Prespelea basalis Caterino & Vasquez-Velez

Caterino, Michael S. & Vasquez-Velez, Laura M., 2017, A revision of Prespelea Park (Staphylinidae, Pselaphinae), ZooKeys 685, pp. 105-130 : 121-122

Prespelea basalis Caterino & Vasquez-Velez sp. n. Figs 20, 32, 45, Map 50

Type material.

Holotype male: "N.CAROLINA: Haywood Co. GSMNP, Caldwell Fork Tr. at UTM 30897 E 3940883 N. Moist forest Berlese. 3 August 2002. C.Carlton & amp; N. Lowe" LSAM0091782, DNA Extract MSC-2418; deposited in FMNH. Paratype male: NC: Haywood Co., GSMNP, Cataloochee Rough Ridge Tr. [35.5927°N, 83.1374°W], July 29, 2002, C. Carlton, LSAM0092267; deposited in LSAM.

Diagnosis.

This species is externally indistinguishable from P. copelandi except in the following male characters: metaventral process indistinct; metatrochanteral process forming widened flange near basal margin of trochanter; neck convex beneath with weak median carina. Aedeagus very much like that of P. quirsfeldi , with sides evenly concave, apices slightly wider, and apical margin shallowly emarginate. Female not associated. TL 1.80mm; Max. width (EW) 0.67mm.

Distribution.

This species is known only from two localities within Great Smoky Mountains National Park. They are separated by about 5 km in the eastern part of the park.

Remarks.

This species is most easily distinguished by its broad and basal metatrochanteral flange (to which the species name refers). Otherwise it is extremely similar to P. copelandi and P. enigma . Its strong similarity in aedeagal shape to P. quirsfeldi is surprising, and may suggest the basal/default form for the genus as a whole.

This species name refers to its basally situated metatrochanteral hook.