Lichenomima aldretei Ramesh & Babu & Subramanian 2023, n. sp.

Lichenomima aldretei n. sp.

(Figures 2−18)

Diagnosis. This newly described species exhibits several similarities with other known species, such as L. intermedia, L. ampla, and L. indica. However, it can be readily distinguished based on specific morphological characteristics, particularly in the male hypandrium, phallosome, and gonapophyses. The male hypandrium of L. aldretei n. sp. has a broad apex with a discernible lobe and a slightly indented apical margin. Additionally, the phallosome is elongated with a closed paramere and a conical anterior base that tapers into a peduncle, ultimately taking on a spatulate shape at the apex. Subgenital plate distally with a transverse sclerite, apically with a trilobed and distinct, broad sclerotized border. Gonapophyses with an outer valve are large, oval, and setose; the dorsal valve is long and pointed, while the ventral valve is short and constricted at the end. In contrast, L. intermedia presents a male hypandrium with a median depression located at the median distal end. Its penial frame concludes in a spoon-shaped beak or a much longer peduncle, which typically forms a clear angle. Moreover, the base of the male phallosome in L. intermedia is nearly flat or circular. Likewise, L. ampla showcases distinct features. Its gonapophyses exhibit a ventral valve with a tapered end, and the phallosome has an elongated shape with a united base. The parameres in L. ampla taper towards the end, presenting a unique configuration.

Lastly, L. indica is characterized by a simple and shallow hypandrium with a median strong seta subapically and a posterior part featuring two apophyses that extend dorsolaterally in opposite directions. The base of the penial frame in L. indica is fused and rounded, gradually tapering posteriorly into a peduncle, ultimately flattening at the apex.

Description. Male. Color (in 70% ethanol). Head buff with brown markings as shown in Fig. 3, frons has a belllike buff area surrounded by a band; genae brown with buff markings near postclypeus, continuing as a band below the antennal base. Postclypeus with longitudinal stripes and an elongated brown band in the middle, maxillary palps brown, apical segment dark brown, basal segment pale brown. Compound eyes are dark brown. Ocellar fields are dark brown. Antenna with scape and pedicel brown and each distal end of the flagellomere is dark brown. Thorax is usually pale brownish yellow, with a brown median band running from mesothorax to metathorax. Mesothorax: The anterior lobe of the scutum is light brown, the lateral lobes have 4–5 circular spots of light brownish yellow and the scutellum is brown. Postnotum: Laterally, with dark brown and buff in the middle. Metathorax: The anterior lobe is buff, the lateral lobes are brown and the scutellum is dark brown. The pleura is brown. Forewing: Wing margin and veins with alternating dark and light spots, and the membrane is mottled with small brown spots; the second half of the pterostigma is dark brown, with a distinct basal dark fascia and a dark brown spot on the M vein (Fig. 4). Hindwing (Fig. 5): with brown and white markings along the margins, the membrane is hyaline, the veins at the Rs-M junction and CuA are dark brown, and the rest of the veins are very light brown. Legs typically appear whitish-yellow, except for the brown distal end of the tarsus. Femora pigmentation: forefemora with a brown band that extends from the proximal to the middle area, with a centrally whitish yellow batch, and the distal end is brown. midleg femora have a brown band running from the proximal to the middle area, with centrally two whitish yellow batches and the distal end brown; hind femora, whitish-yellow with an alternate band along the inner margin; the distal end of outer margin with an alternate band (Fig. 10 a, b, c). Abdomen: buff with a transverse dark brown band. Terminalia is pale brown.

