Siccia paraxena, Volynkin, 2023

Volynkin, Anton V., 2023, Contribution to the knowledge of the genus Siccia Walker (= Aemene Walker, syn. n.) in the Afrotropics with descriptions of seventy-three new species, three new subspecies, and a check-list of Asiatic taxa of the genus (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae: Lithosiini), Ecologica Montenegrina 64, pp. 1-184 : 82

Siccia paraxena sp. n.

https://zoobank.org/ urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:C8FFB1A9-7F4B-4EF9-85D6-5911276AA085

( Figs 221 , 424 )

Type material. Holotype ( Figs 221 , 424 ): male, “ Cameroon 900m | North Region, Wack ( La Falaise ) | 07°40'16.5''N, 13°33'18.4''E | 2–21.x.2018 General Coll. | Safian, Sz., Simonics, G. Leg. | ANHRT:2018.36” / “ANHRTUK | 00062126” (DNA barcode iD) / “Slide | AV5188 ♂ | A. Volynkin ” ( ANHRT).

Diagnosis. The forewing length is 9.0 mm in the male holotype. Siccia paraxena is externally reminiscent of S. malfakassa from which it is distinguished by the brownish-grey antenna and thorax, the brownish-grey forewing ground colour with intense yellow suffusion along the costal and outer margins (the forewing of S. malfakassa is yellowish-ochreous), the more distinct forewing pattern, and the paler hindwing with a discal spot. The detailed comparison of the male genitalia of the new species with S. malfakassa is provided above in the diagnosis of the latter species.

The female is unknown.

Molecular data. As the species is known from its holotype only, the intraspecific genetic variability could not be calculated. The genetically next-closest species is S. malfakassa differing by 3.32%.

Distribution. The new species is currently known only from its type locality in northern Cameroon.

Etymology. The specific epithet is derived from the Greek ‘παράξενος’ meaning ‘strange’ and refers to the peculiar male genitalia of the new species. The name is a noun in the nominative singular in apposition.

Figures

Figures 207–222. Siccia spp., adults. Depositories of the specimens: 207, 209, 210, 212–216, and 220–222 in ANHRT (214: ex AKW); 211 in MfN; 217–219 in RMCA.

Figures 423–426. Siccia spp., male genitalia. Depositories of the specimens dissected: 423 and 424 in ANHRT; 425 in MWM/ZSM; 426 in NHMUK (©The Trustees of NHMUK).