Mortoniella (Nanotrichia) quadridactyla, Blahnik & Holzenthal, 2017

Blahnik, Roger J. & Holzenthal, Ralph W., 2017, Revision of the northern South American species of Mortoniella Ulmer 1906 (Trichoptera: Glossosomatidae: Protoptilinae) *, Insecta Mundi 2017 (602), pp. 1-251 : 100-101

Mortoniella (Nanotrichia) quadridactyla , new species

Fig. 85

This species is probably most closely related to M. triangularis , n. sp. Both species have a deep mesal incision at the apex of the dorsal phallic spine. Mortoniella quadridactyla can be easily distinguished by having the dorsal phallic spine much narrower in lateral view, with the apex upturned, and with each half of the divided apex subdivided into a pair of acute spines. Tergum X is also simpler in construction, with the apicolateral lobes very broadly rounded.

Adult —Length of forewing: male 1.7-1.9 mm; female 2.0 mm. Forewing with forks I, II, and III present, hind wing with fork II only; both wings narrow, acute apically. Spur formula 0:3:4. Overall color (in alcohol) yellowish-brown (specimen faded and partially rubbed, wing bar not evident). Forewings of male with scale-like setae paralleling major veins (except apically).

Male genitalia —Ventral process of segment VI posteriorly projecting, narrow basally, length about 3 times width at base. Segment IX with anterolateral margin rounded and distinctly produced in ventral ½, posterolateral margin nearly straight; segment deeply mesally excised dorsally and ventrally, forming lateral lobes, separated dorsomesally by more than ½ width of segment. Tergum X moderately elongate, lateral margins subparallel, apicomesally with deep V-shaped emargination, extending more than ½ length of tergum; apicolateral lobes simple, rounded apically, formed by mesal invagination; tergum, in lateral view, with rounded apicolateral invagination, demarcating prominent and apically rounded ventrolateral lobe. Inferior appendages with small setose lateral projections, apparently fused ventrally to spine-like projections of mesal pockets. Mesal pockets of inferior appendage small, with very elongate, narrow, posteriorly-directed, spinelike, apicoventral projections. Paramere appendage elongate, strap-like, apex acute, extending about same length as dorsal phallic spine. Phallobase with very short ventral rod-like projections, each distinctly flared apically. Dorsal phallic spine, as viewed laterally, relatively narrow, strongly and sinuously upturned in about middle, apex distinctly forked into pair of acute projections; as viewed dorsally, distinctly widened in apical ½, apicomesally with deep U-shaped invagination, extending about ½ length of spine, each half of divided apex forked preapically to produce 4 apical spine-like projections. Phallicata relatively lightly sclerotized and difficult to discern. Endophallic membrane elongate, with large basodorsal, balloon-like lobe; phallotremal spines very small.

Holotype male (alcohol)— VENEZUELA: Barinas: Barinas, Río Santo Domingo, 17.ii.1976, CM and OS Flint , Jr ( UMSP000097089 ) ( NMNH).

Paratypes — VENEZUELA: Barinas: same data as holotype – 2 males, 2 females (alcohol) ( NMNH).

Etymology —This species is named Mortoniella quadridactyla , derived from Latin for four fingers or appendages, and referring to the four acute projections at the apex of the dorsal phallic spine of the species.

Figures

Figure 85. Mortoniella (Nanotrichia) quadridactyla, new species, male genitalia. A—lateral; B—segment IX and tergum X, dorsal; C—phallic ensemble, ventral; D—dorsal phallic spine, dorsal; E—ventral process of segment VI, lateral.