Mortoniella (Mortoniella) adamsae, 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 : 26-27

Mortoniella (Mortoniella) adamsae , new species

Fig. 11

Mortoniella n. sp. 2, Flint 1996: 383 [related to M. enchrysa ].

Despite some very obvious differences in the structure of the inferior appendages, including the length of the apical spine on the mesal pockets, this species is probably most closely related to M. squamata Sykora. Both species are unusual for members of the bilineata group in having two pairs of paramere appendages, the longer one armed with small spines (the shorter one unarmed in M. adamsae ). Mortoniella adamsae is probably most readily diagnosed by the shape of the inferior appendages, each of which has an elongate and slightly arched posterior process, with a preapical spine-like projection on its ventral margin. The inferior appendages of M. enchrysa Flint , which is probably related to M. adamsae and M. squamata , are somewhat similarly shaped, but the appendages are shorter, more arched, and covered with microsetae. Mortoniella enchrysa also has paramere appendages with accessory spines, but has only one pair of appendages. Another distinctive feature of M. adamsae is that the ventral margin of the dorsal phallic spine is angular, as in most species of the bilineata group, but the angular projection is unusually produced, making the spine appear very wide at midlength, as viewed laterally.

Adult —Length of forewing: male 6.3 mm. Forewing with forks I, II, and III present, hind wing with forks II, III, and V. Spur formula 0:4:4. Dorsal side of forewings, head, basal segments of antennae, and legs, except distal parts of tibiae and tarsi, golden-orange; ventral side of forewings (and apicomarginal setae), hind wings, apices of antennae, palps, and distal part of tibiae and tarsi dark brownish-black. Wing membranes (apparently) somewhat infuscated. Tibial spurs black, contrasting with legs. Wing bars absent.

Male genitalia —Ventral process of segment VI posteriorly projecting, short, narrow basally, length about 2 times width at base. Tergum VIII relatively narrow, subtending ventral margin of segment IX, membranous connection to tergum IX elongate. Segment IX with anterolateral margin rounded and produced in ventral half, posterolateral margin with distinctly angular projection in dorsal half; segment deeply mesally excised dorsally and ventrally, forming lateral lobes, separated dorsomesally by more than ½ width of segment. Tergum X moderately elongate, lateral margins rounded, ventrolaterally with acute, tapering, lateral lobes, each with prominent apical seta; apex of tergum distinctly sclerotized, emarginate, with ventrolateral margins incurved and approaching each other mesally, but separated by distinct gap, apicodorsally with broad U-shaped connection near apex (mesal notch distinct); tergum ventromesally with paired, rounded and sclerotized, ventromesal lobes in basal half each with short setae. Inferior appendages with short narrow setose dorsolateral lobes and paired elongate, narrow, ventromesal lobes; ventromesal lobes curved, each with distinct preapical spine on ventral margin. Mesal pockets of inferior appendage with very elongate, posteriorly-directed, spine-like, apicoventral projections. Parameres with paired appendages on either side, 1 moderately elongate, with small spines on apical ½, the other short, about ½ length of longer spine, without spines, both appendages slightly widened preapically, apices acute; fused basal segments of parameres articulating near base of dorsal phallic spine. Phallobase with relatively small rounded, laterally compressed, dorsomesal apodeme. Dorsal phallic spine, as viewed laterally, with dorsal margin arched, sinuously and nearly rectilinearly upturned in apical ¼, apex of spine rounded; base of spine narrow, undulately curved, and stalk-like, abruptly and very strongly widened on ventral margin in basal ½, forming acute ventral projection, narrowing apically from projection; spine, as viewed dorsally, somewhat widened in middle, apex rounded. Phallicata with sclerotized basodorsal projection, articulating with angular ventral projection of dorsal phallic spine; phallicata ventrally with moderately elongate sclerotized lobes, extending about same length as longer paramere appendages, lateral margins of lobes subparallel, apices enlarged and mesally curved. Endophallic membrane simple in structure, with membranous lateral lobes; phallotremal spines absent.

Holotype male (pinned)— PERU: Cuzco: Paucartambo; Puente San Pedro , ca. 50 km NW Pilcopata, 13.15000° S, 71.43333° W, 1600 m, 2-3.ix.1988, O Flint and N Adams ( UMSP000157307 ) ( MJP).

Etymology —We take great pleasure in naming this species M. adamsae for Nancy Adams, now deceased, who was co-collector of the type specimen, and spent many years as assistant curator of the Trichoptera collection at the Smithsonian.

Figures

Figure 11. Mortoniella (Mortoniella) adamsae, 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.