Chimarra tanzaniensis, Blahnik & Andersen, 2022

Blahnik, Roger & Andersen, Trond, 2022, New species of the genus Chimarra Stephens from Africa (Trichoptera, Philopotamidae) and characterization of the African groups and subgroups of the genus, ZooKeys 1111, pp. 43-198 : 43

Chimarra tanzaniensis sp. nov.

Fig. 21A-E

Type material.

Holotype. Tanzania - Tanga Reg. ● ♂ (in alcohol); West Usambara Mts, Mazumbai, Kaputu Stream; 4°48'S, 38°30'E; 30 Oct. 1990-12 Feb. 1991; T Andersen leg.; Malaise trap; UMSP 000550066. Paratypes. Tanzania - Tanga Reg. ● 11♂♂; same data as for holotype; ZMBN ● 2♂♂; same data as for holotype except 4-12 Feb.1991; UMSP ● 2♂♂; same data as for holotype except 5 Nov. 1990; sweep net; ZMBN.

Diagnosis.

Chimarra tanzaniensis probably has its overall closest similarity to C. quadrispinosa Jacquemart & Statzner, particularly in the overall shape of segment IX and inferior appendages, which have a very similar shape and acute, spine-like apices. The apices of the inferior appendages also resemble C. szunyoghyi Oláh, but are not quite so pronounced as in that species. Differences from C. quadrispinosa include a less produced posteroventral margin of segment IX, absence of distinct basomesal projections on the inferior appendages, and a different armature of the phallus. The four spines of C. quadrispinosa , based on its illustration, seem to include two prominent, symmetrically placed dorsal spines, which are common among various species of the Chimarrha kenyana group, and two apical spines, possibly elements of the phallotremal sclerite complex. The phallotremal sclerite complex of C. tanzaniensis also has elongate lateral sclerites, but the dorsal spines in this species are very small and occur at the end of a narrow membranous projection, much as that found in C. szunyoghyi . The overall differences are significant enough to warrant the recognition of a new species.

Description.

Adult. Overall color (in alcohol) dark brown. Head relatively short (postocular parietal sclerite ~1/2 diameter of eye). Palps moderately elongate, maxillary palp with 1st segment short (length slightly greater than width), 2nd segment short (~ 2 × length of 1st), apex with small cluster of stiff setae, 3rd elongate (~ 2 × as long as 2nd), 4th segment short (shorter than 2nd), 5th segment elongate (subequal to 3rd). Forewing length: male, 6.0-7.5 mm. Fore- and hind wings with forks I, II, III, and V present. Forewing with R1 somewhat sinuous, stem of Rs inflected at approximately midlength, with distinct node at inflection, extending into cell below, basal fork of discoidal cell enlarged, fork asymmetric, discoidal cell elongate, length> 2 × its width, forks I and II sessile, r crossvein diagonal, intersecting discoidal cell at past midlength, just before fork I, r-m crossvein diagonal, continuous with s, m crossvein proximal to s and r-m crossveins, approximately midway between basal fork of M and r-m crossvein, s pigmented (like wing), r-m and m crossveins hyaline, 2A with crossvein (apparently forked apically to 1A and 3A). Hind wing with R1 narrowly parallel to subcosta, forks I and II subsessile. Foreleg with apical tibial spur short; male with foretarsi unmodified, or nearly so, claws small and symmetrical.

Male genitalia. Segment VIII moderate in length, tergum slightly longer dorsally. Segment IX, in lateral view, relatively elongate, anterior margin very strongly produced ventrally, forming rounded lateral projection in ventral 1/3, dorsolaterally with distinct rounded apodeme, margin strongly concave between; tergum, in dorsal view, continuous between apodemes, but very short, forming deeply concave excavation; posterior margin short dorsally, weakly produced below preanal appendages, more or less linear to ventral process; posteroventral margin with prominent, moderately elongate, posteriorly projecting, ventral process, length> 2 × width at base, apex acute. Segment IX, in dorsal or ventral views, with anteroventral margin deeply, angularly, concave mesally. Lateral lobes of tergum X moderate in length, relatively wide, with apex partially divided into rounded dorsal and ventral lobes, dorsal lobe with very short, rounded, sensilla-bearing process in basal half; mesal lobe of tergum X membranous, extending ~ 1/2 length of lateral lobes. Preanal appendages short, rounded, constricted basally. Inferior appendage, in lateral view, relatively narrow and short, dorsally flexed near base, with apex forming distinct, short, spine-like projection, visible in both lateral and ventral views; appendage, in dorsal or ventral views, moderately mesally curved, with distinct basomesal enlargement at basal inflection, apex narrowed and spine-like, curvature more or less continuous with lateral margin of appendage. Phallic apparatus with phallobase moderate in length and tubular, with usual basodorsal expansion, apicoventral margin with distinct, ventrally curved projection, apex acute; endotheca membranous, without minute spines, but with narrow membranous dorsal lobe, with small apical spine; phallotremal sclerite complex composed of moderately elongate rod and ring structure, with pair of distinct, narrow, curved, dorsolateral sclerites.

Etymology.

Chimarra tanzaniensis , used as an adjective and meaning "from Tanzania," in reference to the country of origin of the holotype specimen.

Figures

Figure 21. Chimarra tanzaniensis sp. nov., ♂ genitalia A lateral B dorsal, segments IX and X C inferior appendage, ventral D inferior appendage, dorsal E phallus, lateral, with dorsal detail of phallotremal sclerite complex.