Polyplectropus zuliae, Chamorro & Holzenthal, 2010

Chamorro, Maria Lourdes & Holzenthal, Ralph W., 2010, 2582, Zootaxa 2582, pp. 1-252 : 222-223

Polyplectropus zuliae , new species

Figs. 116, 130

This species is very similar to P. yolandae Chamorro-Lacayo & Holzenthal in the overall shape of the preanal and inferior appendages and in the shape of the phallus. However, P. zuliae differs in having an apically acute mesoventral process of the preanal appendage, a rounded intermediate appendage, and a narrower dorsal branch of the inferior appendage.

Adult. Length of forewing 4.5–5 mm, n = 7. Color of head and thorax brown, legs yellowish-brown; setae on body grey and golden brown; tegulae with long, golden brown and grey setae; setae on wings golden brown along costal margin with patches of grey setae interspersed along margin and on most of wing surface.

Male genitalia. Sternum IX in lateral view deltoid, anterior margin entire, posterior margin sinuate; in ventral view rectangular, anterior margin concave, posterior margin with slight median flange. Tergum X membranous, oblong, bearing dorsal microsetae; lower lip of tergum X membranous, smooth, without dorsal microsetae; in dorsal view obcordate. Intermediate appendage not longer than inferior appendage, stout, with long and short setae throughout; in dorsal view rounded; in caudal view digitate, narrowing apically, directed posteromesad; median papillate lobe flanking phallocrypt laterally, bearing small apical setae. 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 broadly deltoid; mesoventral process setose; in lateral view hook-like, tapering ventrally into sclerotized apex, anteroventral margin concave, posterior margin convex; in caudal view processes slightly separated, ventral margin of process cuspidate, with sclerotized point. 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, with ventromedian flange; in ventral view narrow, lateral margin convex, entire, mesal margin undulate, subapically expanded, becoming concave, expanding posterad into ventral branch; ventral branch setose, elongate, bearing 4–7 robust, sclerotized spines basally and apically; in lateral view deltoid, narrowing posterad; in ventral view deltoid, mesal margin slightly concave, gradually converging mesally. Phallus short; dorsal phallic sclerite in lateral view sinuate, apex pandurate; apex of dorsal phallic sclerite in dorsal view rounded; dorsolateral arm of dorsal phallic sclerite in lateral view tapering subapically; in dorsal view tapering subapically; endothecal membrane without embedded spines.

Female genitalia. Similar to female of P. blahniki .

Holotype male: VENEZUELA: Zulia: Los Angeles del Tucuco , 15–16.iv.1981, Menke & Hollenberg ( NMNH) ( UMSP000085318 ).

Paratypes: VENEZUELA: Zulia: Los Angeles del Tucuco , 15–16.iv.1981, Menke & Hollenberg — 5 males, 1 female .

Distribution. Venezuela.

Etymology. This species is named for the province in Venezuela, Zulia, where the holotype and paratypes were collected.