Itauara unidentata Robertson & Holzenthal

Robertson, Desiree R. & Holzenthal, Ralph W., 2011, Revision of the Neotropical caddisfly genus Itauara Mueller, 1888 (Trichoptera, Glossosomatidae), ZooKeys 114, pp. 41-100 : 75-76

Itauara unidentata Robertson & Holzenthal sp. n. Fig. 2C25 A–C

Description.

This species can be diagnosed by its large, tooth-like paramere process, and broad inferior appendage process. It is most similar to Itaura bidentata sp. n., which has a similarly shaped tergum X, dorsomesal spine, and apical sclerites. The 2 species can be separated by their paramere processes; in Itaura unidentata the paramere consists of a single large tooth-like process, whereas in Itaura bidentata , the paramere process is bifid. Itauara amazonica also has a dorsomesal spine, but can be distinguished from Itaura unidentata by the simple shape of tergum X and parameres. Itauara spiralis sp. n., has a similarly shaped tergum X, but is easily distinguished from Itaura unidentata by differences in the shape of the inferior appendage process, parameres, and phallicata.

Adult. Body, wings, and appendages pale or tawny brown in alcohol. Forewing slightly broader past anastomosis, but with margins nearly parallel, apex subacute. Forewing venation incomplete, with apical forks I, II, III, and IV present; Sc and R1 distinct along their entire lengths; fork I sessile; fork II sessile; fork III petiolate, stem longer than fork; fork IV petiolate, stem slightly shorter than fork; Cu1 complete, reaching wing margin; Cu1 and Cu2 intersecting near anastomosis; row of erect setae present along Cu2; A3 absent; crossveins forming a relatively linear transverse cord; discoidal cell longer than Rs vein. Hind wing narrow and slightly scalloped past anastomosis; apical forks II and V present; Sc and R1 fused basally; A2 absent. Tibial spurs 1,4,4, foretibial spur extremely reduced and hairlike. Sixth sternal process short and digitate, apex attenuate and pointed, associated with strong oblique apodeme posteriorly.

Male genitalia. Preanal appendages absent. Segment IX dorsally and ventrally narrow, broad medially; anterior margin rounded; posterolateral margin membranous or very lightly sclerotized; sternum IX without modification. Tergum X incompletely fused to tergum IX with membrane or lightly sclerotized region ventrolaterally; dorsomesal margin straight, without processes; dorsolateral margin with paired elongate, down-turned, finger-like process; ventrolateral margin with paired, broad flange-like setose process consisting of several small irregular lobes. Inferior appendages present as single, broad, irregular setose process, broadest basally, fused to phallobase ventrobasally, bearing a single pair of small digitate lobes ventrolaterally, each bearing a seta. Parameres present, paired, arising laterally from endotheca, strongly sclerotized, large tooth-like process, curving ventrally and outward, apex pointed. Phallobase reduced, lightly sclerotized dorsally, laterally membranous, with 2 irregular and elongate sclerites arising basolaterally. Phallicata forming a short slerotized dorsal sheath with an elongate dorsomesal spine arising posteriorly to phallobase.

Material examined.

Holotype male: GUYANA: Kanuku Mountains: Kumu River & Falls, 03°15'54"N, 059°43'30"W, 28-30.iv.1995 (W.N. Mathis) (UMSP000118535) (NMNH).

Paratypes:GUYANA: Kanuku Mountains: same data as holotype, (W.N. Mathis) - 1 female (NMNH); same, (O.S. Flint) - 1 male (NMNH).

Etymology.

The name unidentata is suggested by the single tooth-like paramere process.

Key to males of Itauara

In most cases, it should be possible to identify most species by simple comparisons to illustrations and reference to the species diagnoses and descriptions. The following key is meant to help the user focus on male genitalic features most useful in identifying species and should be used in conjunction with the provided illustrations and descriptions.