Polyplectropus petrae, Chamorro & Holzenthal, 2010

Chamorro, Maria Lourdes & Holzenthal, Ralph W., 2010, 2582, Zootaxa 2582, pp. 1-252 : 106-108

Polyplectropus petrae , new species

Figs. 17C, 53, 132

Polyplectropus petrae is superficially very similar to P. panamensis Bueno-Soria. Both species lack a dorsolateral process of the preanal appendage and have a “mitten-shaped” inferior appendage (i.e., with shallowly fused dorsal and ventral branches). Additionally, the mesoventral processes of the preanal appendage are completely fused to each other, thus forming a rounded, entire structure below the phallocrypt. The fused mesoventral processes bear numerous peg-like setae. Furthermore, both species have similar intermediate appendage bearing basal and apical setae. Polyplectropus petrae can be easily distinguished from P. panamensis by the presence of a dorsal digitate lobe on the mesoventral process of the preanal appendage and peg-like setae on the inferior appendage. The dorsal branch of the inferior appendage is also broader than in P. panamensis .

Adult. Length of forewing 4 mm, n = 1. Color of head and thorax brown, legs yellowish-brown.

Male genitalia. Sternum IX in lateral view deltoid, anterior margin entire, posterior margin submedially produced; in ventral view rectangular, anterior margin entire, posterior margin concave and with median flange. Tergum X membranous, oblong, bearing dorsal microsetae. Intermediate appendage longer than inferior appendage, oblong, with long basal and few apical setae; in dorsal view oblong and tapering mesally to rounded apex; in caudal view narrowly digitate, directed mesoventrad. Preanal appendage bipartite; mesolateral process setose; in dorsal view oblong, in lateral view broadly deltoid; mesoventral process setose; in lateral view rounded, directed ventrad and with broad dorsal digitate lobe, ventral margin concave, posterior margin concave; in caudal view fused to form a single continuous structure, ventral margin of process rounded, 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 subquadrate, broadly narrowing posterad, with several apical, sclerotized spines; in ventral view broad, lateral margin convex, undulate, posterior margin rounded, shallowly fused to ventral branch; ventral branch setose, elongate, bearing robust, sclerotized spines medially and apically; in lateral view oblong and almost forming a continuous structure with dorsal branch, narrowing posterad; in ventral view deltoid to rounded, mesal margin acutely angled, gradually converging mesally. Phallus long; dorsal phallic sclerite in lateral view cylindrical, apex tapering ventrally; apex of dorsal phallic sclerite in dorsal view rounded; endothecal membrane without embedded spines.

Holotype male. BRAZIL: Minas Gerais: Estação Ecológica do Tripuí, Córrego Tripuí , 20°23'22"S, 43°32'32"W, 1070 m, 21.ii.1999, Paprocki, Braga & Amarante —( UMSP000046959 ) ( MZUSP).

Distribution. Brazil.

Etymology. Named with great affection for the senior author’s daughter, Petra.