Polyplectropus thilus (Denning)

Chamorro, Maria Lourdes & Holzenthal, Ralph W., 2010, 2582, Zootaxa 2582, pp. 1-252 : 216-218

Polyplectropus thilus (Denning)

Figs. 17E, 113, 125

Polycentropus thilus Denning, 1962:407 . [Type locality: Mexico, Jalisco, 17 mi S. of Mazamitla; CAS; male.]— Flint 1968: 21 [to Polyplectropus ].

Polyplectropus thilus conforms closely to P. carolae Bueno-Soria in the presence of an elongate, dorsolateral process of the preanal appendage and in the shapes of the mesoventral process of the preanal appendage, the dorsal branch of the inferior appendage, and of the phallus. Polyplectropus thilus can be distinguished from P. carolae by the rounded shape of the intermediate appendage, by the shorter ventral branch of the inferior appendage, about ½ as long as the dorsal branch, by the mesal expansion of the intermediate appendage, which forms a lower, membranous lip enveloping the phallocrypt, and by the more elongate dorsolateral process of the preanal appendage. Polyplectropus thilus also resembles P. paradelphae Chamorro-Lacayo & Holzenthal , however the membrane surrounding the phallocrypt is produced more caudad in P. thilus . Additionally, the ventral branch of the inferior appendage in P. paradelphae is shorter and narrower and the dorsal branch is longer than in P. thilus . All 3 species have a reduced papillate lobe and a membrane surrounding the phallocrypt. The membrane surrounding the phallocrypt is visible in dorsal view as a deltoid to digitate lobe flanking phallocrypt. A variable form of P. thilus was collected from Nicaragua. This variable from has a truncate mesoventral process of the preanal appendage and a broader and more concave dorsal branch of the inferior appendage.

Adult. Length of forewing 6.5–7 mm, n = 5. Color of head, thorax, and legs yellowish-brown (specimens preserved in alcohol).

Male genitalia. Sternum IX in lateral view deltoid, anterior margin submedially produced, posterior margin sinuate and submedially produced; in ventral view rectangular, anterior margin concave, posterior margin with slight median flange and sinuate. Tergum X membranous, oblong, bearing dorsal microsetae. Intermediate appendage as long as inferior appendage and fused along membrane to mesoventral process of preanal appendage, digitate, with long basal setae; in dorsal view digitate and broad, tapering mesoventrally to subacute apex; in caudal view digitate, narrowing apically, directed posteromesad. Preanal appendage tripartite; dorsolateral process elongate, originating from dorsum of mesolateral process, directed anterad, recurved posterad, tapering mesally into acute apex; mesolateral process setose; in dorsal view orbicular, in lateral view orbicular; mesoventral process setose membrane surrounding phallocrypt; in lateral view hooklike with ventrad-directed sclerotized apex, ventral margin concave, posterior margin rounded; in caudal view processes separated, ventral margin of process acute, with sclerotized point 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 clavate, apex concave; in ventral view broad, lateral margin apically produced, entire, posterior margin subacute, mesal margin entire, concave, expanding posterad into ventral branch; ventral branch setose, short, bearing robust, sclerotized spines basally; in lateral view lanceolate, narrowing posterodorsad; in ventral view deltoid, posteromesal margin convex, gradually converging mesally. Phallus long; dorsal phallic sclerite in lateral view sinuate, apex narrowly oblong; apex of dorsal phallic sclerite in dorsal view emarginate; dorsolateral arm of dorsal phallic sclerite in lateral view tapering subapically; endothecal membrane without embedded spines.

Material Examined. MEXICO: Chiapas: Río Contento , 7 km N. Ocosingo, 20.v.1981, C & O Flint — 1 male, 1 female ( IBUNAM) ; Colón ( Lagartero ), 14°50'15"N, 92°15'00"W, 6.iv.1979, J Bueno-Soria — 1 male ( IBUNAM) ; Jalisco: 17 mi S. of Mazamitla , 5.xii.1948, E. S. Ross — 1 male ( CAS) [holotype] [type no. 9464]; NICARAGUA: Estelí: Area Protegida Miraflor, Quebrada Grande , 13°13'20"N, 86°15'33"W, 1200 m, 19.vii.2000, Chamorro & Lacayo — 1 male ( UMSP) .

Distribution. Mexico, Nicaragua.