Arenivaga mortisvallisensis, Hopkins, Heidi, 2014

Hopkins, Heidi, 2014, A revision of the genus Arenivaga (Rehn) (Blattodea, Corydiidae), with descriptions of new species and key to the males of the genus, ZooKeys 384, pp. 1-256 : 84-85

Arenivaga mortisvallisensis sp. n. Figures 108-110

Type locality.

USA, California, Inyo Co., Death Valley, Sand Spring

Material examined.

Holotype: ♂ in CSCA labeled "CALIF: Inyo Co., Sand Spring 15.5 mi NW Scottys Castle, 3100', II-87 to IX-1987, Antifreeze pit trap" "HOLOTYPE Arenivaga mortisvallisensis Hopkins, 2012" [red label with black border].

Paratypes: None at this time.

Etymology.

This species is named for its locality, Death Valley, CA.

Distribution.

This species is only known from one specimen from Death Valley NM, CA. See Fig. 110.

Diagnosis.

Arenivaga mortisvallisensis is smaller than average for Arenivaga but may be confused with Arenivaga delicata which has sympatric distribution. Arenivaga mortisvallisensis may be distinguished by the medial margin of the right dorsal phallomere that projects anteriorly in pronounced manner into rounded, shagreened lobe with toothed margin. See Figs 109 and 40.

Description.

Male.Measurements. Approximate due to poor condition of specimen. Holotype TL = 15.3 mm, GW = 6.2 mm, PW = 4.3 mm, PL = 3.24 mm, TL/GW = 2.47, PL/PW = 0.75. EW = 0.60 mm; OW = 0.40 mm.

Head. Two ocelli large, ovoid and less protruding than on most species (0.3 × 0.2 mm); vertex unusually broad, dark brown with small ridges in rays around upper apices of eyes and extending onto ocellar tubercles; interocellar space concave, smooth, dark brown; two teardrop shaped indentations medial to ocelli. Frons very dark brown, posterior half flat, tectiform just below indentations; anterior portion of frons bulbous, very dark brown; very dark brown smooth anteclypeus. See Fig. 108d.

Pronotum. Pronotum translucent, waxy beige; dorsal surface of pronotum with short fine golden setae centrally and posteriorly grading to longer, thicker setae laterally and anteriorly; pronotal pattern dark brown "panther face", impressed, with little discernible detail; no aura. See Fig. 108c.

Body. Wing brace present. Two tarsal claws present. Legs and body orange-brown; abdomen missing from specimen; species, or perhaps just this specimen, unique in its almost complete absence of deposits of uric acid, and those only very minimally in forewings. Subgenital plate cleared in KOH with genitalia therefore color uncertain; strongly asymmetrical with rounded apices. See Fig. 108b.

Forewings. Wings extended beyond abdominal apex though distance cannot be estimated as abdomen is missing; transparent pale brown with veins darker brown; surface hyaline. See Fig. 108a.

Genitalia. Right dorsal phallomere composed of bulbous lightly sclerotized lobe, articulated with right ventral phallomere on lateral side; central field lightly sclerotized; medial margin strongly projected anteriorly into rounded, shagreened lobe with toothed margin. Small central sclerite of nondescript shape, finely punctate, mostly flat with ventrally bent rim slightly more sclerotize and densely punctate; right ventral phallomere extends from articulation to form rounded somewhat elongate smooth structure that becomes shorter and punctate anteriorly; attached anteriorly is mildly dorsally projecting flanged arm, shagreened with lightly toothed edge. Folded anterior portion of left phallomere setose, otherwise unmodified. Genital hook with short distance to pointed head with short hook; arm very delicate. See Fig. 109.

Habitat and natural history.

All life history elements remain unobserved.