Contulma meloi, 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 : 54-56

Contulma meloi , new species

Figs. 3 A–G

This new species is related to C. tijuca and the other Brazilian species described here, but differs from the other species in the dorsomesal processes of segment IX, which are absent or very short in C. meloi .

Length of forewing: 3.8 mm (both specimens). Forewing color (in alcohol) light brown, immaculate; head, thorax, and appendages light brown. Posterior foretibial spur about 1/2 length of anterior spur.

Male genitalia. Segment IX in lateral view broad, with anterior margin relatively straight, heavily setose ventrally; posterior margin straight dorsally and medially, produced ventrolaterally to form broad, prominent, heavily setose lobe; posterodorsally without processes in holotype ( Figs. 3 A, B), but with very short, acute processes in paratype ( Fig. 3 G); 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. 3 A, C. Processes of subphallic membranes absent (or not visible). Segment X highly reduced, entirely membranous. Phallus relatively simple; phallobase sclerotized, tubular, curved; in dorsal view broad posteriorly; apex of phallus with membranous and semimembranous lobes as in Figs. 3 D–F; apicodorsally with paired membranes, apex semimembranous; apicoventrally with paired semimembranous lobes; phallotremal sclerite present, large, subspherical.

Female. Unknown.

Holotype male: BRAZIL: São Paulo: Estação Biológica de Boracéia, Rio Venerando, 23°39’11”S, 45°53’25”W, el. 850 m, 18–21.ix.2002, Blahnik, Prather, Melo, Froehlich, Silva ( UMSP 000210914) ( MZUSP).

Paratype: BRAZIL: São Paulo: same data as holotype — 1 male ( UMSP).

Etymology. The new species is named in honor of Dr. Adriano Sanches Melo in recognition of his friendship and assistance to the senior author and his colleagues during their work and travels in Brazil. Dr. Melo’s research interests lie in the ecology and natural history of aquatic insects in Brazil, especially the Trichoptera . He also helped collect the new species.

Figures

FIGURE 3. Contulma meloi n. sp. Male genitalia: A—Lateral; B—Dorsal; C—Ventral; D— Phallus, lateral; E—Phallus, dorsal; F—Phallus, ventral; G—Segment IX, lateral (male paratype).