Mesembrinella spicata species-group

Recognition. The M. spicata species-group is represented by three species, Mesembrinella spicata and two new species, M. guaramacalensis sp. nov. and M. mexicana sp. nov. These species share anterior spiracle of normal shape, with a broad oval opening above (Fig. 5) and males with exceptionally broad rectangular sternites and ST5 with two prominent posterior projections [Fig 12 (see arrow), Figs. 245–246]; male with large epandrium (as in Fig. 29), T6 and STS 7+8 fused and base of epandrium prominent with small cerci and surstyli at the posterior end (Figs 27–30). Males of the known species have epandrium with broad division mid-dorsally (as in Fig. 491). The male of M. guaramacalensis sp. nov. is unknown, but we believe its terminalia will be similar, since barcodes place this species very close to the other two species (Fig. 488). The anomala species-group has similar epandrium, cerci and surstyli, but the shape is much different (Figs 99–100). The few examined females of M. mexicana sp. nov. and M. spicata have one to four stout discal setae on T5 like in the aeneiventris species-group. The holotype and paratype (both female) of M. guaramacalensis sp. nov. do not have stout discal setae on T5.