Polyplectropus charlesi (Ross, 1941)

Chamorro, Maria Lourdes & Holzenthal, Ralph W., 2010, 2582, Zootaxa 2582, pp. 1-252 : 113

Polyplectropus charlesi species group

When establishing this group Bueno-Soria (1990) discussed the features shared by the P. santiago and P. charlesi groups, but did not mention synapomorphies of only the P. charlesi group. According to Bueno- Soria, the synapomorphy of the P. santiago + P. charlesi clade is the presence of a ventral, hook-shaped projection of the elongate inferior appendage. Based on personal observation of species originally included in both groups, no hook-shaped process projects from the inferior appendage. Bueno-Soria may have been referring to the mesoventral processes of the preanal appendages, which have a ventrad-directed apex in the form of a hook and when viewed laterally appear to originate from the base of the inferior appendage (e.g., Fig. 58A).

Species previously assigned, either by original or subsequent designation, to the P. charlesi group included P. beutelspacheri Bueno-Soria , P. charlesi (Ross) , P. exilis Chamorro-Lacayo & Holzenthal , P. hymenochilus Chamorro-Lacayo & Holzenthal , P. kingsolveri Bueno-Soria , P. kylistos Chamorro-Lacayo & Holzenthal , P. mathisi Bueno-Soria , P. mignonae Bueno-Soria , P. misolja Bueno-Soria , P. nicaraguensis Chamorro-Lacayo , and P. perpendicularis Chamorro-Lacayo & Holzenthal. Several of these species, with the exception of P. charlesi , P. exilis , and P. kylistos , have been removed from this group and transferred to the P. bredini group, or in the case of P. beutelspacheri , not assigned to a group. The 3 remaining species in the P. charlesi group are characterized by the combination of the following traits:

1. Pronounced ventral median projection of sternum IX (less pronounced in P. exilis ) ( Fig. 56D; synapomorphy);

2. The absence of a dorsolateral process of the preanal appendage ( Fig. 56A)

3. The presence of a papillate lobe ( Fig. 56C);

4. And by the presence of a plate-like, oblong intermediate appendage ( Figs. 56A–C).