Chimarra eshowensis, Blahnik & Andersen, 2022

Blahnik, Roger & Andersen, Trond, 2022, New species of the genus Chimarra Stephens from Africa (Trichoptera, Philopotamidae) and characterization of the African groups and subgroups of the genus, ZooKeys 1111, pp. 43-198 : 43

Chimarra eshowensis sp. nov.

Fig. 16A-F

Type material.

Holotype. South Africa ● ♂ (pinned); KwaZulu-Natal, Eshowe, Mpushini Falls; 28°54.529'S, 31°26.858'E; 9 Jan. 2000; KM Kjer & RJ Blahnik leg.; UMSP 000172258. Paratypes. South Africa ● 1♂3♀♀; same data as for holotype; UMSP.

Diagnosis.

Chimarra eshowensis sp. nov. is very similar to C. chicapa Marlier, described from Angola. Both species are distinctive in having relatively short inferior appendages, with their apices little modified and also in having paired, curved, dorsal spines near the base of the endotheca; both were also collected near waterfalls. The differences in the shape of segment IX, forming the genital capsule, length of the dorsal sensilla-bearing processes of tergum X, and particularly the overall shape of the inferior appendages and degree to which their apices are inturned apically, all suggest the two are different species. The assessment is admittedly subjective. The collection of specimens with intermediate character states from intervening areas might warrant a reassessment of their species status.

Description.

Adult. Overall color dark brown, including appendages, femurs paler. Head relatively short and rounded (postocular parietal sclerite ~ 1/2 diameter of eye). Palps relatively short; maxillary palp with 1st segment very short (approximately as long as wide), 2nd segment relatively short (~ 3 × 1st), apex with small cluster of stiff setae, 3rd segment slightly longer than 2nd, 4th segment short (~ 1/2 length of 3rd), 5th segment subequal to 2nd. Forewing length: male, 4.5-4.8 mm; female, 4.5-5.0 mm. Fore- and hind wings with forks I, II, III, and V present. Forewing with R1 somewhat sinuous, stem of Rs weakly inflected at approximately midlength, with distinct node at inflection, extending into cell below, basal fork of discoidal cell enlarged, fork very asymmetric, length of cell ~ 2 × width, fork I subsessile, fork II sessile, r crossvein diagonal, intersecting discoidal cell at past midlength, just before fork I, m crossvein proximal to s and r-m crossveins, approximately midway between basal fork of M and r-m crossvein, s pigmented (like wing), r-m and m crossveins hyaline, m very faint, 2A with crossvein (apparently forked apically to 1A and 3A). Hind wing with R1 narrowly parallel to subcosta, forks I and II subsessile. Foreleg with apical tibial spur distinct; male with foretarsi modified, claws enlarged, approximately symmetrical.

Male genitalia. Segment VIII relatively short, tergum slightly longer dorsally. Segment IX, in lateral view, relatively short, anterior margin distinctly, subangularly produced in ventral ¼, dorsolaterally with broadly rounded, rather weakly developed, apodeme; tergum continuous dorsally, sclerotized region very short, nearly linear between lateral apodemes; posterior margin very weakly produced below preanal appendage, widening ventrally to level of inferior appendage; ventral margin with rather prominent, posteriorly projecting, ventral process, length greater than width at base, apex subangular. Segment IX, in dorsal or ventral views, with anteroventral margin moderately, angularly, invaginated mesally. Lateral lobes of tergum X, in lateral view, moderately elongate, apices rounded, weakly sclerotized, dorsal margin with moderately elongate, posteriorly curved, digitate, sensilla-bearing process at approximately midlength; mesal lobe of tergum X membranous, extending> 1/2 length of lateral lobes. Preanal appendages small, rounded, and somewhat flattened, constricted basally. Inferior appendage, in lateral view, relatively short, dorsally flexed near base, posteriorly recurved near apex, apex not or very little narrowed, rounded as viewed laterally, subtruncate as viewed dorsally or ventrally; appendage, in dorsal or ventral views, only moderately bowed or curved, apices not more so, basomesally with distinct setae. Phallic apparatus with phallobase relatively short, tubular, with usual basodorsal expansion, apicoventral margin not projecting; endotheca, basodorsally, with pair of prominent, symmetrical, dorsally curved spines; endotheca apically with paired membranous lobes, each terminating in tapering, moderately sclerotized spine; phallotremal sclerite complex composed of moderately elongate rod and ring structure, with elongate, paired, rather weakly sclerotized, dorsal sclerites.

Etymology.

Chimarra eshowensis , used as an adjective and meaning "from Eshowe" in reference to the place of origin of the holotype specimen.

Figures

Figure 16. Chimarra eshowensis sp. nov., ♂ genitalia A lateral B dorsal, segments IX and X C inferior appendage, ventral D inferior appendage, dorsal E phallus, lateral F phallus apex, dorsal.