Polyplectropus squalus Bueno-Soria

Chamorro, Maria Lourdes & Holzenthal, Ralph W., 2010, 2582, Zootaxa 2582, pp. 1-252 : 185-187

Polyplectropus squalus Bueno-Soria

Fig. 94, 121

Polyplectropus squalus Bueno-Soria, 1990: 385 . [Type locality: Mexico, Chiapas, Chajul 90°30’ y 91°E, y 16°00’ y 16°30’N; IBUNAM; male].

Polyplectropus squalus is a typical species of the group, however it can be distinguished from all other species by the bipartite intermediate appendage, which has a shorter dorsal and a longer ventral process. In addition, the dorsal phallic sclerite has an emarginate apex and a pair of spines dorsally, which are directed anterad. The endothecal membrane of the phallus bears several highly curved, medium-sized endothecal spines. Polyplectropus squalus superficially resembles P. santiago (Ross) or P. spiculifer (Flint) .

Adult. Length of forewing 4–4.5 mm, n = 9. Color of head, thorax, and 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 not longer than inferior appendage, bipartite, with long basal setae and few scattered apically, with shorter dorsal lanceolate rod and twice as long ventral lanceolate rod, both, directed ventrolaterad. Preanal appendage tripartite; dorsolateral process bulbous, originating from dorsum of mesolateral process; mesolateral process setose; in dorsal view deltoid, in lateral view orbicular; mesoventral process setose; in lateral view hook-like, with ventrad-directed sclerotized apex, ventral margin concave, posterior margin convex; in caudal view not fused basomesally, processes separated, ventral margin of process acute, with ventrolateral margin slightly produced. Inferior appendage bipartite with anterior basal plate extending anterad beyond sternum IX when observed in lateral view; dorsal branch setose, in lateral view lanceolate, with apicoventral margin produced ventrad and curved ventrad; in ventral view narrow, lateral margin convex and subapically concave, entire, posterior margin rounded, mesal margin entire, concave, expanding posterad into ventral branch; ventral branch setose, elongate and broad, in lateral view obovate, rounded posterad; in ventral view subquadrate, mesal margin slightly convex, shallowly converging mesally. Phallus short; dorsal phallic sclerite in lateral view sinuate, dorsally bearing anteriorly directed, stout sclerotized spine, apex oblong; endothecal membrane with 3 to 4, stout, medium-sized, highly curved spines.

Material examined. MEXICO: Chiapas: Ocosingo, Reserva Montes Azules, 23.iv.1986, R. Barba — 6 males, 3 females ( IBUNAM) (paratypes). Distribution. Mexico. Remarks. The holotype was not examined since the former keeper of Trichoptera at IBUNAM, Joaquin Bueno-Soria, was unable to locate it .