Ollieopteryx fianarana, new species

Figs 3–8

Diagnosis. This species is similar to O. inopinata, but differs by having tergites IX + X tapered and curved upward apically in lateral view and preanal appendages each with small basoventral lobe; tergites IX + X of O. inopinata are not tapered and are curved slightly downward in lateral view and preanal appendages lack basoventral lobes. In O. inopinata tergites IX+X and preanal and intermediate appendages have short, stout, spiniform setae, whereas in O. fianarana these setae are long and spiniform. Inferior appendages similar to those of O. inopinata, each having ventral main branch more slender than in O. inopinata, and slightly longer.

Description. Male. General color yellowish brown with goldish setae on forewings (in alcohol). Head dorsum with posteromedian sulcus, one arched anterior wart, one pair of small central warts and one pair of large triangular posterolateral warts (as in Fig. 1 for O. inopinata). Maxillary palps (Fig. 3) with 2nd segment 0.70 X length of 1st segment; 3rd segment 1.10 X length of 1st segment, 4th segment 1.20 X length of 1st segment, and 5th segment 3.3 X length of segment 1. Labial palps (Fig. 3) short, total length equal to that of first two segments of maxillary palps. Wings (Fig. 4): Forewings of holotype each 8.4 mm long and hind wings each 7.1 mm.

Genitalia (Figs 6–8): Sternite IX anterior margins slightly convex; lower posterolateral margins strongly produced posterad and broadly rounded (Figs 5 & 7); each side with dorsal extension (or pleuron) strongly tapered with dorsal apex curved caudad toward point of articulation with tergum IX, upper posterior margin deeply concave in lateral view, upper anterior margin strongly convex; tergite IX subtriangular in lateral view (Fig. 5), quadrate in dorsal view (Fig. 6), fused with base of tergite X, line of fusion scarcely discernible. Tergites IX + X long with lateral margins subparallel in dorsal view (Fig. 6); distal part membranous with apex curved dorsad in lateral view, apical margin rounded with tiny mesal notch in dorsal view; subapicolateral and apical margins lined with strong setae. Preanal appendages each with basal third bearing patch of minute setae laterally (not illustrated) and short basal ventrolateral lobe, distal 2/3 more slender than base, bearing two strong setae apically. Intermediate appendages 2/3 as long as preanal appendages, each fingerlike with several long, spiniform setae along distal half of ventromesal margin. Inferior appendages each having two branches: 1) ventral main branch slender and length subequal to that of tergites IX + X, extending posterad slightly beyond tergite X, nearly straight with apex curved slightly dorsad in lateral view; in ventral view with very dense basomesal patch of short stout setae, lateral and mesal margins nearly straight and parallel, but gradually tapering apically; 2) basodorsal branch shorter (4/5 as long as ventral main branch) and more slender than ventral main branch, base directed dorsocaudad, distal 2/3 straight and directed slightly ventrocaudad; with small spiniform setae on curved dorsomesal surface of base. Phallic apparatus long, tube-like, almost straight, sclerotized; partially retracted endotheca (membranous apical part) slightly wider apically, enclosing two irregular sclerites.

Holotype: MADAGASCAR: Fianarantsoa Province, 2.5 km SE of Ranomena, 21°29’36”S, 47°24’08”E, ca 1000 m a.s.l., male, 6.ii.2000, sweeping on marsh adjacent to a secondary forest, P. Chvojka leg. (NMPC). Paratypes: 2 males, same data as holotype (NMPC); 1 male, Fianarantsoa Province, 7 km W Ranomafana, at light on island in stream in rain forest, 900 m, 1–7.iii.1990, W.E. Steiner (USNM).

Etymology: Malagasy fianarana (noun in apposition) the act of learning, studies, a school; also a reference to the province of the type locality.

Distribution: Known from only Fianarantsoa Province of Madagascar.