Polyplectropus admin Malicky & Chantaramongkol 1993, NEW RECORD for India

(Figs. 20–25)

Polyplectropus admin Malicky & Chantaramongkol 1993, 452

Material examined. India: Andaman & Nicobar Islands; Diglipur, Lamiya Bay, 13 ° 12’15.9” N, 93 ° 01’29.0” E, 9.viii.2019, Dubey (ZSIANRC), 1 male ; Kalpong, 13 ° 14’12.7” N, 92 ° 58’21.4” E, 8.viii.2019, Dubey (ZSIANRC), 2 males, 1 female.

Diagnosis. This species has very peculiar male genitalia. Tergite VIII is very large (produced distally to cover all of the flat IX segment as well as the preanal appendages in both dorsal and lateral views. Sternite IX is flat, somewhat dorsoventrally compressed. In the original description (Malicky & Chantaramongkol 1993) there appears to be one pair of dorsobasal processes of the preanal appendages, but one pair of small membranous process also emerge from the bases of the preanal appendages (which were illustrated by Malicky & Chantaramongkol 1993; Taf. 9). Inferior appendages are also very characteristic, being narrow but with a depression just before the apical end and in ventral view very broad with an inward-directed subdistal tooth.

Remarks. The occurrence of this species in India was suspected by Malicky 2010 in ‘ Atlas of Southeast Asian Trichoptera’ but without any confirmation. So the collection of this species from Andaman and Nicobar Islands confirms his suspicion and also strengthens the evolutionary theory that these Islands were once part of the mainland (now part of the Sundaland Biodiversity hotspot).

Distribution. Thailand, India (Andaman and Nicobar Islands).