Polyplectropus dubitatus Flint

Chamorro, Maria Lourdes & Holzenthal, Ralph W., 2010, 2582, Zootaxa 2582, pp. 1-252 : 160-161

Polyplectropus dubitatus Flint

Figs. 15D, 80, 81, 142

Polyplectropus dubitatus Flint, 1983: 28 . [Type locality: Argentina, Pcia. Misiones, Río Iguazú, Camp Nañdu; NMNH; male.

This species is similar to P. alleni (Yamamoto) and P. elongatus (Yamamoto) in the overall shape of the male genitalia, especially in the presence of elongate, stout spines in the endothecal membrane of the phallus. Polyplectropus dubitatus can be distinguished from P. alleni by the presence of 2 spines in the endothecal membrane (1 apically bifurcating spine in P.alleni ). Polyplectropus dubitatus differs from P. elongatus in the almost circular sternum IX, the more robust spines of the phallus, and in the longer ventral branch and robust dorsal branch of the inferior appendage.

Adult. Length of forewing 4.2–5.5 mm, n=19. Color of head, thorax, and legs brown; setae on wings brown with scattered patches of golden setae.

Male genitalia. Sternum IX in lateral view rounded, anterior margin highly convex, posterior margin sinuate and submedially concave; in ventral view rectangular, anterior margin highly concave, posterior margin convex, medially shallowly emarginate. Tergum X membranous, oblong, bearing dorsal microsetae; lower lip of tergum X membranous, smooth, without dorsal microsetae; in dorsal view oblong; in caudal view produced dorsad of phallocrypt. Intermediate appendage longer than inferior appendage, rod-like, with long basal setae; in dorsal view lanceolate, curved medially; in caudal view lanceolate, curved, narrowing and becoming sclerous apically, directed medially, with apex curved posterolaterad. Preanal appendage tripartite; dorsolateral process bulbous, originating from dorsum of mesolateral process, bearing dorsal microsetae; mesolateral process setose; in dorsal view deltoid, in lateral view oblong; mesoventral process setose; in lateral view hook-like, tapering ventrally into sclerotized apex, anteroventral margin concave, posterior margin rounded; in caudal view not fused basomesally, processes separated, ventral margin of process acute, with ventrolateral margin produced ventrad. Inferior appendage bipartite with anterior basal plate extending anterad beyond sternum IX when observed in lateral view; dorsal branch setose, in lateral view clavate; in ventral view narrow, lateral margin convex, undulate, posterior margin subacute, mesal margin slightly undulate, straight, becoming concave, expanding posterad into ventral branch; ventral branch setose, broad, in lateral view ovate, rounded posterad; in ventral view deltoid, mesal margin slightly convex, apically subacute, shallowly converging mesally. Phallus long; dorsal phallic sclerite in lateral view sinuate, apex oblong; apex of dorsal phallic sclerite in dorsal view membranous; dorsolateral arm of dorsal phallic sclerite in lateral view digitate; in dorsal view digitate, extending beyond apex, apex directed medially, horseshow-shaped; endothecal membrane with 2 stout, elongate, sclerotized spines.

Material examined. ARGENTINA: Misiones: Río Iguazú, Camp. Nañdu , 25.xi.1973, O. S. Flint — 1 male ( NMNH) [holotype] [“ USNM Type No. 100493”]; BRAZIL: Minas Gerais: Rio Pandeiros , Pandeiros , ca. 50 km W Januária, 15°30'44"S, 44°30'15"W, 495 m, 17.xi.2001, Holzenthal & Amarante — 1 male, 3 females ( UMSP) ; Rio Santo Antônio, downstream from Morro do Pilar , 19°08'08"S, 43°21'15"W, 530 m, 17.x.2000, Paprocki & Ferreira — 2 males, 1 female ( UMSP) ; spring trib[utary] to Rio Macauba, near Pandeiros , 15°28'38"S, 44°44'38"W, 525 m, Paprocki & Blahnik — 2 males, 2 females ( UMSP) ; Paraná: Foz do Iguaçu, Cataratas , 19.viii.2000, W. Mey — 3 males ( NMNH) ; Santa Catarina: Nova Teutônia , [27°11'00"S, 52°23'00"W], 300–500 m, ii. 1964 F. Plaumann — 1 male ( NMNH) [paratype] ; URUGUAY: Salto: Río Uruguay, Salto Grande , 10.xi.1955, C S. Carbonell — 4 males, 2 females ( FHCU) [paratypes] .

Distribution. Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay.