Polyplectropus nicaraguensis Chamorro-Lacayo

Chamorro, Maria Lourdes & Holzenthal, Ralph W., 2010, 2582, Zootaxa 2582, pp. 1-252 : 101-103

Polyplectropus nicaraguensis Chamorro-Lacayo

Figs. 50, 124

Polyplectropus nicaraguensis Chamorro-Lacayo, 2003: 493 . [Type locality: Nicaragua, Zelaya , Río Las Latas; UMSP; male.]

This species most closely compares with P. mignonae Bueno-Soria. Both species lack a dorsolateral process of the preanal appendage and have similar inferior and intermediate appendages. Polyplectropus nicaraguensis differs from P. mignonae in the rounded shape of the mesoventral process of the preanal appendage and in the absence of peg-like setae of the ventral branch of the inferior appendage.

Adult. Length of forewing 4.5–5 mm, n = 2. Color of head, thorax, and legs yellowish-brown (specimen preserved in alcohol).

Male genitalia. Sternum IX in lateral view deltoid, anterior margin convex, posterior margin sinuate and ventrally produced; in ventral view rectangular, anterior margin entire, posterior margin with median projection. Tergum X membranous, oblong, bearing dorsal microsetae; lower lip of tergum X membranous, smooth, without dorsal microsetae, digitate; in caudal view produced dorsad of phallocrypt. Intermediate appendage not longer than inferior appendage, digitate, with long setae throughout; in dorsal view digitate; in caudal view digitate, directed posterolaterad. Preanal appendage bipartite; mesolateral process setose; in dorsal view deltoid, in lateral view deltoid; mesoventral process setose, in lateral view rounded, directed posterad, posterior margin rounded; in caudal view processes separated, ventral margin of process rounded and basally broad. Inferior appendage bipartite with anterior basal plate not extending anterad beyond sternum IX when observed in lateral view; dorsal branch setose, in lateral view digitate, subapically produced dorsad and apex truncate, bearing 1–2 sclerotized spines; in ventral view narrow, lateral margin convex, entire, posterior margin subacute, mesal margin entire, concave, expanding posterad into ventral branch; ventral branch setose, short and basally broad; in lateral view digitate, truncate posterad, mesal margin slightly angled, gradually converging mesally. Phallus long; dorsal phallic sclerite in lateral view cylindrical, apex oblong; endothecal membrane without embedded spines.

Material Examined. NICARAGUA: Región Autónoma Atlántico Norte [Zelaya]: Río Las Latas,

14°04'00"N, 88°33'00"W, 220 m, 2.vi.1998, Maes & Hernandez — 2 males [holotype] ( UMSP) [paratype]

(NMNH). Distribution. Nicaragua.