Polyplectropus flintorum, Chamorro & Holzenthal, 2010

Chamorro, Maria Lourdes & Holzenthal, Ralph W., 2010, 2582, Zootaxa 2582, pp. 1-252 : 89-90

Polyplectropus flintorum , new species

Figs. 43, 134

Polyplectropus flintorum is readily distinguished from other species in the group by the presence of several peg-like setae on the ventral surface of the mesoventral process of the preanal appendage, by the sclerotized apex of the intermediate appendage, and by the shape of the phallus, being elongate, oblong, and apically emarginate (when observed from dorsal view). This species resembles P. kanukarum , new species and P. corniculatus , new species in the shape of the oblong intermediate appendage, which also bears few apical setae and in the presence of the dorsolateral process of the preanal appendage. Additionally, P. flintorum and P. kanukarum have superficially similar ventral branch of the inferior appendage.

Adult. Length of forewing 4.2–4.5 mm, n = 10. Color of head and thorax dark-brown, legs brown (specimen preserved in alcohol).

Male genitalia. Sternum IX in lateral view deltoid, anterior margin entire, posterior margin submedially produced; in ventral view rectangular, anterior margin entire, posterior margin entire. Tergum X membranous, oblong, bearing dorsal microsetae. Intermediate appendage as long as inferior appendage, cylindrical and basally produced dorsad, with long basal setae and a couple apically; in dorsal view digitate; in caudal view digitate, curved, narrowing and becoming sclerous apically, directed mesoventrad, with ventral microsetae. 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 oblong, basally broad, in lateral view deltoid; mesoventral process setose, in lateral view quadrate, anteroventral margin angled, posterior margin truncate; in caudal view processes separated, ventral margin of process with several stout, sclerotized peg-like setae. 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, curved, abruptly narrowing apically, bearing 2–3 sclerotized spines; in ventral view narrow, lateral margin convex, entire, posterior margin subacute, mesal margin slightly undulate, concave, expanding posterad into ventral branch; ventral branch setose, short and basally broad, bearing several robust, sclerotized spines apically; in lateral view ovate, narrowing posterodorsad; in ventral view deltoid, mesal margin slightly angled, posterior margin rounded gradually converging mesally. Phallus long; dorsal phallic sclerite in lateral view sinuate, apex oblong; apex of dorsal phallic sclerite in dorsal view emarginate; endothecal membrane without embedded spines.

Holotype male. VENEZUELA: Territorio Federal Amazonas [Estado Amazonas]: Camp II, Cerro de la Neblina , 00°50'00"N, 065°59'00"W, 2100 m, 29.i.1985, W E Steiner ( UMSP000107523 ) ( NMNH).

Paratypes: VENEZUELA: Territorio Federal Amazonas [Estado Amazonas]: Cerro de la Neblina, Camp XI, 00°52'00"N, 65°58'00"W, 1450 m, 25–28.ii.1985, P Spangler, P Spangler & R Faitoute — 1 female ( NMNH) ; Cerro de la Neblina, Camp VII, 00°51'00"N, 65°58'00"W, 1850 m, 30 Jan – 10.ii.1985, P Spangler & R. Faitoute — 1 male ( UMSP) ; Camp II, Cerro de la Neblina, 00°50'00"N, 065°59'00"W, 2100 m, 29.i.1985, W E Steiner — 1 male ( UMSP) ; Cerro de la Neblina, Camp I, 00°52'08"N, 66°05'22"W, 1850 m, 6– 8.ii.1984, D Davis — 5 males, 1 female ( NMNH) .

Distribution. Venezuela.

Etymology. It gives us great pleasure to name this species in honor of Dr. Oliver S. Flint Jr. and Mrs. Carol Flint for their contribution to Trichopterology, as well as for their generosity, hospitality, and amity during the senior author’s many visits to Washington, DC.