Polyplectropus gaesum, Chamorro & Holzenthal, 2010

Chamorro, Maria Lourdes & Holzenthal, Ralph W., 2010, 2582, Zootaxa 2582, pp. 1-252 : 58-60

Polyplectropus gaesum , new species

Figs. 26, 140

Polyplectropus gaesum is similar to P. annulicornis Ulmer and P. rodmani , new species in the presence of elongate endothecal phallic spines, however it differs from both species in that the spines are longer and the apices are directed dorsad instead of ventrad. It also differs from those species in the rounded, less acute apex of the mesoventral process of the preanal appendage, and in the shape of the ventral branch of the inferior appendage. In P. gaesum the basodorsal surface of the ventral branch is robustly produced dorsad. Also, the apex of the ventral branch is distinctively longer, narrower, and laterally more excavate medially than in P. rodmani and P. annulicornis . Additionally, the dorsolateral process of the preanal appendage of P.gaesum has a serrate lateral margin.

Adult. Length of forewing 4.5–5 mm, n = 4. Color of head, thorax, and legs yellowish-brown; setae on body brown with clusters of grey setae on apex of head; 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 broadly deltoid, anterior margin submedially produced, posterior margin supramedially produced; in ventral view rectangular, anterior margin concave, becoming straight, posterior margin entire and straight. Tergum X membranous, oblong, bearing dorsal microsetae. Intermediate appendage as long as inferior appendage, digitate, with a pair of long apical setae; in dorsal view digitate; in caudal view digitate, directed ventrolaterad. Preanal appendage tripartite; dorsolateral process elongate, originating from dorsum of mesolateral process, recurved posterad, tapering into acute apex, lateral margin serrate; mesolateral process setose; in dorsal view obovate, in lateral view deltoid; mesoventral process setose; in lateral view hook-like, dorsally produced into digitate lobe, with ventrad-directed sclerotized apex, ventral margin slightly concave, posterior margin entire; in caudal view processes separated with dorsal digitate lobe, ventral margin of process acute. Inferior appendage bipartite with anterior basal plate not extending anterad beyond sternum IX when observed in lateral view, anteriorly bilobed; dorsal branch setose, in lateral view oblong, apex truncate; in ventral view narrow, broadening apically, lateral margin convex, posterior margin rounded, mesal margin slightly undulate, angled, expanding posterad into ventral branch; ventral branch setose, elongate, with robust, medial dorsal projection, in lateral view digitate, rounded posterad; in ventral view digitate, posteromesal margin sinuate, gradually converging mesally. Phallus long; dorsal phallic sclerite in lateral view sinuate, apex oblong; apex of dorsal phallic sclerite in dorsal view rounded; endothecal membrane with 2 stout, elongate, sclerotized spines, apically bent dorsad, bearing apical setae.

Female genitalia. Similar to female of P. alatespinus .

Holotype male: BRAZIL: Minas Gerais: Serra do Cipo, trib[utary] to Rio Capivara , 19°14'24"S, 43°34'56"W, 1000 m, 18.ii.1998, Holzenthal & Paprocki —( UMSP000032940 ) ( MZUSP).

Paratypes: BRAZIL: Minas Gerais: Serra do Cipo, trib[utary] to Rio Capivara , 19°14'24"S, 43°34'56"W, 1000 m, 18.ii.1998, Holzenthal & Paprocki — 3 females .

Distribution. Southeastern Brazil.

Etymology. The specific epithet is derived from the Latin word “gaesum” meaning “a heavy iron javelin” ( Brown 1985) in reference to the stout, elongate endothecal phallic spines. Used as a noun in apposition.