Asbolopsyche Krüger, 2015

Genus Asbolopsyche Krüger, 2015 View in CoL

Asbolopsyche Krüger, 2015 View in CoL , Transvaal Museum Memoir, 15: 29 (Type species: Phryganopsis parasordida Kühne, 2007 View in CoL , by original designation).

Diagnosis. Species of the genus ( Figs 34–42 View Figures 31–42 ) are externally reminiscent of the genus Architesma and the genus identification requires the examination of the genitalia structures, which in Asbolopsyche are characterised by the combination of the following features. Male ( Figs 110–113 View Figures 110–113 ). (1) The uncus is thick and of uniform width, similar to Archithosia , in which, however, the uncus is remarkably shorter and thinner. (2) The scaphium is thin, string-like and sclerotised. (3) The tegumen is only slightly downcurved, its arms are narrower than in other similar genera and only somewhat dorsally dilated and fused in their dorsal quarter or fifth. (4) The vinculum has laterally flattened, strip-like arms. (5) The dorsal section of the valva is elongate (markedly longer than in Archithosia and Acanthosia ) and distally tapered, mostly consisting of the weakly sclerotised valvula, which is membranous only ventro-basally at the junction with the sacculus (similar to Acanthosia ). (6) The costa is short, occupying only the basal section of the dorsal margin of the valva, its ventral margin is fused with the dorsal margin of the editum. (7) The editum is fold-like, cellular-setose (unique within the generic complex), distally tapered, stretching along the dorsal margin of the valva and reaching its middle part. (8) The tendon is very short and gelatinous while the diaphragmal section of the transtilla is membranous. (9) The basal saccular process is robust, straight spike- or hook-shaped, its base is thin while the proximal section is dilated and fused with the intersaccular membrane along the lateral margin of the juxta. (10) The base of the main pocket of the sacculus is lobe-like dilated and therefore separated from the ental base of the sacculus (this feature is unique in the generic complex). (11) The dorsal margin of the sacculus as well as the distal saccular process are densely serrulate or spiky (reminiscent of Acanthosia ). (12) The bases of the sacculi are free (similar to Archithosia whereas the sacculi are articulated by a gelatinous or weakly sclerotised intersaccular bridge in other similar genera). (13) The juxta consists of two plates articulated by the thick membranous fold. The ventral corners of the juxtal plates are not articulated with the bases of the sacculi. (14) The anellus is weakly scobinate (similar to Architesma but in the latter it is markedly broader and more densely and heavily scobinate). (15) The phallus is cylindrical, somewhat upcurved medially and with a plate-like ventral carina extending into the base of the vesica but not protruding beyond its surface (whereas in Acanthosia and Architesma it protrudes). The coecum is flat and plate-like (a unique feature) whereas it is swollen and rounded in other genera of the complex. (16) The vesica ground plan is reminiscent of Acanthosia and Architesma but the basal section is somewhat longer and the distal diverticulum lacks the terminal cornutus. Female ( Figs 156–158 View Figures 156–160 ). (1) The 8 th tergite is broad and heavily sclerotised whereas the sternite is narrow, membranous, or swollen and finely scobinate. (2) The dorsal section of the intersegmental membrane between the 7 th and 8 th segments is gelatinous and folded, causing the ovipositor to be invaginated into the 7 th segment to a depth of up to half the 8 th segment. (3) The sterigma is narrow, swollen, heavily sclerotised and cup-shaped with the ostium bursae invaginated within (this feature is unique within the generic complex). (4) The ductus bursae is short but heavily sclerotised, fused with the base of the sterigma. (5) The posterior section of the corpus bursae is duct-like and membranous whereas in other similar genera it bears areas of sclerotisation. (6) The anterior section of the corpus bursae is membranous and sparsely and finely scobinate (similar to those of Acanthosia , Architesma and Macrodicella , whereas in Archithosia its posterior part is gelatinous, rugose and lacks the scobination).

Distribution. Species of the genus are found in rainforests of the Congolian Region reaching Kakamega Forest, western Kenya, in the east.