Isoplectron Hutton, 1896
publication ID |
https://doi.org/ 10.5852/ejt.2024.971.2761 |
publication LSID |
lsid:zoobank.org:pub:F82472D1-595D-4DB7-A463-513B94BE85D9 |
persistent identifier |
https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03AF8780-FF9B-FFA1-BE47-531B5DADFEDA |
treatment provided by |
Plazi |
scientific name |
Isoplectron Hutton, 1896 |
status |
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Genus Isoplectron Hutton, 1896 View in CoL
Isoplectron Hutton, 1896: 237 View in CoL .
Setascutum Richards, 1972: 163 View in CoL . Syn. nov.
Petrotettix Richards, 1972: 166 View in CoL . Syn. nov.
Isoplectron View in CoL – Karny 1937: 229–230, pl. 6 fig. 5. –– Ward 1997: 13–15. –– Johns & Cook 2013: 1. –– Hegg et al. 2022: 51–52.
Setascutum View in CoL – Ward 1997: 13–15. –– Johns & Cook 2013: 1.
Petrotettix View in CoL – Ward 1997: 13–16. –– Johns & Cook 2013: 1. –– Hegg et al. 2022: 51.
Type species
Isoplectron armatum Hutton, 1896 View in CoL .
Diagnosis
A genus of small to mid-sized Rhaphidophoridae (adult body length typically between 9 and 13 mm; up to 18 mm in the larger species), with hind tibiae armed above with two rows of linear spines that are very similar in size. These spines are fused to the shaft of the tibia and are never socketed or articulated. Fore femora always without apical spines; mid femora usually armed with one retrolateral spine at the apex. Male subgenital plate broadly speaking triangular, with an elongated central lobe; female subgenital plate bilobed. Upper valve of the ovipositor always serrated above.
While some species of Isoplectron are morphologically very similar and are easily mistaken for one another, other species are morphologically and ecologically quite distinct. This makes it somewhat difficult to characterise the genus, yet some traits are common to all species. A detailed description of these common traits follows; individual species descriptions focus on those traits that differ among species.
Etymology
Not explained by Hutton. From the Greek ʻ Isos ʼ = ‘equal’, ʻ plectron ʼ = ʻplectrumʼ (probably referring to the dorsal spines on the hind tibiae, which are shaped like a plectrum). The hind tibiae are armed with spines that are equal in shape and size. Isoplectron is neuter gender.
Description
Adult
MESUREMENTS. See Table 1. Sexual dimorphism in body length, with females being larger than males by up to 10% in most but not all species.
HEAD ( Fig. 11A–B View Fig ). Oval in shape. Eyes rounded, but with a straight inner edge facing the scapes of the antennae. Eye colour green, wholly or partially, in all species. Fastigium divided by a deep median groove; shaped like an isosceles triangle with a rounded pale patch in the middle when seen from the side. No visible sexual dimorphism in scapes of antennae or any other head-part. Labial and maxillary palps pale, of varying length, with moderately dense covering of hair.
THORAX. Pronotum, mesonotum and metanotum all covered in dense, fine tomentum. A pale, thin median dorsal line is generally inconspicuous or absent (see Fig. 12A–I View Fig ). Lateral edges of pronotum with a pronounced rim. In dorsal view, the pronotum is up to 80% wider at the posterior end than at the anterior end ( Fig. 12A–I View Fig ).
LEGS. Moderately long. Hind femora slender; sexual dimorphism evident, with all leg segments longer in males than in females in most but not all species. Coxae and trochanters generally of uniform pale colour. Fore and mid femora and tibiae may be uniform pale or variegated; hind legs variegated. Fore coxae with a pronounced lateral anterior spine. Fore tibiae approximately half of body length, and 10% longer in males than in females in most species; on average 5% longer than fore femora in both males and females. Fore femora without linear spines above or below, and always without apical spines. Fore tibiae armed below, generally with two linear spines on both anterior and posterior edge in all species. The number of apical spines on the fore tibiae varies by species. Mid legs 2% to 5% shorter than fore legs, otherwise with the same proportions in male and females. Mid femora without linear spines above or below, but usually armed with one retrolateral spine at the apex. A prolateral spine at the apex of the mid femur is always absent. Mid tibiae armed below, generally with two linear spines on both anterior and posterior edge in all species. Dorsal linear spines on the mid tibiae are rare but possible. The number of apical spines on the mid tibiae varies by species. Hind tibiae approximately of same length as body in females, up to 50% longer in males in most but not all species. Hind femora approximately 10% shorter than hind tibiae. Hind femora generally armed with few but at times very conspicuous linear spines below on both anterior and posterior edges. Hind tibiae armed with anything between 11 and 37 linear spines above (number varies both within and between species), of similar size, on both anterior and posterior edges ( Fig. 13A–I View Fig ). The spines are fused to the shaft of the tibia and are never socketed or articulated. The number of apical spines on the hind tibiae varies by species. Hind tarsi with four segments; first and second segments with a pair of spines on distal end. First and second tarsal segment may be armed or unarmed above, depending on species.
