Peridinetus decipiens Prena, new species

(Figs. 10, 19)

Description. Total length 5.1–6.4 mm, standard length 5.3–6.2 mm (n=7). Integument dark brown; basic vestiture of medium-sized, mostly brown scales and varying extents of paler, often locally clustered scales; colour pattern formed by pale scales in dorsolateral pronotal vitta and in narrow, variously disintegrated fascia around subapical elytral callus (Fig. 10), elytral disk with or without obsolete macula of dark scales. Rostrum of male 1.06–1.07×, of female 1.06–1.07× longer than pronotum, subcylindrical, punctation coarser than in most congeners, anteantennal portion in male 0.39–0.41×, in female 0.41–0.44× as long as rostrum. Pronotum finely punctate, glabrous, 0.84–0.89× as long as wide, subconical, sides weakly rounded, frontal margin distinctly projected. Elytra 1.56–1.67× longer than wide, humeri 1.27–1.36× wider than pronotum; striae fine, indistinctly punctate; interstriae without median ridges; subapical callus weak. Legs moderately slender, femora clavate and with acute ventral tooth, tibia straight to slightly bisinuate, ventral margin not projected or otherwise modified, tarsal claws subconnate at base. Male with ventrite 5 depressed; aedeagus similar to that of P. fuscosignum (Figs. 14, 16).

Material examined. Holotype male (dissected), labeled: “ DOMINICAN REPUBLIC / La Vega Prov., 10 km./ W Jima, 27 May 1992 / R. Turnbow”, “ HOLOTYPE / Peridinetus / decipiens Prena ” (CMNC). Paratypes 6 (2 males, 4 females): DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. Distrito Nacional: St. Domingo, 14.vii.1974, J. & S. Klapperich (CWOB 1♀). Monsenor Nouel: 22 km NW Bonao, 3.ix.1997, C.W. O’Brien (CWOB 1♀). La Vega: 10 km W Jima, 24.v.1992, R. Turnbow (CMNC 1♀), ditto, 27.v.1992 (JPPC 1♂); Pico Duarte, N 19.08.22 W70.27.73, to Los Tablones, 1200 m, 29.vi.2004, A. Konstantinov (USNM 1♂); La Cienega [Cienaga], near 1st refuge [up Pico Duarte], 14.i.1989, S. A. Marshall (CMNC 1♀).

Distribution. The species occurs in Hispaniola, north of Hoya de Enriquillo/Cul-de-Sac Depression.

Plant associations. Unknown.

Specific epithet. The name is a present active participle of the Latin verb decipere, to deceive.

Discussion. Peridinetus decipiens is one of three species with flat, basally subconnate tarsal claws. It can be distinguished from the other Hispaniolan species, P. fuscosignum, by the narrow, subapical elytral fascia and possibly allopatry. The Cuban P. ro e s e l i i has a wider fascia and at least some ochreous scales.