Consorophylax vinconi, Graf, Wolfram, Vitecek, Simon, Previšić, Ana & Malicky, Hans, 2015

Graf, Wolfram, Vitecek, Simon, Previšić, Ana & Malicky, Hans, 2015, New species of Limnephilidae (Insecta: Trichoptera) from Europe: Alps and Pyrenees as harbours of unknown biodiversity, Zootaxa 3911 (3), pp. 381-395 : 382-384

Consorophylax vinconi sp. nov. Graf & Malicky

Figs. 1 A–D, 2

Holotype. 1 male: Italy, Torino, Valchiusella, Fondo, Burdeiver brook (45°30’59.60’’N 7°39’09.72’’E), 1800–1900 m a.s.l., 01.ix.2012, leg. G. Vinçon. Holotype deposited in the Biologiezentrum des Oberösterreichischen Landesmuseums, Linz, Austria. Paratype. 1 male, same collection date, in coll. Malicky.

Diagnosis. The new species is a Consorophylax most similar to C. piemontanus Botosaneanu 1967 (in Kimmins & Botosaneanu 1967), but exhibiting (1) parameres that are distinctly constricted in the distal quarter, with terminal spines, and (2) inferior appendages that are slightly bifurcated in lateral view and with a sharp median tip in caudal view. Consorophylax piemontanus has parameres tapered, lacking terminal spines; inferior appendages are not bifurcate in lateral view and with a rounded median tip in caudal view.

Description. General appearance light brown (in alcohol), tergites and sternites light brown; cephalic and thoracic setal areas cream-coloured; cephalic, thoracic and abdominal setation light brown; legs light brown; haustellum and intersegmental integument cream-coloured; wings light brown, translucent, setation on veins and membrane light brown, length of each forewing 15 mm. Male maxillary palps each trisegmented, tibial spur fomula 2,3,4.

Male genitalia ( Figs. 1 A–D). Tergite VIII (VIII) light brown, with median circular area of spines extending to bilobed caudal area of spines. Dorsal third of segment IX (IX) reduced to narrow transverse bridge, ventral 2/3rds broad, with distinct triangular anterior protuberance in lateral view. Lateral processes of segment X (“superior appendages”, X-sa) in lateral view capitate, with small proximal ventral bulge; in dorsal view subtriangular; in caudal view subrectangular, medially concave. Sclerite of segment X (X) divided into clearly separate vertical plates on either side of phallocrypt and between lateral processes, each bearing 1 long subhorizontal, median process (“intermediate appendage”, X-mp) from dorsal end, in lateral and dorsal views this process forming distinctly tapering caudad rod with sharp tip curved dorsad; posterior process on each sclerite of segment X (X-pp) in lateral view forming rounded bulge visible between lateral processes of segment X and inferior appendages (ia), in caudal view ventral part of each half of segment X subtriangular with rounded posterior process directed somewhat laterad and median process pointed toward viewer. Inferior appendages in lateral view broad, stout, each with dorsal portion directed somewhat caudad and consisting of median and lateral tip; in dorsal view stout; in caudal view dorsal portion with sharp median tip and blunt lateral tip. Aedeagus (a) slender, in lateral view curved dorsad, in dorsal view tip bifurcate. Parameres (p) in lateral view basally broad, each abruptly constricted in distal quarter to form slender, dorsally curved tip bearing 3-4 small spines.

Female, pupa, larva, and egg unknown.

Etymology. Named for the French entomologist Gilles Vinçon.

Distribution & biogeography of Consorophylax species. The genus Consorophylax has a strictly European alpine distribution. Most species are restricted to small areas, like C. carinthiacus Malicky 1992 (Karnische Alpen, southern Alps), C. corvo Malicky 2008 (Piemont, western Alps), C. delmastroi Malicky 2004 (Piemont, western Alps), C. montivagus (McLachlan 1867) (Koralpe, Saualpe, southeastern Alps), C. piemontanus (Piemont, western Alps) ( Fig. 2 ). Consorophylax styriacus Botosaneanu (in Kimmins & Botosaneanu 1967) (eastern Alps) and C. consors (McLachlan 1880) (western Alps) have a slightly broader distribution within the Alpine arc ( Fig. 2 ). Although we do not know the exact distribution range, C. vinconi sp. nov. is possibly another microendemic species within the genus. Consorophylax vinconi sp. nov. is most similar to C. piemontanus , which was described from Avigliana, some 13 km west of Torino. Interestingly, the type locality of C. vinconi sp. nov. is about 56 km north-northeast from the type locality of C. piemontanus . This supports the interpretation of C. vinconi sp. nov. as an alpine microendemic.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Male genitalia of Consorophylax vinconi sp. nov. A, left lateral; B, phallic apparatus, left lateral (upper) and dorsal; C, dorsal; D, caudal. Abbreviations: VIII = abdomen VIII; IX = abdomen IX; X = segment X; X-sa = lateral process of segment X (‘ superior appendage‘); X-mp = median process of segment X (‘ intermediate appendage’); X-pp = posterior process of segment X; ia = inferior appendage; p = paramere; a = aedeagus.

FIGURE 2. Known distributions of Consorophylax species.