Neotrichia dracanamalama Harris, new species

Neotrichia dracanamalama Harris, new species

(Figs 13, 14)

Neotrichia dracanamalama is known from only the type locality in Virginia. Males of the new species are most similar to those of N. mentonensis Frazer and Harris, differing in the structure of the inferior appendages. In N. dracanamalama the dorsal process is visible in lateral view and divided into multiple sections in ventral view. In N. mentonensis these processes are entire in ventral view and hidden in lateral view. The female of N. dracanamalama is most similar to N. falca in the general appearance of the sternal plate on abdominal segment VIII. However, the mesal portion of the sternal plate is more sclerotized in N. falca than in N. dracanamalama, and the length of the posterior copulatory channel of the bursa copulatrix differs in the 2 species.

Male. Length 2.3 mm, antennae broken, but based on other members of the group, likely having 18 segments, brown in alcohol. Abdominal segment VIII annular. Segment IX annular in lateral and ventral view, dorsally fused with segment X, bracteoles uniform in width, gradually upturned distally. Segment X in lateral view shelf-like, narrowing posteriorly, dorsum squarish with narrow excision on posterior margin, venter not encircling subgentital plate. Genitalia as in Fig. 13. Subgenital plate in lateral view shelf-like, narrowing to setal bearing apex, in ventral view bifid, each lobe rounded apically and bearing stout seta. Inferior appendages triangular in both lateral and ventral views, dorsal process triangular and heavily sclerotized, in ventral view these processes divided into 3 sections, dorsal-most beaklike, ventral-most narrowing to setalbearing knob. Phallus rectanguloid distally with pair of heavy internal sclerites strongly curved in lateral view, paramere encircling shaft and extending distal length of phallus.

Female. Length 2.2 mm. 18 antennal segments, brown in alcohol. Abdominal segments VII – X very similar to those of other species in the group (see Fig. 12 B). Abdominal segments VII and VIII annular; segment VIII with ring of stout setae on posterior margin, sternum with pair of mesal sclerites thin and diverging anteriorly, posteriorly with mesal separation (Fig. 14 A); internally with pair of lateral sclerotized rods, inner pair connecting anteriorly with lateral rods of segment IX, outer rods originating on anterior margin of VIII, both pairs extending anteriorly into segment VI. Segment IX tapering posteriorly bearing pair of sclerotized internal, lateral rods extending into segment VIII. Segment X conical, bearing pair of posterolateral papillae (as in Fig. 12 B). Bursa copulatrix as in Fig. 14 B. Posterior copulatory channel elongate, genital chamber with lateral margins sclerotized extending anteriorly as short processes, bell-shaped mesal sclerite tapering distally, divided anteriorly with light sclerotization between arms (Fig. 14 B).

Holotype, male. United States: Virginia, Middlesex County, Dragon Run Swamp, Rt. 603, 3 mi. S Warner, N37.380, W 76.418, 10 June 2005, C.M. and O.S. Flint, Jr. (NMNH).

Paratype, female. Same as holotype (NMNH).

Etymology. “Draca” (L)–dragon, nama (G) –stream, lama (L)–bog, swamp. Literally, dragon-run swamp, referring to the unique type locality.

Distribution. VA.