Polycentropus tripui Hamilton & Holzenthal

Hamilton, Steven W. & Holzenthal, Ralph W., 2011, Twenty-four new species of Polycentropus (Trichoptera, Polycentropodidae) from Brazil, ZooKeys 76, pp. 1-53 : 15-17

Polycentropus tripui Hamilton & Holzenthal sp. n. Fig. 8

Description.

In lateral aspect, this species most closely resembles Polycentropus fluminensis , in the compactness of the inferior appendage and the breadth of the mesolateral process of the preanal appendage. In Polycentropus tripui sp. n., the dorsolateral flange of inferior appendage is larger and the mesoventral process of the preanal appendage is much broader in lateral aspect. The phallic apparatus provides several unique characters that separate this species from the other species described in this paper. The phallobase is very short and there is a very large U-shaped sclerite at the apex of the sclerotized band of the phallic membrane (typically found folded back within the phallobase).

Adult. Length of forewing (male) 6-6.5 mm. Body brown to dark brown; dorsum of head and thorax dark brown, clothed with long, erect dark setae; base of forewing with long, erect dark setae, general vestiture of forewing with fine brown setae, lacking patches of pale setae (in alcohol); legs brown.

Male. Genitalia as in Fig. 8. Sternum IX in lateral view subtriangular, about 2/3 height of segment VIII; in ventral view quadrate, anterior corners very broadly rounded, sides very slightly constricted mesally, anterior margin shallowly concave, posterior margin slightly concave with very broad, shallow convex medial region. Terga IX + X membranous. Intermediate appendage gently curving ventromesad, moderate elongate, length about two-thirds height of sternum IX, basal region simple, not expanded; in dorsal view nearly uniform in diameter throughout length, gradually narrowing apically. Mesolateral process of preanal appendage short, apex truncate, with slight apicoventral extension, at base broadly joined to mesoventral process; mesoventral process directed caudad, broad, hatch-shaped, slightly shorter than length of mesolateral process. Inferior appendage in lateral view short, generally oval; dorsolateral flange very low, rounded dorsally, with prominent caudomesal spine, slightly exposed in lateral view; mesoventral spine present, narrow, in lateral view acute, positioned well basad; in ventral view inferior appendage approximately oval, caudomesal spine prominent, acute; mesoventral spine hidden. Phallobase very short; in lateral view apicoventral projection narrow, much shorter than diameter of apical diameter of phallobase apex, with 2 points; endothecal sclerotic band broad, very large hooked process, appearing U-shaped in dorsal view; endothecal spines absent; phallotremal sclerite wide in dorsal aspect. Subphallic sclerite Y-shaped, arms short, pedicel with broad lateral expansions; broad in lateral view, ventrally somewhat broadened.

Holotype male:

BRAZIL: Minas Gerais: Estação Ecológica de Tripuí, Córrego Tiririca, 20°23.009'S, 43°33.237'W, 19.ii.1999, Paprocki, Amarante, Salgado (UMSP000046917) (MZUSP).

Paratypes:

BRAZIL: Minas Gerais: Two males (UMSP); same data as holotype, Estação Ecológica de Tripuí, Córrego Botafogo, 20°22.908'S, 43°33.615'W, 1100 m, 25.xi.2001, Holzenthal, Paprocki, Blahnik, Neto, 1 male (UMSP); Estação Ecológica do Tripuí, Córrego Tripuí, 20°23.364'S, 43°32.541'W, 1070 m, 1.xi.1998, Paprocki, Braga, Amarante, 1 male (UFRJ); same, except 21.xi.1998, Paprocki, Braga, Amarante, 1 male (MZUSP); Cachoeira do Abacaxi, Vale do Tropeiro, Ouro Preto, 20°12.270'S, 43°38.163'W, 1120 m, 7.xi.2001, Holzenthal, Paprocki, Blahnik, Amarante, 1 male (UFBA).

Etymology.

Named for the small stream in the ecological station of the same name, known for harboring an endemic species of onychophoran, Peripatus acacioi Marcus and Marcus. Tripui is the indigenous Tupi-Guarani word for fast or quick water.