Morphology. Head: Vertex slightly depressed and without humps, the compound eyes large and hemispherical, ocelli are grouped on a small tubercle (Fig. 3). Outer cusp of lacinia with three denticles (Fig. 9). Forewing (Fig. 4) apical margin smoothly rounded, Rs-M connected with short distance, Vein R1 exhibits a pronounced curvature, resulting in a distinctly concave hind margin for the pterostigma, CuA1 and M fused at a point. Hindwing veins RsM are connected by a transverse vein (Fig. 5). Right fore, mid, and hind femur pigmentation is shown in Fig.10a, b, c. Claw with a preapical tooth. Hypandrium: broad, apex with distinct lobe, apical margin slightly indented; longer setae possessing from subapical lobe to midline; and a group of small setae on anterolateral margin (Fig. 11). Phallosome: elongate, with closed paramere and without internal sclerites, a conical anterior base tapering into the shape of a peduncle, becoming spatulate at the apex (Fig. 12). Paraproct: with about 50 weakly developed trichobothria on basal rosettes, the median margin strongly sclerotized before the apex, and strongly curved apical hook. Epiproct: simple, with rounded sides tapering towards the apex, a few small setae in the subapical area and a cluster of setae in the anterior area (Fig. 13).

Variation. In paratype males, the forewing of Rs-M connected with a short transverse vein, pterostigma with a hind margin of R1farily concave, CuA1 and M fused with short distance (Fig. 6).

Measurements. (in mm). FW: 4.104, HW: 3.140, F:0.843, T:1.704, t1:1.74, t2:0.85, t3: 096, ctt1:25, ctt2: 1, ctt3: 1, Mx4: 2.26, f1: 1.0, f2: 0.92, f3:0.94, f4: 0.71, f5:0.38, f6: 0.28, f7: 0.23, IO: 0.33, D: 0.41, d: 0.34, IO/D: 0.80, PO: 0.82

Female. Color. same as male except for femur pigmentation and Terminalia. Femora pigmentation: fore femora, the brown band that extends from proximal to mid portion with a batch of the whitish-yellow and distally brown band; mid femora, the brown band from proximal to mid area and distal end with brown band. Hind femora with a distally brown band and a linear brown band from proximal to mid in the outer margin (Fig. 15 a, b, c). Terminalia is pale brown.

Morphology. Compound eyes not reaching the vertex (Fig. 14). Forewing Rs-M connected with a short distance, pterostigma with hind margin of R1farily concave, CuA1 and M fused at a point (Fig. 7). Hindwing as same in male (Fig. 8). Subgenital plate: has a transverse sclerite that separates from the main plate; main plate has very broad Y-shaped sclerotization. The distal end of the subgenital plate has three lobes and the median lobe has small spinelets (Fig. 16). Gonapophyses: The outer valve is fairly large, oval, and setose, the dorsal valve is very long and sharply pointed; and the ventral valve is short and constricted near the end (Fig. 17). Epiproct: nearly triangular shape, with a group of setae located on the apical region and sparsely setose from the anterior to the median regions. Paraproct: with a large, heavily sclerotized field with 50 trichobothria on basal rosettes and a wide, weakly sclerotized posterior lobe; setae are arranged in a transverse row on the medial and posterior margins (Fig. 18).

Measurements. (in mm). FW: 5.340, HW: 4.021, F:1.04, T:2.07, t1:0.62, t2:0.88, t3: 0.14, ctt1:25, ctt2: 1, ctt3: 1, Mx4: 2.55, IO: 0.69, D: 0.34, d: 0.26, IO/D: 2.0, PO: 0.76

Specimens studied. Holotype male. INDIA. Tamil Nadu, Erode District, Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve, Kadambur; 11°37'35.61"N: 77°19'58.61"E, 867 m., 22.VII.2022, R. Aengals. Paratypes: 1 male, 1 female, same data as the holotype. 1 male, same collection locality as for preceding; 31.I.2023; R. Babu.

Holotype and paratypes are deposited in the National Zoological Collections of Southern Regional Centre, Zoological Survey of India, Chennai (Reg. No. ZSI/SRC/I/PSO -163-166).

Etymology. The specific epithet is derived from the name of a late Mexican psocid taxonomist, Alfonso Neri García Aldrete, who made significant contributions to the Psocoptera.