Polyplectropus blahniki, Chamorro & Holzenthal, 2010

Chamorro, Maria Lourdes & Holzenthal, Ralph W., 2010, 2582, Zootaxa 2582, pp. 1-252 : 193-196

Polyplectropus blahniki , new species

Figs. 98, 99A, B, 135

—[as Polyplectropus recurvatus (Yamamoto) , Flint 1981: 16].

This species was identified by Flint (1981) as P. recurvatus (Yamamoto) , however it differs from this and other species in the P.thilus group by the presence of a digitate flange bearing 3–4 sclerotized spines along the posteroventral margin of the dorsal branch of the inferior appendage. Polyplectropus blahniki also resembles P. zuliae , new species on the overall shape of the intermediate appendage, on the rounded shape of the mesolateral process of the preanal appendage, on the shape of the phallus, and on the shape of the median papillate lobe. Additional characters distinguishing P. blahniki from P. zuliae and P. recurvatus are the presence of a short, rounded ventral branch of the inferior appendage (best observed in ventral view), the shape of the posterior margin of the mesoventral process of the preanal appendage, and the more rounded shape of the intermediate appendage. The females of P. blahniki and P.zuliae are indistinguishable.

Adult. Length of forewing 4.7–5 mm, n = 6. Color of head, thorax, and 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 sinuate, 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 digitate. Intermediate appendage not longer than inferior appendage, stout, with long and short setae throughout; in dorsal view broad, tapering mesoventrally to rounded apex; in caudal view digitate, narrowing apically, directed posteromesad; median papillate lobe very small, 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 orbicular; mesoventral process setose; in lateral view hook-like, tapering ventrally into sclerotized apex, anteroventral margin concave, posterior margin angled, in caudal processes slightly separated, ventral margin of process rounded, 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 deltoid, posteroventral margin produced posterad into digitate flange, bearing 3–4 sclerotized spines; in ventral view narrow, lateral margin slightly convex, sinuate, posterior margin undulate and concave, apically expanded, becoming concave, expanding posterad into ventral branch; ventral branch setose, short, bearing 4–7 robust, sclerotized spines basally and apically; in lateral view oblong, narrowing posterad; in ventral view rounded, 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 emarginate; dorsolateral arm of dorsal phallic sclerite in lateral view tapering subapically; in dorsal view tapering subapically; endothecal membrane without embedded spines.

Female genitalia. Ventral plates of segment VIII setose, in ventral view oblong, lateral margin narrowing medially; in lateral view oblong, narrowly fused to sternite VIII; external part of gonopod of segment VIII in ventral view with posterior margin acuminate; in lateral view clavate, curved dorsad; internal part of gonopod sclerotized, in ventral view with mesal margin acutely angled posterad, meeting mesally, surface rugous. Tergum IX devoid of setae, lightly sclerotized. Segment X setose, apically bearing a pair of sclerotized cerci surrounded by 2 pairs of membranous digitate processes. Genital chamber opening to processus spermathecae through sclerotized circular opening of ductus spermathecae.

Holotype male: VENEZUELA: Falcón: P. N. Cueva de la Quebrada del Toro, 10°49'35"N, 69°07'59"W, 530 m, 11.vi.2001, Holzenthal, Blahnik, Paprocki & Cressa —( UMSP000074855 ) ( UMSP).

Paratypes: VENEZUELA: Aragua: Río El Limon, fish hatchery, Maracay , 10°14'49"N, 67°35'45"W, 19–20.xi.1974, F. H. Weibezahn — 1 male ( NMNH) ; 30.i.1975, F. H. Weibezahn — 3 males ( NMNH) ; 25– 26.ii.1975, F. H. Weibezahn — 1 female ( NMNH) .

Distribution. Venezuela.

Etymology. It gives us great pleasure to name this species in honor of a great Trichopterologist, collector, and scientist, Dr. Roger J. Blahnik; who was one of the collectors of this species, and whose discussions and exchanges we value greatly.