Polyplectropus insularis, Chamorro & Holzenthal, 2010

Chamorro, Maria Lourdes & Holzenthal, Ralph W., 2010, 2582, Zootaxa 2582, pp. 1-252 : 206

Polyplectropus insularis , new species

Figs. 106, 125

Polyplectropus insularis is very distinctive and easily distinguished from all other species in the group by the much more robust intermediate appendage and enlarged ventrally positioned papillate lobe. This species resembles P. puyoensis , new species in having the dorsal and ventral branches of the inferior appendage shallowly fused and on the overall shape of the dorsolateral process of the preanal appendage.

Adult. Length of forewing 4.5 mm, n = 1. Color of head, thorax, and legs yellowish-brown (specimen preserved in alcohol).

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 and convex. Tergum X membranous, oblong, bearing dorsal microsetae; lower lip of tergum X membranous, smooth, without dorsal microsetae, digitate; in dorsal view digitate; in caudal view membrane surrounding phallocrypt. Intermediate appendage not longer than inferior appendage, robust bearing apical setae; in dorsal view rounded, produced ventromesally into enlarged papillate lobe; in caudal view bipartite, dorsolateral digitate lobe produced ventromesally into dorsally curved papillate lobe. 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 oblong; mesoventral process setose; in lateral view hook-like, with ventrad-directed sclerotized apex, ventral margin sinuate, posterior margin concave; in caudal view processes slightly separated, ventral margin of process acute, with sclerotized point and with ventrolateral margin slightly produced. 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, apex truncate; in ventral view broad, lateral margin convex, entire, posterior margin subacute, mesal margin slightly undulate, convex, shallowly fused to ventral branch; ventral branch setose, short, bearing robust, sclerotized spines along entire dorsal surface; in lateral view oblong and almost forming a continuous structure with dorsal branch, narrowing posterad; in ventral view deltoid, posteromesal margin convex, gradually converging mesally. Phallus short; dorsal phallic sclerite in lateral view sinuate, apex truncate; apex of dorsal phallic sclerite in dorsal view rounded; endothecal membrane without embedded spines.

Holotype male: PANAMA: Panama: Barro Colorado Island, Snyder-Molino Trail , marker 3, 27.ix.– 30.x.1989, H. Wolda —( UMSP000100586 ) ( NMNH).

Distribution. Panama.

Etymology. Named is in reference to the type locality, Barro Colorado Island. “Insularis” is the Latin word for “island”.