Mortoniella (Mortoniella) tanyrhabdos, 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 : 35-36

Mortoniella (Mortoniella) tanyrhabdos , new species

Fig. 20

This species is most similar to M. bifurcata Sykora , especially in the shape of tergum X, which is only weakly notched apicomesally, and in the relative length of the spine from the mesal pockets of the inferior appendages. The apex of the dorsal phallic spine is symmetrically curved, without preapical projections. Characters considered diagnostic for the species include the elongate paramere appendages and the sclerotized apical lobes of the endophallic membrane.

Adult —Length of forewing: male 4.0- 4.8 mm; female 5.0 mm. Forewing with forks I, II, and III present, hind wing with forks II and V. Spur formula 0:3:4. Overall color dark brownish-black (fuscous). Mesotarsi whitish, except at very apex; antennae of female with indistinct whitish band or annulus, from about segments 4-6, males without annulus. Tibial spurs slightly darker than legs, not strongly contrasting with legs. Forewing without wing bars.

Male genitalia —Ventral process of segment VI posteriorly projecting, prominent, narrow, length about 4 times width at base. Tergum VIII narrow, subtending ventral margin of segment IX, membranous connection to tergum IX moderately elongate. Segment IX with anterolateral margin rounded and produced in ventral half, posterolateral margin nearly straight, without distinct projection; segment deeply mesally excised dorsally and ventrally, forming lateral lobes, separated dorsomesally by less than ½ width of segment. Tergum X elongate, apex rounded, with slight mesal invagination, lateral margins subparallel, with paired longitudinal ridges extending from basolateral margins to past midlength, ridges somewhat converging posteriorly; tergum with very short, apically rounded, ventrolateral lobes, ventromesal lobes absent. Inferior appendages with short rounded dorsolateral lobes, each with fringing row of very elongate setae, and short ventromesal projection, apparently fused to apical spine-like projections of mesal pockets of inferior appendages. Mesal pockets of inferior appendage with moderately elongate, posterodorsally curved, spine-like, apicoventral projections, projecting distinctly below ventral margin of phallicata. Paramere appendage elongate, extending nearly to apex of dorsal phallic spine, narrow, nearly uniform in width, bowed or curved mesally at apex, apex acute; fused basal segments of appendages articulating near base of dorsal phallic spine. Phallobase with evident rounded, laterally compressed, dorsomesal apodeme. Dorsal phallic spine, as viewed laterally, relatively narrow throughout, distinctly undulate in contour, nearly straight (not upturned) apically, apex rounded in both lateral and dorsal views; base of spine with short, curved stalk and distinct rounded ventral deflection in basal 1/3; spine, as viewed dorsally, nearly uniformly narrow in width throughout length. Phallicata with elongate sclerotized basodorsal projection, articulating with rounded ventral deflection of dorsal phallic spine, basolaterally with small rounded projection, ventrally with rounded lateral lobes near base and paired rounded, ventrally deflexed, apical lobes (apparently somewhat separated from sclerotized basal part of phallicata). Endophallic membrane simple in structure, without prominent membranous lateral lobes; phallotremal spines absent.

Holotype male (pinned)— VENEZUELA: Tachira: Quebrada Mesa del Palmar, 5 km S El Cobre , 7.99750° N, 72.06325° W, 2370 m, 18-20.iv.1995, Holzenthal, Cressa, Gulic ( UMSP000001394 ) ( UMSP).

Paratypes — VENEZUELA: Tachira: same data as holotype— 1 male, 1 female (pinned) ( UMSP) ; Quebrada La Honda, 10 km E La Grita , 8.14695° N, 71.93378° W, 2300 m, 23.iv.1995, Holzenthal, Cressa, Gulic— 3 males (pinned) ( UMSP), 1 male (pinned) ( NMNH), 1 male (pinned) ( MIZA) .

Etymology –This species is named M. tanyrhabdos from the Greek words tany, meaning long, and rhabdos, a rod, and referring to the elongate paramere appendages of this species, which help to distinguish it from other species in the flinti subgroup.

Figures

Figure 20. Mortoniella (Mortoniella) tanyrhabdos, new species, male genitalia. A—lateral; B—segment IX and tergum X, dorsal; C—phallic ensemble, ventral; D—ventral process of segment VI, lateral.