New species and records of Hydroptilidae (Trichoptera) from Venezuela

Abstract Eight new species of Hydroptilidae (Trichoptera) from Venezuela are described: Acostatrichia digitata sp. n., Hydroptila cressae sp. n., Metrichia botrychion sp. n., Ochrotrichia spira sp. n., Oxyethira bettyae sp. n., Oxyethira quiramae sp. n., Oxyethira redunca sp. n., and Rhyacopsyche shorti sp. n.New country records for Venezuela of 2 additional species, Neotrichia feolai Santos & Nessimian, 2009 and Oxyethira picita Harris & Davenport, 1999, are also provided. Illustrations of male genitalia are provided with each description.


Introduction
Caddisflies, or Trichoptera, are a diverse order of insects with ~15,000 described species and 100s of new species awaiting description (Holzenthal et al. 2011). Trichoptera faunal diversity is particularly impressive in the Neotropical biogeographical region, where recent inventories have revealed up to 75% of collected species to be undescribed ) Hydroptilidae is the largest family in the order, including 75 genera, ~2,000 described species found all over the world, and a high number of undescribed species. As their common name, microcaddisflies, suggests, hydroptilids are minute with few larger than 5 mm. The aquatic larvae construct portable or fixed silken purse-like cases in the final instar (Wiggins 2004). The larvae of many species feed on algae, while some feed on moss microphylls (Wiggins 2004;Carins and Wells 2008). Some have been known to be predatory, while others are parasitoids (Wells 1985(Wells , 2005.
In this paper, we describe 8 new hydroptilid species in 6 genera from Venezuela. We also provide new country records for Venezuela for 2 species, Neotrichia feolai  and Oxyethira picita Harris & Davenport, 1999. The material was collected as part of a project under the direction of Dr. Andrew Short, University of Kansas, USA, to inventory the aquatic Coleoptera and other aquatic insect orders of Venezuela. In June, 2010, a team of 4 American and 4 Venezuelan entomologists collected aquatic insects in the southern half of Venezuela, including the llanos of Guárico state, the southern tributaries of the upper to middle Orinoco River basin, and the Gran Sabana of Bolívar state, and, in northern Venezuela, the Turimiquire Mountains of Monagas state. About 90 species of Trichoptera were collected, including about 25 new species of which the new Hydroptilidae are described here.

Materials and methods
Morphological terminology used for male genitalia of specimens in the genus Oxyethira follows that of Kelley (1984), for the genus Metrichia that of Flint (1972), and for the genus Rhyacopsyche that of Wasmund and Holzenthal (2007). All others follow the terminology of Marshall (1979). For simplicity, paired structures are discussed in the singular. Procedures for specimen preparation followed those explained in detail by Blahnik et al. (2007). For specimen examination and illustration, cleared genitalia were placed in a watch glass with glycerin and small glass beads. The glass beads held the genitalia in place and allowed structures to be viewed in precise lateral, dorsal, and ventral positions. Genitalia were examined with an Olympus BX41 compound microscope at 250-500 × magnification. Structures were traced in pencil with the use of a camera lucida (drawing tube) mounted on the microscope. Pencil sketches were then scanned (Fujitsu ScanSnap S1500M scanner), edited in Adobe Photoshop (v. 9.0.2, Adobe Systems Inc.), and used as a template in Adobe Illustrator (v. 13.0.2, Adobe Systems Inc.) to be digitally inked. Electronic "drawing" was completed with the aid of a graphics tablet (Bamboo Fun, Wacom Company, Limited). Species descriptions were constructed using the program DELTA (Dallwitz et al. 1999) and specimen management followed the procedures outlined by Holzenthal and Andersen (2004). Each pinned specimen examined during the study was affixed with a barcode label (4 mil polyester, 8 × 14 mm, code 49) bearing a unique alphanumeric sequence begin-ning with the prefix UMSP. Specimens in alcohol were given a single barcode label to represent all those in a single vial. The prefix is not meant to imply ownership by the University of Minnesota Insect Collection (UMSP), but only to indicate that the specimen was databased at that collection. Types of species described and other material examined are deposited in the University of Minnesota Insect Collection, St. Paul, Minnesota (UMSP), the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. (NMNH), and the Museo del Instituto de Zoología Agrícola, Maracay, Venezuela (MIZA).

