Ramulus globosicaput (Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1907)

Hennemann, Frank H., 2021, Stick insects of Sulawesi, Peleng and the Sula Islands, Indonesia- a review including checklists of species and descriptions of new taxa (Insecta: Phasmatodea), Zootaxa 5073 (1), pp. 1-189 : 72-74

publication ID	https://doi.org/ 10.11646/zootaxa.5073.1.1
publication LSID	lsid:zoobank.org:pub:AA3269D1-CA2F-4528-BC9D-3A4C75D05BD9
DOI	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10061684
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03DB87EE-FFB6-9D1E-FF40-5D10FE90F0F5
treatment provided by	Plazi
scientific name	Ramulus globosicaput
status

Treatment

Ramulus globosicaput View in CoL (Brunner v. Wattenwyl, 1907)

( Figs. 29 View FIGURE 29 , 35A–B View FIGURE 35 )

Clitumnus globosicaput Brunner v. Wattenwyl, 1907: 192. HT, ♂: S. Celebes, Patuhuang, Jan. 1896, H. Fruhstorfer ; det. Br. v. W. Clitumnus globosicaput ; 20.756 [NHMW, No. 322].

Baculum globosicaput, Günther, 1935a: 2 View in CoL .

Brock, 1998: 31.

Hennemann, 1998: 115, 123 (in part—see coments on Ramulus torajanus View in CoL n. sp. below).

Otte & Brock, 2005: 302.

Dagys balia Günther, 1935a: 3 View in CoL , pl. 1: 1. HT, ♂ nymph: Celebes, Latimodjong Geb. Oeroe 800 m, G. Heinrich 8.30; Type [MNHU]. (Synonymised by Hennemann, 1998: 124) Günther, 1938: 61.

Hennemann, 1998: 124.

Otte & Brock, 2005: 302.

Zompro, 2005: 255.

[Not: Baculum globosicaput, Günther, 1938: 60 View in CoL → Misidentification; this is Ramulus extensum n. sp. above]

Further material: 2 ♀♀, 1 ♂, 1 ♂ n4, 1 egg: S-Sulawesi, Sulawesi Selatan, Lembang, Maros , leg. Gunawan XII.1995 [coll. FH, No’s. 0303-1 to 4 & E] ; 1 ♀: S-Sulawesi, Prov. Sulawesi Selatan, Tana Toraja, Rantepao 700 m, leg. Tajuddin X.1995 - II.1996 [coll. FH, No. 0303-5] .

Differential diagnosis: This species is well recognized by the colouration of the head of both sexes, which is green in ♂♂ and bears characteristic dark markings in both sexes, which however are variable in size and shape in ♀♀. Both sexes are similar to the sympatric R. torajanus n. sp. but differ by on avarage smaller size, more stocky shape, relatively shorter limbs and more prominent ventral sub-apical tooth of the meso- and metafemora. Males differ by the green head that bears conspicuous brown markings ( Figs. 29L–M View FIGURE 29 ; plain orange in torajanus n. sp., Figs. 34K–L View FIGURE 34 ), not notably darkened three terminal abdominal segments and shorter, broader hemi-terga of the anal segment ( Fig. 29E View FIGURE 29 ). Females can be separated by the more globose head that bears much larger dark markings ( Figs. 29H–K View FIGURE 29 ), relatively shorter anal segment that has the posterior margin less deeply incised medially and smaller, more triangular epiproct ( Fig. 29D View FIGURE 29 ). The eggs readily differ from those of R. torajanus n. sp. by the smaller size, shorter and more strongly sculptured capsule surface and larger dorsal projection of the operculum ( Figs. 35A–B View FIGURE 35 ).

Variability: The three ♀♀ at hand show considerable chromatic variability. While one is generally olive green in colour and has all of the dark markings and flecks much more pronounced and almost black (coll. FH, 0303-2, Fig. 29A View FIGURE 29 ), the other two examples are rather drab greenish in colour with the dark markings notably less distinct and less defined ( Fig. 29B View FIGURE 29 ). Moreover, the first specimen also has the markings of the vertex united to form a distinct black T-shaped mark ( Figs. 29H, K View FIGURE 29 ), they form a rather pale brown Y-like mark in another specimen (coll. FH, No. 0303-1) and the third specimen merely has three separate pale brown markings (coll. FH, No. 0303-5, Fig. 29J View FIGURE 29 ). The specimen from the Tana Toraja highland is slightly larger (body length 115.0 mm) than the two examples from Maros (101.0– 102.5 mm). No such remarkable chromatic variability is seen in the two known ♂♂, the specimen from the authors collection (coll. FH, No. 0303-3) merely being lighther and more yellowish to orange in colour than the holotype with the markings on the vertex comparatively less defined. Both specimens have a body length of 89.0 mm.

Comments: Descriptions of the ♀ and egg were provided by Hennemann (1998). Comparative illustrations are presented below to allow better distinction of the three closely related new species described herein. The ♂ holotype in the collection of NHMW is labelled “Patuhuang”, which is believed to relate to Pattunuang, a village situated nearby to Maloku in the vicinity of Sulawesi’s capital Ujung Pandang ( Fig. 4 View FIGURE 4 ) .

Re-examination of the material at hand from the authors collection and listed by Hennemann (1998: 115) has proven this to comprise two distinct species, one of which is here described as Ramulus torajanus n. sp. (see below). Examination of the ♂ from Mapane in the collection of NHMB recorded as Dagys balia by Günther (1938: 61) has proven this to be not conspecific to R. globosicaput , clearly differing by the slender shape, unicolorous head and more slender hemi-terga of the anal segment. It most likely represents another as yet undescribed species but since this fairly freshly moulted specimen has been preserved in spirits and thus is discoloured, it is not described herein. The ♀ from Mapane recorded by Günther (1938: 61) is a penultimate instar specimen and the specimen from Lake Poso is a small nymph. Hence, no confirmed decision on these specimens in the collection of NHMB can be made at this point.