Polyplectropus cressae, Chamorro & Holzenthal, 2010

Chamorro, Maria Lourdes & Holzenthal, Ralph W., 2010, 2582, Zootaxa 2582, pp. 1-252 : 198-200

Polyplectropus cressae , new species

Figs. 101, 126

Polyplectropus cressae differs from all other species in the group by the broad dorsal branch of the inferior appendage, which has a truncate posterior margin and mesally has medial semicircular ridges, and by the broad shape of the intermediate appendage. This species superficially resembles P. deltoides in the shapes of the dorsolateral and mesoventral process of the preanal appendage.

Adult. Length of forewing 4–4.9 mm, n = 6. 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 sinuate and submedially produced, 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 quadrate, rounded posterad; in caudal view digitate, parallel sided, broadly rounded 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, slightly expanding subapically; mesolateral process setose; in dorsal view oblong, in lateral view orbicular; mesoventral process setose, in lateral view subquadrate with ventrad-directed sclerotized apex, anteroventral margin angled, posterior margin convex; in caudal view processes slightly separated, ventral margin of process subacute, with posterior margin sinuate, tapering mesally. Inferior appendage bipartite with anterior basal plate not extending anterad beyond sternum IX when observed in lateral view; dorsal branch setose, in lateral view broadly pandurate, with posterior margin truncate to slightly convex; in ventral view broad, lateral margin convex, entire, mesal margin undulate, convex, becoming concave, expanding posterad into ventral branch, dorsal branch in oblique lateral view mesally with medial semicircular ridges; ventral branch setose, short, bearing 4–7 robust, sclerotized spines basally and apically; in lateral view digitate, narrowing posterad; in ventral view deltoid, mesal margin subapically produced, rapidly converging mesally. Phallus short; dorsal phallic sclerite in lateral view sinuate; 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. Ventral plates of segment VIII setose, in ventral view ovate, narrowing posteromesally; in lateral view deltoid, narrowing posterad, broadly fused to sternite VIII; external part of gonopod of segment VIII in ventral view with posterior margin slightly obtuse; in lateral view scirrhous, curved posterad; internal part of gonopod sclerotized, in ventral view with mesal margin rounded, meeting mesally. 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: Lara: Parque Nacional Terepaima, Quebrada San Antonio , 9°51'45"N, 69°13'06"W, 631 m, 17.vi.2001, Holzenthal, Blahnik, Paprocki & Cressa —( UMSP000074841 ) ( UMSP).

Paratypes: VENEZUELA: Lara: Parque Nacional Terepaima, Quebrada San Antonio , 9°51'45"N, 69°13'06"W, 631 m, 17.vi.2001, Holzenthal, Blahnik, Paprocki & Cressa — 3 males, 3 females. Distribution. Venezuela. Etymology. Named in honor of Dr. Claudia Cressa, distinguished Venezuelan scientist and 1 of the collectors of this species .