Triplectides dawnae, new species

Figs 73–80, 98.

Diagnosis. This species is separated from most other New Caledonian Triplectides species by the presence of 4 hind tibial spurs. It is easily distinguished from mariannae, nathaliae and wardi by the longer mesal lobe of the inferior appendages and the shape of tergum X. It is most similar to smithi and aequalichelatus, new species, from which it is separated by the shape of tergum X, and the longer harpagones and mesal lobe of the inferior appendages.

Male: Body colour light to medium brown (in alcohol). Tibial spur formula 2:2:4. Claws on all legs unmodified. Forewing (Figs 73, 75) length 9.5–11.0 mm (N=33); colour medium brown (in alcohol), with dark, rugged area around junction of R and Sc, dark area between Sc and R; light area present around base of S4 and crossvein m-cu; forks 1, 2 and 5 present; fork 1 stalk slightly longer than 1/3 length of fork; branching of m with stalk slightly longer than 1/3 fork length; Dc broad, about 2/3 length of Tc; distance between crossveins s and S4 about equal to length of S4, S4 meeting M slightly apically of crossvein m-cu. Hind wing (Fig. 74) forks 1, 2, 3 and 5 present; fork 1 stalk about 1/6 fork length; S4 arising at apical 1/3 of Dc. Nygma present in all wings in fork 2.

Male genitalia (Figs 76–80): segment IX widest dorsally, narrowing ventrally; in ventral view (Fig. 78) with minute central, posterior process. Superior appendages (Figs 76, 77) slightly longer than half length of tergum X; digitate. Tergum X with small, slightly bipartite, dorsobasal projection; in ventral view (Fig. 78) elongate rectangular; apically produced into dorsal and ventral lobes; ventral lobes rectangular with apical, deep mesal notch; minute setae scattered on dorsal surface and along posterior margin; dorsal lobe apically narrowing and laterally flattened, ridge-like; bearing minute dorsolateral setae. Inferior appendages (Figs 76, 78) broad; apicodorsal lobes shorter than long, robust harpagones; basoventral processes long, digitate, nearly straight in lateral view, directed posterad, exceeding mesal lobes (Fig. 78), reaching base of harpagones; mesal lobes wide, bearing posteromarginal setae, mesal part strongly produced into apically tapering branch, lateral corners prominently produced posterolaterad, deeply separated from major branches. Phallus (Figs 79, 80), slender, curving 75 degrees ventrad slightly before mid-length, parallel-sided along its length in lateral view (Fig. 79); apex produced ventrad with v-shaped lateral flanges; slightly broadening apically in ventral view (Fig. 80).

Distribution. This species is found over all of Grande Terre, except the northernmost ¼ (Fig. 98).

Etymology. Named after Ms Dawn Williams, for her never-ending belief and encouragement of the senior author’s work.

Holotype male: New Caledonia: Province Sud: stream draining to Marais de la Rivière Blanche, 1.35 km S Pont Pérignon, 22º08.496’S, 166º42.152’E, 180 m, 6–16.xi.2003, Malaise trap, loc#009 [KA Johanson].

Paratypes: Province Sud: Monts des Koghis, ca 300 m S Koghi Restaurant, 22º18.288’S, 166º50.073’E, 407 m, 2–16.xi.2003, Malaise trap, loc #005 [KA Johanson] – 1 male; Monts Kwa Ne Mwa, on road between Noumea and Yaté, 2.0 km E Pic Mouirange, 22º12.356’S, 166º40.798’E, 220 m, 7–16.xi.2003, Malaise trap, loc#014 [KA Johanson] – 4 males; ditto, except 16–30.xi.2003 – 2 males; ditto, except 5–18.x.2006 [KA Johanson & M Espeland] – 12 males; Monts Kwa Ne Mwa, on road between Noumea and Yaté, 800 m N Pont des Japonais, 22º11.043’S, 166º43.566’E, 120 m, 7–16.xi.2003, Malaise trap, loc#015 [KA Johanson] – 1 male; Mt Dzumac, source stream of Ouinne River, downstream cross-point to mountain track, 22º01.997’S, 166º28.486’E, 795 m, over about 30 m waterfall, 18.xi–4.xii.2003, Malaise trap, loc#031 [KA Johanson] – 2 males; on road between Noumea and Yaté, 1.0 km NW Pont des Japonais, 22º11.427’S, 166º42.868’E, 113 m, 22.xi–4.xii.2003, Malaise trap, loc#039 [KA Johanson] – 1 male; W slope Mt Ningua, Kwé Néco stream, at Camp Jacob, 3.7 km WNW summit of Mt Ningua, on Bouloparis-Thio road, about 50 m upstream road, 21º43.613’S, 166º06.567’E, 150 m, 29.xi–12.xii.2003, Malaise trap, loc#054 [KA Johanson] – 3 males; same data as previous except 12.xii.2003 – 5.i.2004 – 1 male; Dothio river, 10 m E bridge at Atè, 6.2 km WNW Thio, 21º35.288’S, 166º09.070’E, 13 m, 29.xi.2003, light trap, loc #057 [KA Johanson] – 1 male.

Province Nord: N slope of Mt Rembai, Xwé Méréxwana stream, 21º33.804’S, 165º50.528’E, 309 m, 20.xi–12.xii.2003, Malaise trap, loc #037 [KA Johanson] – 2 males; Ponandou Tiôgé river at Kögi, 3.9 km SSW Touho, 20º49.043’S, 165º13.551’E, 25 m, 26.xii.2003, light trap, loc #100 [KA Johanson] – 1 male; Xwê Dachava stream, Rembai Mt, 21º34.854’S, 165º49.478’E, 317 m, 5–12.i.2004, Malaise trap, loc#108 [KA Johanson] – 1 male; Forêt Plate, Ouendé River, at 2.5 km WNW summit of Katépouenda, 23.3 km E Pouembout, 21º07.490’S, 165º06.723’E, 470 m, 8–15.i.2004, Malaise trap, loc#112 [KA Johanson] – 1 male.