Mortoniella rodmani, Blahnik & Holzenthal, 2008

Blahnik, Roger J. & Holzenthal, Ralph W., 2008, Revision of the Mexican and Central American species of Mortoniella (Trichoptera: Glossosomatidae: Protoptilinae), Zootaxa 1711 (1), pp. 1-72 : 52-54

Mortoniella rodmani , new species

Figs. 26–28

Mortoniella rodmani can be easily identified by the elongate spine-like ventral process from the ventral margin of segment IX, a character unique within the subfamily Protoptilinae . It does not seem to be close to any other described species in the genus, and is not easily referable to either the bilineata or leroda species groups. Several characters, such as the very reduced inferior appendage, strongly upturned apex of the dorsal phallic spine, diminutive size, and the venation of the wings, are suggestive of a relationship with the ormina species group (see Table 1). However, it lacks several of the diagnostic features of this group and its placement here is not certain.

Adult. Length of forewing: male 2.6 mm. Forewing with forks I, II, and III, hind wing with fork II only. Overall color very dark brown. Wing bar at anastamosis prominent, marked by white setae, bar somewhat interrupted. Ventral process of abdominal segment VI (male) longer than wide, subacute apically, posteriorly oriented.

Male genitalia. Segment IX rounded anterolaterally, length greatest in ventral half, posteroventral margin with elongate, spine-like process, posterolateral margin nearly linear; segment deeply mesally excised dorsally and ventrally, dorsal excision wide, about half width of segment. Tergum X with evenly rounded mesal excision and projecting lateral lobes, lateral lobes tapering, rounded apically, slightly mesally curved; ventral margin of tergum X with anteriorly directed, sclerotized process, visible as mesally notched structure as viewed dorsally. Inferior appendage very short and reduced, concavely excised mesally; mesal pockets of inferior appendage with apical processes short, robust, dorsally curved. Paramere appendages moderately elongate, narrow, simple in structure, ventrally curved at based, apices acute and posterodorsally directed. Dorsal phallic spine more or less uniform in width, apex abruptly, strongly, dorsally curved; as viewed dorsally, with apex distinctly widened and rounded. Phallicata short, dorsal margin with extended sclerotization in contact with dorsal phallic spine, basoventrally with pair of highly sclerotized, curved, posteriorly directed spines. Endophallic membrane relatively short, with paired, rounded membranous lobes (everted structure) posterior to sclerotized dorsal extension of phallicata and apicoventral spine; spine strongly sclerotized and curved, emerging from elongate, paired sclerites on endophallic membrane, appearing as tripartite structure when retracted ( Fig. 26C ).

Holotype male: COSTA RICA: Guanacaste: Parque Nacional Rincón de la Vieja, Quebrada Zopilote, 10°45'54"N, 085°18'32"W, 785 m, 3.iii.1986, Holzenthal ( UMSP000018904 ) (alcohol) ( UMSP).

Paratypes: COSTA RICA: Guanacaste: Parque Nacional Guanacaste, Estación Maritza, Río Tempis-

quito Sur , 10°57'00"N, 085°28'48"W, 600 m, 30.viii.1990, Huisman & Quesada — 1 male (pinned), 3 males (alcohol) ( UMSP) ; Parque Nacional Guanacaste, Estación Maritza, Río Tempisquito , 10°57'29"N, 085°29'49"W, 550 m, 30–31.viii.1990, Huisman, Blahnik & Quesada — 1 male (alcohol) ( UMSP) ; Parque Nacional Guanacaste, Estación Pitilla, Río Orosí , 10°59'28"N, 085°25'41"W, 700 m, 19–20.vi.1988, C.M. & O.S. Flint, Holzenthal — 1 male (pinned) ( NMNH) .

Etymology. We take great pleasure in naming this species for Dr. James Rodman for his unfailing support of biodiversity research, and especially for his role in establishing the NSF sponsored PEET program, which provided the funding for this research.

Figures

FIGURE 26. Mortoniella rodmani, new species. Male genitalia: A—lateral; B—segment IX and tergum X, dorsal; C— phallic ensemble, ventral.

FIGURE 27–28. Mortoniella rodmani, new species. 27, Ventral process of sternum VI (male), lateral. 28, Wings, male: A—forewing; B—hind wing.