Polyplectropus brborichorum, Chamorro & Holzenthal, 2010

Chamorro, Maria Lourdes & Holzenthal, Ralph W., 2010, 2582, Zootaxa 2582, pp. 1-252 : 157-158

Polyplectropus brborichorum , new species

Figs. 78, 131

Polyplectropus brborichorum can be distinguished from species in the P. robacki subset by the digitate, apically attenuate intermediate appendage; the apex is so lightly pigmented that the intermediate appendage may at times appear missing. In addition to the differences in the intermediate appendage, the dorsal branch of the inferior appendage does not extend beyond the apex of the ventral branch, characteristic also present in P. andinensis . No characteristics differentiating the female of P. brborichorum from P. costalis (Banks) (only known from the female) were found. However, since no male has ever been associated with P. costalis and given the largely homogeneous morphology of Polyplectropus female genitalia, we here describe the specimens from Ecuador as new.

Adult. Length of forewing 5.3–6.0 mm, n=3. Color of head, thorax, and legs brown; setae on body grey and yellow; tegulae with long, golden brown and grey setae; setae on wings golden brown along costal margin with patches of grey setae interspersed along margin and on most of wing surface.

Male genitalia. Sternum IX in lateral view deltoid, anterior margin convex, posterior margin sinuate and submedially concave; in ventral view broadly deltoid, anterior margin concave, posterior margin highly convex. Tergum X membranous, oblong, bearing dorsal microsetae; lower lip of tergum X membranous, smooth, without dorsal microsetae, digitate; in dorsal view obtuse; in caudal view produced dorsad of phallocrypt. Intermediate appendage as long as inferior appendage, lightly sclerotized, digitate, with long basal setae; in dorsal view digitate, directed posterad; in caudal view dorsoventrally flattened, apex quadrate, becoming lightly sclerotized almost invisible (other male specimen had a slightly more sclerotized intermediate appendage, yet overall shape was same). Preanal appendage tripartite; dorsolateral process bulbous; mesolateral process setose; in dorsal view ovate, in lateral view deltoid; mesoventral process setose; in lateral view hook-like, with short basodorsal digitate lobe, with ventrad-directed sclerotized apex, ventral margin concave, posterior margin rounded; in caudal view not fused basomesally, processes separated, ventral margin of process acute. Inferior appendage bipartite with anterior basal plate extending anterad beyond sternum IX when observed in lateral view; dorsal branch setose, in lateral view lanceolate, basally setose and broader, becoming highly curved, directed anterad beyond half of IX segment, recurved posteromesally; in ventral view narrow, basally sclerotized with digitate, laterally directed lobe, narrowing and recurving apically, expanding posterad into ventral branch (dorsal branch differed in size between 2 specimens, being shorter in holotype); ventral branch setose, basally broad; in lateral view obovate, rounded posterad; in ventral view subquadrate, mesal margin straight, posterior margin rounded to truncate, shallowly converging mesally. Phallus short; dorsal phallic sclerite in lateral view cylindrical, apex pandurate; apex of dorsal phallic sclerite in dorsal view acute; endothecal membrane without embedded spines.

Female genitalia. Very similar to P. costalis .

Holotype male: ECUADOR: Past [aza]: Est [ación] Fluv [ial] Métrica , Puyo (27 km N), 4.ii.1976, Spangler et al.—( UMSP000085574 ) ( NMNH).

Paratypes: ECUADOR: Pichincha: Río Umachaca, For [est] Sta [tion] Maquipucuna , 00°07'30"N, 078°37'00"W, 1250 m, ca. 5 km E Nanegal, 4–5.ix.1990, O. S. Flint — 1 male ( UMSP), 1 female ( NMNH) .

Distribution. Ecuador.

Etymology. This species (currently known only from Ecuador) is named with much affection in honor of M.L. Chamorro’s Ecuadorian-Yugoslavian uncle, Ladislao (Lalo) Brborich and his family, Gloria Callejas, Rossina, Claudia and Ladislao (Lalito) for their generosity and hospitality throughout the years.