Polyplectropus hymenochilus Chamorro-Lacayo & Holzenthal

Chamorro, Maria Lourdes & Holzenthal, Ralph W., 2010, 2582, Zootaxa 2582, pp. 1-252 : 91-92

Polyplectropus hymenochilus Chamorro-Lacayo & Holzenthal

Figs. 44, 128

Polyplectropus hymenochilus Chamorro-Lacayo & Holzenthal, 2004: 206 . [Type locality: Costa Rica, Guanacaste, Parque Nacional Guanacaste, Quebrada Alcornoque, El Hacha; UMSP; male.]

This species is most similar to P. mignonae Bueno-Soria based on the overall shape of the inferior appendage, especially the ventral branch, the intermediate appendage, and the mesoventral process of the preanal appendage. Polyplectropus hymenochilus can be distinguished from P. mignonae by the presence of an elongate dorsolateral process of the preanal appendage, by the presence of a membranous lip ventral to the intermediate appendage and dorsal of the phallus, and by what appears to be the presence of several short spines embedded in the endothecal membrane of the phallus.

Adult. Length of forewing 4.5–4.7 mm, n = 4. Color of head yellowish-brown, thorax brown, legs yellowish-brown; setae on body brown with clusters of grey setae on apex of head; tegulae with long, golden brown and grey setae; setae on wings darker brown along costal margin, rest of wing a lighter shade of brown with scattered patches of grey setae.

Male genitalia. Sternum IX in lateral view broadly deltoid, anterior margin submedially produced, posterior margin sinuate; in ventral view rectangular, anterior margin concave, posterior margin with slight median flange. Tergum X membranous, oblong, bearing dorsal microsetae; lower lip of tergum X membranous, smooth, without dorsal microsetae; in dorsal view digitate; in caudal view produced dorsad of phallocrypt. Intermediate appendage not longer than inferior appendage, narrowly digitate with long setae throughout; in dorsal view digitate; in caudal view digitate, membranous base enclosing phallocrypt (funnellike). Preanal appendage tripartite; dorsolateral process elongate, originating from dorsum of mesolateral process, directed anterad, recurved posteromesad then posterolaterad, tapering mesally into acute apex; mesolateral process setose; in dorsal view digitate, apex tapering laterad, in lateral view orbicular; mesoventral process setose; in lateral view subquadrate, tapering ventrally into sclerotized apex, ventral margin sinuate, posterior margin truncate; in caudal view processes separated, ventral margin of process truncate, with basolateral margin produced laterad. Inferior appendage bipartite with anterior basal plate not extending anterad beyond sternum IX when observed in lateral view; dorsal branch setose, in lateral view digitate, subapically curved ventrad, bearing sclerotized apical spine; in ventral view narrow, lateral margin convex, entire, posterior margin truncate, mesal margin entire, concave, expanding posterad into ventral branch; ventral branch setose, short, bearing row of robust, sclerotized spines along posterior margin, in lateral view clavate, truncate posterad; in ventral view subquadrate, posterior margin angled and mesal margin angled and basally folding (comb-like), gradually converging mesally. Phallus long; dorsal phallic sclerite in lateral view cylindrical, apex obliquely angled and directed ventrad; endothecal membrane with several (about 20) thin, sclerotized spines.

Material Examined. COSTA RICA: Guanacaste: Parque Nacional Guanacaste, Quebrada Alcornoque, El Hacha , 11°00'32"N, 85°34'37"W, 250 m, 26.vii.1987, Holzenthal, Morse & Clausen — 3 males [holotype] ( UMSP) [paratypes] ( INBIO) ( NMNH) ; Quebrada Pedregal, El Hacha , 10°58'59"N, 85°32'20"W, 300 m, 27.vii.1987, Holzenthal, Morse & Clausen — 1 male [paratype] ( UMSP) .

Distribution. Costa Rica.