Phylloicus holzenthali Prather 2003, new species

Phylloicus holzenthali, new species

Figs. 57, 58

Phylloicus holzenthali is distinguished by the wing pattern, large size, and morphology of the abdominal coremata (Fig. 57F). The forewing of P. holzenthali is distinctive in having a white or ivory spot on the proximal posterior margin, in the anal lobe. This spot bears no setae ψ the color comes from the membrane itself. It is large enough to be easily visible in pinned specimens. This is one of the largest species of Phylloicus; only P. llaviuco, mexicanus, maculatus, and magnus are larger or in the same size class. The type series are from Yacambú National Park in Lara state. I have examined a few specimens from Mérida and Barinas; these males have only tiny coremata or none at all, but otherwise are indistinguishable. As within each series there is variation, I am inclined to believe that these are hybrid specimens. Possibly the specimens with no coremata are the sister species to P. holzenthali, as appears to be the case with P. elegans and lituratus, and the intermediates are hybrids. However, I do not believe that I have been able to examine enough material to describe these as a distinct species. Further collections from these areas should resolve this question.

Adult. Forewing length 14.1­15.6 mm, n = 35.

Head chestnut brown, with dorsomesal crest of chestnut brown setae. Maxillary palps chestnut brown. Antenna twice forewing length; dark brown, with narrow patches of pale sensilla on anteromesal surface of each flagellomere. Dorsal pterothorax chestnut brown; ventrolateral thorax golden brown. Legs golden brown. Metathoracic leg of male with posterior fringe of long setae. Tibial spur formula 2,4,4. Forewing flat; dark brown; with two transverse bands; proximal band dark brown; distal band dark brown; white or ivory patch in anal lobe, not setiferous, but membrane thick and without dark pigment. Hind wing basal brush present in male.

Male. Preterminalic abdominal terga with anteromesal notch. Corematic structures present. Tergum IV with paired posterior processes, lateral coremata; posterior process truncate; lateral coremata with basal globose lobes and long tubular posterior lobe. Tergum V without sclerotized modifications (Fig. 57F). Sternum VII with short, acute anteromesal process. Sternum VIII enclosing base of elongate sternum IX; posteromesal process broad, irregular (Fig. 57A, C). Tergum IX deeply notched anteriorly, margins of notch ridged; posterior margin smoothly rounded (Fig. 57B); lateral ridge absent; dorsal pleural setae approximately 15, ventral pleural setae approximately 6 (Fig. 57A). Preanal appendage approximately length of tergum X, of uniform diameter throughout length, setae long, but not filamentous or longer than appendage (Fig. 57A, B). Tergum X without basal lobes; basodorsal process long and digitate; basolateral processes absent; apex, in lateral view, acute, in dorsal view, entire (Fig. 57A, B). Harpago slightly tapered; peglike setae many, mesoventral (Fig. 57A, C). Phallic endotheca with paired basolateral lobes, basolateral lobes multilobed; phallotremal sclerites average size, longest dimension less than diameter of phallobase; dorsal sclerite ovoid, in dorsal view horseshoe­shaped (Fig. 57D, E).

Female. Preterminal abdominal terga with anteromesal notch. Sternum VII with short pointed anteromesal process. Tergum VIII without posterolateral brush; sternum VIII cleft posteromesally to anterior ridge; sternum VIII (Fig. 58C). Tergum IX without mesal ridge (Fig. 58B). Sternum IX anterior and posterior lobes darkly sclerotized and striate, with irregular, semimembranous pockets lateral to vaginal opening (Fig. 58A). Tergum X appendage length equal to mesal lobe, base indistinct, apex oblique; mesal lobe lightly sclerotized; digitate lateral processes absent (Fig. 58B). Sternum X with patches of short fine setae posterolaterally to anal opening (Fig. 58A). Vaginal apparatus anterior and posterior sclerites equal in length; anterior sclerite truncate anteriorly, posterolateral projections absent; posterior sclerite triangular; posterior end of spermatheca a sclerotized sphere (Fig. 58A).

Holotype male: VENEZUELA: Tachira: Quebrada La Honda, 10 km E La Grita, 08°08'49”N, 71°56'02"W, 2300 m, 23.iv.1995, Holzenthal, Cressa, & Gutic (UMSP).

Paratypes: COLOMBIA: Cundinamarca: Bogotá, 2600 m, 1.ix.1936, Bequaert — 1 male (MCZ); VENEZUELA: Barinas: Parque Nacional Sierra Nevada, Rio Sinigüis at Tres Quebradas, 08°31'26”N, 70°53'46"W, 1900 m, 35508, Holzenthal — 3 males (IZAM); Lara: Parque Nacional Yacambú, 13 km SE Sanare, 1560 m, 6­11.viii.1981, Heppner — 1 male (NMNH); 28­31.viii.1981, Heppner — 1 female, 1 male (NMNH); Mérida: Asentamient Monterrey, 2400 m, 15­16.ii.1983, Demarmels & Rodriguez — 1 male (IZAM); Río Albarregas, ca. 1 km NW Univ. de los Andes, 08°38'02”N, 71°09'29"W, 1980 m, 24.iv.1995, Holzenthal, Gutic, & Segnini — 1 male (UMSP); Parque Nacional Sierra Nevada, Mucuy Fish Hatchery, 7 km E Tabay, Queb. La Mucuy, 2012 m, 10­13.ii.1978, Heppner — 4 females, 2 males (NMNH); 18.i.1994, Holzenthal, Cressa, & Rincón — 2 males (UMSP); 26.iv.1995, Holzenthal, Gutic, & Segnini — 1 male (UMSP); Tachira: Queb. Mesa del Palmar, 5 km S El Cobre, 07°59'51”N, 72°03'48"W, 2370 m, 18­ 20.iv.1995, Holzenthal, Cressa, & Gutic — 2 females, 1 male (NMNH); Quebrada La Honda, 10 km E La Grita, 08°08'49”N, 71°56'02"W, 2300 m, 23.iv.1995, Holzenthal, Cressa, & Gutic — 2 females, 10 males (UMSP); Quebrada Los Mirtos, 8 km s El Colbre, 07°58'36”N, 72°04'31"W, 2400 m, 22.iv.1995, Holzenthal, Cressa, & Gutic — 1 female (IZAM); — 1 female (UMSP).

Distribution. Colombia, Venezuela.

Etymology. I am very pleased to name this species for its collector, Dr. Ralph Holzenthal, who, as my Ph.D. advisor, gave me the opportunity to study this fascinating group, and who has provided tremendous support and encouragement in the completion of this project.