Chimarra morogoroensis, Blahnik & Andersen, 2022

Blahnik, Roger & Andersen, Trond, 2022, New species of the genus Chimarra Stephens from Africa (Trichoptera, Philopotamidae) and characterization of the African groups and subgroups of the genus, ZooKeys 1111, pp. 43-198 : 43

Chimarra morogoroensis sp. nov.

Fig. 18A-E

Type material.

Holotype. Tanzania - Morogoro Reg. ● ♂ (in alcohol); Morogoro, Teachers College; 6°49'S, 37°42'E; 12 Dec. 1990; T Andersen leg.; sweep net; UMSP 000550015. Paratype. Tanzania - Morogoro Reg. ● 1♂; same data as for holotype; ZMBN.

Diagnosis.

Chimarra morogoroensis is very similar to C. szunyoghyi Oláh, and we are not completely sure that it is a distinct species. The inferior appendages, tergum X, and the general form of segment IX and its ventral process are more or less identical in the two species. Like C. szunyoghyi and C. tanzaniensis sp. nov., the apex of the inferior appendages is very distinctly developed and acute, more distinctly so in both C. morogoroensis and C. szunyoghyi than in C. tanzaniensis , which usefully distinguishes them. Differences between C. morogoroensis and C. szunyoghyi are found mostly in phallic structures. The differences, however, are qualitative and involve characters that could function in isolating the two species. The primary differences are the elongate, extensible dorsal lobe on the endotheca in C. szunyoghyi , with two small apical spines, and the very much extended and sharply downturned ventral apex of the phallobase in C. morogoroensis . In C. morogoroensis , the dorsal phallic lobe appears to be relatively simple and much shorter, without apical spines, and in C. szunyoghyi , the ventral apex of the phallobase is only very weakly developed and projecting. We consider the differences significant enough to warrant the recognition of two species.

Description.

Adult. Overall color (in alcohol) medium brown, vertex of head darker than setal warts. Head elongate (postocular parietal sclerite nearly as long as diameter of eye). Palps relatively short, maxillary palp with 1st segment short (approximately as long as wide), 2nd segment short (~ 2 × length of 1st), apex with small cluster of stiff setae, 3rd elongate (almost 2 × length of 2nd), 4th segment short (shorter than 2nd), 5th segment elongate (subequal to 3rd). Forewing length: male, 5.9 mm. Fore- and hind wings with forks I, II, III, and V present. Forewing with R1 somewhat sinuous, stem of Rs inflected at approximately midlength, with distinct node at inflection, extending into cell below, basal fork of discoidal cell enlarged, very asymmetric, discoidal cell elongate, length greater than two × width, forks I and II sessile, r crossvein diagonal, intersecting discoidal cell at past midlength, just before fork I, r-m crossvein nearly continuous with s, m crossvein proximal to s and r-m crossveins, slightly closer to r-m crossvein than basal fork of M, s pigmented (like wing), r-m and m crossveins hyaline, very weakly developed, 2A with crossvein (apparently forked apically to 1A and 3A). Hind wing with R1 narrowly parallel to subcosta, forks I and II approximately sessile. Foreleg with apical tibial spur short; male with foretarsi not modified.

Male genitalia. Segment VIII relatively short, tergum slightly longer dorsally. Segment IX, in lateral view, moderate in length, anterior margin strongly, angularly produced ventrally, dorsolaterally with distinct rounded apodemes, margin strongly concave between; tergum, in dorsal view, continuous between apodemes, but very short, forming deeply concave excavation; posterior margin short dorsally, weakly, obtusely produced below preanal appendages, more or less linearly widening ventrally to ventral process; posteroventral margin with rather prominent, subtriangular, posteriorly projecting, ventral process, length greater than width at base, apex acute. Segment IX, in dorsal or ventral views, with anteroventral margin deeply concave mesally. Lateral lobes of tergum X moderate in length, rounded apically, with very short, rounded, sensilla-bearing process near dorsal margin at approximately midlength, ventrolaterally with compressed, rounded projection, hardly evident in lateral view, but forming distinct rounded projection, as viewed dorsally; mesal lobe of tergum X membranous, short, only at base of lateral lobes. Preanal appendages short, rounded, constricted basally. Inferior appendage, in lateral view, relatively narrow and short, dorsally flexed near base, with apex forming very distinct spine-like projection, readily visible in both lateral and ventral views; appendage, in dorsal or ventral views, moderately mesally curved, with short basomesal enlargement at basal inflection, apex very prominent and spine-like, somewhat mesally curved. Phallic apparatus with phallobase relatively short and tubular, with usual basodorsal expansion, apicoventral margin forming a very distinct and strongly ventrally curved projection, apex acute; endotheca membranous, without minute spines, but with three very distinct, moderate elongate spines, one dorsomesal and two lateral, symmetrically positioned; phallotremal sclerite complex composed of moderately elongate rod and ring structure, with pair of distinct, narrow, curved, dorsolateral sclerites.

Etymology.

Chimarra morogoroensis , used as an adjective and meaning "from Morogoro" in reference to the town in Tanzania where this species was collected.

Figures

Figure 18. Chimarra morogoroensis sp. nov., ♂ genitalia A lateral B dorsal, segments IX and X C inferior appendage, ventral D phallus, lateral E phallus, dorsal.