Neoperla tadpolata Li & Murányi, 2014

Wang, Guoquan, Murányi, Dávid & Li, Weihai, 2014, Two new species of dark Neoperla (Plecoptera: Perlidae) from Oriental Realm of China, Zootaxa 3872 (1) : -

Neoperla tadpolata Li & Murányi , sp. nov.

( Figs. 1–9 , 18 )

Adult habitus. Distance between ocelli slightly wider than diameter of the ocellus. Head slightly wider than pronotum, mostly black with two brownish “tadpole-shaped” lateral spots near outside of ocelli ( Fig. 1 ); compound eyes black in preserved material, antennae dark brown but basal third yellow brown; maxillary palpi brown. Pronotum dark brown with obscure rugosities ( Fig. 1 ), meso- and metathorax dark brown; wing membrane brown, veins black; leg dark brown except hindleg with wide pale band, nearly two third of total length ( Fig. 4 ). Abdominal segments yellow brown but terminalia darker, cerci yellow brown with tips dark brown.

Male. Forewing length 9.9–10.2 mm. The tergum 7 process sclerotized, appearing thapezoidal both in lateral and dorsal views ( Fig. 2 ), with several sensilla basiconica at truncate distal margin and ventral surface ( Figs. 2–3 ). Tergum 8 with a patch of sensilla basiconica on a quadrate median sclerite ( Figs. 2–3 ). Tergum 9 with two small patches of sensilla basiconica and hairs on lateral humps and a patch of sensilla basiconica medially. Hemitergal processes of tergum 10 sclerotized, slender and slightly elongate, slightly curved medially with blunt apex ( Figs. 2–3 ). Aedeagal tube plump, mostly membranous with an usual triangular dorsal sclerite, with two groups of 4–5 mesoventral and lateroapical spines, apically with a pair of lateral projections slightly shorter than the main tube; the projection basally swollen and apically tubular, covered with irregular dorsal, ventral and basolateral spines, and apex with numerous tiny spines ( Figs. 5–7 ). Aedeagal sac ( Figs. 8 & 9 ) about as long as tube, basal half membranous and bared except 4–5 ventral spines and 1–2 dorsal spines, apex curved ventrally and covered with spinules, subapex only with lateral bands of spinules ( Figs. 8–9 ).

Female. Forewing length 11.8–12.2 mm. General color pattern similar to males except terminalia. Subgenital plate a slightly produced sclerite with a small median notch at posterior margin. Sternum 9 mostly pale with large but vague lateral brown areas. Sternum 10 with broad dark pigmented lateral band, median pale area funnel-shaped ( Fig. 18 ).

Type material. Holotype: male ( HIST), Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Tianlin County, Cenwanglaoshan, Dalongping Station, 24.2324 N, 106.1664 E, 2013. V.24, Guoquan Wang. Paratypes: 3 males ( CAUC), 2 males, 3 females ( HIST), 3 males ( HNHM), same data as holotype.

Etymology. The species name refers to the “tadpole-shaped” head markings which may allow a quick separation of the species from its related congeners.

Distribution. China (Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region).

Diagnosis and remarks. The male of the new species is characterized by “tadpole-shaped” head markings and the short and plump aedeagal tube with subequal length lateral projections. The new species is a member of the montivaga species group (sensu Zwick 1983) and belongs to a complex of species that includes N. lihuae Li and Murányi, 2014 from Yunnan Province, China and N. zonata Stark & Sivec, 2008 from the bordering Lao Cai Province of northwestern Vietnam. The species of this complex have a similar aedeagal tube with sparse spines and a pair of apical tubular projections (figs. 80–81 in Stark & Sivec, 2008 and fig. 2 in Li et al. 2014). This species is similar in aedeagal structure to N. lihuae from Yunnan Province, China (figs. 1 & 2 in Li et al. 2014). However, the “tadpole-shaped” markings of the head and the short and plump aedeagal tube are diagnostic for N. tadpolata . In N. lihuae , the head is unmarked and the aedeagal tube is more elongate. Additionally, the aedeagal armature and sac length are distinctive, the new species has more spines on tube and has shorter sac (about as long as main trunk of tube) than N. lihuae (about 1.5X longer than tube) (compare fig. 2 in Li et al. 2014 and Figs. 5–9 ). Neoperla tadpolata has a similar color pattern and aedeagal tube as N. zonata . However, N. zonata lacks the “tadpole-shaped markings” near ocelli and has a longer aedeagal sac and no spines on the aedeagal tube except for the apical projections (comparing figs. 78 & 80 in Stark & Sivec, 2008 and Figs. 7 & 9 ).

The Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in Southern China borders Vietnam and is characterized by mountainous terrain reaching altitudes as high as 2,100 m and numerous rivers drain this region. Cenwanglaoshan lies in western Guangxi and between the Yunnan-Kweichow Plateau and Baise Basin. Light traps were placed at Dalongping Station near a small unnamed tributary of Tuoniang River at an altitude of 1,243 m.

Figures

FIGURES 1 – 4. Neoperla tadpolata Li & Murányi, sp. nov., male. 1. Head and pronotum, dorsal view. 2. Terminalia, dorsal view. 3. Terminalia, lateral view. 4. Mid and hind legs, lateral view.

FIGURES 5 – 9. Neoperla tadpolata Li & Murányi, sp. nov., male aedeagus. 5. Uneverted aedeagus, dorsal view. 6. Uneverted aedeagus, ventral view. 7. Uneverted aedeagus, lateral view. 8. Everted aedeagus, dorsal view. 9. Everted aedeagus, lateral view.

FIGURES 18 – 19. Female terminalia. 18. Neoperla tadpolata Li & Murányi, sp. nov., ventral view. 19. Neoperla yunnana Li & Wang, sp. nov., ventral view.