Polyplectropus paradelphae Chamorro-Lacayo & Holzenthal

Chamorro, Maria Lourdes & Holzenthal, Ralph W., 2010, 2582, Zootaxa 2582, pp. 1-252 : 207-209

Polyplectropus paradelphae Chamorro-Lacayo & Holzenthal

Figs. 107, 126

Polyplectropus paradelphae Chamorro-Lacayo & Holzenthal, 2004: 210 . [ Costa Rica, Limón, Reserva Biológica Hitoy- Cerere, Río Cerere , Est. Miramar; UMSP; male.]

Polyplectropus paradelphae is similar to P. yolandae Chamorro-Lacayo & Holzenthal in the general form of the preanal appendage, the shape and direction of the intermediate appendage, and in the shape of the ventral branch of the inferior appendage. This species can be distinguished from P. yolandae by the more elongate and thicker dorsal branch of the inferior appendage, by the shape and more separated mesoventral processes of the preanal appendage, by the narrower apex of the phallic sclerite, by the reduced size of the papillate lobe, and by the presence of a membrane surrounding the phallocrypt. Polyplectropus paradelphae and P. thilus (Denning) both have a membrane surrounding the phallocrypt, yet it is lightly pigmented in P. paradelphae . Furthermore, P. paradelphae differs from P. thilus in the broader dorsal branch and wider ventral branch of the inferior appendage.

Adult. Length of forewing 5 mm, n = 2. Color of head, thorax, and legs yellowish-brown.

Male genitalia. Sternum IX in lateral view deltoid, anterior margin entire, posterior margin sinuate and medially produced; in ventral view rectangular, anterior margin concave, posterior margin with median flange and sinuate. Tergum X membranous, oblong, bearing dorsal microsetae. Intermediate appendage not longer than inferior appendage, digitate, setose; in dorsal view broad, tapering mesoventrally to subacute apex; in caudal view digitate, narrowing apically, directed posteromesad, basoventrally membrane surrounding phallocrypt. Preanal appendage tripartite; dorsolateral process elongate, originating from dorsum of mesolateral process, directed anterad, recurved posteromesad then posterolaterad, posteromesally again, and tapering laterally into acute apex; mesolateral process setose; in dorsal view obovate, in lateral view deltoid; mesoventral process setose; in lateral view hook-like, tapering ventrally into sclerotized apex, anteroventral margin concave, posterior margin rounded; in caudal view processes separated, ventral margin of process subacute, 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 pandurate, directed posterodorsad; in ventral view broad, lateral margin convex, entire, posterior margin rounded, mesal margin undulate, concave, expanding posterad into ventral branch, dorsal branch in oblique lateral view with small submedial lobe; ventral branch setose, elongate, bearing robust, sclerotized spines basally and medially; in lateral view lanceolate, narrowing posterad; in ventral view deltoid, posteromesal margin convex, gradually converging mesally. Phallus long; dorsal phallic sclerite in lateral view sinuate, apex narrowly oblong; dorsolateral arm of dorsal phallic sclerite in lateral view tapering subapically; endothecal membrane without embedded spines.

Material Examined. COSTA RICA: Limón: Reserva Biológica Hitoy-Cerere, Río Cerere, Est [acion] Miramar , 9°40'16"N, 83°01'41"W, 90 m, 23–24.iii.1987, Holzenthal , Hamilton & Heyn — 1 male [holotype] ( UMSP). Reserva Biológica Barbilla, Río Dantas , 15 km (rd) S Pacuarito, 9°59'38"N, 83°26'35"W, 300 m, 27–30.i.1992, Holzenthal, Muñoz & Kjer — 1 male ( UMSP) .

Distribution. Costa Rica.