Mistshenkoana lunotan Tan, 2023

Tan, Ming Kai, Salvador, Jewel Anne G., Sabang, Aira Mae M., Bahoy, Daphne Cayle M., Nuñeza, Olga Macas & Robillard, Tony, 2023, Taxonomy and bioacoustics of little-known Grylloidea crickets (Orthoptera, Ensifera) from Mindanao, Philippines, Zootaxa 5323 (3), pp. 301-348 : 327-330

Mistshenkoana lunotan Tan & Salvador, sp. nov.

( Figs 24 , 25 )

Specimens examined. Holotype: PHILIPPINES • ♁; Mindanao, Misamis Oriental, Gingoog City, Barangay Lunotan , near Mt Sumagaya ; N8.70109, E125.01304, 1258.0±5.0 m.a.s.l.; 13 February 2023; mossy forest, on a foliage; coll. M.K. Tan, J.A.G. Salvador, A.M. Sabang, A. Gono, D.C.M. Bahoy & K. Grumo; MIN.23.13 ( ZRC)

Diagnosis. The new species has male genitalia most similar to that of Mistshenkoana ?yaeyamensis (Oshiro, 1998) sensu Gorochov (2007 [ 2006]) from Ryukyu (Okinawa) [this species was described from Yonaguni Island near Taiwan]; but differs by the pseudepiphallic paramere being slenderer (particularly the ventral lobe) and more elongated; and by the pseudepiphallic lophi, in profile view, triangular (instead of slightly bent). It also differs by the TIIIs without distinct dark brown spots on dorsal surface.

From the congeners found in the Philippines, the new species differs from the male holotype of M. gracilis (MNHN-EO-ENSIF6738) from Butuan in Agusan Del Norte (Mindanao) by the differently shaped pseudepiphallic lophi and pseudepiphallic paramere. It also differs by the maxillary palpi with the apical segments somewhat rectangular and tapering into subacute apex (instead of more oval).

The new species also differs from the female allotype of M. gracilis (MNHN-EO-ENSIF6739) from northwest Panay (likely a different species from the holotype [see Tan et al., 2020b]) by the head and the pronotum without distinct dark mottled spotted patterns and in general with fewer dark spots; and by the maxillary palps with apical segments somewhat rectangular (instead of pyriform).

The new species also differs from Mistshenkoana ? gracilis sensu Gorochov (2007 [ 2006]) and sensu Tan et al. (2020b) from Mount Makiling and Paete (Laguna in Luzon Island) by the colouration and patterns (unicolourous cream-coloured to yellow brown, instead of pale-green with FW dorsal field brown); and by the pseudepiphallus being less slender and less elongated and with its lateral margins emarginated and tapering (instead of nearly parallel); and by the shape of pseudepiphallic parameres.

Etymology. The species is named after the type locality, Barangay Lunotan; noun in apposition

Description. Habitus typical of the genus, medium sized, almost unicolourous cream-coloured to yellow brown ( Figs 24A, 24B ). Head with dorsum yellow brown mottled, red brown pubescent ( Fig. 24C ). Rostrum about 0.9 times as wide as scapes. Scapes yellow brown. Eyes in dorsal view distinctly protruding anteriorly ( Fig. 24C ), in lateral view about as wide as tall ( Fig. 24D ). Median ocellus oval; lateral ocelli located near eyes ( Figs 24C, 24E ). Maxillary palpi cream-coloured; with apical segment longest, somewhat rectangular to slightly tapering into subacute apex; with subapical segment slightly shorter and expanding apically; third segment about as long as subapical segment, cylindrical and slightly expanding apically ( Fig. 24D ). Face in anterior view slightly wider than tall; mostly cream-coloured except between scapes ( Fig. 24E ). Gena yellow brown ( Fig. 24D ). Pronotal disk brown with dark-brown mottled patterns, at middle longitudinally and at posterior end most prominent; 1.2 times as wide as long, barely widening posteriorly (posterior margin 1.3 times as wide as anterior margin); densely and finely pubescent, with a row of setae along posterior and anterior margins; anterior margin of disk straight; posterior margin of disk faintly convex in middle ( Fig. 24C ). Pronotal lateral lobe 1.4 times as long as high, ventrally cream-coloured, becoming brown dorsad; with a few small dark brown spots ( Fig. 24D ). Metanotal gland absent. TI swollen; with inner tympanum open and having very large elongate, oblong tympanal membrane; with outer tympanum obscure (nearly distinguishable). TIII with 5 inner and 5 outer long subapical spurs, 3 larger inner and 3 small outer apical spurs; before most proximal subapical spurs and between subapical spurs with small spines. Legs generally cream-coloured with very few irregular and sparse dark spots; FIII on dorsal parts with some dark-brown mottled patterns. TIII unicolourous cream-coloured. Thoracic and abdominal segments cream-coloured.

Male. FW ( Figs 24F, 24G ) covering abdomen and surpassing apex of FIII. Colouration: cells generally yellow brown, veins brown; some cross-veins at basal half cream-coloured, at apical half with a few faint black patch around cross-veins. Along M with three small white/ cream-coloured spots: at the basal third (smallest), in the middle and near apical third (largest). Lateral field with intercalary triangle transparent, otherwise yellow brown with brown veins and cream-coloured cross-veins. Venation: without stridulatory organs, with longitudinal veins parallel; lateral field with R and M narrowly spaced apart, not parallel and with cross-veins cream-coloured; with R and Sc more widely spaced apart, more parallel and with cross-veins also cream-coloured branches of Sc generally parallel. Hind wings clearly surpassing FWs.

Subgenital plate typical of genus, elongated and tapering apically; cream-coloured. Male genitalia as shown in Fig. 25 : pseudepiphallus [epiphallus] not so elongated, at middle bent inwards; at posterior end divided into two parts and angularly excised; posterior end produced into pseudepiphallic lophi [apical epiphallic lobe]. Pseudepiphallic lophi [apical epiphallic lobe], in dorsal and ventral views, long and slender and pointing posterior-externally with apex obtuse; inner margins with a few setae. In profile view, triangular with apex subacute; ventral margin with a few setae. Pseudepiphallic paramere [ectoparamere], in ventral view, elongated and slender; with anterior half (also the ventral lobe) rhombic, at middle folded, with posterior half (also the dorsal lobe) curved with apex obtuse. In profile view, ventral lobe (vl) about as broad as dorsal lobe (dl), between the lobes roundly emarginated. Ectophallic fold [rachis] small, slender and straight, taper posteriorly with apex obtuse.

Female. Unknown.

Measurements (in mm). BL = 10.5; BWL = 16.4; HL = 0.7; PronL = 1.0; PronW = 1.3; FWL = 11.6; FWW = 2.1; HWT = 2.5; FIIIL = 7.1; TIIIL = 8.3.

Ecology. Unknown.

Type locality. PHILIPPINES, Mindanao Island, Misamis Oriental, Gingoog City, Barangay Lunotan

Distribution. PHILIPPINES (Mindanao Island: Gingoog City in Misamis Oriental)

Calling song. This species is mute.

Figures

FIGURE 24. Mistshenkoana lunotan sp. nov.: dorsal (A) and lateral (B) habitus; head and pronotum in dorsal (C) and lateral (D) views; face in anterior view (E); FWs in dorsal (F) and lateral (G) views. Scale bars: 5 mm (A, B), 2 mm (F, G), 1 mm (C–E).

FIGURE 25. Mistshenkoana lunotan sp. nov. ♁ genitalia in dorsal (A), ventral (B) and lateral (C) views. Scale bar: 1 mm.