Skaphita indirae, Cock. In MJWC, 2021

Cock, Matthew J. W., 2021, A new species and taxonomic changes relating to the Notodontidae (Lepidoptera) of Trinidad, West Indies, Zootaxa 5020 (2), pp. 307-327 : 322-325

Skaphita indirae sp. nov. ( Notodontidae , Heterocampinae )

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:73B224D5-F8B6-4DAE-8C83-502EF525670F

( Figs. 15–17 ).

Type material. Holotype ♂: TRINIDAD, W.I., Caroni Swamp , Blue River, fluorescent light, 20.v.1982, I. Omah- Maharaj / M.J.W. Cock Genitalia 1044 / Holotype Skaphita indirae Cock. In MJWC , to be deposited in NHMUK .

Diagnosis. This is clearly a species of Skaphita based on the forewing markings and the terminalia. I have examined all known species of Skaphita based on their types or authoritative images and in many cases their terminalia ( Table 1). All are larger than S. indirae (32 mm wingspan); the smallest type measurement is 34 mm for the male lectotype of S. semilunata ( Schintlmeister 2016) and 35.6 mm (1.4 inch) for the male S. cubana , as stated by Grote (1865). None closely resemble S. indirae , although precise diagnostic details are difficult to specify, especially given the rubbed condition of the type, and the less-than-ideal quality of some of the illustrations of other species. The terminalia can be compared with those of the following species of Skaphita : S. bruni Thiaucourt, 2003 , S. cubana , S. elongata Druce, 1906 , S. media , S. meridionalis Draudt, 1933 (in Draudt 1932 –1934), S. salona Druce, 1894 , and S. surinamensis (sources in Table 1). The terminalia of S. multilineata Dognin, 1905 , S. peruviensis Dognin, 1914 , and S. semilunata Schaus, 1901 have not been documented ( Table 1), but can be eliminated on the basis of their habitus. As noted above, the male genitalia of S. surinamensis are sufficiently different from those of other Skaphita spp. to suggest that they are not congeneric. Compared to S. indirae , the central posterior margin of the A8 sternite is more pointed in all these species except S. meridionalis , which is less conical in shape than S. indirae , and close to parallel-sided ( Thiaucourt 1995); this feature is readily examined in situ ( Fig. 17 K ) by brushing and scraping scales from the ventral apex of the abdomen. It is difficult to compare the uncus and associated projections, as the published images only show the ventral view from microscope slides. However, the long basal projection of the uncus clearly has an anteriorly directed portion in S. bruni , S. cubana , and S. salona , which is not seen in S. indirae . The inner tooth of the basal projection of the dorsal valve is broad and strongly toothed, and the outer tooth sharply pointed in S. bruni and S. cubana ; the projection is small and not divided in S. salona ; and the outer projection is short and broad in S. meridionalis and S. surinamensis ; in comparison, the inner section is a small tooth in S. indirae and the outer tooth is long and truncate. The details of the apex of the aedeagus are not clearly enough illustrated to compare with those of S. indirae ( Fig. 17 ), but they are expected to include useful diagnostic features.

