Sumacodella grijalvai, Holzenthal & Blanhik & Ríos-Touma, 2025

Sumacodella grijalvai sp. nov.

Fig. 4 View Figure 4

Type material.

Holotype male: Ecuador: • Imbabura: Bosque Protector & Reserva Biológica Los Cedros , 0.30966°N, 78,781 96°W, el. 1400 m, 02.ix.2023, Ríos-Touma ( UMSP 000551804 View Materials ) ( MECN). GoogleMaps

Diagnosis.

Although morphologically distinct from Sumacodella elongata , this new species possesses almost all the apomorphic characters considered to be potentially diagnostic for the genus when it was established. Character similarities include a very elongate segment IX, with the posteroventral margin greatly produced, a dorsal margin that has almost disappeared, and a posterior margin from which both elongate, narrow preanal appendage and an extremely elongate and narrow, parallel-sided, tergum X emerge. The species are also similar in that the sensilla of tergum X are confined to a relatively short, digitate apicomesal projection, bordered laterally by narrow lateral projections. Both species also have inferior appendage with an extremely elongate anteromesal apodeme, and a very elongate and narrowly tubular phallus, lacking a basodorsal expansion. Sumacodella grijalvai differs from S. elongata in having segment IX even more elongate, with its anterolateral apodemes broader, and in having a tergum X that is also more elongate, almost excessively so, extending almost to the apex of the apical segment of the inferior appendage, with the lateral projections near its apex very narrow and laterally hooked apically, rather than simple and digitate. It lacks the short, apically setose projections found at the juncture of the mesal and lateral lobes of tergum X in S. elongata . The tubular phallus has an elongate, narrow, posteriorly directed, spine-like projection at approximately midlength, not present in S. elongata , and has only an indistinct tract of very small spines. Also, the apical segment of the inferior appendage is more broadly rounded apically, especially in lateral view.

Description.

Adult. Forewing length male 5.5 mm. Color pale brown, partially denuded (in alcohol). Male. Segment VIII short, sternum and tergum subequal in length, sternum densely covered with short, fine setae, tergum with setae confined to posterior region of segment, posterior margin with membranous extension, tightly surrounding segment IX. Segment IX, in lateral view, very elongate, strongly tapering, anterolateral margins modified dorsally to form pair of large, tapering apodemes, rounded apically, ventral margin strongly produced posteriorly, subtruncate in dorsal and ventral views, posterior margin very obliquely narrowed dorsally, with lateral margin converging from ca. mid-height to anterior margin; in dorsal view, with posterior margin forming V-shaped convergence at anterior margin. Tergum X extremely elongate, narrow, nearly parallel-sided, extending to (or almost to) apex of apical segment of inferior appendage; in lateral view, upturned in apical extremity forming digitate mesal lobe, densely covered with sensilla, bordered by pair of very narrow, sclerotized lateral lobes, shorter than mesal lobe, acute, laterally hooked apically. Preanal appendage elongate, extending nearly half length of tergum X, very narrow for most of length, widened preapically. Inferior appendage bi-segmented, segments subequal in length, nearly uniform in width; apical segment rounded, with dense pad of short, stiff apical spines, extended anteriorly on ventromesal surface; with extremely elongate anteroventral apodeme. Phallus very elongate, narrow, tubular, without basodorsal projection; ventrally with elongate, narrow, spine-like projection just past midlength, extending parallel to phallobase to its apex; phallus internally with only small tract of very minute spines, scarcely evident. Phallotremal sclerite very indistinct, weakly sclerotized, small, ring-like.

Female. Unknown.

Etymology.

We dedicate this species to Dr. Agustín Grijalva, a former Constitutional Judge of Ecuador, who successfully applied the constitutional “ Rights of Nature ” provision in a ruling that saved Bosque Protector Los Cedros from mining concessions. This Constitutional Court mandate protected this species and all those inhabiting Los Cedros.