Polycentropus cheliceratus Hamilton & Holzenthal

Hamilton, Steven W. & Holzenthal, Ralph W., 2011, Twenty-four new species of Polycentropus (Trichoptera, Polycentropodidae) from Brazil, ZooKeys 76, pp. 1-53 : 19-21

Polycentropus cheliceratus Hamilton & Holzenthal sp. n. Fig. 10

Polycentropus new species 2 Hamilton 1986: 86-87, 199; Fig. 6.5.

Description.

Very similar to Polycentropus minero sp. n., Polycentropus cheliceratus sp. n.can be distinguished from that species as well as the other 8 species of the aguyje cluster by the shape of the inferior appendage in both lateral and ventral views as well as the lateral aspect of the preanal appendage. Compared to Polycentropus minero sp. n., in lateral view, the caudoventral corner and the dorsoventral flange of the inferior appendage are less angular and the mesoventral spine is absent. Also, in Polycentropus cheliceratus sp. n. the mesolateral process of the preanal appendage is smaller in dorsoventral length and its mesoventral process is more slender and longer compared to the mesolateral process.

Adult. Length of forewing (male) 6.6-7.6 mm. Body dark brown to black; dorsum of head and thorax black, clothed with long, black setae; base of forewing with long, erect black setae, general vestiture of forewing with fine black setae, lacking patches of pale setae; legs brown.

Male. Genitalia as in Fig. 10. Sternum IX in lateral view quadrate, about 2/3 height of segment VIII; in ventral view slightly trapezoidal, anterior corners sharply rounded, sides very slightly constricted mesally, anterior margin deeply concave, posterior margin slightly concave with broad, shallow convex medial region. Terga IX + X membranous, slightly sclerotized ventrally. Intermediate appendage gently curving ventromesad, moderate elongated length about equal to height of sternum IX, basal region simple, not expanded; in dorsal view nearly uniform in diameter throughout length, gradually narrowing apically. Mesolateral process of preanal appendage short, apex rounded, at base broadly joined to mesoventral process; mesoventral process directed ventrad to rounded point, digitate, equal in length to mesolateral process. Inferior appendage in lateral view short, generally round; dorsolateral flange low, rounded dorsally, with prominent caudomesal spine, partially exposed in lateral view; mesoventral spine absent; in ventral view inferior appendage approximately oval, caudomesal spine prominent, acute. Phallobase moderately short; in lateral view apicoventral projection narrow, slightly longer than apical diameter of phallobase apex, with 1 point; endothecal sclerotic band very narrow, becoming less sclerotized apically; endothecal spines absent; phallotremal sclerite narrow in dorsal aspect. Subphallic sclerite Y-shaped, arms long, pedicel narrow in posterior and lateral views.

Holotype male:

BRAZIL: Rio de Janeiro: km 17, 18 km S of Teresopolis, 1180 m, 18-19.iv.1977, C.M. & O.S. Flint, Jr. (UMSP000136614) (NMNH).

Paratypes:

BRAZIL: same data as holotype, 1 male (NMNH); Rio de Janeiro: Nova Friburgo, municipal water supply, 950 m, 24.iv.1977, C.M. & O.S. Flint, Jr., 3 males, 1 female (NMNH).

Etymology.

From the Latin chela (Greek chele) for claw, in reference to the claw-like form of the inferior appendage of the male genitalia, particularly when viewed in ventral aspect.