Amphoropsyche carchi Razuri-Gonzales , Holzenthal & Rios-Touma

Razuri-Gonzales, Ernesto, Holzenthal, Ralph W. & Rios-Touma, Blanca, 2017, Two new species of the rare Neotropical caddisfly genus Amphoropsyche Holzenthal (Trichoptera, Leptoceridae), ZooKeys 707, pp. 63-72 : 63-64

Amphoropsyche carchi Razuri-Gonzales, Holzenthal & Rios-Touma sp. n. Fig. 1

Diagnosis.

This species is diagnosed by the structure of the inferior appendage and the phallic apparatus, especially the rounded mesal concavity, the short mesobasal lobe and the short 2nd article of the inferior appendage, and the phallobase with paired apicolateral projections each bearing a short, apical spine-like seta. This new species belongs to a group of 10 species whose males have segment X divided into a mesal process and a pair of lateral processes ( A. ayura Holzenthal, 1985, A. cauca Holzenthal, 1985, A. choco Holzenthal, 1985, A. flinti Holzenthal, 1985, A. napo Holzenthal, 1985, A. quebrada Holzenthal, 1985, A. real Holzenthal & Ríos-Touma, 2016, A. spinifera Holzenthal, 1986, A. stellata Holzenthal, 1985, and A. tandayapa Holzenthal & Rázuri-Gonzales, 2011). Among these, A. carchi sp. n., is most similar to A. quebrada based on the structure of the inferior appendage (short 2nd segment, deep mesal concavity in ventral view), but the mesal notch on the preanal appendage of the new species is not as deep as in A. quebrada . Additionally, A. carchi lacks parameres in the phallic apparatus, but has a pair of apicolateral projections each with an apical spine-like seta, and the lateral process of tergum X in the new species lacks any spine-like setae apically. In the key to males of the genus provided by Holzenthal and Ríos-Touma (2016), the new species will lead to A. spinifera , but the paired apicolateral processes of the phallobase are not bifid as they are in A. spinifera .

Description.

Male. Forewing length 5.5 mm (n=1). Body and legs brown, no discernable color pattern, antennae cream colored (specimen pinned, base of wings slightly denuded). Genitalia as in Fig. 1 A–D. Segment IX annular, sternum with anterior margin straight not extended anteriorly (Fig. 1A). Segment X composed of single mesal process and pair of lateral processes (Fig. 1 A–B); mesal process very lightly sclerotized, slightly longer than preanal appendages, triangular, apex acute (Fig. 1B); lateral process broadly crescent-shaped, without any spine-like setae; apically, lateral process with about 5-6 small setae (Fig. 1A). Preanal appendages large, oval, fused basally but divided apically to 1/3 their lengths (apical emargination broad); with large reticulate internal gland and small subapicoventral pore (Fig. 1 A–B); apically with pair of short, digitate, membranous dorsomesal processes (Fig. 1B). Inferior appendage narrow, elongate, bent dorsad from base, with short basoventral projection bearing short setae (Fig. 1A, C); in ventral view, with deep, rounded mesal concavity with sharp posterior angle; ending in bulbous, semi-membranous apex, bearing subterminal tuft of closely appressed setae emerging from membranous pocket and with prominent setae on mesal face; 2nd article of inferior appendage short, thin, slightly curved inwards in ventral view, apex acute; 2nd article sitting on ridge at base of mesal concavity (Fig. 1C). Phallic apparatus (Fig. 1D) with phallobase well-developed, with sclerotized apicolateral projection on each side, bearing stout apical spine-like seta; parameres absent; endothecal membranes well-developed, everted on specimen, with row of small spicules anterodorsally; phallotremal sclerite U-shaped, well-developed, triangular in lateral view.

Holotype.

Male. ECUADOR: Carchi: Quebrada San Francisco (Hacienda San Francisco), ca. 1.8 km W Las Juntas, 00.80330°N, 78.17081°W, el. 1241 m, 15.ii.2017, Ríos-Touma & Amigo (UMSP000114269) (MECN).

Etymology.

This species is named after the Province of Carchi, where the type was collected.