Tinodes zarhloule Ibrahimi, Mabrouki & Taybi, 2025

Tinodes zarhloule Ibrahimi, Mabrouki & Taybi sp. nov.

( Figure 2 View Figure 2 )

https://zoobank.org/ urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:

Type locality

Morocco, Fez-Mekens Region , Ifrane Province , Oued Tizghit and Zerrouka lakes, 33°32'51.6"N 5°05'44.1"W, 1,600 m above sea level (a.s.l.) ( Figure 1 View Figure 1 ) GoogleMaps .

Type material

Holotype. ♂ ‘ Morocco, Fez-Mekens Region , Ifrane Province , Oued Tizghit and Zerrouka lakes, ( 33°32'51.6"N 5°05'44.1"W, 1,600m asl.), 19.08.2023, leg. Y. Mabrouki and A. Taybi’; (FMNSHIM) GoogleMaps . Paratypes. 2 ♂, with the same label data as holotype; (FMNSHIM) GoogleMaps .

Diagnosis

The new species is most closely related to Tinodes algiricus , T. ankrimensis and T. hispaniae but differs in the shape of sternite IX, phallus, process of the basal plate and ventral process. The phallus in ventral view in T. zarhloule sp. nov., has a small apex ending in a short and triangularly broad, acuminate dorsal process, with the ventral process being barely visible; in T. ankrimensis and T. hispaniae phallus has a large apex that terminates in a long, pointed single process; in T. algiricus , the phallus has a large apex with a long, pointed dorsal process and a shorter ventral process (which, in some populations, is shorter, yet broader and apically rounded). In T. algiricus , T. ankrimensis and T. hispaniae the head of the phallus is capitate and clearly distinct from the rest of the structure in lateral view; in Tinodes zarhloule sp. nov., however, it appears as a continuous extension of the phallus. The location of the basodistal process in the process of the basal plate right above the basoproximal process in lateral view, is a unique feature of Tinodes zarhloule sp. nov., as compared to its most close congeners. The distinct phallic structure and arrangements of basodistal vs. basoproximal processes of the process of the basal plate are likely the most striking and easily recognizable characteristics of the new species.

In addition to this, there are several other differences between T. zarhloule sp. nov. and its most close congeners that make easy the differentiation. The anteroventral process of sternite IX in the new species is small, whereas in T. ankrimensis , it is large (similar to T. algiricus and even larger) and completely absent in T. hispaniae . Sternite IX in ventral view, in T. zarhloule sp. nov., is roughly pentagonal, low and generally broad, narrowing only in the basal third; in T. ankrimensis , it is roughly pentagonal with sinuate dorsal margin, low and abruptly narrowing along the basal two-thirds; in T. hispaniae , it is rectangular; and in T. algiricus , it is roughly pentagonal, distinctly high, and strongly narrowing along basal half. The ventral processes in ventral view in T. zarhloule sp. nov., are more or less similar to T. hispaniae and T. ankrimensis , i.e. rounded apically and slightly converging mediad, while in T. algiricus they are obliquely truncated apically.

avp – anteroventral process; bdp – basodistal process; bpp – basoproximal process.

Description

Male. Forewing length 4.2–5.8 mm; head light brown; antennae brown, with lighter nuances at the articulations of the flagellomeres; maxillary palps brown; thorax light brown; legs yellow-brown; number of spurs 2.4.4; abdomen dark brown; external genital apparatus light brown to brown.

Ventral part of segment IX (sternite IX) in lateral view with straight ventral margin, anteroventral process small triangular, posterior end rounded, anterior margin almost straight, posterior margin concave. In ventral view, sternite IX roughly pentagonal. Dorsal part of segment IX (tergite IX) roughly triangular in lateral view. Tergite IX sclerotized dorsally, membranous ventrally. Superior appendages in ventral view long, thin, sinuate, almost reaching the apex of inferior appendages, dilating medially, slightly tapering apically and bearing long setae on the surface. Inferior appendages with broad coxopodite and rod-shaped harpago with blunt tip. Process of the basal plate semicircularly curved, with two basal processes, basoproximal process long and apically curved downwards, basodistal process short and straight, located immediately above the basoproximal one. Ventral process ribbon-like, dorsoventrally flattened. Intermediate appendages in lateral view long, concave with a bulge on dorsal margin, each with 10 protruding spines on apical lateral side. Phallus inserted between intermediate appendages with a small apex ending in a broad triangular process.

