Polyplectropus amazonicus, Chamorro & Holzenthal, 2010

Chamorro, Maria Lourdes & Holzenthal, Ralph W., 2010, 2582, Zootaxa 2582, pp. 1-252 : 54-56

Polyplectropus amazonicus , new species

Figs. 24, 130

Polyplectropus amazonicus , new species, is very distinct from other species in the group. It is most similar to P. rodmani , new species in the elongate dorsal lobe of the mesoventral process of the preanal appendage and in the presence of a sclerotized dorsal projection on the ventral branch of the inferior appendage. Polyplectropus amazonicus may be superficially mistaken with P. profaupar Holzenthal & Almeida in the presence of a row of small lateral spines on the dorsolateral process of the preanal appendage; however P. amazonicus differs from P. profaupar in several aspects of the shape of the dorsal and ventral branches of the inferior appendage and the mesoventral process of the preanal appendage. Even so, P. amazonicus is readily distinguished from P. rodmani , P. profaupar and all other species by the acutely tapering, dorsally produced dorsolateral arm of the dorsal phallic sclerite ( Figs. 24E, F).

Adult. Length of forewing 5 mm, n = 1. Color of head, thorax, and legs dark-brown; setae on body darkbrown with golden reflections; tegulae with dark-brown setae; setae on wings dark-brown with golden reflections, entire specimen appearing black from a distance.

Male genitalia. Sternum IX in lateral view deltoid, anterior margin entire, posterior margin medially produced; in ventral view rectangular, anterior margin concave, posterior margin with median flange. Tergum X membranous, oblong, bearing dorsal microsetae. Intermediate appendage as long as inferior appendage, digitate, with a pair of long apical setae; in dorsal view digitate; in caudal view rounded, directed posterad. Preanal appendage tripartite; dorsolateral process elongate, originating from dorsum of mesolateral process, recurved posterad, tapering mesally into acute apex, laterally with row of short, sclerotized spines; mesolateral process setose; in dorsal view obovate, in lateral view orbicular; mesoventral process setose; in lateral view hook-like, dorsally produced into elongate, digitate lobe, ventral margin slightly concave, posterior margin sinuate; in caudal view processes separated, with dorsal digitate lobe, ventral margin of process subacute. Inferior appendage bipartite with anterior basal plate not extending anterad beyond sternum IX when observed in lateral view, anteriorly bilobed; dorsal branch setose, in lateral view pandurate, posteroventrally produced; in ventral view broad, lateral margin subapically produced, undulate, posterior margin undulate and subacute, mesal margin slightly undulate, angled, expanding posterad into ventral branch; ventral branch setose, elongate, in lateral view digitate, rounded posterad and subapically produced dorsad into highly sclerotized point; in ventral view digitate, posteromesal margin rounded, gradually converging mesally. Phallus long; dorsal phallic sclerite in lateral view sinuate, apex oblong and directed ventrad; apex of dorsal phallic sclerite in dorsal view rounded; dorsolateral arm of dorsal phallic sclerite in lateral view produced dorsad, tapering posterodorsad into acute, sclerotized point; in dorsal view subapically enlarged, apex tapering into laterally directed point and extending beyond apex of phallic sclerite; endothecal membrane with 2, small, sclerotized spines.

Holotype male: VENEZUELA: Amazonas: Cerro de la Neblina, Camp III, 00°56'10"N, 66°03'53"W, 1820 m, 15–17.ii.1984, D. Davis —( UMSP000107519 ) ( NMNH).

Distribution. Venezuela.

Etymology. This species is named for the province in Venezuela where the type was collected.