Siccia usambara, 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 : 34

Siccia usambara sp. n.

https://zoobank.org/ urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:70D225B4-87C8-4D30-98C5-1B0A4E4A1DDD

( Figs 63, 64 , 325 , 471 )

Type material. Holotype ( Figs 63 , 325 ): male, “Mal Inst Amani | P.562 8/63 [viii.1963]” / “ Tanzania: | Amani | Malaria Institute | G. Pringle coll. | BM 1966-281” / “ G. Pringle Coll. | B. M. 1966-281.” / QR-code label with unique number: “NHMUK010918060” / “Slide | NHMUK010315722” [prepared by Volynkin] ( NHMUK).

Paratype. TANZANIA: female, the same data as holotype but vii.1964, unique number: NHMUK010918061, gen. prep. No.: NHMUK010315723 (prepared by Volynkin) ( NHMUK) .

Diagnosis. The forewing length is 8.5 mm in the male holotype and 10.0 mm in the female paratype. Siccia usambara is externally reminiscent of the sympatric S. tanzaniae but with fundamentally different genitalia in both sexes, and differs only in the somewhat larger size. Reliable identification requires the examination of the genitalia structures. The male genital capsule of the new species is vaguely similar to S. caffra but differs clearly in the narrower valva with a cucullus having a narrower dorsal and a longer, thicker and apically rounded ventral process (it is small and spike-like in S. caffra ), the apically rounded and dorsally directed distal saccular process (in S. caffra , it is apically pointed and ventrally directed), and the larger costal lobe bearing a dense cluster of spinules (it is smooth in S. caffra ). Additionally, the uncus of S. usambara is longer than in S. caffra and somewhat tapered subapically whereas it is distally dilated in the congener. The phallus of S. usambara is broader and more distally dilated than in S. caffra . The vesica of the new species is markedly broader than in the congener, has two broad diverticula dorsally and ventrally, and bears three robust cornuti distally, which have broader connections with the vesica membrane than in S. caffra . In the female genitalia of S. usambara , the antrum is trapezoidal and evenly sclerotised whereas it is funnel-shaped and medially membranous in S. caffra . The corpus bursae of the new species is broader than in S. caffra , gelatinous and densely covered with tiny spinules whereas it is weakly sclerotised bearing four separated clusters of short but robust spines posteriorly in the congener.

Molecular data. Currently unavailable for this species.

Distribution. The new species is currently known only from its type locality in the East Usambara Mountains in north-eastern Tanzania.

Etymology. The specific epithet is derived from the type locality of the species, East Usambara Mountains. The name is a noun in the nominative singular in apposition.

Figures

Figures 63–79. Siccia spp., adults. Depositories of the specimens: 63, 64, 66 and 67 in NHMUK (©The Trustees of NHMUK); 65, 71–79 in ANHRT; 68 in HNHM; 69 in MfN; 70 in GMF-B.

Figures 325–328. Siccia spp., male genitalia. Depositories of the specimens dissected: 325 in NHMUK (©The Trustees of NHMUK); 326 in HNHM; 327 in MfN; 328 in ANHRT.

Figures 470–473. Siccia spp., female genitalia. Depositories of the specimens dissected: 470 and 473 in ANHRT; 471 in NHMUK (©The Trustees of NHMUK); 472 in HNHM.