Prespelea minima Caterino & Vasquez-Velez sp. n. Figs 14, 25, 37, Map 49

Type material.

Holotype male: TN: Sevier Co., Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Beech Gap on Clingman Dome Rd. at Appalachian Trail crossing [35.61°N, 83.45°W], 1750m, VI.28.2001, forest litter, C. Carlton, A.K. Tishechkin, & V. Moseley (LSAM0096333); deposited in FMNH. Paratypes (2): 1 male: same data as type; 1 male: GSMNP: Chimneys Picnic area (DNA extract MSC-2415); for full details see Suppl. material 1.

Diagnosis.

Distinguishable only by the following characters of the male: metaventral process rather small, narrowing to subtruncate or weakly emarginate apex (in posterior view), distinctly projecting anterad between mesocoxae; metatrochanters with hooks extending apically, laminate, moderately broad, with truncate apex. Antennae slightly elongate; neck flattened beneath, subcarinate ventrolaterally. Aedeagus broad, sides sinuate, apex emarginate, apicodorsal ridges curving inward at apex; apical foramen with lightly sclerotized plate across apex; internal sac with strong medial and lateral spines, ventrally with ~20 minute spines. TL 1.80-1.84mm; Max. width (EW) 0.67-0.69mm.

Distribution.

Known only from two localities in the central part of GSMNP.

Remarks.

Samples were noted to have been taken only from 'forest litter’ . Despite an attempted DNA extraction from an older mounted specimen, we have not been successful in generating a DNA sequence for this species.

The species is named for its small metaventral process.