Chimarra polycentropoides, 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 polycentropoides sp. nov.

Fig. 44A-E

Type material.

Holotype. Democratic Republic Of The Congo ● ♂ (in alcohol); S slope of Mt Kahuzi; 5 Sept. 1957; 1.900 m a.s.l.; ES Ross & RE Leech leg.; INHS Trichoptera 50340.

Diagnosis.

Chimarra polycentropoides , while similar in general aspects to other species of the Chimarrha georgensis subgroup, is distinctive because of its arched and spine-like lateral lobes of tergum X, and in having the ventromesal apex of the inferior appendage acutely produced, appearing as an upturned projection in lateral view. The general structure of the phallus and the absence of modified tarsal claws suggests a relationship to the species in the subgroup from Tanzania.

Description.

Adult. Overall color (in alcohol) dark brown. Head short (postocular parietal sclerite ~ 1/2 diameter of eye). Palps elongate; maxillary palp with 1st segment very short (approximately as long as wide), 2nd segment short (~ 2 × 1st), apex with cluster of ~ 8-10 stiff setae, 3rd segment very elongate (almost 3 × 2nd), 4th segment short (shorter than 2nd), 5th segment elongate and narrow (slightly longer than 3rd). Forewing length: male, 6.7 mm. Fore- and hind wings with forks I, II, III, and V present. Forewing with R1 straight, stem of Rs straight, or nearly so, basal fork of discoidal cell slightly enlarged, evenly forked, length of cell ~ 2 × width, forks I and II sessile, r crossvein diagonal, intersecting discoidal cell before apical fork, s, r-m, and m crossveins linear and hyaline (m crossvein very slightly proximal), both 2A and 3A looped to 1A (2A without apical fork). Hind wing with R1 evident basally, obsolete (or fused to subcosta) apically, forks I and II sessile, anal loop small. Forelegs with apical tibial spur distinct; male with foretarsi not, or very little, modified, claws small and symmetrical.

Male genitalia. Segment VIII with sternum very short, without posteroventral projection, tergum moderately expanded dorsally. Segment IX, in lateral view, short, anterior margin nearly linear, without dorsolateral apodemes; segment very short dorsally, widening below preanal appendages, ventral process very small, subtriangular, not projecting, emerging from base of segment below inferior appendages; as viewed dorsally, with tergum very narrow, but continuous, anterior margin of sternum subtruncate. Lateral lobes of tergum X modified into elongate, arched, spine-like processes, apices slightly scabrous, ventral margin developed into short projecting lobe; mesal lobe of tergum X membranous, slightly textured, nearly as long as lateral lobes. Preanal appendages short, rounded, slightly constricted basally. Inferior appendage, in lateral view, without basal inflection, dorsal margin weakly produced at midlength, apex acutely projecting and upturned; as viewed ventrally, subquadrate, moderately widened apically, with apicomesal margin acutely produced. Phallic apparatus with phallobase very short, with usual basodorsal expansion, apicoventral margin very distinctly sclerotized, not bifid, forming a short, acute, preapical projection from ventral margin, as viewed laterally; endotheca, apparently, with basal part forming a weakly sclerotized extension of phallobase, apical membrane very short, with pair of short, symmetric spines; phallotremal sclerite complex not evident.

Etymology.

Chimarra polycentropoides , name used as an adjective, for resemblance of this species to those in the genus Polycentropus , due to the similarity of the lateral lobes of tergum X to the dorsal spine-like structures of some species in that genus.

Figures

Figure 44. Chimarra polycentropoides sp. nov., ♂ genitalia A lateral B dorsal, segments IX and X C inferior appendage, ventral D phallus, lateral E phallus, ventral.