Cernotina chicomendes Pires, Pes, Camargos & Hamada, 2024

Pires, Marcos Adriano Ribeiro, Pes, Ana Maria, Camargos, Lucas M. & Hamada, Neusa, 2024, New Cernotina Ross 1938 (Trichoptera: Polycentropodidae) from Serra do Divisor, Acre, Brazil, Zootaxa 5529 (3), pp. 570-582 : 572-575

Cernotina chicomendes Pires, Pes, Camargos & Hamada sp. nov.

( Figs 1 , 2 , 3 )

Differential diagnosis. Cernotina chicomendes sp. nov. is strikingly similar to C. lobisomem Santos & Nessimian 2008 . They both have a very similar mesoventral process of each preanal appendage, as well as similar general shapes of the inferior appendages and all their structures, and the phallic apparatus. The two species differ mostly by the shape of the dorsolateral process of each preanal appendage, slightly curved dorsad in C. lobisomem , and straight apically, directed posterodorsad in C. chicomendes sp. nov. In addition, each preanal appendage in C. chicomendes sp. nov. has a lateral secondary branch sub-basally, but C. lobisomem lacks this branch. The pre-apical spines on the dorsolateral processes of the preanal appendages are also in different positions, being subapical in C. chicomendes sp. nov. and at mid-length in C. lobisomem . The intermediate appendages are slightly curved dorsad in C. lobisomem and straight, pointing slightly ventrad in C. chicomendes sp, nov. . Although the intermediate appendages may appear more distinct in dorsal view, their membranous nature precludes the use of their shape as a reliable diagnostic character.

Description. Adult male. Length of each forewing (mean = 3.08 mm, standard deviation = 0.165) (n = 9). General color (in alcohol) pale brown ( Fig 1A ). Forewings each with apical forks II, IV, and V ( Fig. 2A ); R stem (not shown) and bases of R1 and radial sector obsolete; discoidal (dc) and thyridial (tc) cells present; Sc and R1 veins gradually wider to apices; wing membrane of stigma thicker between C and apices of Sc and R1 and with inconspicuous crossvein between R1 and R2+3; intersection of M1+2, M3+4, and m-cu crossvein with pale spot (outlined by dashed line in Fig. 2A ). Hind wings each with forks II and V ( Fig. 2B ); discoidal and thyridial cells absent; Sc and R1 veins short, not reaching mid-length of wing; M stem (not shown) and bases of M1+2 and M3+4 obsolete. Cu2 and 1A not reaching hind margin, 3A vein absent.

Male genitalia. In lateral view ( Fig. 3A ), sternum IX pentagonal, about half as tall as entire male genital complex; in ventral view ( Fig. 3C ), with posterior margin wider than anterior margin, with slight lateral concavity on each side, anteroventral margin with deep, broad concavity, with sclerotized ventral ridge extending internally in V-shape, and with posteroventral margin broadly concave.Tergum X fused with intermediate appendages. Intermediate appendages digitate in lateral view ( Fig. 3A ); in dorsal view ( Fig. 3B ) membranous, fused basally with dorsolateral processes of preanal appendages, much longer than segment IX, separated mid-dorsally about half their length, without spines but with setae and microsetae on dorsal surfaces. Preanal appendages each composed of two processes; dorsolateral process much longer than segment IX, with 1 subapical spine and 1 apical spine; with numerous fine setae around apical spine; secondary ventrolateral branch on dorsolateral process present about 1/3 distance from base, triangular, short, with 1 apical spine (spine absent on the left side), in lateral view ( Fig. 3A ) triangular, slightly curved, pointing posterad, in dorsal view ( Fig. 3B ) projecting laterad and curved posterad; mesoventral process much shorter than dorsolateral process and inferior appendage, truncate in lateral view ( Fig. 3A ), bearing six to seven stout apical setae ( Fig. 3F ), in ventral view ( Fig. 3F ) subtriangular, basally fused with corresponding mesoventral process at midline. Inferior appendages about as long as segment IX; in lateral view ( Fig 3A ) subrectangular, apically slightly broader and subtruncate, with ventral and dorsal margins almost straight and with very thick straight setae subapicolaterally and ventrolaterally (only alveoli shown for latter in Figs 3A, 3C ); in ventral view ( Fig. 3C ), internal margins of appendages divergent and nearly straight, each with broad lobe at mid-length, and apical half deeply excavated; anterior basal plate reaching mid-length of sternum IX in lateral and ventral views ( Figs 3A, 3C ); apicomesal lobe large, digitiform with slender basal projection, in lateral and ventral views ( Figs 3A, 3C ) almost entirely hidden by main body of appendage, bearing two stout setae on mesal margin (shown with dashed lines in Fig. 3A ); dorsal branch slender, elongate in lateral view ( Fig. 3A ), angled posterodorsad from main body of inferior appendage and curved caudad, bearing 7 stout setae mesally and apically (inset, Fig. 3C ). Phallus broad, slightly bent at mid-length ( Fig. 3D ), with 2 elongate phallic spines free in phallic membranes; phallotremal sclerite at mid-length, large, with 2 lobes recurved anterad in dorsal view ( Fig. 3E ).

Female and immature stages: Unknown.

Type material. Holotype male: BRAZIL: Acre: Mâncio Lima, Parque Nacional da Serra do Divisor, Igarapé Cachoerinha (#06), 7.4952°S, 73.6989°W, 250 m a.s.l., 17–22.vii.2022, A. Pes, G.R. Desidério, J.O. Silva, R.B. Pinedo, H.L.M.S. Ferreira leg., Pennsylvania trap, 1 male [alcohol] ( INPA-TRI 000147 ) ( INPA) . Paratypes: BRAZIL: same data as for holotype, 6 males, [alcohol] ( INPA-TRI 000148 ) ( INPA) , 1 male [alcohol] ( MNRJ) , 1 male [alcohol] ( MZUSP) .

Distribution. BRAZIL, Acre State (7B, 7C).

Etymology. The name is given to this species as a noun in apposition, and refers to Francisco Alves Mendes Filho, known as ‘Chico Mendes’. Chico Mendes, a rubber tapper, and environmentalist from the Acre State, ardently opposed deforestation, and the encroachment of landowners. His life was tragically cut short, but it sparked the concept of protected areas. Acknowledged as the National Patron of the Environment, Chico Mendes has left an enduring legacy, and his commitment to nature protection will never be forgotten.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Cernotina chicomendes sp. nov., male adult holotype. 1A, habitus, left lateral. 1B–1D, genitalia: 1B, left lateral; 1C, dorsal; 1D, ventral. Scale bars: 1A = 1 mm; 1B, 1C, 1D = 0.1 mm.

FIGURE 2. Cernotina chicomendes sp. nov., male adult holotype, right wings, dorsal. 2A, forewing; 2B, hind wing. Scale bar: 0.5mm. Abbreviations: C = costal vein; CU1a, CU1b, Cu2 = cubital veins, dc = discoidal cell; I–V = apical forks, M1–M4 = medial veins; m-cu = mediocubital crossvein; R1–R5 = radial veins; r = radial crossvein; r-m = radiomedial crossvein; s = sectoral crossvein; Sc = subcostal; tc = thyridial cell; 1A–3A = anal veins

FIGURE 3. Cernotina chicomendes sp. nov., male adult holotype, genitalia. 3A, left lateral; 3B, dorsal; 3C, ventral; 3D, phallus, left lateral; 3E, phallus, dorsal; 3F, paired mesoventral processes of preanal appendages, ventral. Scale bar: 0.1 mm.