Mortoniella (Mortoniella) gilli, Blahnik & Holzenthal, 2017

Blahnik, Roger J. & Holzenthal, Ralph W., 2017, Revision of the northern South American species of Mortoniella Ulmer 1906 (Trichoptera: Glossosomatidae: Protoptilinae) *, Insecta Mundi 2017 (602), pp. 1-251 : 42-43

Mortoniella (Mortoniella) gilli , new species

Fig. 26

This species is most closely related to M. quinuas Harper and Turcotte. Both species have a dorsal phallic spine with a strongly dorsally curved apex covered with minute spines, but lack the acute or spine-like ventrolateral lobes of tergum X, typical of most species in the bilineata group. Mortoniella gilli differs significantly from M. quinuas in having paramere appendages with numerous small spines in the apical half, rather than a single apical spine, and in having very differently formed inferior appendages, which lack spiniform processes. Also, it possesses a very prominent, posteroventrally-oriented, ventral process on segment VI, rather than a small weakly formed one.

Adult —Length of forewing: male 5.0- 5.2 mm. Forewing with forks I, II, and III present, hind wing with forks II, III, and V. Spur formula 0:4:4. Overall color (in alcohol) brown. Legs paler than body, tibial spurs very dark, contrasting with legs. Forewing largely denuded, apparently without wing bars. Head noticeably small.

Male genitalia —Ventral process of segment VI posteroventrally projecting, prominent, length about 2 times width at base, apex acute. Tergum VIII relatively narrow, subtending ventral margin of segment IX, membranous connection to tergum IX normal (not elongate). Segment IX with anterolateral margin rounded and produced in ventral half, posterolateral margin weakly produced and rounded in dorsal ½; segment deeply mesally excised dorsally and ventrally, forming lateral lobes, separated dorsomesally by about ½ width of segment. Tergum X, as viewed dorsally, moderately elongate, basal part very slightly inflated and set off from sclerotized apical part, lateral margins subparallel, apex with deep V-shaped mesal invagination, extending almost ½ length of segment; as viewed laterally, with rounded setose ventrolateral lobes at about midlength, apex of tergum distinctly sclerotized and forming bluntly rounded and slightly ventrally curved apical projections, ventromesal lobes absent. Inferior appendages prominent, setose, moderately elongate, without distinct dorsolateral lobe; as viewed ventrally, without mesal projection (lateral appendages separated by deep mesal invagination). Mesal pockets of inferior appendage with elongate, posteriorly-directed, spine-like, apicoventral projections. Paramere appendage elongate, narrow, extending about same length as dorsal phallic spine, bowed outward in apical ½, apical part with numerous spines on lateral margin; fused basal segments of appendages articulating near base of dorsal phallic spine. Phallobase without dorsomesal apodeme. Dorsal phallic spine, as viewed laterally, nearly uniform in width, slightly ventrally bowed in basal 2/3, conforming to sclerotized dorsal margin of phallicata, apical 1/3 with sinuous deflection and strong apical dorsal inflection, apex acutely narrowed and with numerous small spines; spine, as viewed dorsally, nearly uniformly narrow in width throughout length, apex acute. Phallicata without basodorsal projection, sclerotized dorsal margin extending into endophallic membrane, with nipple-like projection apically, conforming to sinuous apical inflection of dorsal phallic spine; phallicata lightly sclerotized ventrally, extending about as far as paramere appendages, lateral margins bowed outward and converging apically. Endophallic membrane with projecting and pleated membranous lateral lobes; phallotremal spines absent.

Holotype male (alcohol)— ECUADOR: Napo: PAP8 unnamed trib., Papallacta River, Hwy E-28, ca. 1.7 mi SW Papallacta, 0.385893° S, 78.143530° W, 25.i.2012, B Gill ( NMNH) ( UMSP000097165 ).

Paratypes — ECUADOR: Napo: same data as holotype, 2 males (alcohol) ( NMNH).

Etymology —This species is named M. gilli after its collector.

Figures

Figure 26. Mortoniella (Mortoniella) gilli, new species, male genitalia. A—lateral; B—segment IX and tergum X, dorsal; C—phallic ensemble, ventral; D—dorsal phallic spine, dorsal; E—ventral process of segment VI, lateral.