Polyplectropus santiago

Chamorro, Maria Lourdes & Holzenthal, Ralph W., 2010, 2582, Zootaxa 2582, pp. 1-252 : 146

Polyplectropus santiago species group

The definition of the P. santiago group is broadened to also include 2 distinct subsets of species; P. bravoae , P. ecuadoriensis , and P. laminatus ( P. laminatus species subset) and P. andinensis , P. bolivianus , P. brborichorum , and P. robacki ( P. robacki species subset). Species in the P.laminatus subset have an elongate dorsolateral arm, produced beyond the apex of the dorsal phallic sclerite, a rather short and narrow dorsal branch of the inferior appendage, and a largely membranous, quadrate to oblong intermediate appendage. On the other hand, the species in the P. robacki subset have a narrow, curved dorsal branch of the inferior appendage, a digitate lobe on the mesoventral process of the preanal appendage and a short and basally broad intermediate appendage.

For the most part, the male genitalia of species in the P. santiago group sensu stricto are homogenous, with most species distinguished by differences in the phallus. Namely, these differences lie in the size, shape, and direction of the endothecal phallic spines of the phallus. The P. santiago group is characterized by the combined possession of the following traits ( Figs. 72–96):

1. Bulbous dorsolateral process of the preanal appendage bearing dorsal microsetae;

2. Elongate anterior basal plate of the inferior appendage (anteriorly beyond sternum IX);

3. Pronounced lower lip of segment X (entire in most, bilobed in P. robacki subset);

4. Highly sclerotized, lanceolate intermediate appendage (confused by some with dorsolateral process of preanal appendage) (membranous in P. laminatus subset);

5. Dorsal branch of inferior appendage more than 4 times longer than wide ( P. robacki subset have a narrow, recurved dorsal branch);

6. Ventral branch short, both ventral branches shallowly fused (fusion 1/3rd of entire anterior basal plate length);

7. Peg-like setae absent on inferior appendage;

8. Females with a pair of variously shaped, parallel internal sclerotized rods.