Alterosa graciosa, new species

Fig. 7 A–D

Alterosa graciosa sp. nov. cannot be easily placed in any of the species groups defined by Blahnik (2005). Together with A. inappendiculata sp. nov., it is unusual among other species of the genus by the lack of intermediate appendages. The new species can be easily diagnosed by the presence of a paired basoventral spine-like projection on tergum X. The club-like preanal appendages, the mesally paired bristle-like setae of tergum X, and the paired long, dark spines on phallobase wall are also useful diagnostic characters.

Adult. Color (in alcohol) brown; legs, palps, and antennae pale brown, wing pattern not discernible. Male forewings each 5.8–6.4 mm (n=4); female 6.4 mm (n=1).

Male genitalia. Tergum VIII with posteromesal margin scarcely or not emarginate. Sternum IX with anterolateral margin forming a rounded projection in dorsal half; posteroventral margin produced, extending in a broad arc or almost linearly from dorsum (Fig. 6 A). Tergum IX greatly reduced, membranous or fused to base of tergum X (Fig. 6 B). Tergum X tapered from base, wider basally, apical half with subparallel margins, converging apically; tergum with basoventral paired spine-like projection, apex turned inward, almost touching each other; at mid length with erect, paired bristle-like setae; apex sensillate, rounded as viewed dorsally, rounded and greatly enlarged in lateral view (Fig. 7 A, 7B). Intermediate appendages apparently absent (Fig. 7 A, 7B). Preanal appendages elongate, club-like, covered with stiff, small setae and short, spine-like setae on apical third, rounded at apex (Fig. 7 A, 7B). Inferior appendages elongate, linear, flattened on mesal surface; 1st article, in lateral view, approximately 2 times as long as wide; 2nd article shorter than 1st article, base narrower than apex of 1st article, slightly enlarged apically; apex rounded, with prominent pad of short, stiff apicomesal setae (Fig. 7 A, 7C). Phallobase tubular, short, linear, with paired long, dark spines on external surface of phallobase wall; endotheca with paired short spines; phallotremal sclerites indistinct (Fig. 7 D).

Holotype male: BRAZIL: Paraná: Morretes, Serra da Graciosa, Rio Grota Funda, 25°20’26.1”S, 48°53’41.2”W, el. 657 m, 24.i.2011, LL Dumas & APM Santos leg. (DZRJ 3485).

Paratypes: BRAZIL: Paraná: Same data as holotype, 3 males, 1 female (DZRJ 3486).

Distribution: Brazil (Paraná state).

Etymology: The epithet of the specific name, graciosa, refers to Serra da Graciosa, a beautiful mountainous region of Atlantic Forest where the type specimens were collected.