Mortoniella (Mortoniella) catherinae, 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 : 24-25

Mortoniella (Mortoniella) catherinae , new species

Fig. 10 , 108

Mortoniella sp. 4 : Flint 1996: 383.

This species has no close relatives and is morphologically distinctive enough so that it is unlikely to be confused with any other species. Particularly diagnostic characters include the form of the dorsal phallic spine, which has its apex subacute, sharply upturned, and covered with many small spines, and also has a sharply angled projection on its ventral margin; the elongate, recurved dorsolateral processes of the inferior appendages; and the form of tergum X, which is elongate, with sharply declivous apical lobes, and densely covered with elongate setae (although with the central area of tergum bare). The female identified by Flint (1996) as Mortoniella sp. 4 closely resembles the associated female of this species and we have identified it as such. The genitalia are distinctive and unlike any other described species. However, since it was collected from a different locality, it is not included in the paratype series.

Adult —Length of forewing (pharate adults): about 4 mm. Wing venation not determinable (in pinned specimen of unassociated female, with forks I, II, and III present in forewing, forks II, III, and V present in hind wing). Spur formula 0:4:4. Overall color (in alcohol) yellowish-brown, wings slightly darker. Wing markings not evident (in pinned specimen of unassociated female, uniformly fuscous, without evident wing bar).

Male genitalia —Ventral process of segment VI posteriorly projecting, prominent, length about 2 times width at base. Tergum VIII relatively narrow, subtending ventral margin of segment IX, membranous connection to tergum IX slightly elongated. Segment IX with anterolateral margin broadly rounded, with greatest width at about middle of segment, posterolateral margin with distinct, irregularly rounded, projection in dorsal half; segment deeply mesally excised dorsally and ventrally, forming lateral lobes, separated dorsomesally by about ½ width of segment. Tergum X moderately elongate, with short inflated basomesal projection, lateral margins subparallel, with elongate setae (setae absent on mesal part of tergum), apicolateral margins of tergum distinctly sclerotized, forming narrow, declivous lobes; tergum laterally with acutely angled ventrolateral lobes, ventromesal lobes absent. Inferior appendages with very elongate, narrow, retrorsely curved, dorsolateral lobes, appendages ventrally without mesal invagination or projection. Mesal pockets of inferior appendage with elongate, posteriorly-directed, spine-like, apicoventral projections. Paramere appendage moderately elongate, narrow, nearly uniform in width, apex acute, extending about same length as apical bend of dorsal phallic spine; fused basal segments of appendage articulating near base of dorsal phallic spine. Phallobase with rounded, laterally compressed, dorsomesal apodeme. Dorsal phallic spine, as viewed laterally, with dorsal margin very slightly arched, sharply and nearly rectilinearly upturned in apical 1/3 or 1/4, apical part with numerous small spines, apex acute; base of spine narrow, stalk-like, nearly straight, abruptly and strongly widened on ventral margin in basal 1/2, forming very prominent acute ventral projection; spine, as viewed dorsally, nearly uniformly narrow in width throughout length, apex acute. Phallicata with sclerotized basodorsal projection, articulating with angular ventral projection of dorsal phallic spine; phallicata ventrally with lightly sclerotized, rounded and projecting, basal lobes, and much smaller, angular, apicolateral lobes. Endophallic membrane simple in structure, without membranous lateral lobes; phallotremal spines absent.

Holotype male (pharate adult, alcohol)— PERU: Cuzco: Paucartambo to Pilcopata rd., Puente Morro Leguia , 13.12400° S, 71.72283° W, el 2200 m, 20-21.vi.1993, R Blahnik and M Pescador ( UMSP000097161 ) ( MJP)

Paratypes — PERU: Cuzco: same data as holotype, 4 males, 1 female ( NMNH).

Additional material examined — PERU: Cuzco: Paucartambo, E Buenos Aires, km 135, 13.13333° S, 71.55000° W, 28-29.viii.1989, NE Adams– 1 female (pinned) ( NMNH).

Etymology —The first author takes great pleasure in naming this unique and interesting species M. catherinae for his mother, Catherine Blahnik, now deceased, without whose support this paper would probably never have been completed.

— enchrysa subgroup

Included species: Mortoniella adamsae , n. sp.; Mortoniella denticulata Sykora ; M. enchrysa Flint ; M. langleyae , n. sp.; M. paraenchrysa Sykora ; M. silacea , n. sp.; and M. squamata Sykora.

The species in this subgroup are characterized by a uniformly golden orange forewing coloration, without a wing bar, and with hind wings and setation on the ventral surface of the forewings fuscous. In a few species, the wing membrane is also infuscated, accentuating the overall golden coloration. Exceptions are M. denticulata Sykora , which has forewings a uniform light brown in color, and possibly M. langleyae n. sp., which is only known from alcohol. Both of these species are placed in the enchrysa subgroup based on structural features of the male genitalia. In general, most species have the ventrolateral margins of the apex of tergum X curved mesally, as in members of the bilineata and M. apiculata subgroups, but the ventral margins do not quite converge mesally. As a result, there is a distinct apicomesal notch (shallow to deep) on tergum X, rather than the structure being truncate or nearly truncate apically. Nevertheless, the general appearance is of a distinctly sclerotized apical “cap.” This is less evident in species with a deep mesal invagination. As in members of the bilineata subgroup, the posterolateral margin of segment IX has a more or less angular and very distinctly produced projection. All of the species have a very short ventral process on segment VI, but the general form of the process is typical of species of the bilineata group (narrow basally and posteriorly directed). A very short ventral process is also found in species of the apiculata subgroup.

Figures

Figure 10. Mortoniella (Mortoniella) catherinae, 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.

Figures 108-109. Mortoniella (M.), bilineata group species, female genitalia. 108—Mortoniella catherinae, n. sp. A—lateral; B—dorsal; C—ventral. 109—Mortoniella hodgesi Flint. A—lateral; B—dorsal; C—ventral.