Polyplectropus woldai, Chamorro & Holzenthal, 2010

Chamorro, Maria Lourdes & Holzenthal, Ralph W., 2010, 2582, Zootaxa 2582, pp. 1-252 : 110-111

Polyplectropus woldai , new species

Figs. 17G, 55, 132

Polyplectropus woldai can be readily distinguished from all other species in the group by the peculiar shape of the intermediate appendage. The intermediate appendage is elongate, basally broad and narrowing apically. It is directed ventrally and bears 2 long apical spines. In addition, the intermediate appendage appear to be fused basally to the mesoventral process of the preanal appendage, thus forming a complex structure. The mesoventral processes of the preanal appendage are digitate, located lateroventral of the intermediate appendage and broadly separated from each other. Polyplectropus woldai also has a short dorsolateral process of the preanal appendage and the inferior appendages are “mitten-shaped”, but nonetheless are elongate and broad.

This species resembles P. brasilensis in having shallowly fused dorsal and ventral branches of the inferior appendage and in having a submedially, deeply concave posterior margin of sternum IX.

Adult. Length of forewing 5.5 mm, n = 2. Color of head, thorax, and legs yellowish-brown (specimens preserved in alcohol).

Male genitalia. Sternum IX in lateral view deltoid, anterior margin convex, posterior margin sinuate and submedially concave; in ventral view rectangular, anterior margin concave, posterior margin with median flange and submedially deeply concave. Tergum X membranous, oblong, bearing dorsal microsetae. Intermediate appendage not longer than inferior appendage, digitate and with ventral, elongate digitate projection, with long basal setae and apically with 2 stout spines; in dorsal view basally broad, tapering into curved lanceolate rods; in caudal view basally broad, narrowing into elongate, digitate lobe bearing 2 stout apical spines, directed mesoventrad. Preanal appendage tripartite; dorsolateral process short, originating from dorsum of mesolateral process, recurved posterad, tapering into acute apex; mesolateral process setose; in dorsal view sickle-shaped, in lateral view orbicular; mesoventral process setose; in lateral view oblong, mesoventral process basodorsally fused to intermediate appendage, directed posterad, ventral margin linear, posterior margin rounded; in caudal view not fused basomesally, processes separated, ventral margin of process rounded. Inferior appendage bipartite with anterior basal plate not extending anterad beyond sternum IX when observed in lateral view; dorsal branch setose, in lateral view pandurate, apically convex; in ventral view broad, lateral margin apically produced, sinuate, posterior margin rounded, shallowly fused to ventral branch; ventral branch setose, elongate, bearing robust, sclerotized spines apically; in lateral view oblong and almost forming a continuous structure with dorsal branch, rounded posterad; in ventral view rounded, mesal margin straight, gradually converging mesally. Phallus short; dorsal phallic sclerite in lateral view sinuate, apex narrowing apically; endothecal membrane without embedded spines, membranous dorsad.

Holotype male: PANAMA: Chiriquí: Fortuna Dam Site nr. Hornitos , 8°55'00"N, 82°16'00"W, 1050 m, 8.iii.–16.v.1978, H. Wolda —( UMSP000100599 ) ( NMNH);

Paratypes: PANAMA: Chiriquí: Fortuna Dam Site nr. Hornitos , 8°55'00"N, 82°16'00"W, 1050 m 17.v.–25.vii.1978, H. Wolda — 1 male ( UMSP) .

Distribution. Panama.

Etymology. Named in honor of Henk Wolda, who collected not only this, but several other new species as a result of his Trichoptera research in Panama.