Ulmara rotunda (Dognin, 1916)

St. Laurent, Ryan A., 2016, Revisions of the genera Lurama Schaus, 1928 and Ulmara Schaus, 1928 (Lepidoptera, Mimallonoidea, Mimallonidae) with the descriptions of three new Ulmara species and a new genus, ZooKeys 611, pp. 57-92 : 70-74

Taxon classification Animalia Lepidoptera Mimallonidae

Ulmara rotunda (Dognin, 1916) Figs 14-16, 23, 24; Map 2

Cicinnus rotunda Dognin, 1916: 20-21

Ulmara rotunda ; Schaus 1928: Figs ♂ and ♀ 88 g

Ulmara rotunda ; Gaede 1931

Ulmara rotunda ; Becker 1996

Type material.

2 ♂ syntypes, [deposition of one syntype unclear, but probably among series from type locality at MNHU or specimen “2602” in possession of R. Hutchings, available syntype from USNM designated as lectotype below]. Type locality: Colombia: Monte Tolima [Nevado del Tolima?].

Lectotype

(here designated), ♂. COLOMBIA: Tolima: Monte Tolima, 3200 m, Colomb. Cent. Cord. [Nevado del Tolima?, Cordillera Central]/ Type No.: 29689 U.S.N.M./ USNM-Mimal: 1109/ St Laurent diss.: 2-14-16:2/ LECTOTYPE ♂ Cicinnus rotunda designated by St Laurent, 2016 [handwritten red label]/ (USNM).

Additional specimens examined.

(6 ♂, 1 ♀) COLOMBIA: Tolima: 3 ♂, Monte Tolima [Nevado del Tolima], 3200 m: Coll. Fassl, St Laurent diss.: 4-5-16:3 (MNHU). 1 ♂, Mt. Tolima [Nevado del Tolima], 2800 m: II.1910, A. H. Fassl, NHMUK010355070 (NHMUK). 1 ♂, San Antonio, 5800 ft: G.M. Palmer, St Laurent diss.: 4-15-16:1, NHMUK010355069 (NHMUK). Cundinamarca/Distrito Capital: 1 ♂, Bogotá: Rothschild Bequest BM 1939-1, St Laurent diss.: 4-15-16:2, NHMUK010355068 (NHMUK). 1 ♀, Bogotá [additional locality information illegible]: 13.IV.1871, Nolcken, Coll. Staudinger, " Ulmara rotunda ♀ type, Schaus" with label “Typus” [Not a true type, Schaus invalidly designated this as an allotype retroactively well after original description. Abdomen missing, no genitalia preparation.] (MNHU).

Diagnosis.

Ulmara rotunda is the largest and most northernmost representative of the genus, being the only species so far reported from Colombia. Apart from distribution and large size, Ulmara rotunda can be recognized by the nearly complete gnathos, which while not fused mesally, is only separated by a small gap with heavily sclerotized terminal ends on either side of the gap. The valves are among the largest in the genus, and are triangular, the phallus is also recognizable by its oblong shape where the distal half is much wider (when viewed laterally) than the basal half.

Description.

Male.Head: As for genus but labial palpus particularly long, extending well beyond frons. Thorax: As for genus. Legs: As for genus. Forewing dorsum: Forewing length: 19.05-21 mm, avg.: 20.4 mm, wingspan: 39-43 mm, n=6. As for genus but ground color dark brown rather than black, postmedial line located about one third wing length away from wing margin, usually very obvious due to lighter brown edging along inner side without blue sheen, postmedial line only weakly notched between Rs4 and costa. Forewing ventrum: As for genus, light-brown edging of postmedial line absent. Hindwing dorsum: Coloration as for forewing dorsum, antemedial line absent, discal mark absent, outer margin of wing serrate. Hindwing ventrum: As for genus. Abdomen: As for genus, but more robust, dorsally with lighter brown scales and well-defined dark terminus due to elongated tuft of dark-brown scales. Genitalia: (Figs 23, 24) n = 4. Vinculum ovoid, ventrally with reduced saccus, bilobed projections of saccus weakly attached to VIII, paired, setae-covered sclerotizations of VIII splayed mesally, extensions wider than ventral margin of vinculum. Uncus simple, highly truncated apically with triangular base. Gnathos nearly complete but gap present mesally, strongly sclerotized, especially terminally at gap. Valves moderately sized, triangular, somewhat truncated apically, with single tooth projecting from saccular edge near apex of valve, tooth variable in length. Transtilla with weakly sclerotized, inward facing se tae-covered extensions. Setae pointed outward directly over phallus. Diaphragm forms large, balloon-like sac expanded inward into abdomen, sac covered in fine, inward facing setae surrounding phallus. Juxta partially fused to phallus, encircling it, lightly sclerotized, especially dorsal to phallus. Phallus short, stout, anterior half cylindrical, ventral apex heavily sclerotized, forming scoop-like extension below vesica; vesica small, sac-like, weakly scobinate; base of phallus much narrower than apical half, in same plane as apical half, not bent. Female. [description based on single, faded specimen] Head: As for male but antennae smaller overall, pectinations particularly shorter, labial palpus slightly reduced. Thorax: As for male. Legs: As for male, but vestiture seemingly sparser. Forewing dorsum: Forewing length: 21.5 mm, wingspan: ~41 mm, n = 1. As for male but more elongated, slightly narrower, discal mark reduced. Forewing ventrum: Somewhat similar to dorsum but much lighter, grayer, maculation reduced; antemedial line absent, postmedial line less distinct. Hindwing dorsum: Coloration as for forewing dorsum, antemedial line absent. Hindwing ventrum: Following same pattern as forewing ventrum. Abdomen and genitalia: Absent from unique specimen.

Distribution

(Map 2). Ulmara rotunda so far appears to be isolated within central Colombia with no records from neighboring countries. This species can be encountered at elevations ranging from 1767-3500 m.

Remarks.

Until the present work, only Ulmara rotunda was known from the genus, and was previously reported from both Nevado del Tolima and Bogotá ( Schaus 1928), thus the only new location reported herein is San Antonio, Tolima, Colombia (NHMUK).