu, Pakitza, 12.11667° S, 70.96667° W, trail 2, 1st stream, 250 m, 14-23.ix.1988. O Flint and N Adams – 16 males, 3 females (alcohol) ( NMNH), 3 males, 1 female (alcohol) ( UMSP) .

Etymology —This species is named M. applanata from the Latin word applanatus, meaning flattened, and referring to the inferior appendages of this species, which are dorsoventrally flattened.

Figures

Figure 63. Mortoniella (Mortoniella) applanata, 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.