Chimarra ralphi, 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 ralphi sp. nov.

Fig. 45A-F

Type material.

Holotype. Ghana - Volta Reg. ● ♂ (in alcohol); Wli, Agumatsa waterfall, station # 6; 7°07'29"N, 0°35'31"E; 11 Mar. 1993; JS Amakye & J Kjærandsen leg.; light trap; UMSP 000550041. Paratypes. Ghana - Western Reg. ● 2♂♂; Ankasa Game Production Reserve; 5°15'N, 2°37'W; 6-12 Dec. 1993; T Andersen & J Kjærandsen leg.; Malaise trap; ZMBN.

Additional material.

Ghana - Volta Reg. ● 1♀; Wli, Agumatsa waterfall, station # 6; 7°07'29"N, 0°35'31"E; 11-20 Nov. 1993; J Kjærandsen leg.; Malaise trap; ZMBN. - Western Reg. ● 2♀♀; Ankasa Game Production Reserve ; 5°15'N, 2°37'W; 6-12 Dec. 1993; T Andersen & J Kjærandsen leg.; Malaise trap; ZMBN ● 1♀; same collection data as for preceding; UMSP .

Diagnosis.

Chimarra ralphi is diagnosed by the unusual shape of its inferior appendages, each of which is very short, with the base rounded and with a short blunt, recurved projection on its dorsal margin; by the shape of the lateral lobes of tergum X, which are short and rounded apically, each with a short, ventrally curved spine-like projection on its dorsal margin and even shorter spine-like projection from its ventral margin; and by the form of the phallobase, with its apex deeply divided mesally and rather weakly down-curved.

Description.

Adult. Overall color (in alcohol) light brown or yellowish brown, undersides and appendages paler, setal warts of head not contrasting. Head short and rounded (postocular parietal sclerite very short). Palps moderately elongate; maxillary palp with 1st segment very short (approximately as long as wide), 2nd segment relatively short (slightly greater than 2 × width), apex with cluster of ~ 8 stiff setae, 3rd segment elongate (distinctly longer than 2nd), 4th segment short (subequal to 2nd), 5th segment elongate and narrow (subequal to 3rd and 4th combined). Forewing length: male, 3.2-4.0 mm; female, 4.0-4.5 mm. Fore- and hind wings with forks I, II, III, and V present. Forewing with R1 straight, stem of Rs very slightly inflected, without node, basal fork of discoidal cell distinctly enlarged, evenly forked, length of cell ~ 2 × width, forks I and II both subsessile, r crossvein diagonal, intersecting discoidal cell near apical fork, s, r-m, and m crossveins linear and hyaline, both 2A and 3A looped to 1A (2A without apical fork). Hind wing with R1 obsolete (or fused to subcosta), forks I and II subsessile, fork III distal and relatively narrow, anal loop small. Forelegs with apical tibial spur short; male with modified tarsal claws, apical three segments of tarsi short and flattened, claws asymmetrical, outer one elongate and twisted.

Male genitalia. Segment VIII very short, tergum only slightly longer than sternum, sternum without posteroventral projection. Segment IX, in lateral view, relatively short, ventral margin distinctly projecting posteriorly, anteroventral margin only slightly expanded, constricted basally under sternum VIII, ventral process absent, dorsal margin without apodemes, inferior appendages inserted near ventral margin; as viewed dorsally, with tergum very narrow, but continuous, sternum short, subtruncate. Tergum X with mesal lobe short and membranous, lateral lobes short and rounded apically, lightly sclerotized, except ventral margin with more strongly sclerotized, spine-like process at approximately midlength and dorsal margin with projecting, sclerotized, hooked, spine-like process; sensilla of lobes apparently reduced to two on each side, on mesal surface of dorsal process, one basally and one at approximately midlength. Preanal appendages relatively short and knob-like (constricted basally), distinctly flattened, inserted membranously (not fused to segments IX or X). Inferior appendage with rounded basal inflection; as viewed laterally, short, more or less ovate, with short rounded dorsal projection at approximately midlength, basal inflection of projection very strong (nearly perpendicular), mesal margin of appendage with two distinct sclerotized cusps, one preapically and very small, the other basoventrally and somewhat larger. Phallic apparatus with phallobase very short and strongly sclerotized, with usual basodorsal expansion, securely anchored within segment by semi-sclerotized periphallic membrane (attached to lateral margin of segment IX), apicoventral margin of phallobase very distinctly sclerotized and produced, down-turned, apex with deep, concave mesal excavation, producing paired apical lobes; endotheca short, membranous, with pair of short, stout, sclerotized spines; phallotremal sclerite complex indistinct (not figured), apparently composed of reclinate ring and short rod, with pair of small apical spines.

Etymology.

Chimarra ralphi , name used as an adjective in the genitive case and translated as Ralph’s Chimarra , in honor of Ralph Holzenthal, the subject of this commemorative issue and in recognition of his many contributions to the systematics of Trichoptera, including many collaborations with both authors.

Figures

Figure 45. Chimarra ralphi sp. nov., ♂ genitalia A lateral B dorsal, segments IX and X C inferior appendage, ventral D inferior appendage, dorsal E phallus, lateral F phallus, ventral.