Mortoniella (Mortoniella) paralineata Sykora, 1999

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 : 21-22

Mortoniella (Mortoniella) paralineata Sykora, 1999

Fig. 8

Mortoniella paralineata Sykora 1999: 378 [member of bilineata subgroup]; Blahnik and Holzenthal 2008:70 [member of bilineata group]; Blahnik and Holzenthal 2011: 63 [possible member of enchrysa subgroup].

Mortoniella paralineata is a close sister species to M. bilineata Ulmer. Character similarities include the elongate, paired, ventral sclerites of the phallicata and short unbranched mesal projection of the inferior appendages. The ventral sclerites of the phallicata in M. bilineata are distinctly longer than in M. paralineata and the mesal process of the inferior appendages is strongly bent and trianguloid in shape. It also has distinctly longer paramere appendages, subequal in length to the dorsal phallic spine and ventral sclerites of the phallicata. Although we suggested the possible placement of M. paralineata in the enchrysa subgroup ( Blahnik and Holzenthal 2011), based on color characters given in the type description, the species was correctly placed in the bilineata subgroup by Sykora. The species is somewhat lighter brown than other species in the bilineata subgroup, but has two obvious white wing bands on the forewing, a defining character of the subgroup. The genitalia are also very similar to other members of the subgroup. A single, nonparatype specimen was examined, from a site not too distant from the paratype specimens. It was much smaller in size (accounting for most of the size variation listed below), but the only significant difference in the genitalia was that the paramere appendages seemed to be more distinctly bent in the middle. We are considering this intraspecific variation. The question may bear reinvestigation when more material is available.

Adult —Length of forewing: male 4.0- 5.7 mm. Forewing with forks I, II, and III present, hind wing with forks II, III, and V. Spur formula 0:4:4. Overall color medium brown, head and thorax golden brown. Legs same color as wings, tibial spurs darker, weakly contrasting with legs. Palps blackishbrown. Forewing with 2 distinct white wing bars, 1 at anastomosis and 1 on proximal part of wing, approximately midway between base and anastomosis.

Male genitalia —Ventral process of segment VI posteriorly projecting, prominent, relatively narrow basally, subacute apically, length about 2 times width at base. Tergum VIII relatively narrow, subtending ventral margin of segment IX, membranous connection to tergum IX elongate. Segment IX with anterolateral margin rounded and produced in ventral half, posterolateral margin with distinctly angular projection in dorsal half; segment deeply mesally excised dorsally and ventrally, forming lateral lobes, separated dorsomesally by more than ½ width of segment. Tergum X elongate, lateral margins subparallel, laterally with narrow, apically acute, finger-like, lateral lobes, each with prominent apical seta; apex of tergum distinctly sclerotized, subtruncate, with ventrolateral margins incurved and converging mesally to form linear “seam,” apicodorsally with lightly sclerotized connection near apex (mesal notch nearly absent); tergum ventromesally with paired, rounded, lightly sclerotized, ventromesal lobes in basal half, each with short setae. Inferior appendages with short upright dorsolateral lobes and single short ventromesal lobe; mesal lobe bluntly rounded apically, as viewed laterally. Mesal pockets of inferior appendage with moderately elongate, posteriorlydirected, spine-like, apicoventral projections. Paramere appendage only moderately elongate (much shorter than dorsal phallic spine), narrow, nearly uniform in width, nearly straight or very weakly bent in middle; basal segments of appendage fused mesally and articulating near base of dorsal phallic spine. Phallobase with evident rounded, laterally compressed, dorsomesal apodeme. Dorsal phallic spine, as viewed laterally, with dorsal margin strongly curved and arched from base, sinuously and nearly rectilinearly upturned in about apical 1/ 5, apex of spine rounded; base of spine narrow, curved, and stalk-like, abruptly widened on ventral margin in basal ½, forming acute ventral projection; spine, as viewed dorsally, nearly uniformly narrow in width throughout length, rounded apically. Phallicata with sclerotized basodorsal projection, articulating with angular ventral projection of dorsal phallic spine, basodorsal projection with lateral margins forming short rounded lobes; phallicata ventrally with moderately elongate, narrow, lightly sclerotized lobes; lobes only slightly projecting apically, extending slightly beyond paramere appendages. Endophallic membrane with evident membranous lateral lobes and distinct sclerotized dorsomesal pocket, apparently to accommodate apical inflection of dorsal phallic spine; phallotremal spines absent.

Material examined — ECUADOR: Morona-Santiago: Río Salado, Hwy E46 (via Riobamba Macas), 2.242530° S, 78.277910° W, 1646 m, 26.i.2015, Holzenthall, Huisman, Rios-Touma, Amigo – 26 males, 58 females (pinned) ( UMSP) ; Zamora-Chinchipe: Río Jamboe, 21 km S Zamora , 1340 m, 22.ix.1990, OS Flint, Jr – 2 male Paratypes (pinned) ( NMNH) ; Zamora , 4.xii.1978, JJ Anderson – 1 male (alcohol) ( NMNH) .

Distribution — Ecuador.

Figures

Figure 8. Mortoniella (Mortoniella) paralineata Sykora, 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.