New species of Plectrocnemia and Nyctiophylax (Trichoptera, Polycentropodidae) from China

Abstract Four new species of genus Plectrocnemia and 4 new species of genus Nyctiophylax are described, namely: Plectrocnemia verticalis sp. n.; Plectrocnemia acuminata sp. n.; Plectrocnemia cryptoparamere sp. n.; Plectrocnemia qianshanensis sp. n.; Nyctiophylax (Nyctiophylax) senticosus sp. n.; Nyctiophylax (Paranyctiophylax) gracilis sp. n.; Nyctiophylax (Paranyctiophylax) pungens sp. n.; and Nyctiophylax (Paranyctiophylax) auriculatus sp. n.


Introduction
Dr Youwen Li included 4 new species of Plectrocnemia and 4 new species of Nyctiophylax in his doctoral dissertation (Li 1998) based on specimens collected by him, authors John C. Morse and Yang Lian-fang, and other colleagues during an expedition into southeastern and southcentral People's Republic of China (PRC) in 1990. Although most of these species have been found many times in other Chinese localities since then, except as noted, have been deposited in the Nanjing Agricultural University Insect Collection (NAU) and the Clemson University Arthropod Collection (CUAC).
Diagnosis. The male genitalia of the species are somewhat similar to those of Plectrocnemia banksi Fischer, 1962, in that each preanal appendage has a dorsal process and the inferior appendages are concave on their subapicomesal margins. However, the preanal appendages are somewhat crescentic in lateral view and the apex of the lower arm of each preanal appendage is acute with a hairy wart on the ventral margin near the middle in the new species, characters which are unique in the genus.
Description of adult male: Color of unique (holotype) specimen in alcohol generally yellowish brown. Length of body with folded wings: 7.0 mm.
Male genitalia: Tergum IX semi-membranous, with pair of setose patches posteriorly; sternum IX with anteromesal margin convex and posteromesal margin deeply excised except for small, median, triangular protrusion ( Fig. 1B), posterolateral margins each with triangular incision at 1/3rd distance from dorsal margin (Fig. 1A). Tergum X semisclerotized, broadly trapezoidal, and with base covered by tergum IX in dorsal view (Fig. 1C). Intermediate appendages, set basolaterally from X, each slender, curved posterodorsad, forked in distal half, with longer ventral branch bearing long, apical seta (Figs 1A,1C,1D). Preanal appendages somewhat crescentic in lateral view (Fig. 1A); each with slender, setose dorsal process directed posterad and shorter than tergum X; lower branch longer than tergum X and shorter than inferior appendages, with hairy wart on ventral margin near middle and with apex acute; ventrobasal branch of each preanal appendage vertical, thick, and thumb-like. Subphallic sclerite absent. Inferior appendages sclerotized, each compressed, broadly foliaceous, tapering from middle to apex in lateral view (Fig. 1A); in ventral view (Fig. 1B) densely covered with short, stout setae and concave mesally on distal 1/3rd, each with small mound basomesally. Phallus (Fig. 1E) tube-like, with pair of lanciform projections arising subapicoventrally and exceeding apex of phallic tube, each with row of ventral hairs; without paramere spines or internal phallic sclerites..
Female and immature stages. Unknown.

Plectrocnemia acuminata
Diagnosis. The male genitalia of this species are very similar to those of Plectrocnemia munitalis Mey, 1996 in the apically acute preanal appendages and in the presence of a hooked basodorsal process on each inferior appendage. However, the intermediate appendages of segment X are slender, longer than the inferior appendages in P. munitalis, but much shorter, and forming irregular, broad plates each with an acute posterior projection directed dorsolaterad in the new species. Description of adult male: Head and thorax dark brown with antennae and warts yellowish brown, forewings light brown. Length of body with folded wings: 7.0 -9.0 mm. (n = 10).
Female and immature stages. Unknown. Etymology. Acuminata, Latin adjective, "narrowed," referring to the distal portion of each preanal appendage gradually narrowing to an acute apex.
Distribution. Oriental Biogeographic Region, China (Si-chuan, An-hui). Diagnosis. The male genitalia of this species are similar to those of Plectrocnemia plicata Schmid, 1959 and P. wui (Ulmer, 1932) in the shape of the posterolateral margins of sternum IX with a conspicuous division at its middle on each side in lateral view, inferior appendages broad and truncate in lateral view, and preanal appendages each with a long, needle-like mesoventral process. However, the new species has acute posterior dorsolateral margins on sternum IX (these margins are blunt and rectilinear in the other 2 species), narrow and parallel-sided preanal appendages in lateral view (oval in the other 2 species), the ventromesal process of each inferior appendage is triangular in ventral view and broadly connected basally with the body of the appendage (digitate and deeply separated from the body of the appendage in the other 2 species), and it lacks parameres on the phallus (parameres are present in the other 2 species). Description of adult male. Head brown with antennae and palpi pale yellow, pronotum light brown, meso-and metanota brown with yellowish warts, forewings light brown. Length of body with folded wings: 6.8 -7.2 mm. (n = 5).