Description. Male. Figs. 15–17 ; wingspan 32 mm, forewing length 15 mm (both estimated to allow for abrasion of the forewing apex). Head. Grey-brown, the frons browner ( Fig. 15 ). Antennae brown, grey-brown for basal segments; strongly bipectinate for basal two-thirds. Remains of a hair tuft on the scape, but it is not clear how much this has abraded. Thorax. Dorsally grey-brown, a dark transverse line on posterior margin. Ventrally pale grey-brown; a fluffy hair tuft subventrally on anterior margin ( Fig. 15 ). Abdomen. Brown-grey dorsally; greybrown ventrally. Dorsal forewing. Markings somewhat abraded, but generally similar to those of other Skaphita spp. Ground colour grey-brown. The clearest features ( Fig. 16 ) are the darker base, partially delineated by dark line from base of wing centrally to edge of darker base, where it makes a semi-circle to dorsum; an arc at distal end of the cell; an irregular line from the lower end of the arc to the dorsum just distal of dark line delineating part of the basal darker area; a more diffuse dark line from the lower end of arc to costa about midway between basal darker area and the costal end of the arc; a dark double line from costal end of the arc, curving towards the apex; a dark submarginal mark in space 3 (M 3 –Cu 1). Veins 4–6 (M 3 –M 1) dark, the last extending costal end of dark arc. An interrupted dark marginal line evident in tornal half of margin, but due to abrasion, it is not clear how far it extends to apex of margin. Fringe with dark spots at end of veins 1 (2A) and 2 (Cu 1). Dorsal hindwing. Translucent white, suffused with brown on costa, dorsum and weakly on margin; a dark suffusion around end of vein 1 (2A), extending to end of vein 2 (Cu 2); a narrow, dark marginal line from middle of space 1B (Cu 2 –2A) to end of vein 3 (Cu 1). Fringe pale, dark around the end of vein1 (2A), at the end of vein 2 (Cu 1) and at the end of vein 7 (Rs). Ventral forewing. Brown, darker on costa and margin; veins 2–6 (Cu 2 –M 2) slightly darkened. Fringe paler brown, dark at end of veins 1 and 2 (2A and Cu 2). Ventral hindwing. As dorsal hindwing. Terminalia ( Fig. 17 ). Sternite A8 typical of Skaphita spp. with central part of the posterior margin conical, apex rounded; lateral to it a shorter sclerotised projection, and ventral to it a pair of deep sclerotised intrusions ( Fig 17J ). Tergite A8 weakly divided by membranous area middorsum, the posterior margin on each side rounded. Genitalia conspicuously flattened dorso-ventrally ( Fig 17C ) and symmetrical apart from apex of aedeagus. Uncus downcurved, robust, and bluntly pointed; at its base a conspicuous blunt projection of comparable length, directed downwards and then posteriorly and downwards; just posterior to this a short, rounded projection. Valve long, thin, strap-like with the distal end dilated and flattened at apex; at basal part of the dorsal side a conspicuous, irregular projection directly initially inwards a short distance to a sharp angle and then posteriorly in a longer section, sharply truncate at apex. Aedeagus 3.2 mm long and relatively narrow, slightly undulate in dorso-ventral plane; apex dilated, laterally and ventrally, with a sharp corner on the left side, and a toothed corner on the right side; an elongate toothed structure, widened and rounded on one side distally (as presented) is part of vesica. Female. Unknown.

Distribution. Currently only known from the holotype from Caroni Swamp, Trinidad, Trinidad and Tobago.

Etymology. The specific name, indirae , is in recognition of Dr Indira Omah-Maharaj of the University of the West Indies, who collected the holotype specimen. It is a non-classical name, treated as a singular feminine noun in the genitive case (so as to avoid search-engine confusion with ‘indira’), and so will not show gender agreement.

Remarks. The type locality, Caroni Swamp, is the largest mangrove wetland in Trinidad, and is an important eco-tourism site, protected under the Ramsar Convention. The actual collection locality was close to where the Caroni Swamp Visitor Centre now stands (10.605N, 61.434W), and at the time the dominant vegetation would have been red mangrove ( Rhizophora mangle , Rhizophoraceae ) (I. Omah-Maharaj pers. comm. 2021). The absence of other records from Trinidad suggests that it is possible that this species is associated with mangrove swamps, which have been hardly sampled for moths in Trinidad.

Figures

FIGURE 15. Skaphita indirae sp. nov. holotype, details of head and anterior thorax. A, dorsal view; B, anteroventral view; C, anterolateral view. All to scale as shown.

FIGURE 16. Skaphita indirae sp. nov. holotype, life size and enlarged, with an inset indicating the main markings of the dorsal forewing.

FIGURE 17. Terminalia of Skaphita indirae sp. nov. A–E, genitalia in dorsal, ventral, lateral, dorsolateral and ventrolateral view; F–I, aedeagus, in lateral (left), lateral (right), ventral and dorsal views, with enlargement of apex of each; J–K A8 sclerites; J, dissected (sternite on left, tergite on right); K, sternite in situ. All to same scale, i.e. x10, apart from aedeagus apex enlargements.