Polyplectropus alleni (Yamamoto)

Chamorro, Maria Lourdes & Holzenthal, Ralph W., 2010, 2582, Zootaxa 2582, pp. 1-252 : 146-148

Polyplectropus alleni (Yamamoto)

Figs. 72,122

Polycentropus alleni Yamamoto, 1967: 127 . [Type locality: Costa Rica, Puerto Viejo; INHS; male].— Flint, 1968 b:21 [to Polyplectropus ].—Blahnik, Paprocki, & Holzenthal, 2004 [distributed in Brazil, misidentification]

Polyplectropus alleni is similar to P. dubitatus Flint and P. elongatus (Yamamoto) but can be distinguished by the shape of the spines in the endothecal membrane of the phallus. In P. alleni the spine bifurcates apically, while P. dubitatus and P. elongatus clearly have 2 basally bifurcate spines. Additionally, the intermediate appendage of P. alleni is more linear and may have a basal lateral projection, whereas in the other 2 species the intermediate appendage curve laterad.

Adult. Length of forewing 3.5 mm, n = 2. Color of head, thorax, and legs yellowish-brown (specimens preserved in alcohol).

Male genitalia. Sternum IX in lateral view deltoid to rounded, anterior margin convex, posterior margin sinuate and submedially concave; in ventral view rectangular, anterior margin concave, posterior margin convex, medially shallowly emarginate. Tergum X membranous, oblong, bearing dorsal microsetae; lower lip of tergum X membranous, smooth, without dorsal microsetae; in dorsal view obtuse; in caudal view produced dorsad of phallocrypt. Intermediate appendage longer than inferior appendage, rod-like, with long basal setae and few scattered subapically; in dorsal view lanceolate, sinuate, with slight lateral projection and sclerotized apex; in caudal view lanceolate, curved, narrowing and becoming sclerous apically, directed mesodorsad. Preanal appendage tripartite; dorsolateral process bulbous, originating from dorsum of mesolateral process, bearing dorsal microsetae; mesolateral process setose; in dorsal view ovate, in lateral view oblong; mesoventral process setose; in lateral view hook-like, tapering ventrally into sclerotized apex, ventral margin concave, posterior margin rounded; in caudal view not fused basomesally, processes separated, ventral margin of process acute, with ventrolateral margin tapering ventrad into sclerotized point. Inferior appendage bipartite with anterior basal plate extending anterad beyond sternum IX when observed in lateral view; dorsal branch setose, in lateral view narrowly oblong, elongate, with posteroventral margin slightly concave subapically; in ventral view narrow, lateral margin convex, slightly undulate, posterior margin subacute, mesal margin slightly undulate, concave, expanding posterad into ventral branch; ventral branch setose, basally broad; in lateral view ovate, broadly narrowing posterad; in ventral view broadly rhombate, mesal margin straight, shallowly converging mesally. Phallus long; dorsal phallic sclerite in lateral view sinuate, apex tapering ventrally; apex of dorsal phallic sclerite in dorsal view obcordate; endothecal membrane with 1 stout, elongate, apically bifurcating sclerotized spine.

Material examined. COSTA RICA: Heredia: Parque Nacional Braulio Carrillo, Río Peje , Estación Magsasay , 10°24'07"N, 084°03'00"W, 130 m, 25–26.viii.1990, Holzenthal Blahnik & Huisman — 1 male ( UMSP); Puerto Viejo, 13.viii.1965, R. T. Allen — 1 male ( INHS) [“ INHS Trichop. 24560”] .

Distribution. Costa Rica.