Plectrocnemia cryptoparamere
Male genitalia. Tergum IX fused with tergum X; upper lobes of tergum X semimembranous, lower lobes of tergum X sclerotized, both upper and lower lobes divided apicomesally, each lobe with rounded apex (Figs 3A, 3C). In lateral view (Fig. 3A), sternum IX narrowed subdorsally, its anterior margins broadly protruding cephalad at middle, posterior margins sinuate, with posterior dorsolateral corners produced in acute, triangular process on each side; anteromesal and posteromesal margins concave, lower posterolateral margins broadly convex (Fig. 3B). Intermediate appendages not well developed, represented only as thickened lateral margins of tergum X, slightly broader at base, narrowing to acute apex. Preanal appendages slightly shorter than tergum X, each broader at base, narrower and straight from basal 1/3rd to rounded apex (Figs 3A, 3C); mesoventral process of each preanal appendage recurved anterad then posterad, needle-like, wrinkled distally, guided by semi-membranous string across genitalia chamber between bases of inferior appendages, this string represented in other species by sclerotized subphallic sclerite. Inferior appendages compressed (flattened from side to side), subquadrate, about as long as tall, with distal margin broad and truncate in lateral view ( Fig.  3A), distinctive mesal plate forming short vertical ridge with 2-3 short apicodorsal setae in lateral view (3A); in ventral view ( Fig. 3B) ventromesal processes of inferior appendages each triangular with blunt apex covered with tiny teeth; basal digitate process of each inferior appendage mesal plate slender and simple, conspicuously extending beyond mesal plate. Phallus broad at base, more slender and tapered distally, without parameres, with pair of slender phallic sclerites (possibly elongated phallotremal sclerite) visible in ventral and lateral views (Figs 3D, 3E).
Distribution. Oriental Biogeographic Region, China (Hu-bei, Jiang-xi, Guangdong). Diagnosis. The male genitalia of this species are similar to those of Plectrocnemia plicata and P. wui in the shape of the posterolateral margins of sternum IX, with a conspicuous division at the middle, in the inferior appendages being broad and truncate in lateral view. However, in this new species, although the preanal appendages are narrow and parallel-sided as in P. cryptoparamere, these appendages are distinctly shorter than tergum X (subequal in the other 3 species). The posterior dorsolateral corners of sternum IX are rounded on each side in this species (blunt and rectilinear in P. plicata and P. wui, acute in P. cryptoparamere). A subphallic sclerite is present in this new species (absent in the other 3 species). Like P. cryptoparamere, the ventromesal process of each inferior appendage is triangular in ventral view and broadly connected basally with the body of the appendage (digitate and deeply separated from the body of the appendage in P. plicata and P. wui), but the main body of each inferior appendage is apically truncate in ventral view in this species (rounded in the other 3 species). As in P. plicata and P. wui, the phallus of this species bears paramere spines (parameres are lacking in P. cryptoparamere). The new species has the mesoventral process of each preanal appendage forked (unforked in the other 3 species).
Male genitalia. Tergum IX semimembranous apically, fused with semimembranous tergum X (t.X), these fused terga as long as inferior appendages (Figs 4A,4C). In ventral view (Fig. 4B) anteromesal margin of sternum IX narrowly excised, posteromesal margin broadly excised; in lateral view (Fig. 4A) sternum IX subtriangular, anterior margin broadly rounded and projecting anterad; posterior margin sinuate, with upper half protruding posterad beyond lower half. Intermediate appendages absent. Preanal appendages slightly shorter than fused terga IX and X, about 4 times as long as wide in lateral view (Fig. 4A), each parallelsided, with rounded apex; mesoventral process of each preanal appendage heavily sclerotized, divided into upper and lower branches at middle and both curved dorsad, with upper branch nearly vertical and apically blunt in lateral view, lower branch slightly more slender and acute, and exceeding slightly beyond apex of preanal appendages; subphallic sclerite long, its paired apices almost reaching tips of inferior appendages in lateral view, in caudal view (Fig. 4E) united basomesally with each other, each with setose, thumb-like apex directed caudolaterad. Inferior appendages each about 1.5 times as long as its mid width, narrowed at base and with distal margin broad and sinuously truncate in lateral view (Fig. 4A); in ventral view (Fig. 4B) ventromesal process of each inferior appendage quadrate, with mesal end covered with tiny teeth (Figs 4B, 4D); vertical mesal plate with basal digitate process (dig.pro.) conspicuous, slender, simple, hooked laterad; in caudal view (Fig.  4D) mesal plate well developed with 2 stout apicodorsal setae on elongate process, and additionally with 1 short, blunt, setose lobe between elongate process and basal digitate process. Phallus with broad phallobase, more-slender and parallel-sided phallicata, pair of long, paramere spines (para.); pair of phallotremal sclerites (or phallic sclerites) slender, about as long as phallicata (Fig. 4F).
