Mortoniella (Mortoniella) auricularis, 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 : 65-66

Mortoniella (Mortoniella) auricularis , new species

Fig. 49

This species is very similar to M. quadrispina , n. sp. Both species have relatively elongate, narrow ventrolateral projections from the inferior appendages and a pair of apicolateral projections from the apical expansion of the dorsal phallic spine. Mortoniella auricularis differs in that the ventral margin of the expansion of the dorsal phallic spine is rounded, rather than angulate.

Adult —Length of forewing: male 2.8-3.0 mm; female 3.1-3.7. Forewing with forks I, II, and III present, hind wing with forks II and III. Spur formula 0:4:4. Overall color medium brown, apices of tarsal segments and basal segments of antennae pale brown. Tibial spurs darker than legs, contrasting in color. Wing bar at anastamosis indistinct, marked with light brown setae, most evident at arculus.

Male genitalia —Ventral process of segment VI laterally compressed, ventrally projecting, large, subtriangular, length about equal to width at base, process not retracted anterobasally. Segment IX nearly evenly rounded anterolaterally, length greatest midlaterally, posterolateral margin weakly rounded, narrowing ventrally; segment deeply mesally excised dorsally and ventrally, forming lateral lobes, separated dorsomesally by much less than ½ width of segment. Tergum X short, lateral margins subparallel, apicomesal margin nearly straight between apicolateral lobes, apicolateral lobes distinctly projecting, tapering, acute apically; apicomesal lobes visible in lateral view, rounded apically; ventrolateral lobes distinct, irregular, projecting. Inferior appendages with very short rounded dorsolateral projections, apicoventral projections paired, elongate, narrow, nearly linear, acute apically. Mesal pockets of inferior appendage with apical processes moderately large, prominent, posterodorsally curved. Paramere appendage elongate (nearly as long as dorsal phallic spine), nearly uniformly narrow, apex acute. Dorsal phallic spine compressed apically, as viewed laterally, with distinct rounded apicoventral expansion, preapically (or apically) with pair of small lateral projections; spine, in dorsal view, nearly uniform in width, apicolateral projections evident. Phallicata with dorsal margin sclerotized, laterally with pair of protruding, apically rounded projections, ventrally with pair of small rounded sclerotized basal projections. Endophallic membrane short, with pair of enlarged spines (possibly phallotremal complex); ventromesal spine absent.

Holotype male (pinned)— COLOMBIA: Meta: Quebrada Blanca, 3 km W Restrapo, 11.ii.1983, OS Flint , Jr ( UMSP000146422 ) ( NMNH).

Paratypes — COLOMBIA: Meta: Quebrada Blanca, 3 km W Restrepo, 11.ii.1983, OS Flint, Jr– 1 male, 4 females (pinned), 2 males, 27 females (alcohol) ( NMNH).

Etymology —This species is named M. auricularis , derived from the Latin word auricula, for ear, referring specifically to the apicolateral projections of the dorsal phallic spine in this species.

Figures

Figure 49. Mortoniella (Mortoniella) auricularis, 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.