Caliginoptyx vientiana, Volynkin & Černý, 2024

Caliginoptyx vientiana View in CoL sp. n.

https://zoobank.org/ urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:966A7AD5-875A-431A-BE38-E6372CA15007

( Figs 30, 31 View Figures 25–33 , 50 View Figures 49–51 , 63 View Figures 59–64 )

Type material. Holotype ( Figs 30 View Figures 25–33 , 50 View Figures 49–51 ): male, “ Laos, prov. Vientiane | Vang Vieng , 270m, | 18°55'40''N; 102°24'49''E | 20.IV.2017 leg. K.Černý ” / “Slide | AV7990 ♂ | A. Volynkin ” (MWM/ ZSM, ex CKC). GoogleMaps

Paratypes. 2 females, same data as holotype, gen. prep. No.: AV7991 GoogleMaps ♀ ( CKC) .

Diagnosis. The forewing length is 12.0 mm in the male holotype and 13.0 mm in females. Caliginoptyx vientiana sp. n. differs externally from C. zofera in the considerably smaller size, the narrower forewing, the darker forewing colouration, and the narrower medial and costal spots of the forewing. The male genital capsule of the new species is distinguished from C. zofera by the shorter and narrower vinculum, the markedly broader valvula, and the longer and more upcurved distal saccular process. The phallus of C. vientiana sp. n. is significantly longer and broader than in the congener. The vesica configurations of the two species are clearly different and C. vientiana sp. n. is characterised by the large subbasal (sub-ejaculatorial) diverticulum bearing a robust blade-like cornutus and three semiglobular subdiverticula whereas the homologous diverticulum of C. zofera is small and semiglobular. The main (distal) diverticulum of the new species is longer and broader than in C. zofera , covered with graniculi (vs. spinulose scobination in C. zofera ), has two short semiglobular subdiverticula (absent in C. zofera ), and bears a distal sclerotised plate with several more or less equally short spike-like cornuti whereas in C. zofera it bears one large thorn-like cornutus surrounded by tiny denticles. As the female of C. zofera is unknown, the female genitalia of C. vientiana sp. n. were compared with those of the genus Thysanoplisna (see above in the diagnosis of Caliginoptyx gen. n.).

Distribution. The new species is currently known only from its type locality in northern Laos (Vientiane Province).

Etymology. The specific epithet is derived from the province of Vientiane, where the new species is found. The name is a noun in nominative case in apposition.

Acknowledgements

The senior author expresses his sincere thanks to the following for their kind assistance during visits to collections under their care: Axel Hausmann, Ulf Buchsbaum and Wolfgang Speidel (ZSM); Alberto Zilli and Geoff Martin (NHMUK); and James Hogan (OUMNH). Aidas Saldaitis (Vilnius, Lithuania) is acknowledged for a specimen of C. fraterna provided for examination.

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