Polyplectropus kanukarum, Chamorro & Holzenthal, 2010

Chamorro, Maria Lourdes & Holzenthal, Ralph W., 2010, 2582, Zootaxa 2582, pp. 1-252 : 228-230

Polyplectropus kanukarum , new species

Figs. 16A, 119, 134

Polyplectropus kanukarum resembles several species in the P. bredini group based on the presence of an elongate dorsolateral process, on the submedially produced anterior margin of sternum IX (lateral view), and on the clavate shape of the ventral branch of the inferior appendage (especially when viewed laterally). Polyplectropus kanukarum also resembles P. flintorum in the shape of the oblong intermediate appendage bearing few apical setae and in the shape of the inferior appendage. However, P. kanukarum can be distinguished from all other species in the genus by the undulating posterior margin of sternum IX, by the presence of a lateral, single peg-like phallic spine in the endothecal membrane, and by the deltoid ventral branch of the inferior appendage, which has a highly sclerotized apex (when viewed ventrally).

Adult. Length of forewing 3.5–4 mm, n = 11. Color of head, thorax, and legs brown; setae on body grey and golden brown; tegulae with long, golden brown and grey setae; setae on wings darker brown along costal margin, rest of wing lighter shade of brown with scattered patches of grey setae.

Male genitalia. Sternum IX in lateral view deltoid, anterior margin submedially produced, posterior margin undulate; in ventral view rectangular, anterior margin highly concave, posterior margin with slight median flange. Tergum X membranous, oblong, bearing dorsal microsetae; lower lip of tergum X membranous, smooth, without dorsal microsetae, digitate; in caudal view produced dorsad of phallocrypt. Intermediate appendage longer than inferior appendage, oblong, with long basal setae and few scattered apically; in dorsal view broad basally, narrowing posterolaterad; in caudal view digitate, curved, directed ventrolaterad, apex rounded. Preanal appendage tripartite; dorsolateral process elongate, originating from dorsum of mesolateral process, directed anterad, recurved posterad, tapering mesally into acute apex; mesolateral process setose; in dorsal view obovate, in lateral view subquadrate; mesoventral process setose; in lateral view hook-like, with ventrad-directed sclerotized apex, ventral margin concave, posterior margin convex; in caudal view fused basomesally, processes separated, ventral margin of process subacute, basodorsally produced. Inferior appendage bipartite with anterior basal plate not extending anterad beyond sternum IX when observed in lateral view; dorsal branch setose, in lateral view clavate, with posteroventral margin slightly produced ventrad; in ventral view narrow, lateral margin convex, entire, posterior margin subacute, mesal margin entire, angled, expanding posterad into ventral branch; ventral branch setose, short and basally broad, in lateral view digitate, apically acute; in ventral view deltoid, posteromesal margin angled, gradually converging mesally. Phallus long; dorsal phallic sclerite in lateral view cylindrical, apex truncate; apex of dorsal phallic sclerite in dorsal view rounded; dorsolateral arm of dorsal phallic sclerite in lateral view tapering subapically; when endothecal membrane is everted, a small, peg-like spine everts laterad.

Holotype male. GUYANA: [Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo]: Kanuku M [oun]t[ain]s, Moco Moco River , [3°18'02"N, 59°38'54"W] 29.iv.1995, O S Flint —( UMSP000107494 ) ( NMNH).

Paratypes. GUYANA: [Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo]: Kanuku M [oun]t[ain]s, Kumu River & Falls, [3°15'54"N, 059°43'30"W], 29.iv.1995, O S Flint — 2 males, 2 females ; Kanuku M [oun]t[ain]s, Moco Moco River , [3°18'02"N, 59°38'54"W] 29.iv.1995, O S Flint — 6 males .

Distribution. Guyana.

Etymology. This species is named for the Kanuku mountains in the country of Guyana where the holotype and paratypes were collected.