Crux Trewick gen. nov., 2024

Trewick, Steven A., 2024, Two new genera of tokoriro (Orthoptera: Rhaphidophoridae: Macropathinae) from Aotearoa New Zealand, Zootaxa 5481 (5), pp. 531-546 : 535

Crux Trewick gen. nov.

Diagnosis. A medium sized, medium to dark brown tokoriro with stout body and relatively short, stout legs. In general proportions most reminiscent among New Zealand Rhaphidophoridae , of Talitrsopis sedilloti Bolivar, 1882. Fore femora lack apical spines, mid femora bear a single articulated retrolateral apical spine, and hind femora have at least one small, stout fixed spine towards the distal end of prolateral inferior carina and one or more slightly larger similar spines on the retrolateral inferior carina. Fore and mid tibiae each with four articulated apical spines, one articulated retrolateral, inferior, linear spine and two articulated prolateral, inferior linear spines; all narrow and sharp. Hind tibiae well-armed on posterior surface with two rows of about nine dark, stout, fixed spines ( Figure 3 , 4 ).

Etymology. A genus first detected in the deep south, named for the well-recognised constellation of the southern sky, the Southern Cross or Crux . Rakiura-Stewart Island, the type location is the southern-most of the main islands of Aoteatora New Zealand.

Figures

FIGURE 3. New species of Macropathinae from New Zealand. a) Crux boudica sp. nov., male, Rakiura (D. Hegg). b) Crux boudica sp. nov., female, Skippers Range (D. Hegg). c) Crux heggi sp. nov., male, Paparoa Range (D. Hegg). d) Crux heggi sp. nov., female, Saxon River (D. Hegg). e) Occultastella morgana sp. nov., male, Buller River (T. Jewell). f) Occultastella morgana sp. nov., female, Cobb Valley (A. McDonald).

FIGURE 4. Crux boudica sp. nov. Female holotype. a) Whole animal. b) Ovipositor detail showing sternite projections. c) Abdomen ventral view, white arrows indicate sternite projections. d, e) Sternites and subgenital plate (SGP).