Mustilizans zolotuhini Chandra, Singh & Ranjan, 2019

Chandra, Kailash, Singh, Navneet, Kumar, Vikas, Ranjan, Rahul, Caleb, John T. D., Gayen, Subrata, Das, Moumita & Dey, Rushati, 2019, The genus Mustilizans Yang, 1995 (Lepidoptera: Endromidae) in India with the description of a new species, Zootaxa 4624 (2), pp. 183-190 : 188

Mustilizans zolotuhini Chandra, Singh & Ranjan sp. nov.

Figs. 5, 6 , 12–18

Type material: Holotype male ( ZSI): India: Arunachal Pradesh: Dibang Valley, Anini (Basam) (29.0545° N, 95.7836° E) 1968 m a.s.l., 26.v.2017, leg. S. Gayen & party.

Paratype: 1 male ( ZSI), Arunachal Pradesh: Dibang Valley, Anini (Meyhoopey) (28.7873° N, 95.9541° E) 2314 m a.s.l., 17.v.2018, leg. S. Gayen & Tacho.

Diagnosis. Morphologically, the new species is closely similar to M. hepatica (Moore) but is distinct due to the following attributes: (1) forewing with antemedial line not forming a dark spot on costa in the new species ( Fig. 5 ) (antemedial line ending with dark spot on costa in M. hepatica , Fig. 1 ); (2) postmedial fascia angled several times in the new species, postmedial fascia almost straight in M. hepatica ; (3) uncus lobes almost rectangular and parallel in M. zolotuhini ( Fig. 13 ), uncus short and rounded in M. hepatica ( Fig. 8 ); (4) valva with crescent shaped indentation on the ventral margin of the distal portion in the new species ( Fig. 18 ), valva with slight indentation in M. hepatica ( Fig. 9 ); (5) aedeagus with short vesica covered with two strong patches of cornuti, one basally and another apically in M. zolotuhini sp. nov. ( Figs. 14–17 ), vesica of aedeagus covered with three patches: one basal and two laterallongitudinal in M. hepatica ( Figs. 10, 11 ).

Etymology. The species is named in honour of Dr. Vadim V. Zolotuhin, an eminent Lepidopterist from Russia, in recognition of his valuable contributions to the taxonomy of the genus Mustilizans and related groups.

Description. Holotype male; head with vertex covered with grey scales, thorax covered with reddish brown scales; adult wingspan 60 mm (forewing length 30 mm), brownish, suffused with whitish scales; forewing with dark brown suffusion from outer margin upto postmedial line. Discal spot not touching the antemedial line. Hindwing brownish; costal half with whitish suffusion; medial and postmedial lines fused at hind margin ( Fig. 5 ).

Male genitalia. ( Figs. 12–18 ): uncus bifurcated with deep constriction; tegumen & vinculum simple; saccus ‘U’ shaped and flattened at base; valva with crescent shape indentation in ventral margin of the distal half; aedeagus elongate and tubular; the vesica consists of a basal transversal circle of strong needle-shaped cornuti and one patch of cornuti about equal size on the tip.

Figures

FIGURES 1–6. Adults of Mustilizans spp. 1, M. hepatica (Moore), holotype (male), Darjeeling; 2, M. columbaris Butler (male), Murree, Pakistan; 3, M. hepatica aeola Zolotuhin (male), Changwat Nan, Thailand; 4, M. hepatica Moore (male), Arunachal Pradesh, India; 5, M. zolotuhini sp. n., holotype (male), DDBR, Arunachal Pradesh, India; 6, M. zolotuhini sp. n., paratype (male), DDBR, Arunachal Pradesh, India. Scale bars: (2–6), 1 mm. Photo credits: Figs 1–3, Dr. V. V. Zolotuhin.

FIGURES 12–18. Male genitalia of Mustilizans zolotuhini sp. n. holotype (male). 12, male Genitalia; 13, uncus and tegumen; 14–17, aedeagus in different views; 18, valva. Scale bars: 1 mm.

FIGURES 7–11. Male genitalia of Mustilizans hepatica (Moore), Arunachal Pradesh. 7, male genitalia; 8, uncus and tegumen; 9, valva; 10–11, aedeagus in different views. Scale bars: 1 mm.