Plumolepilius branstetteri Barrios-Izas & Anderson, new species

Plumolepilius branstetteri Barrios-Izás & Anderson, new species

(Figs. 9–15, 72, 81, 90, 99)

Diagnosis. Male. Length (1.65–2.00 mm). Width (1.00– 1.45 mm). Subovate, nigropiceous, infused with dark orange at legs and apex of rostrum, coarsely punctate. Vestiture of recurved, clavate, variegated yellow to dark brown scales; adpressed at mesepisternum. Rostrum stout, base slightly humped, finely punctate. Antenna inserted at the middle, setulose, except for scape, scape slightly larger than desmomeres 1 and 2 together, both desmomeres elongate, desmomeres 3 to 7 moniliform. Pronotum narrower than elytra, constricted in front, three vittae of ochreous scales, the middle vittae incomplete. Elytra punctate-striate, parallel and abruptly confluent at the elytral declivity, flanks acuteangulate with dorsum, two large rounded tubercles on interstice 3 at base of elytral declivity, various callous tubercles, humeri angle sharp. Abdominal ventrite 5 broad, flat, bearing two tufts of setae at apex (not always evident), strongly punctate at anterior half, posterior half finely punctate. Femora with scattered scales, small tooth at inner margin, tibiae slender, shorter than femora, apical transverse comb of setae, uncinate, premucro absent. Pedon subparallel, apodemes at least 3X longer than pedon.

Female. Length (1.95–2.10 mm). Width (1.10–1.35 mm). Elytra tuberculate, humeri not produced but acuteangulate.

Geographic distribution. Guatemala (Huehuetenango, Quetzaltenango, Quiche, and San Marcos) and Mexico (Chiapas). Fig. 99.

Derivation of the specific name. Patronym, named after Michael G. Branstetter, a myrmecologist at the University of Utah.

Material examined: 12ƋƋ, 24♀♀ (ASUHIC, BMNH, CMNC, CWOB, USAC, USNM). Holotype Ƌ (CMNC): GUATEMALA: Quetzaltenango. Las Nubes, 14.80143°N 91.67197°W, 2190m, 12.IX.2008, oak forest ex sifted leaf litter, R. S. Anderson RSA 2008-116 / WWD0023227 / Holotype Ƌ Plumolepilius branstetteri Barrios-Izás & Anderson sp. nov. Aedeagus extracted. Paratypes: same data as holotype / WWD0023187 (1Ƌ CWOB). WWD0023188 (1Ƌ USNM). WWD0023192 (1♀ CWOB). WWD0023193 (1♀ CMNC). WWD0023195 (1♀ USNM). WWD0023199 (1Ƌ ASUHIC). WWD0023200 (1♀ ASUHIC). WWD0023201 (1♀ ASUHIC).

WWD0023202 (1♀ USAC). WWD0023204 (1♀ CMNC). WWD0023206 (1♀ CMNC). WWD0023211 (1♀ CMNC). WWD0023217 (1Ƌ USAC). WWD0023224 (1♀ CMNC). WWD0023225 (1Ƌ BMNH). WWD0023226 (1♀ CMNC). WWD0023228 (1♀ CMNC). WWD0023229 (1♀ CMNC). WWD0023230 (1♀ CMNC). WWD0023231 (1♀ CMNC). WWD0023235 (1♀ CMNC). WWD0023240 (1♀ CMNC). GUATEMALA: Quiche, Joya Larga, 15.41997°N 90.83630°W, 2025m, 15.IX.2008, oak/cloud forest, ex sifted leaf litter, R. S. Anderson, RSA 2008 -124 / WWD0028871 (1♀ CMNC). WWD0028875 (1♀ CMNC). WWD0028880 (1♀ CMNC). WWD0028942 (1Ƌ CMNC). WWD0028948 (1Ƌ CMNC). GUATEMALA: Huehuetenango. Max, oak/cloud forest, 15.50673°N 91.644473°W, 2750m, 14.IX.2008, ex sifted leaf litter, R.S. Anderson RSA 2008 - 119 / WWD0023523 (1Ƌ CMNC). GUATEMALA: San Marcos. La Fraternidad, 1920m, 14.93604°N 91.86778°W, 11 Sep 2008. M.G. Branstetter, disturbed cloud forest, MGB-938 (1Ƌ CMNC). MEXICO: Chiapas, Volcan Tacana, lower slopes, ca. 4km. N.Union Juarez, 2000m, 19.IX.1992, R.S.Anderson, 92-110, cloud forest litter (2♀♀ CMNC). Same data except for 92-111, cloud forest litter (2ƋƋ, 2♀♀ CMNC).