Spatulosia lobo sp. n.

https://zoobank.org/ urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: AEFDA83C-BFCB-4D93-B5DE-03AD2A361233

(Figs 73–75, 166, 167, 206)

Type material. Holotype (Figs 73, 166): male, “ Republic of Congo 390m | Odzala-Kokoua National Park, | Lobo Research Camp | 00°35'04''N, 14°53'12''E | 20–27.ix.2024, MV light trap | Bashford, M., László, G., | Volynkin, A. leg. | ANHRT:2024.15” / “ANHRTUK | 00406866” / “Slide | AV9831 ♂ | A. Volynkin ” (ANHRT).

Paratypes (1 male, 1 female, both in ANHRT). REPUBLIC OF CONGO: 1 female, same data as in holotype, gen. slide No.: AV9793 ♀; 1 male, same locality as previous but 12–19.iv.2024, actinic light trap, Bashford, M., László, G., | Talani, M., Yaba Ngouma, S. leg., gen. slide No.: AV9724 ♂.

Diagnosis. The forewing length is 6.0 mm in both sexes. Spatulosia lobo can be easily distinguished from the sympatric S. gemina and the allopatric S. similis by the ochreous yellow colouration (vs. greyish-brown in both similar congeners), and the reduced forewing markings, of which only a proximal (larger) discal spot can be present. In the female genitalia, the new species differs from S. gemina in the broader uncus, the somewhat shorter and broader valvula, the unilobate medial diverticulum (it is bilobate in the congener), the shorter medial cornuti, the broader distal section of the vesica with a larger postmedial bilobate diverticulum, and the shorter distal cornutus. Compared with S. similis, the male genitalia of S. lobo have a broader valvula, a broader proximal lobe of the sacculus, a distally downcurved phallus having fewer carinal thorns, a narrower and shorter proximal tubular section of the vesica, markedly smaller medial cornuti, a larger postmedial diverticulum, and a somewhat shorter but broader distal section of the vesica with smaller apical diverticula. In the female genitalia, S. lobo differs from S. gemina in the somewhat narrower ostium bursae; the shorter, narrower and less curved dilated posterior section of the ductus bursae (antrum); the shorter and less curved anterior section of the ductus bursae; the narrower corpus bursae with a denser posterior cluster of spinules; and the semiglobular appendix bursae, which is conical in S. gemina.

Molecular data. Currently unavailable for this species.

Distribution. The new species is currently known only from its type locality in northern Republic of Congo.

Etymology. The specific epithet is derived from Lobo Research Camp in Odzala-Kokoua National Park, where the new species is found. The name is a noun in the nominative singular.