Paraleuctra alta, Baumann & Stark, 2009

Baumann, Richard W. & Stark, Bill P., 2009, Paraleuctra Alta (Plecoptera: Leuctridae), A New Stonefly From Alberta, Canada, Illiesia 5 (4), pp. 30-33 : 30-31

Paraleuctra alta sp. nov.

( Figs. 1-8 )

Material examined. Holotype ♂ and 1 ♂ paratype from Canada, Alberta, 75 km N Hinton, Berland River , 33˚ 92’ N, 118˚ 20’ W, 30 April-11 June 1994, Malaise trap, E. Fuller. Holotype deposited in the Canadian National Collection, Ottawa, Ontario and the paratype deposited in the Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah .

Male. Forewing length 5.5 mm. General color dark brown to black, typical of genus. Cerci weakly bifurcate in apical 4 th of cercal length ( Figs. 5 , 7 ), lower prong shorter and wider than upper prong. Vesicle well developed ( Figs. 6 , 7 ), posterior margin of sternum 9 bilobed around base of subanal probe ( Fig. 8 ). Subanal probe swollen apically with a pair of large, anteriorly projecting, membranous lobes which extend over epiproct and between cercal bases ( Figs. 1, 4 , 7-8 ); membranous lobes covered with minute microtrichia. Posterior and lateral aspects of probe swollen subapically and armed over subapical swellings with minute microtrichia which extend to the apex ( Figs. 1- 4 , 7-8 ); apex with small rows of tooth-like structures on each fold ( Figs. 1-3 ).

Female. Unknown.

Larva. Unknown.

Etymology. The species name is derived from dual sources. It occurs at a high elevation in the Canadian Rocky Mountains north of Jasper National Park, so the Latin word altus applies, but must agree with the generic name. In addition, it is the old abbreviation for the Province Alberta, Alta.

Diagnosis. Paraleuctra alta is most similar in subanal probe shape to P. jewetti Nebeker & Gaufin ( Nebeker & Gaufin 1966; Stark & Kyzar 2000). In both species, the subapical area of the probe is inflated and then constricted nearer the probe apex ( Figs. 2 , 8 ). The new species differs in having an anteriorly directed pair of large membranous lobes on the probe ( Figs. 4 , 7-8 ), and also in having two bands of tooth-like structures on the probe apex ( Figs. 1-3 ). We examined the P. bradleyi holotype from the Cornell University collection in order to determine if it might be the same as P. alta . Unfortunately, the genital segments for the Cornell specimen are not in the vial and we are left with the original figures from Needham & Claassen (1925). The subanal probe shown on Plate 41 indicate the P. bradleyi holotype lacks the large anteriorly projecting membranous lobes and the subapical swellings found in the new species. In the Stark & Kyzar (2000) key, the new species is placed at couplet 3, but cannot be resolved by that key as either P. jewetti or P. occidentalis .

Figures

Figs. 1-6. Scanning electron micrographs of Paraleuctra alta genitalic structures. 1. Subanal probe, dorsal (posterior) aspect, 2. Apex of subanal probe, dorsal aspect, 3. Dorsoapical aspect of subanal probe, 4. Lateral aspect of subanal probe apex, 5. Cercus, lateral aspect, 6. Vesicle.

Figs. 7-8. Male genitalia of Paraleuctra alta. 7. Abdominal segments 9-10, lateral, 8. Subanal probe, dorsal (posterior) aspect.