Polyplectropus puyoensis, Chamorro & Holzenthal, 2010

Chamorro, Maria Lourdes & Holzenthal, Ralph W., 2010, 2582, Zootaxa 2582, pp. 1-252 : 211-212

Polyplectropus puyoensis , new species

Figs. 109, 135

Polyplectropus puyoensis is easily recognized by the shallowly fused dorsal and ventral branches of the inferior appendage and a basally broad dorsal branch. In addition, the ventral branches are broadly separated from each other (closer in other species in the group) (best seen in ventral view) and have basomesal peg-like setae (absent or not as large in other species). In overall genitalic features, particularly the intermediate and preanal appendages, this species is most similar to P. recurvatus (Yamamoto) .

Adult. Length of forewing 4.5–5 mm, n = 7. 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 submedially produced, posterior margin sinuate; in ventral view rectangular, anterior margin highly concave, posterior margin with median flange. Tergum X membranous, oblong, bearing dorsal microsetae. Intermediate appendage not longer than inferior appendage, digitate, with long and short setae throughout; in dorsal view broad, tapering mesoventrally to rounded apex; in caudal view digitate, elongate, apically curved, 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 subquadrate; mesoventral process setose, in lateral view hook-like, with ventraddirected sclerotized apex, anteroventral margin concave, posterior margin convex; in caudal view processes separated, ventral margin of process acute. Inferior appendage bipartite with anterior basal plate not extending anterad beyond sternum IX when observed in lateral view; dorsal branch setose, in lateral view subquadrate, apex truncate to slightly rounded; in ventral view narrow, lateral margin convex, entire, posterior margin acute, mesal margin undulate, convex, shallowly fused to ventral branch; ventral branch setose, short, bearing robust, sclerotized spines basally and apically; in lateral view digitate and almost forming a continuous structure with dorsal branch, rounded posterad; in ventral view rounded, posteromesal margin convex, gradually converging mesally. Phallus short; dorsal phallic sclerite in lateral view sinuate, apex pandurate; apex of dorsal phallic sclerite in dorsal view truncate; 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: ECUADOR: Pastaza: Puyo (16 kms. W), 3.ii.1976, P. J. Spangler ( UMSP000107553 ) ( NMNH).

Paratypes: ECUADOR: Pastaza: Puyo (12 Kms. W), 9.v.1977, Spangler & Givens — 1 male ( NMNH); Estación Fluvial Metrica, Puyo (27 km N), 4.ii.1976, Spangler et al.— 2 males, 3 females ( NMNH) .

Distribution. Ecuador.

Etymology. Named for the type locality, Puyo in Ecuador.