Chimarra aurita, 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 aurita sp. nov.

Fig. 38A-F

Type material.

Holotype. Ghana - Western Reg. ● ♂ (in alcohol); Ankasa Game Production Reserve; 5°15'N, 2°37'W; 6-12 Dec. 1993; T Andersen & J Kjærandsen leg.; Malaise trap; UMSP 000550034. Paratypes. Ghana - Western Reg. ● 2♂♂; same data as for holotype; ZMBN.

Additional material.

Ghana- Western Reg. ● 9♀♀; 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 aurita is distinctive because of its enlarged and ear-like preanal appendages. As in other species of the subgroup, C. aurita is most readily diagnosed by characters of the inferior appendages, tergum X and phallobase in combination. The inferior appendages are short and ovate, with a mesally curved and spine-like projection on its dorsal margin and a short bifid cusp on its basomesal margin. The short lateral lobes of tergum X each terminates in a pair of digitate, sensillum-bearing processes, a longer ventrally curved one on its dorsal margin and a much shorter, dorsally-projecting process on its ventral margin. The short phallobase has a decurrent apex, appearing spine-like in lateral view, but with the apex actually broad, as viewed ventrally, and not divided mesally (or at most only weaky notched).

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 short). Palps elongate; maxillary palp with 1st segment very short (approximately as long as wide), 2nd segment moderate in length (~ 3 × 1st), apex with cluster of ~ 8 stiff setae, 3rd segment elongate, distinctly longer than 2nd, 4th segment short (shorter than 2nd), 5th segment very elongate and narrow (subequal to 3rd and 4th combined). Forewing length: male, 3.8-4.9 mm; female, 4.3-4.7 mm. Fore- and hind wings with forks I, II, III, and V present. Forewing with R1 straight, stem of Rs slightly inflected, basal fork of discoidal cell distinctly enlarged, evenly forked, length of cell ~ 2 × width, forks I and II subsessile, r crossvein diagonal, intersecting discoidal cell before 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 evident basally, obsolete (or fused to subcosta) apically, 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 approximately same length as sternum, sternum without posteroventral projection. Segment IX, in lateral view, relatively short, ventral margin somewhat 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 divided apically into two digitate processes, each with single apical sensillum, dorsal process more elongate and slightly ventrally curved, ventral process very short. Preanal appendages prominent and moderately large, distinctly flattened, ear-shaped, slightly constricted basally, inserted membranously (not fused to segments IX or X). Inferior appendage without evident basal inflection; as viewed laterally, more or less ovate, subangulate apically, with short lateral setae and row of spaced, more elongate setae on dorsal margin; as viewed dorsally, with short, acute, sclerotized projection on dorsomesal margin, and prominent, apically forked cusp basoventrally on mesal surface. 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 produced into single acute mesal projection; endotheca short, membranous, with two short, curved, thick spines, one slightly larger than the other; phallotremal sclerite complex composed of short rod and ring structure, with pair of short apicolateral sclerites.

Etymology.

Chimarra aurita , used as an adjective, from the Latin auritus, or eared, for the large, ear-like preanal appendages of this species.

Figures

Figure 38. Chimarra aurita 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.