Brinckiella serricauda, Naskrecki, Piotr & Bazelet, Corinna S., 2009

Naskrecki, Piotr & Bazelet, Corinna S., 2009, A species radiation among South African flightless spring katydids (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Phaneropterinae: Brinckiella Chopard), Zootaxa 2056, pp. 46-62 : 60

publication ID	https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.186707
DOI	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6223566
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03A487A1-FFE3-FFF7-FF46-0CE9DDA2F901
treatment provided by	Plazi
scientific name	Brinckiella serricauda
status	sp. nov.

Treatment

Brinckiella serricauda n. sp.

( Figs. 2 View FIGURE 2 K–L; 3L, M; 5B)

Type locality. Republic of South Africa: Northern Cape, 8.5 km N of Garies, on rt. N7 (30°29'39''S, 17°56'31.2''E), 476 m, 5.x.2008, coll. P. Naskrecki - female holotype ( SAMC)

Diagnostic description (female, male unknown) – General characteristics as for the genus, diagnostic characters listed below. This species can be identified by the unique shape of the female subgenital plate ( Fig. 2 View FIGURE 2 K), the overall shape of the ovipositor, and the presence of a distinct serration along the upper edge of the upper valvula ( Fig. 3 View FIGURE 3 L.)

Thorax. Lateral lobe of pronotum about as high as long; anterior margin of pronotum flat, broadly rounded; metazona flat, posterior edge of metazona straight.

Legs. Genicular lobes of front femur armed with two small spines on both sides. Genicular lobes of mid femur armed with two small spines on both sides. Genicular lobes of hind femur unarmed.

Abdomen. Female subgenital plate short and wide, about 3 times as wide as long, posterior margin straight ( Fig. 2 View FIGURE 2 K.)

Ovipositor. Ovipositor straight, slightly longer than half of hind femur, dorsal edge of upper valvula straight ( Fig. 2 View FIGURE 2 L), distincty serrated along its entire length ( Fig. 3 View FIGURE 3 L); apex pointed, with minute dentitions on both lower and upper valvulae.

Egg. Egg elongate, cylindrical in crosssection, distinctly curved ( Fig. 3 View FIGURE 3 M.)

Coloration. Coloration green with red and white markings ( Fig. 5 View FIGURE 5 B), antennae concolorous; antennal scapus without markings. Face pale green; eyes uniformly colored. Pronotum green, with light red band on lateral lobe, continuous with band on thorax and abdomen. Legs unicolorous, green; abdominal sterna with median white stripe and pair of lateral, longitudinal white stripes; abdominal terga green with wide, light red bands bilaterally; subgenital plate without markings; ovipositor green, apex brown.

Measurements (1 female). total body: 21.1; body: 15.5; pronotum: 3; hind femur: 14.3; front femur: 6.8; mid femur: 6.8; ovipositor: 8 mm.

Material examined. Republic of South Africa: Northern Cape, Namakwa Distr., 8.5 km N of Garies, on rt. N7, elev. 476 m (30°29'39''S, 17°56'31.2''E), 5.x.2008, coll. P. Naskrecki ( RSA _36) - 1 female (holotype) ( SAMC).

Etymology. Named with reference to the serrated upper valvula of the ovipositor.

Remarks. This species is unique among other species of the genus in the shape and armature of the ovipositor. The straight shape and distinct serration of the upper valvula probably indicate that the ovipositor is being used as a saw to open up plant tissues.