Chimarra (Chimarra) asterae, Holzenthal & Blahnik & Ríos-Touma, 2022

Holzenthal, Ralph W., Blahnik, Roger J. & Rios-Touma, Blanca, 2022, A new genus and new species of Ecuadorian Philopotamidae (Trichoptera), ZooKeys 1117, pp. 95-122 : 95

Chimarra (Chimarra) asterae sp. nov.

Figs 6 , 7 , 8

Type material.

Holotype. Male (pinned). Ecuador: Morona-Santiago: Macas, small gravel stream (Wallace/Real property), 2.20299°S, 78.08539°W, 1076 m a.s.l., 14.xi.2015, Ríos-Touma, Thomson, Amigo, Real-Wallace, UMSP000357522 (UMSP). Paratypes. Ecuador: same data as holotype 28 males, 39 females (pinned) (UMSP); same locality as holotype, except 27.i.2015, Holzenthal, Huisman, Ríos-Touma, Amigo, 4 males, 11 females (pinned), 3 males (in alcohol) (MECN).

Diagnosis.

Chimarra asterae is a member of the Chimarra (Chimarra) bidens group of Blahnik (1998), very similar to C. duckworthi Flint, 1967, particularly because of the general shape and length of the inferior appendages. The distinctly different sclerotization of the female genitalia provides the best evidence that the two forms are distinct species. The most distinctive differences in the male genitalia are in the structure of the inferior appendages, which have the basal part more broadly rounded, in lateral view, and the apex slightly more rounded, with a small notch or tooth-like projection pre-apically on the mesal surface (Fig. 6C-E ), absent in C. duckworthi (Fig. 6G, H ). Chimarra asterae could also be confused with C. caribea Flint, 1968, which also has a small tooth-like projection near the apex of the inferior appendage. However, the overall length of the inferior appendage is longer in C. caribea and the tooth-like projection is somewhat more removed from the apex ( Blahnik 1998: fig. 54C, D,F).

The female genitalia of C. asterae resemble C. duckworthi in having both a dorsal and paired ventral sclerites near the posterior opening of the vaginal apparatus, as well as distinct, membranous pocket-like lobes (probably receptacles for the inferior appendages of the male) associated with the ventral sclerites of segment IX (Fig. 8 ). The genitalia of C. asterae differs in that the sclerotized ventral furrows of the vaginal apparatus are short, and the lateral margins of the vaginal tract have distinct sclerites (Fig. 7 ). Also, it lacks the paired posteroventral sclerites, posterior to the sclerotized ventral furrows, which form an element of the vaginal apparatus in C. duckworthi .

Description.

Adult. Forewing length male 4.8-5.4 mm (n = 5); female 5.4-6.0 mm (n = 5). Color nearly uniformly brownish black (fuscous), except femora slightly paler. Head relatively short and rounded, (postocular parietal sclerite ca. half diameter of eye). Third segment of maxillary much longer than second, subequal to 5th. Male protarsal claws enlarged, asymmetrical in size and shape, outer claw longer and twisted.

Male. Abdominal segment IX, in lateral view, with very pronounced sinuous extension of anteroventral margin and small apodemes from anterodorsal margin; Posteroventral process very narrow, length greater than width, subacute apically. Tergum X membranous mesally, with sclerotized lateral lobes, each bearing pair of sensilla on short, rounded protuberance near dorsal margin in basal half, apex of lobe somewhat mesally cupped and bluntly rounded. Preanal appendage short, rounded, knob-like. Inferior appendage, in lateral view, relatively elongate (similar in length to C. duckworthi , shorter than C. caribea ), mesally curved, with apical rotation, apices apposed, chisel-like, basoventral margin of appendage more broadly rounded than in C. duckworthi , apex of inferior appendage somewhat enlarged, with small tooth-like projection near apex on ventromesal margin. Phallobase with very distinct, acute apicoventral projection, two phallic spines, moderately elongate, differing slightly in length, endotheca tubular, more-or-less covered with small echinate spines, apicoventrally with curled sclerite and associated tract of very small spines. Phallotremal sclerite complex composed of elongate rod and ring structure and membranous structure with pair of associated wishbone-like sclerites apically.

Female. Ventral sclerites of sternum IX with prominent membranous lateral pouches (probably "clasper receptacles" of Blahnik, 1998). Vaginal apparatus moderately elongated with distinct rounded dorsal and paired ventral sclerites apically, ventrally with paired, narrow, furrow-like sclerites, beginning at mid-length, proximate posteriorly and diverging anteriorly; lateral margins of vaginal tract with elongate, narrow sclerites; vaginal tract narrowed anteriorly, with declivous, cup-like sclerite.

Etymology.

This new species is named in honor of Aster Real-Wallace, a young nature enthusiast and member of the Real-Wallace family, owners and protectors of a beautiful patch of remnant Amazonian pre-montane riverine forest on a tributary of the Río Upano, where this species was discovered.

Figures

Figure 6. Chimarra (Chimarra) asterae sp. nov. Male genitalia A segments IX, X, lateral B segments IX, X, dorsal C inferior appendages, oblique lateral D inferior appendage, ventral E inferior appendage, dorsal F phallus, lateral G inferior appendage, C. duckworthi, lateral (for comparison) H inferior appendage, C. duckworthi, ventral (for comparison).

Figures 7, 8. Chimarra (Chimarra) asterae sp. nov. 7 female genitalia, ventral 8 Chimarra (Chimarra) duckworthi, female genitalia, ventral (for comparison). Abbreviations: vag. app. = vaginal apparatus.