Oecetis nouvellecaledoniensis, Johanson & Mary & Sjöberg & Malm, 2020

Johanson, Kjell Arne, Mary, Nathalie Jeanne, Sjöberg, Tin & Malm, Tobias, 2020, Eighteen new species of Oecetis McLachlan 1877 (Trichoptera, Leptoceridae) from New Caledonia, Zootaxa 4809 (2), pp. 201-240 : 229

Oecetis nouvellecaledoniensis sp. nov.

Figs 78–82

Diagnosis. This species is distinguished from many of the Australasian Oecetis species by the absence of modified tergites on segment VIII and forward. The species is unique among Oecetis in several aspects, particularly the shape of the coxopodites in lateral view, and the star-like appearance of the apex of the posterior spine in dorsal view. It resembles O. oxybelis sp. nov. in the shape of the posterior spine, superior appendages, and phallus with a single phallic spine in lateral view. It is separated from O. oxybelis sp. nov. in lateral view by the shape of the coxopodites and the two, long lobes of the main branch of tergum X.

Description, male. Length of each forewing 6.7–8.4 mm (N = 4). Genitalia ( Figs 78–82 ) about as long as tall in lateral view. Segment IX oriented vertically, almost drop-shaped in lateral view, ventral part much longer than dorsal part in lateral view; in lateral view each side with anterior margin slightly convex; ventral half of posterior margin with tall, short, rounded lower posterolateral process of segment IX; upper posterolateral process of segment IX absent; longitudinal apodeme absent; acrotergite of segment IX forming pair of rounded, well separated, wart-like clusters of punctures, each cluster slightly wider than one superior appendage in dorsal view; dorsal semimembranous processes of segment IX absent; membranous areas absent. Main branch of tergum X forming pair of needle-like processes running posteroventrad from base below superior appendages, almost straight in lateral view; in dorsal view needle-like with basal two-thirds almost parallel, distal part of the two lobes curving mesad. Posterior spine of tergum X originating between superior appendages, with its base hidden by them in lateral view, long, exceeding coxopodites, curving slightly ventrad, apical part dilated, with short laterally oriented setae at posterior end; slender, straight in dorsal view, apex dilated, with radiating setae. Superior appendages short, about one-fourth as long as posterior spine of tergum X, oblong and subrectangular in lateral view; broad, leaf-like in dorsal view. Pair of coxopodites undivided, gradually curving posterad, dorsal margin convex, ventral margin concave except with small wide process at base in lateral view; apex narrowly rounded; mesal face with sclerotized teeth oriented mesad. Phallus as long as posterior spine, drop-shaped, tallest and widest anteriorly; single, strong spine originating dorsally in anterior part and right of midline, sigmoid in lateral and ventral views.

Male holotype: New Caledonia ( JM8 ): Province Sud, Dumbea River, branche sud, 22°08.344’S, 166°30.147’E, 42 m a.s.l., 18.x.2006, light trap, loc#006-2006, leg. KA Johanson & M Espeland (DNA voucher JM8 ) .

Paratypes: 1 male: same data as holotype, except DNA voucher JM7 . 2 males: New Caledonia, Province Sud, Couvelée River at Haute Couvelée, 2.8 km SV summit of Mont Piditéré , 3.5 km NNE Dumbéa, 22°07.488’S, 166°28.034’E, 27 m, 28.xi.2003, light trap, loc#051, leg. K.A. Johanson, DNA voucher DN7 and AP6 .

Etymology. The species name nouvellecaledonensis refers to the type country, New Caledonia.

Figures

FIGURES 78–82. Genitalia of Oecetis nouvellecaledoniensis sp. nov., male holotype. 78, left lateral; 79, dorsal; 80, ventral; 81, phallus, left lateral; 82, phallus, ventral.