Taxonomy
Acostatrichia digitata Thomson & Holzenthal, sp. n. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:85981ECC-3397-4968-ACBC-B6EE2098DA5B http://species-id.net/wiki/Acostatrichia_digitata Fig. 1 Diagnosis. This species is most similar to Acostatrichia fimbriata Flint, 1974 but can be distinguished by a mesoventral process on abdominal segment VII with an apex that is truncate and rugose, not pointed. The posterolateral process of abdominal segment VIII bears digitate projections apically, unlike the spines on A. fimbriata. Additionally, the subgenital appendage of A. digitatus is pointed apically instead of rounded.
Description. Male. Length of forewing 2.7 mm (n=1). Head unmodified, with 3 ocelli; antennae unmodified. Tibial spur count 1, 3, 4. Dorsum of head dark brown with pale yellow setae; thorax dark brown with pale yellow setae dorsally, light brown ventrally; leg segments with light brown setae. Forewings covered with fine yellow setae and small scattered patches of dark brown setae. Genitalia. Abdominal sternum VII with long mesoventral process, apex truncate, rugose. Segment VIII anterolateral margin straight, posterolateral margin greatly elongate into narrow structure bearing digitate apical projections; ventrally posterior margin concave, mildly crenulated. Segment IX anterolateral margin acute, posterolateral margin broadly convex; with mesolateral quadrate structure bearing prominent setae (see Fig. 1A); dorsally with posterior margin straight. Subgenital appendage paired, broadly rounded with apicoventral point, dorsally with rounded emargination on inner edge. Inferior appendage setose, narrow, rod-like, fused latero-ventrally with subgenital appendage, in ventral view with semiquadrate apical emargination (see Fig. 1D). Tergum X membranous, triangular in dorsal view. Phallus tubular basally with median complex bearing basal loop and pair of circular "windows", apex with pair of elliptic plates, strongly sclerotized mesolaterally. Etymology. The Latin word digitatus meaning "having fingers", referring to the digitate projections on the posterolateral process of the VIIIth segment. Hydroptila cressae Thomson & Holzenthal, sp. n. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:22765A69-4EE1-4DA6-BB78-E100D0C6EF33 http://species-id.net/wiki/Hydroptila_cressae Fig. 2 Diagnosis. This species is most similar to Hydroptila denza Ross, 1948, but differs in the shape of the projection on the posterolateral margin of abdominal segment IX. This projection is more pointed and is curved downward, or decurved, in H. cressae, while it is straight and more blunt in H. denza. The triangular subgenital process seen in H. denza is not apparent in H. cressae. Additionally, tergum X of H. cressae contains an internal apodeme that is not apparent in H. denza.
Description. Male. Length of forewing 2.0 mm (n=1). Head unmodified, without ocelli; antennae unmodified. Tibial spur count 0, 2, 4. Dorsum of head brown with pale yellow setae; thorax brown with light brown setae dorsally, light brown ventrally; leg segments with light brown setae. Forewings covered with fine light brown setae with small dark brown patch of setae at apex. Genitalia. Abdominal sternum VII with simple, slender, pointed mesoventral process. Segment VIII unmodified. Segment IX anterolateral margin convex, posterolateral margin with pointed projection, curving slightly ventrad; dorsally with posterior margin convex. Inferior appendage setose, with narrow base, apex truncate with pair of dark points on internal face. Tergum X membranous, extending past inferior appendage, containing internal sclerotized apodeme (see Fig. 2A). Phallus narrow, elongate; apex membranous, ovate, with elongate, slender spines extending past membranous region. Diagnosis. This species is most similar to Metrichia anisoscola (Flint, 1991), but differs in the shape of the inferior appendage, which is less elongate in M. bostrychion and more suborbicular. The dorsolateral hook in M. bostrychion is also stouter than that of M. anisoscola. Metrichia bostrychion can also be distinguished by the 3rd spine on the phallus which spirals dorsally.
Material examined. Diagnosis. Neotrichia feolai was previously only known from the male holotype collected from Brazil, Amazonas. Eight males were collected for the first time from Venezuela, representing a new record in this study for the country. Original illustrations did not include the distinctive subgenital appendage, but specimens from Venezuela match all other characteristics of the Brazilian species perfectly. Some of our specimens are dry, while the holotype was collected in alcohol, allowing us to to describe coloration. We have also described and illustrated the subgenital plate not seen in the original illustration.
According to the original authors, this species is most similar to Neotrichia biuncifera Flint, 1974. The shapes and lengths of the bracteole and inferior appendage are similar, but N. feolai can be distinguished by having only a single spine at the apex of the phallus.