ABDOMEN. Tergites always covered in dense, fine tomentum. Colour of tergites varies by species; a pale, thin median dorsal line is generally inconspicuous or absent (see Fig. 12A–I View Fig ). In some species, the seventh and eighth sternites are equipped with 3 to 5 very conspicuous protuberances, in females only (see Fig. 18G, J View Fig and Fig. 19A View Fig ).
MALE TERMINALIA. Cerci between 10% and 25% of body length depending on species; pointed at apex, variable in colour, clothed in setae. The subgenital plate looks somewhat similar in all species, with an elongated median lobe; it is at least twice as long at centre as on the sides. Paraprocts armed with strong, stout spinules in most species. The difference in male terminalia between species is pronounced enough to provide one of the strongest characters for species level identification (see Figs 14–16 View Fig View Fig View Fig ).
FEMALE TERMINALIA. Subgenital plate consists of two small, rounded lobes, separated by a gap in the middle. Ovipositor reddish-brown, moderately to strongly curved upwards at apex, terminating in a sharp point; approximately three quarters of body length in most species. Upper valve always serrated above, strongly so in some species; lower valve with 5 to 10 strong teeth at apex on ventral edge ( Figs 17–19 View Fig View Fig View Fig ).
Nymph
Generally look similar to adults. Due to the small size of the insects and the lack of developed terminalia, nymphs may be next to impossible to differentiate from their equivalents in Praecantrix gen. nov. or Neonetus .
Species Measurements Sample Bayesian Linear Mixed Model Bayesian Linear Regression (mm) size 1 Fixed factor: Sex Factor: Sex Random factor: Location Covariates: Easting, Northing, Elevation
Isoplectron No sexual dimorphism
Body 46 No effect of covariates armatum 95% CI: - 0.34–0.93 mm
armatum
Hutton, + 2.5mm in ♂
1896 Hind tibia 46 95% CI: 1.59–3.20 mm No effect of covariates
No sexual dimorphism
Isoplectron Body 13 No effect of covariates
95% CI: -1.09– 0.99 mm
+ 3.2mm in ♂
Karny, 1937 Hind tibia 13 No effect of covariates
95% CI: 1.01–5.35 mm
+ 0.13 mm per 100 m elevation
No sexual dimorphism 95% CI: 0.00 mm– 0.60 mm
95% CI: -1.54– 1.40 mm + 0.99mm per 100 km south Richards, 95% CI: 0.00 mm– 2.96 mm 1972
+ 1.2 mm in ♂ + 0.15 mm per 100 m elevation
Hind tibia 23
95% CI: - 0.01–2.35 mm 95% CI: 0.00 mm– 0.60mm
+ 1.2 mm in ♀
Isoplectron Body 27 No effect of covariates 95% CI: 0.1–2.37 mm
Richards,
+ 3.7 mm in ♂
1972 Hind tibia 27 No effect of covariates 95% CI: 1.84–5.89 mm
No sexual dimorphism Body 18 No effect of covariates Isoplectron 95% CI: - 1.1–2.06 mm ferratum sp. nov. No sexual dimorphism Hind tibia 18 No effect of covariates 95% CI: - 0.27–1.23 mm
+ 1.2 mm in ♀ Praecantrix Body 23 No effect of covariates 95% CI: 0.3–1.97 mm silvatica gen. et + 0.8 mm in ♀ sp. nov. Hind tibia 23 No effect of covariates 95% CI: 0.12–1.43 mm
+ 2.8 mm in ♀ Praecantrix Body 10 Sample size too small 95% CI: 1.56–4.09 mm saxicola gen. et + 1.8 mm in ♀ sp. nov. Hind tibia 10 Sample size too small 95% CI: 0.06–3.42 mm
1 For the number of males and females in each sample, refer to Table 1.
Distribution
New Zealand, all of South Island; limited to southern regions in North Island ( Fig. 3 View Fig ).
No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.
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Family |
Isoplectron Hutton, 1896
Hegg, Danilo, Morgan-Richards, Mary & Trewick, Steven A. 2024 |
Setascutum
Johns P. M. & Cook L. D. 2013: 1 |
Ward D. F. 1997: 13 |
Petrotettix
Hegg D. & Morgan-Richards M. & Trewick S. A. 2022: 51 |
Johns P. M. & Cook L. D. 2013: 1 |
Ward D. F. 1997: 13 |
Setascutum Richards, 1972: 163
Richards A. M. 1972: 163 |
Petrotettix
Richards A. M. 1972: 166 |
Isoplectron
Hegg D. & Morgan-Richards M. & Trewick S. A. 2022: 51 |
Johns P. M. & Cook L. D. 2013: 1 |
Ward D. F. 1997: 13 |
Karny H. 1937: 229 |
Isoplectron
Hutton F. W. 1896: 237 |