Mortoniella opinionis, Blahnik & Holzenthal, 2008

Blahnik, Roger J. & Holzenthal, Ralph W., 2008, Revision of the Mexican and Central American species of Mortoniella (Trichoptera: Glossosomatidae: Protoptilinae), Zootaxa 1711 (1), pp. 1-72 : 37-39

Mortoniella opinionis , new species

Fig. 16

As previously discussed, Mortoniella opinionis is similar to a group of species, including M. carinula , M. papillata , n. sp., M. redunca , n. sp., M. sicula , n. sp, and M. umbonata , n. sp., all distinguished by the character combination of having the inferior appendage invaginated mesally and with protruding, often apically acute, apicolateral projections, and also a phallicata with well developed dorsolateral processes. Among these species, M. opinionis is most similar to M. sicula , particularly in the overall shape of the dorsal phallic spine, the very slender endophallic spine, and by lacking scabrous apices on the paramere appendages. Mortoniella opinionis can be distinguished from M. sicula by the shape of the inferior appendage, which has the apicolateral processes much thicker, and not as narrow and attenuate apically. It also seems to lack minute spines on the venter of the paramere appendages.

Adult. Length of forewing: male 4.0– 4.2 mm, female 4.0 mm. Forewing with forks I, II, and III, hind wing with forks II and III. Overall color dark brown, palps and basal part of antennal and tarsal segments darker brown, apices of tibiae, tarsal and basal antennal segments light brown. Wing bar at anastamosis distinct, marked by pale, light brown setae. Ventral process of abdominal segment VI (male) short, ventrally oriented, subtriangular, subacute apically, not constricted basally.

Male genitalia. Segment IX nearly evenly rounded anterolaterally, length greatest midlaterally, posterolateral margin forming rounded projection in dorsal half, narrowing ventrally; segment deeply mesally excised dorsally and ventrally, dorsal excision narrow, much less than half width of segment. Tergum X with short, acute mesal projection and projecting lateral lobes, lateral lobes short, subacute apically, slightly mesally curved. Inferior appendage without apicomesal projection, apicolateral projections prominent, wide basally, narrowing and acute apically; appendages basolaterally with margins nearly straight, lacking prominent projections on each side; mesal pockets of inferior appendage with apical processes short, dorsally curved. Paramere appendages elongate, narrow, nearly uniform in width, slightly enlarged apically, emerging from membranous lateral lobes, strongly dorsally curved, apices acute and posteriorly directed. Dorsal phallic spine slightly enlarged basoventrally, weakly sinuous in lateral view, apex posteriorly directed, not strongly inflected; as viewed dorsally, with apex acute. Phallicata relatively short, dorsally with prominent, paired, rounded to subquadrate processes, projecting dorsally and laterally, laterally with dorsoventrally flattened, explanate projections. Endophallic membrane moderately elongate, with very narrow endophallic spine, curved at apex.

Holotype male: COSTA RICA: Cartago: Reserva Tapantí, Quebrada Palmitos & falls, ca. 9 km (road) NW tunnel, 09°43'12"N, 083°46'48"W, 1400 m, 2–3.vi.1990, Holzenthal, Blahnik & Muñoz ( UMSP000000938 ) (pinned) ( UMSP).

Paratypes: COSTA RICA: Cartago: same locality and date as holotype — 2 females (pinned) ( UMSP) ; same locality, 24–25.iii.1991, Holzenthal, Muñoz & Huisman — 2 males (pinned) ( UMSP) ; Puntarenas: Río Bellavista , ca. 1.5 km NW Las Alturas, 08°57'04"N, 082°50'46"W, 1400 m, 8–9.iv.1987, Holzenthal Hamilton & Heyn — 2 males (alcohol) ( UMSP) .

Etymology. This species is named M. opinionis , from the Latin word opinio, meaning conjecture or belief, in reference to our belief that this species, which is very close to M. sicula n. sp., constitutes a distinct species.

Figures

FIGURE 16. Mortoniella opinionis, new species. Male genitalia: A—lateral; B—segment IX and tergum X, dorsal; C— phallic ensemble, ventral; D—dorsal phallic spine, dorsal.