Redescription. Male. Length of forewing 1.6-1.9 mm (n=8). Head unmodified, with 3 ocelli; antennae unmodified. Tibial spur count 0, 2, 3. Dorsum of head brown with light brown setae; thorax brown with light brown setae dorsally, light brown ventrally; leg segments with light brown setae. Forewings covered with fine light brown setae with small patches of dark brown setae. Genitalia. Abdominal sternum VII with- out mesoventral process. Segment VIII unmodified. Segment IX anterolateral margin strongly narrowing, withdrawn into segment VIII, posterolateral margin fused dorsally with tergum X (see Fig. 4B). Subgenital plate fused, diamond-shaped with pair of apico-ventral setae, posterior margin bearing paired row of sclerotized spines within membranous layer (see Figs. 4A, 4C). Bracteole spatulate, extended evenly with inferior appendage. Inferior appendage setose, laterally narrow and rod-like, fused lateroventrally with subgenital appendages, ventrally with semiquadrate apical emargination. Tergum X membranous, bearing minute dorsal setae, with deep emargination both laterally and dorsally, dorsal lobe with sclerotized apex. Phallus with wide tubular base narrowing to median constriction, membranous apex with spiral process and slender apical spines. Diagnosis. This species is most similar to Ochrotrichia raposa Bueno-Soria & Santiago-Fragoso, 1992. Both have a simple, threadlike phallus and the large inferior appendage bears patches of black pegs on its internal face. The inferior appendage of O. spiralis, however, is parallel-sided with a truncate apex. Also, the sclerotized processes extending from tergum X of O. spiralis are easily distinguishable from those of O. raposa, in particular the large, spiral process.

Oxyethira (Tanytrichia) bettyae
Thomson & Holzenthal, sp. n. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:9B85F4D2-070A-4192-BD8D-E4DF432D19AA http://species-id.net/wiki/Oxyethira_bettyae Fig. 6 Diagnosis. This species is placed in the subgenus Tanytrichia according to the characters given by Kelley (1985): segment VIII venter excised to anterior margin, segment IX elongate and extending into segment VI, the absence of segment IX dorsum, and a phallus bearing two long lateral processes originating at the midlength. This species is most similar to Oxyethira longissima Flint, 1974. The phallus is very similar, bearing long paired processes sharply bent back anteriorly. However, the subgenital process of O. longissima is more strongly arched and much more slender in lateral view than that of O. bettyae. Also, when viewed ventrally, the bilobed process of O. bettyae is wider basally than O. longissima.
Description. Male. Length of forewing 2.0-2.2 mm (n=6). Head unmodified, with 3 ocelli; antennae unmodified. Tibial spur count 0, 3, 4. Dorsum of head dark brown with pale yellow setae; thorax brown with light brown setae dorsally; leg segments with light brown setae. Forewings covered with fine light brown setae and small scattered patches of dark brown setae and golden brown setae. Genitalia. Abdominal sternum VII with simple, pointed mesoventral process with small patch of stout pegs basally. Segment VIII anterolateral margin straight, posterolateral margin pointed; dorsally posterior margin with rounded emargination; ventrally posterior margin with deeply divided. Segment IX anterolateral margin very narrow and very elongate, withdrawn into segments VI-VIII, posterolateral margin straight, not extended posteriorly past segment VIII. Subgenital process fused, apex with small rounded emargination (see Fig. 6C). Bilobed process slender, extending posteriad. Inferior appendage fused with deep apical emargination, sparsely setose, heavily sclerotized, apex acute, upturned in lateral view. Tergum X membranous, quadrate dorsally, oblong ventrally. Phallus with tubular basal half, apical half membranous; 2 long, lateral processes beginning at midlength, very sharply curved backward, or recurved.
Etymology. Named in honor of the first author's grandmother, Betty Welter, who passed away while this work was in progress.   Santos et al., 2009: 36, 43 [distribution].
Diagnosis. Oxyethira picita was previously known only from the male holotype collected from Peru, Loreto. A single male was collected at a later date from Brazil, Amazonas ). Five males were now collected for the first time from Venezuela, representing a new record for the country. All five males were collected in alcohol.
Oxyethira picita was placed in the subgenus Tanytrichia by Harris & Davenport (1999), although it was suggested that it also displayed some similarity to the subgenus Loxotrichia. The original description and illustration of O. picita are detailed and well done; further description or illustration was not thought necessary. Diagnosis. This species is placed in the subgenus Dactylotrichia according to the characters given by Kelley (1985): segment VIII venter excised nearly to the anterior margin and segment IX venter extending anteriorly through segments VIII-VI. This species is most similar to Oxyethira hozosa Harris & Davenport, 1999. Both species have short, blunt, ventrally triangular inferior appendages and a phallus with a distal curved process and an ejaculatory duct enclosed within the membranous apex. O. quiramae can be distinguished by a subgenital plate that is not as strongly decurved and lacks an acute apex in lateral view. Also, in O. quiramae, segment IX extends anteriorly past the posterior margin of abdominal segment VI.
