Polyplectropus brachyscolus Flint

Chamorro, Maria Lourdes & Holzenthal, Ralph W., 2010, 2582, Zootaxa 2582, pp. 1-252 : 153-154

Polyplectropus brachyscolus Flint

Figs. 76, 137

Polyplectropus brachyscolus Flint, 1971: 27 . [Type locality: Brazil [Edo. Amazonas], Rio Marauiá , Endstation vor langer Cachoeira; NMNH; male.

Polyplectropus brachyscolus is most similar to P. hamulus Flint in the shape of the phallus and embedded spines. This species also superficially resembles P. herrerai Bueno & Hamilton in the shapes of the intermediate appendage and ventral branch of the inferior appendage. Polyplectropus brachyscolus can be distinguished from P. hamulus by the more acute apex of the ventral branch of the inferior appendage and by the longer intermediate appendage. The linear apex of the dorsal phallic sclerite (curved in P. herrerai ), the presence of 2 spines in the endothecal phallic membrane, and a shorter dorsal branch of the inferior appendage distinguish P. brachyscolus from P. herrerai .

Adult. Length of forewing 3.6–4.5 mm, n=4. Color of head and thorax brown, legs yellowish-brown (specimens preserved in alcohol).

Male genitalia. Sternum IX in lateral view rounded, anterior margin convex, posterior margin sinuate and submedially concave; in ventral view rectangular, anterior margin concave, posterior margin convex, medially shallowly emarginate. Tergum X membranous, oblong, bearing dorsal microsetae; lower lip of tergum X membranous, smooth, without dorsal microsetae; in dorsal view obtuse; in caudal view produced dorsad of phallocrypt. Intermediate appendage longer than inferior appendage, rod-like, with long basal setae; in dorsal view lanceolate, directed posterolaterad; in caudal view lanceolate, curved, narrowing and becoming sclerous apically, directed laterodorsad. Preanal appendage tripartite; dorsolateral process bulbous, originating from dorsum of mesolateral process, bearing dorsal microsetae; mesolateral process setose; in dorsal view obovate, in lateral view orbicular; mesoventral process setose; in lateral view hook-like, with ventrad-directed sclerotized apex, anteroventral margin concave and sinuate, posterior margin convex; in caudal view not fused basomesally, processes separated, ventral margin of process acute, with ventrolateral margin produced ventrad. Inferior appendage bipartite with anterior basal plate extending anterad beyond sternum IX when observed in lateral view; dorsal branch setose, in lateral view narrowly oblong; in ventral view narrow, lateral margin convex, undulate, posterior margin subacute, mesal margin slightly undulate, concave, expanding posterad into ventral branch; ventral branch setose, elongate, in lateral view deltoid, narrowing posterad; in ventral view deltoid, posteromesal margin produced posterad into pointed apex, mesal margin convex, posterolateral margin concave, shallowly converging mesally. Phallus long; dorsal phallic sclerite in lateral view sinuate, apex oblong; apex of dorsal phallic sclerite in dorsal view membranous; dorsolateral arm of dorsal phallic sclerite in lateral view digitate; in dorsal view digitate, extending beyond apex, apex directed medially; endothecal membrane with 2 stout, medium-sized, sclerotized spines.

Material examined. BRAZIL: Amazonas : Rio Marauiá , Endstation langer Cachoeira , Flussss tritt hier aus dem Gebirge mit starkem Gefälle , 28.i.1963, E. J. Fittkau — 1 male ( NMNH) [holotype] [“ USNM Type No. 74124”] [“ A-502 ”]; GUYANA: Potaro: Kaieteur Falls, 5°10'30"N, 59°28'54"W, 411 m, 21–23.viii.1997, O. S. Flint — 3 males ( NMNH) [paratype] .

Distribution. Brazil, Guyana, and Surinam ( Flint, 1974).