Polyplectropus trilobatus Flint

Chamorro, Maria Lourdes & Holzenthal, Ralph W., 2010, 2582, Zootaxa 2582, pp. 1-252 : 108

Polyplectropus trilobatus Flint

Figs. 54, 132

Polyplectropus trilobatus Flint, 1981: 16 . [Type locality: Venezuela, Aragua, Río El Limón, fish hatchery, Maracay ; NMNH, male.]

This species is most similar to P.clauseni Chamorro-Lacayo & Holzenthal in the overall shape of the inferior appendage and the dorsolateral and mesolateral processes of the preanal appendage. Both species have submedially, deeply concave posterior margin of sternum IX. Polyplectropus trilobatus differs from P. clauseni and all other species in the group in having the intermediate appendage fused to the mesoventral process of the preanal appendage. Furthermore, this species has basally fused but apically divergent (forked) mesoventral processes of the preanal appendage and an elongate ventral branch of the inferior appendage. The shape of the apex of the phallus is unique in having laterally produced dorsolateral arm of the dorsal phallic sclerite.

Adult. Length of forewing 4 mm, n = 1. Color of head, thorax, and legs yellow (specimen preserved in alcohol).

Male genitalia. Sternum IX in lateral view deltoid, anterior margin sinuate, posterior margin sinuate and supramedially concave; in ventral view rectangular, anterior margin entire, posterior margin with median flange and submedially deeply concave. Tergum X membranous, oblong, bearing dorsal microsetae. Intermediate appendage fused to mesoventral process of preanal appendage, quadrate, with long apical setae; in dorsal view oblong, mesally fused to papillate lobe; in caudal view digitate, membranous base enclosing phallocrypt (funnel-like), directed posteromesad, mesoventrally produced into highly sclerotized bifurcated process, with acute apices (this process is part of preanal appendage). Preanal appendage tripartite; dorsolateral process elongate, originating from dorsum of mesolateral process, directed anterad, recurved posteromesad then posterolaterad, tapering mesally into acute apex; mesolateral process setose; in dorsal view sickle-shaped, in lateral view orbicular; mesoventral process fused to intermediate appendage, basally digitate, mesally tapering ventrally into sclerotized apex, ventral margin sinuate; in caudal view rounded ventrolaterally, produced mesoventrally into highly sclerotized bifurcated process, bearing acute apices. Inferior appendage bipartite with anterior basal plate not extending anterad beyond sternum IX when observed in lateral view; dorsal branch setose, in lateral view oblong; in ventral view broad, lateral margin convex, undulate, mesal margin undulate, convex, shallowly fused to ventral branch; ventral branch setose, elongate, bearing 4–7 robust, sclerotized spines basally and apically; in lateral view robustly oblong, rounded posterad; in ventral view oblong, posteromesal margin convex, mesal margin straight, gradually converging mesally. Phallus long; dorsal phallic sclerite in lateral view sinuate; apex of dorsal phallic sclerite in dorsal view emarginate; dorsolateral arm of dorsal phallic sclerite in lateral view tapering posterad, produced dorsad into rounded apex; in dorsal view directed posterolaterad, apex angled; endothecal membrane without embedded spines.

Material Examined. VENEZUELA: Aragua: Río El Limón, fish hatchery, Maracay , [10°14'49"N, 67°35'45"W], 28.iv.1975, F. H. Weibezahn — 1 male [holotype] ( NMNH) .

Distribution. Venezuela.