Description. Male. Length of forewing 1.8-1.9 mm (n=3). Head unmodified, with 3 ocelli; antennae unmodified. Tibial spur count 0, 3, 4. Dorsum of head brown with light brown setae; thorax brown with light brown setae dorsally, light brown ventrally; leg segments with light brown setae. Forewings covered with fine brown setae with small scattered patches of light brown setae and small patches of dark brown setae near margins and apex. Genitalia. Abdominal sternum VII with simple, digitate mesoventral process with large patch of stout pegs basally. Segment VIII anterolateral margin straight, posterolateral margin convex with small mesal emargination; dorsally posterior margin with rounded emargination; ventrally deeply excised. Segment IX anterolateral margin narrow and elongate, withdrawn into segments VI-VIII, posterolateral margin straight, not extended posteriorly past segment VIII. Subgenital process fused distomesally, apex with shallow emargination, curving ventrad (see Fig. 7C). Bilobed process slender, curved, not extending posteriorly past segment VIII. Inferior appendage reduced, triangular, heavily sclerotized (see Fig. 7C). Tergum X not apparent. Phallus with tubular basal half, apical half membranous; apex elongate, slender, pointed, curving dorsad and sharply recurved.
Oxyethira redunca Thomson & Holzenthal, sp. n. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:C8A428D1-6558-479C-8AF8-8857D6E2A5FB http://species-id.net/wiki/Oxyethira_redunca Fig. 8 Diagnosis. We have been unable to assign this species to a subgenus. The deep ventral excision of abdominal segment VIII and the extension of segment IX anteriorly into segment VII make it somewhat similar to Loxotrichia. However, the absence of a subgenital process precludes it from being placed with certainty in any of the current subgenera and distinguishes it from all other species.
Description. Male. Length of forewing 2.4 mm (n=1). Head unmodified, with 3 ocelli; antennae unmodified. Tibial spur count 0, 3, 4. Dorsum of head brown with pale yellow setae; thorax brown with pale yellow setae dorsally, pale yellow ventrally; leg segments with brown setae. Forewings covered with fine brown setae and elongate patches of light brown setae and small patches of dark brown setae near margins and apex. Genitalia. Abdominal sternum VII with spatulate mesoventral process. Segment VIII anterolateral margin straight, posterolateral margin acutely convex; dorsally posterior margin with deep acute emargination; ventrally posterior margin with deep rounded emargination. Segment IX anterolateral margin very elongate, narrowing, withdrawn into segments VII-VIII, posterolateral margin acute, not extending past segment VIII; dorsally bearing paired, elongate, slender processes, basal half extending posteriorly, apical half strongly bent anteriad. Subgenital process not apparent. Bilobed process not apparent. Inferior appendage setose, laterally narrow and rod-like, fused latero-ventrally with subgenital appendages, ventrally with semiquadrate apical emargination. Tergum X  Etymology. The Latin word reduncus meaning "bent backward", referring to the sharply bent dorsal processes of segment IX.
Description. Male. Length of forewing 2.6-2.7 mm (n=2). Head unmodified, with 3 ocelli; antennae unmodified. Tibial spur count 1, 3, 4. Dorsum of head brown with dark brown setae and light brown patch between antennae; thorax brown with light brown setae dorsally, light brown ventrally; leg segments with dark brown setae. Forewings covered with golden brown setae with small patches of dark brown setae at margins and apex. Genitalia. Abdominal sternum VII without mesoventral process. Segment VIII unmodified. Segment IX anterolateral margin very elongate, narrowing, withdrawn into segments VII-VIII, posterolateral margin with rounded setae-bearing dorsolateral lobe and truncate mesolateral lobe. Inferior appendage with rounded mesodorsal projection bearing setae, setae directed anteriad; apex heavily sclerotized, curving dorsad, acute. Tergum X membranous, round in dorsal view, contracted inside dorsolateral lobes of segment IX. Phallus basally tubular, elongate, narrow, apex membranous and with thickened spines.
Paratype. same data as holotype, 1 male (UMSP). Etymology. Named in honor of Dr. Andrew Short, an entomologist at the University of Kansas and friend and colleague of the authors.