Polyplectropus brasilensis, Chamorro & Holzenthal, 2010

Chamorro, Maria Lourdes & Holzenthal, Ralph W., 2010, 2582, Zootaxa 2582, pp. 1-252 : 78-80

Polyplectropus brasilensis , new species

Figs. 36, 132

Polyplectropus brasilensis resembles P. clauseni Chamorro-Lacayo & Holzenthal in the overall shape of the inferior appendage, in the presence of a dorsolateral process of the preanal appendage, and in the overall shape of the phallus. Polyplectropus brasilensis differs in having a digitate intermediate appendage and closely adpressed mesoventral processes of the preanal appendage, which bear apical peg-like setae.

Adult. Length of forewing 5.5 mm, n = 5. 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 darker brown patches of setae basally along costal margin, rest of wing lighter shade of brown with scattered patches of grey setae.

Male genitalia. Sternum IX in lateral view deltoid, anterior margin sinuate, posterior margin medially produced and becoming concave ventrally; in ventral view rectangular, anterior margin entire, posterior margin with median flange and submedially deeply concave. Tergum X membranous, oblong, bearing dorsal microsetae. Intermediate appendage longer than inferior appendage, cylindrical, with a pair of long apical setae; in dorsal view digitate, apex narrowing mesad; in caudal view digitate, with rounded apex, directed posterodorsad. Preanal appendage tripartite; dorsolateral process elongate, originating from dorsum of mesolateral process, directed anterad, recurved posteromesad then posterolaterad, tapering mesally into acute apex; mesolateral process setose; in dorsal view oblong, in lateral view oblong; mesoventral process setose; in lateral view hook-like, directed ventrad, ventral margin concave, posterior margin entire; in caudal view fused basomesally, may appear as if processes are completely fused to form a continuous structure, apex of processes slightly separated, ventral margin of process subacute, with ventral margin bearing many sclerotized, peg-like setae. Inferior appendage bipartite with anterior basal plate not extending anterad beyond sternum IX when observed in lateral view; dorsal branch setose, in lateral view oblong, apically convex; in ventral view broad, lateral margin convex, undulate, posterior margin rounded, shallowly fused to ventral branch; ventral branch setose, elongate and broad, bearing robust, sclerotized spines apically; in lateral view oblong and almost forming a continuous structure with dorsal branch, truncate posterad; in ventral view deltoid to subquadrate, mesal margin slightly angled, gradually converging mesally. Phallus long; dorsal phallic sclerite in lateral view cylindrical, apex pandurate; apex of dorsal phallic sclerite in dorsal view rounded; lateral projection of phallobase in lateral view digitate; endothecal membrane without embedded spines, membranous basal sheath surrounding phallus.

Holotype male: BRAZIL: Rio de Janeiro: Nova Friburgo , mun[icipal] water supply, 950 m, 24.iv.1977, C & O Flint —( UMSP000107490 ) ( MZUSP).

Paratypes: BRAZIL: Rio de Janeiro: Nova Friburgo , 950 m, 20.iv.1977, C & O Flint — 1 male ( NMNH) ; mun[icipal] water supply, 22°16'00"S, 42°31'59"W, 950 m, 24.iv.1977, C & O Flint — 1 male ( NMNH) ; São Paulo: Estação Biológica de Boracéia, Rio Claro @ Poço Verde , 23°38'51"S, 45°52'30"W, 840 m, 18.ix.2002, Blahnik, Prather, Melo, Froehlich, Silva — 1 male ( UMSP) ; Estação Biológica Boracéia, Riacho Rabelo , 23°39'11"S, 45°53'23"W, 850 m, 19.ix.2002, Blahnik & Prather — 1 male ( MZUSP) .

Distribution. Brazil.

Etymology. Named for the country where the types were collected, Brazil.