Female and immature stages. Unknown. Etymology. The species is named after the holotype locality. Distribution. East Palearctic and Oriental Biogeographic Regions, China (Jiangxi, An-hui, Shaan-xi).   (Malicky & Chantaramongkol, 1993) in the following characters: 1) The preanal appendages have a ventral lobe; 2) the preanal appendages have their dorsal processes inserted under tergum VIII; and 3) the inferior appendages have basomesal processes. However, the differences between the 2 species are obvious. The apex of each inferior appendage of N. maath is straight, like that of N. sinensis, while it is up-curved in the new species. The basomesal processes of the inferior appendages in N. maath are hook-like, mostly exposed in ventral view, but in the new species club-like, densely covered with tiny teeth apically, and with only the apices exposed.
Male genitalia. Tergum IX parabolic in dorsal view (Fig. 5C), membranous, almost transparent. In lateral view (Fig. 5A), sternum IX obliquely protruded anterad subventrally, posterolateral margins vertical and sinuous, ventral surface horizontal and as long as anteroventral margins; in ventral view (Fig. 5B), posterior and anterior margins each with wide, shallow excision. Tergum X semi-sclerotized, setose, deeply divided apicomesally (Figs 5A, 5C).Preanal appendages slightly longer than tergum X, each with broad lobe along basal 2/3rds of ventral edge (Fig. 5A), this lobe with setose basoventral apex directed ventromesad in ventral view (Fig. 5B); dorsal processes of preanal appendages inserted deeply under tergum VIII, each consisting of broad basal plate with long, slender process coiled laterad, ventrad, and then caudad to acute, outturned apex. Inferior appendages depressed (flattened dorsoventrally), about 1.5 times as long as sternum IX, each with acute apex curved dorsad; with short, club-like, basomesal projection hidden inside sternum IX, its apex densely covered with tiny teeth. Phallus with thick phallobase half as long as entire phallus; pair of parameres curved dorsad; phallicata membranous, enlarged to apex, with 2 spines among retracted membranes. Diagnosis. The male of this species is similar to that of N. (P.) sagax Mey, 1995 in the thick base and slender finger-shaped distal part of each inferior appendage and in the shape of the preanal appendages. However, the 2 species differ in that the mesoventral process of each preanal appendage is evenly curved caudoventrad and blunt apically, and there is no internal spine at the apex of the phallus in the new species. In contrast, in N. sagax, the mesoventral process of each preanal appendage is curved ventrad at a right angle in the middle and acute apically, and there is a longitudinal row of internal spines at the apex of the phallus.
Description of adult male. Head light brown with yellowish antennae, pronotum yellowish, meso-and metanota brown, with warts and thoracic legs yellowish, forewings light brown. Length of body with folded forewings: 5.5-7.0 mm. (n=10).
Diagnosis. The genitalia of this species are very similar to those of N. (P.) nahum (Malicky & Chantaramongkol, 1993) in the long basoventral process of each inferior appendage and in the long slender dorsal process of each preanal appendage. However, in the new species the dorsal process of each preanal appendage is long and stout, curved caudolaterad in dorsal view, but straight and much more slender in N. nahum; and the basoventral process of each inferior appendage forms a 45-degree angle with the main body of the appendage in lateral view in the new species, but an angle of about 90 degrees in N. nahum. The shape of the mesoventral process of each preanal appendage is somewhat similar to that of N. (P.) devanampriya (Schmid, 1958), but in that species the basoventral process of each inferior appendage is much shorter than that of the new species, which is about 1/3rd as long as the main body of the appendage.
Preanal appendages slender, straight in lateral view (Fig. 7A), curved slightly caudad in dorsal view (Fig. 7C); each with long dorsal process curved caudolaterad, acute apically; its mesoventral process broad at basal 2/3rds, with acute apex hooked slightly ventrad and mesad beneath phallus. Inferior appendages each with acute posterior basoventral process half as long as main body of appendage; main body of appendage slender, setose, and acute apically. Phallus with phallobase sclerotized, broader apically, with pair of short sclerites dorsally, phallicata membranous, without internal spines.
Female and immature stages. Unknown. Distribution. Oriental Biogeographic Region, China (An-hui, Jiang-xi). Etymology. Pungens, Latin adjective, "acute," referring to the acute, posterior basoventral process of each inferior appendage. Diagnosis. The genitalia of the new species are similar to those of Nyctiophylax (Paranyctiophylax) hjangsanchonus (Botosaneanu, 1970) and N. (P.) cascadensis (Malicky, 1995) in the short and broad preanal appendages and in the pair of long and slender phallic parameres. However, in lateral view, where the preanal appendages are semicircular in N. hiangsuchonus and triangular in N. cascadensis, they are somewhat quadrate in the new species. Also, the inferior appendages each have a mesal process in N. hiangsuchonus, a ventral process in N. cascadensis, and no conspicuous process in the new species.