Habitat

Type locality is located at the northern end of the Middle Atlas limestone plateau and is part of the Ifrane National Park. This site is nestled in the high mountains of a region where the climate ranges from cold winters to humid Mediterranean summers. The new species was discovered in the Tizguite River, which has a permanent flow throughout the year and runs between Zerrouka Wetland's lakes. The site contains submerged aquatic vegetation, including Myriophyllum spicatum L., Ranunculus aquatilis L., Persicaria amphibia (L.) Delarbre, Potamogeton spp. , Elodea sp. and Ceratophyllum sp. , while the natural banks are covered by herbaceous vegetation. The sediments consist of stones, pebbles, and a lot of plant debris. The entire site is under significant anthropogenic pressure, particularly from tourist activities in summer.

Etymology

The species was named after Professor Yassine Zarhloule, President of Mohammed First University of Oujda, in recognition of his encouragement and support of our research.

Discussion

Considerable advances in our knowledge of Trichoptera been made in Morocco in recent years, with numerous new species being described that exhibit a high degree of regional endemism ( Malicky 2023; Harrak et al. 2024; Mabrouki et al. 2024; Taybi et al. 2024). The Trichoptera fauna of Morocco currently comprises around 90 taxa ( Mabrouki et al. 2025a). Our findings raise known biodiversity of Tinodes genus in Morocco to nine taxa, which are often endemics of certain areas: Tinodes algiricus , T. assimilis rifensis Botosaneanu & Gonzalez, 2001 , T. waeneri waeneri (Linnaeus,1758) , T. maroccanus Mosely, 1938 , T. igmir Neu & Malicky, 2017 , T. ankrimensis , T. atlasensis Ibrahimi, Mabrouki & Taybi 2021 and T. oukaimeden Malicky, 2023 , in addition to T. zarhloule Ibrahimi, Mabrouki & Taybi sp. nov. described herein. The new species was discovered in the Ifrane National Park, underlining the important role of protected areas in conserving biodiversity.

Morocco has invested significantly in establishing a network of protected areas to address the various challenges and imbalances that jeopardise its rich biodiversity. The development of a network comprising 10 national parks and 154 Sites of Biological and Ecological Interest (SIBEs) has been initiated. However, despite the considerable conservation efforts freshwater ecosystems are subject to a variety of pressures from direct and indirect activities associated with the country's economic development and population growth. These include intensive agriculture, overgrazing, over-exploitation of natural resources, industrial activities and pollution, and urbanisation ( Bensaad et al. 2017; Yahya et al. 2017; Taybi et al. 2021). Climate change is also a significant contributing factor to these trends, particularly in terms of water resources, leading to water stress and, consequently, ecological imbalances in continental aquatic ecosystems ( Alaoui et al. 2013; Mokhtari et al. 2014; El Hamouti et al. 2023).

In addition to the aforementioned issues, there is the problem of biological invasion. Moroccan freshwater ecosystems are under threat from a proliferation of invasive species, which can have a detrimental effect on native species, alter habitats and disrupt food chains. Furthermore, there is the potential for economic losses to be incurred, as well as a reduction in water quality and a threat to human health ( Taybi et al. 2023; Mabrouki et al. 2025b; El Caidi et al. 2025; Gourari et al. 2025).

Because of this, monitoring biodiversity and freshwater aquatic ecosystems in Morocco is imperative for the conservation of biological wealth and the sustainability of water resources.

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the Editor and two reviewers for their comments which greatly improved the initial version of the manuscript.

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