Polyplectropus rodmani, Chamorro & Holzenthal, 2010

Chamorro, Maria Lourdes & Holzenthal, Ralph W., 2010, 2582, Zootaxa 2582, pp. 1-252 : 73-74

Polyplectropus rodmani , new species

Figs. 35, 140

Polyplectropus rodmani is a typical member of the P. annulicornis group resembling P. annulicornis Ulmer in the presence of 2 elongate, endothecal spines in the phallus. However, P. rodmani can be distinguished from P. annulicornis by the posterior truncation of the ventral branch of the inferior appendage (more elongate in P. annulicornis ). Additionally, the sclerotized projection on the dorsal surface of the ventral branch originates proximally in P. rodmani and mediad in P annulicornis . Additional distinguishing features present in P. rodmani are the posteriorly directed intermediate appendage, the shorter ventral branch of the inferior appendage, and the more elongate dorsal lobe of the mesoventral process of the preanal appendage.

Adult. Length of forewing 5–5.3 mm, n = 9. Color of head, thorax, and legs yellowish-brown; setae on body brown with clusters of grey setae on apex of head; tegulae with long, golden brown and grey setae; setae on wings golden brown along costal margin with patches of grey setae interspersed along margin and on most of wing surface.

Male genitalia. Sternum IX in lateral view deltoid, anterior margin submedially produced, posterior margin sinuate; in ventral view rectangular, anterior margin concave, becoming straight, posterior margin convex. Tergum X membranous, oblong, bearing dorsal microsetae; lower lip of tergum X membranous, smooth, without dorsal microsetae, digitate; in caudal view produced dorsad of phallocrypt. Intermediate appendage as long as inferior appendage, digitate, with a pair of long apical setae; in dorsal view digitate; in caudal view narrowly digitate, directed posterolaterad. Preanal appendage tripartite; dorsolateral process elongate, originating from dorsum of mesolateral process, recurved posterad, tapering into acute apex; mesolateral process setose; in dorsal view orbicular, in lateral view deltoid; mesoventral process setose; in lateral view hook-like, dorsally produced into elongate, digitate lobe, with ventrad-directed sclerotized apex, ventral margin concave, posterior margin concave; in caudal view processes separated bearing dorsal digitate lobe, ventral margin of process acute. Inferior appendage bipartite with anterior basal plate not extending anterad beyond sternum IX when observed in lateral view and anteriorly bilobed; dorsal branch setose, in lateral view oblong; in ventral view broad, lateral margin convex, undulate, posterior margin subacute, mesal margin undulate, angled, expanding posterad into ventral branch; ventral branch setose, short, bearing dorsal, apical sclerotized spine, in lateral view digitate, truncate posterad; in ventral view deltoid, posteromesal margin angled, gradually converging mesally. Phallus long; dorsal phallic sclerite in lateral view sinuate, apex pandurate; apex of dorsal phallic sclerite in dorsal view rounded; endothecal membrane with 2 stout, sclerotized spines, sinuate, bearing apical setae.

Female genitalia. Similar to female of P. alatespinus .

Holotype male: BRAZIL: São Paulo: Estação Biológica Boraceia, Rio Coruja , 23°40'06"S, 45°53'57"W, 850 m, 18.iv.1998, Holzenthal, Melo & Froehlich —( UMSP000032933 ) ( MZUSP).

Paratypes: BRAZIL: São Paulo: Estação Biológica Boraceia, Rio Guaratuba, 23°40'02"S, 45°53'46"W, 775 m, 17.iv.1998, Holzenthal , Melo & Froehlich — 1 male, 2 females ( MZUSP); Rio Coruja , 23°40'06"S, 45°53'57"W, 850 m, 18.iv.1998, Holzenthal, Melo & Froehlich ( UMSP, NMNH)— 4 males, 1 female. Distribution. Brazil. Etymology. Named in honor of Dr. James Rodman, for recognizing and understanding the obstacles presently facing taxonomy and for taking numerous effective initiatives to address them .