Mortoniella (Mortoniella) cornuta, Blahnik & Holzenthal, 2017

Blahnik, Roger J. & Holzenthal, Ralph W., 2017, Revision of the northern South American species of Mortoniella Ulmer 1906 (Trichoptera: Glossosomatidae: Protoptilinae) *, Insecta Mundi 2017 (602), pp. 1-251 : 84

Mortoniella (Mortoniella) cornuta , new species

Fig. 69 , 99

Mortoniella cornuta , n. sp. is most similar to M. spinulata (Flint) , especially in the shape of tergum X, which has a very narrow apicomesal cleft, apparently to accommodate a sharply upturned and much narrowed apex of the dorsal phallic spine. The most distinctive and diagnostic character of this species is a pair of conical horn-like projections emerging from the lateral margins of the dorsal phallic spine at about midlength. Mortoniella cornuta also differs from M. spinulata in that the reflexed dorsal branch of inferior appendages is longer and lacks spines; also, the paired paramere appendages are more or less subequal in length, rather than being distinctly different in length and shape.

Adult —Length of forewing: male 3.6-4.0 mm; female 3.9 mm. Forewing with forks I, II, and III present, hind wing with forks II, III, and V. Spur formula 0:4:4. Head distinctly small. Overall color dark brown, apices of mesotarsal segments whitish. Tibial spurs slightly darker than legs, weakly contrasting in color. Wing bar at anastamosis marked with white setae.

Male genitalia —Ventral process of segment VI laterally compressed, large, subtriangular, ventrally directed, length subequal to width at base, apex acute, process not retracted anterobasally. Segment IX nearly evenly rounded anterolaterally, length greatest midlaterally, posterolateral margin slightly produced, narrowing ventrally; segment deeply mesally excised dorsally and ventrally, forming lateral lobes, separated dorsomesally by much less than ½ width of segment. Tergum X relatively short, basally with rounded elevation, lateral margins converging apically, apicomesal margin with very narrow incision, apicolateral lobes very narrowly separated, acute apically; ventrolateral lobes prominent, rounded. Inferior appendages with very elongate, narrow posteriorly recurved, dorsolateral projections, apicoventral projections absent. Mesal pockets of inferior appendage with spine-like apical processes narrow, very elongate, posteriorly projecting. Paramere appendages doubled, both elongate (extending about as far as dorsal phallic spine), more lateral one very narrow basally, slightly widened in apical ½, mesal one narrow, more distinctly widened preapically, apices of both acute. Dorsal phallic spine widened in middle, with very distinct conical lateral projections, apical 1/3 distinctly dorsally inflected and very narrow, apex acute. Phallobase with small, but distinct, lightly sclerotized mesal apodeme. Phallicata simple in structure, elongate tubular, with short basodorsal projection. Endophallic membrane elongate, without ventromesal spine; phallotremal spines small, distinct, apical.

Holotype male (pinned)— ECUADOR: Tungurahua: 13 km E Baños , el 1550 m, 15.ix.1990, OS Flint, Jr ( UMSP000146416 ) ( NMNH).

Paratypes — ECUADOR: Tungurahua: same data as holotype – 3 males, 1 female (pinned) ( NMNH).

Etymology —This species is named M. cornuta from the Latin cornu, a horn, and referring to the conical horn-like processes on the lateral margin of the dorsal phallic spine.

Figures

Figure 69. Mortoniella (Mortoniella) cornuta, new species, male genitalia. A—lateral; B—segment IX and tergum X, dorsal; C—phallic ensemble, ventral; D—dorsal phallic spine, dorsal; E—ventral process of segment VI, lateral.

Figures 97-99. Mortoniella (M.) species, wings. 97—Mortoniella roldani Flint [bilineata group, bilineata subgroup]. A—forewing; B—hind wing. 98—Mortoniella tusci, n. sp. [bilineata group, flinti subgroup]. A—forewing; B—hind wing. 99—Mortoniella cornuta n. sp. [unplaced to species group]. A—forewing; B—hind wing.