Mortoniella rovira Blahnik & Holzenthal 2008, new combination

Mortoniella rovira (Flint, 1974), new combination

Fig. 29

Mexitrichia rovira Flint, 1974: 10.

Mortoniella rovira is the only Central American species with a very short inferior appendage, without protruding apicomesal or apicolateral projections, that also lacks paired dorsolateral processes on the phallicata. The most diagnostic and distinctive character of M. rovira is the endophallic spine, which projects from the apicodorsal margin of the phallicata and is flattened and very wide basally. Mortoniella rovira is probably most similar to M. mexicana and M. buenoi, and especially to the latter, which has a somewhat similar endophallic spine. However, both of these species differ from M. rovira in having an apicomesal projection on the inferior appendage. Additionally, M. mexicana differs in lacking an endophallic spine and M. buenoi has distinct spines on the apical part of the paramere appendages.

Adult. Length of forewing: male 3.1–3.3 mm, female 3–3.5 mm. Forewing with forks I, II, and III, hind wing with forks II and III. Overall color medium brown, palps and basal part of antennal and tarsal segments darker brown, apices of tibiae, tarsal and basal antennal segments light brown. Wing bar at anastamosis distinct, marked by pale, light brown setae. Ventral process of abdominal segment VI (male) short, ventrally oriented, rounded or subtruncate apically, slightly constricted basally at anterior margin.

Male genitalia. Segment IX nearly evenly rounded anterolaterally, length greatest midlaterally, posterolateral margin forming rounded projection in dorsal half, narrowing ventrally; segment deeply mesally excised dorsally and ventrally, dorsal excision narrow, much less than half width of segment. Tergum X without or with very weakly developed mesal projection and projecting lateral lobes, lateral lobes with apices narrowed, acute, and mesally curved, preceded by distinct lateral carina. Inferior appendage with very short, acute apicomesal projection and short, rounded basolateral projections on each side; mesal pockets of inferior appendage with apical processes short, dorsally curved. Paramere appendages very elongate, narrow, bases somewhat enlarged and cupped, incurving from membranous basolateral lobes; stem of each appendage narrow, somewhat wider preapically, abruptly narrow and acuminate apically. Dorsal phallic spine with distinct bulge ventrally, conforming with dorsal margin of phallicata, dorsal margin sinuous, apex distinctly dorsally curved; as viewed dorsally, with apex acute. Phallicata relatively straight, tubular, basoventrally with microsetae. Endophallic membrane with prominent curved spine, spine with base very wide and flattened, with apex projecting as extension of dorsal margin of phallicata (characteristic, but possibly unexpanded condition).

Material examined. COSTA RICA: Puntarenas: Río Guineal, ca 1 km (air) E Finca Helechales, 09°04'34"N, 083°05'31"W, 840 m, 22.ii.1986, Holzenthal, Morse & Fasth — 34 males (alcohol) (UMSP); same locality, 4.viii.1987, Holzenthal, Morse & Clausen — 1 male, 9 females (pinned), 10 males (alcohol) (UMSP); Río Singrí, ca 2 km (air) S Finca Helechales, 09°03'25"N, 083°04'55"W, 720 m, 21 ii.1986, Holzenthal, Morse & Fasth — 2 males, 6 females (pinned), 290 males (alcohol) (UMSP).

Distribution. COSTA RICA (Puntarenas), PANAMA (Chiriqui).