Alterosa spiesae Dumas & Nessimian, 2013, new species

Alterosa spiesae, new species

Figs. 12 A–E

Alterosa spiesae sp. nov. is a member of the A. sanctipauli Group, as defined by Blahnik (2005), by sharing a rounded basal protuberance on tergum X and the crest-like process on the apex of tergum X. The new species is closely related to A. caparaonensis Blahnik 2005, with which it shares similarities in intermediate and preanal appendages. Alterosa spiesae sp. nov. differs from A. caparaonensis by the shape of tergum X, which is less wide, and by the lack of setae on its longitudinal ridge. Additionally, the intermediate appendages of the new species have a wide lateral branch and the phallus clearly has four clusters of numerous small needle-like setae on the endotheca, whereas in A. caparaonensis it is spineless.

Adult. Color (in alcohol) brown; legs, palps, and antennae pale brown, wing pattern not discernible. Male forewings each 6.4–7.0 mm (n=4); female 7.4 mm (n=1).

Male genitalia. Tergum VIII with posteromesal margin deeply emarginate, emargination V-shaped and extending more than halfway to anterior margin. Sternum IX with anterolateral margins broadly rounded; posteroventral margin moderately produced, extending in broad arc or nearly linearly from dorsum (Fig. 12 A). Tergum IX greatly reduced, membranous or fused to base of tergum X (Fig. 12 B). Tergum X elongate, with lateral margins subparallel in dorsal view; tergum basolaterally with rounded protuberance, with scabrous cuticule covered by numerous adpressed scale-like setae; dorsally with longitudinal ridges; apex sensillate, rounded as viewed dorsally, subtruncate and greatly enlarged in lateral view (Figs. 12 A, 12B). Intermediate appendages heavily sclerotized, moderately elongate, shorter than preanal appendages, branched basally, both branches rodlike, with spine-like setae apically; mesal branch approximately same length as lateral branch, blunt at apex, with many setae mainly at apical half; lateral branch rod-like as viewed laterally, apical 3.4ths wider in dorsal view, blunt at apex (Figs. 12 A, 12B). Preanal appendages narrow, constricted basally, moderately elongate, not greatly modified; apex wide subapically in dorsal view and then abruptly narrow, forming subacuminate projection, without distinct terminal setae (Figs. 12 A, 12B). Inferior appendages elongate, linear, flattened on mesal surface; 1st article narrow, elongate, approximately 3 times as long as wide in lateral view; 2nd article shorter than 1st article, base slightly narrower than apex of 1st article; apex rounded, with prominent pad of short, stiff apicomesal setae (Figs. 12 A, 12C). Phallobase tubular, short, weakly curved ventrad; endotheca with 2 pairs of clusters of several small, needle-like setae; phallotremal sclerites indistinct (Figs. 12 D, 12E).

Holotype male: BRAZIL: São Paulo: Campos do Jordão, Parque Estadual de Campos do Jordão, tributary of Córrego Serrote, 22°39’25.0”S, 45°26’34.0”W, el. 1567 m, 15.xi.2007, MR Spies leg. (MZSP).

Paratypes: BRAZIL: São Paulo: Same data as holotype, 1 male, 1 female (MZSP); same data as holotype, 1 male (DZRJ 3497); Campos do Jordão, Parque Estadual de Campos do Jordão, tributary of Rio Sapucaí, 22°41’03.0”S, 45°28’29.0”W, el. 1545 m, 15.xi.2007, MR Spies leg., 1 male (DZRJ 3498).

Distribution: Brazil (São Paulo state).

Etymology: The epithet of the specific name, spiesae, is in honor of Dra. Marcia Regina Spies, who collected and provided the type specimens described here.