Triplectides mariannae, new species

Figs 65–72, 97.

Diagnosis. This species is separated from most New Caledonian Triplectides species by the presence of 4 hind tibial spurs. It is easily distinguished from smithi, aequalichelatus, new species, and dawnae, new species, by having shorter mesal lobe of the inferior appendages and in the shape of tergum X. It strongly resembles nathaliae and wardi, the former recognized by the absence of fork 1 in the hind wings; the latter has a more rounded apical margin of tergum X.

Male: Body colour straw to medium brown (in alcohol). Tibial spur formula 2:2:4. Claws on all legs unmodified. Forewing (Figs 65, 67) length 9.0–11.0 mm (N=56); colour straw to medium brown (in alcohol), with dark, rugged area around junction of R and Sc, sometimes with dark area bearing dense tuft of hairs posterior to base of Dc; light area present around M at S4 and crossvein m-cu; forks 1, 2 and 5 present; fork 1 stalk about half length of fork 1; branching of m with stalk about 1/3 – 1/4 fork length; Dc broad, about 3/5 – 4/5 length of Tc; distance between crossveins s and S4 about one to two times length of S4, S4 meeting M close to or slightly apically of crossvein m-cu. Hind wing (Fig. 66) forks 1, 2, 3 and 5 present; fork 1 stalk about 1/4 fork length; S4 arising slightly basally of apical 1/3 of Dc. Nygma present in all wings in fork 2.

Genitalia (Figs 68–72): segment IX medium broad, widest dorsally, in ventral view (Fig. 70) with short, central posterior extension. Superior appendages (Figs 68, 69) slightly longer than half length of tergum X; dorsoventrally flattened; narrowly club-shaped in dorsal view (Fig. 69). Tergum X with prominent bipartite, dorsobasal projection; in ventral view (Fig. 70) nearly rectangular; with lateral carinae along proximal 2/3; apex with very shallow, wide mesal emargination; dorsal surface with few minute setae. Inferior appendages (Figs 68, 70) broad; apicodorsal lobes about 1.5 times longer than harpagones; basoventral processes long, digitate, directed posterodorsad, exceeding mesal lobes, slightly exceeding base of harpagones; mesal lobes bearing few ventral setae, flat; lateral corners directed laterad; drop-shaped divergence present between mesal lobes and major branches. Phallus (Figs 71, 72), slender, curved about 30 degrees ventrad slightly before midlength; in ventral view, nearly parallel-sided along its length; apex produced ventrally with v-shaped lateral flanges (Fig. 72).

Distribution. This species seems widespread over Grande Terre (Fig. 97).

Etymology. Named after PhD student Marianne Espeland, for her valued contribution during the collection of the Triplectides material in 2006.

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: same data as holotype – 9 males; same data as holotype, except 05–18.x.2006 [KA Johanson & M Espeland] – 1 male; Monts Kwa Ne Mwa, on road between Noumea and Yaté, Rivière des Pirogues, 22º11.225’S, 166º43.338’E, 100 m, 7.xi.2003, light trap, loc#016 [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] – 1 male; stream crossing Noumea-Yaté road, 1.5 km S Yaté Dam, about 200 m upstream the road, 22º09.931’S, 166º52.535’E, 197 m, 22.xi–17.xii.2003, Malaise trap, loc#041 [KA Johanson] – 4 males; Platou de Dogny, source of Dogny River, about 900 m SE summit of Platou de Dogny, 21º61.917’S, 165º88.072’E, 919 m, 25.xi–16.xii.2003, Malaise trap, loc#046 [KA Johanson] – 1 male; same data as previous except nearly 1.0 km SE summit, 21º62.095’S, 165º88.072’E, 917 m, loc#047 – 10 males; 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] – 2 males; same data as previous except 12.xii.2003 – 5.i.2004 – 2 males; stream draining to Rivière des Pirogues, 850 m E summit of Mont Imbaah, 5.5 km E lucky Creek in Plum, 22º16.837’S, 166º42.195’E, 31 m, 1.xii.2003, light trap, loc#060 [KA Johanson] – 1 male; Mt Dzumac, source stream of Ouinne River, downstream cross-point to mountain track, 22º02.330’S, 166º28.605’E, 796 m, 3.xii.2003, light trap, loc#062 [KA Johanson] – 1 male; Haute Yaté fauna reserve, 1760 m s bridge Pont Perignon, 50 m upstream bridge over stream, 22º14.954’S, 166º70.1211’E, 180 m, 14.xii.2003 – 13.i.2004, Malaise trap, loc#081 [KA Johanson] – 1 male; Parc Territorial de la Rivière Bleue, small stream draining into north bank of Rivière Bleue, 22º05.246’S, 166º38.182’E, 6–7.x.2006, light trap, loc#126 [KA Johanson & M Espeland] – 1 male.

Province Nord: Mt Panié, stream at camp, 20º58.167’S, 164º76.472’E, 1311 m, 9.xii.2003, Malaise trap, loc#073 [KA Johanson] – 3 males; Mt Panié, stream at camp, 20º58.139’S, 164º76.444’E, 1310 m, 9.xii.2003 – 2.i.2004, Malaise trap, loc#074 [KA Johanson] – 13 males; Mt Panié, 20º57.306’S, 164º77.139’E, 902 m, 9.xii.2003, Malaise trap, loc#075 [KA Johanson] – 1 male.