Contulma fluminensis, Holzenthal, Ralph W. & Robertson, Desiree R., 2006

Holzenthal, Ralph W. & Robertson, Desiree R., 2006, Four new species of Contulma from South America (Trichoptera: Anomalopsychidae), Zootaxa 1355, pp. 49-59 : 52-54

Contulma fluminensis , new species

Figs. 2 A–F

Among the Brazilian species, C. fluminensis is closest to C. tripui n. sp. in sharing a highly complex phallic apparatus with very large, highly convoluted membranous lobes and apical spatulate sclerites, but differs from C. tripui n. sp. in having smaller, much more ventrally situated posterior lobes of segment IX.

Length of forewing: 4.7 mm. Forewing color very dark brown, almost black, immaculate; head, thorax, and appendages brown. Posterior foretibial spur about 1/2 length of anterior spur.

Male genitalia. Segment IX in lateral view narrow, with anterodorsal margin produced anteriorly, heavily setose ventrally; posterior margin straight dorsally and medially, very abruptly produced ventrolaterally to form narrow, prominent, heavily setose lobe; posterodorsally with pair of lightly sclerotized, elongate, curved, ventrally directed, dorsomesal processes with rugose apices; dorsally segment IX highly reduced; sternum IX in ventral view with posteromesal, sclerotized, spatulate projection, surface longitudinally striate, apically cleft, anteromesally bearing about 4 flat, fused, toothlike setae. Inferior appendage in lateral view short, subtriangular, dorsal margin straight, bearing about 4 or 5 short setae, ventral margin heel-like; inferior appendages apparently fused to base of sternum IX projection, together forming highly complex structure as in Figs. 2 A, C. Processes of subphallic membranes absent (or not visible). Segment X highly reduced, entirely membranous. Phallus complex; phallobase sclerotized, tubular, curved; in dorsal view broad posteriorly, apicoventrally with heavily sclerotized, apically cleft lobe; apex of phallus with complex membranous lobes and sclerites as in Figs. 2 D–F; dorsally with paired, very large, highly convoluted, membranes; apicolaterally with paired, highly convoluted, membranous lobes, partially with highly irregular, scalloped, semisclerotized surface, apically with large, broad, spatulate sclerites, bearing prominent keel-like striae on their outer surfaces; phallotremal sclerite present, small, subspherical.

Female. Unknown.

Holotype male: BRAZIL: Rio de Janeiro: Rio Macaé, Macaé da Cima, 22°23’41”S, 42°30’08”W, el. 1000 m, 8.iii.2002, Holzenthal, Blahnik, Paprocki, Prather ( UMSP 000086069) ( MZUSP).

Etymology. From the Latin word flumen for stream or river and a traditional Latinization used in Brazil for something from the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Comments. Holzenthal & Flint (1995, fig. 109) interpreted the digitate, apically setose processes above the posteromesal projection of sternum IX in C. tijuca to be processes of the subphallic membranes. Upon examination of these structures in C. fluminensis and the 2 other closely related Brazilian species described below, we reinterpret these structures to be homologous to inferior appendages based on their position in relation to sternum IX. The processes of the subphallic membranes appear to be absent in the Brazilian species or are not delineated as distinct processes or lobes within the membranes.

Figures

FIGURE 2. Contulma fluminensis n. sp. Male genitalia: A—Lateral; B—Dorsal; C—Ventral; D— Phallus, lateral; E—Phallus, dorsal; F—Phallus, ventral.