Sinophlaeba brachyptera, Mao, Ben-Yong, Ou, Xiao-Hong & Ren, Guo-Dong, 2008

Mao, Ben-Yong, Ou, Xiao-Hong & Ren, Guo-Dong, 2008, Description of two new species of Sinophlaeoba and the female of S. bannaensis (Orthoptera: Acrididae) from Yunnan, China, Zootaxa 1899, pp. 34-42 : 37-39

Sinophlaeba brachyptera sp. nov.

( Figs. 11–23 )

Type material. Holotype: male, CHINA: Yunnan: Xinping, 24°19'N, 101°22'E, 1700m, 30 Apr. 2007, collected Ben-yong Mao ( CLDU). Paratypes: 31 males, 12 females, same data as holotype but collected Benyong Mao and Jun Zhang ( CLDU).

Diagnosis. The new species is closely related to S. bannaensis Niu et Zheng, 2005 and S. laoyinshan sp. nov.. The main differences are listed in detail in Table 1 .

Etymology. The species name refers to the reduced tegmen.

Description. Body small to median. Head faintly longer than pronotum (4.62: 4.20mm, on the average, n=5, male) or almost as long as pronotum (5.73: 5.86mm, on the average, n=5, female), with short carinae and rugulae on surface ( Figs. 11–12 ). Fastigium considerably projecting forwards, apical margin roundly angular, lateral margin somewhat raised, length in front of eyes 1.00–1.10 (1.05, on the average, n=5, male) or 0.86–1.00 (0.93, on the average, n=5, female) times as long as width, 1.50–1.61 (1.55, on the average, n=5, male) or 1.22–1.35 (1.27, on the average, n=5, female) times larger than interocular distance. Vertex with a clear median longitudinal carina ( Fig. 12 ). Face strongly oblique in profile. Frontal ridge narrow with longitudinal sulcus throughout; with lateral margins somewhat parallel above median ocellus, gradually broadening below it; lateral facial carinae straight. Antennae ensiform, 20 segments, backward touching coxa of hind leg of pronotum in female; 3rd–9th segments prismatoidal, others laterally compressed nearly. All ocelli small.

Eyes long oval, longitudinal diameter 1.54–1.67 (1.62, on the average, n=5, male) or 1.66–1.67 (1.67, on the average, n=5, female) times as long as horizontal one, and 1.18–1.54 (1.36, on the average, n=5, male) or 1.00–1.23 (1.10, on the average, n=5, female) times longer than subocular furrow. Pronotum with anterior margin nearly straight, posterior margin broadly rounded; median carina distinct, only intersected by posterior sulcus; lateral carinae parallel; disc with irregular short carinae and rough points between lateral carinae; median and hind transverse sulci distinct; prozona 1.70–1.86 (1.81, on the average, n=5, male) or 1.70–1.86 (1.78, on the average, n=5, female) times as long as metazona ( Fig. 12 ). Prosternum flat. Mesosternal lobes 1.14–1.25 (1.20, on the average, n=5, male) or 1.21–1.36 (1.29, on the average, n=5, female) times as wide as long; mesosternal interspace 1.00–1.19 (1.10, on the average, n=5, male) or 0.96–1.11 (1.02, on the average, n=5, female) times longer than minimal width; lateral lobes of metasterum faintly (in male) or evidently (in female) separate ( Figs. 13–14 ). Brachypterous, tegmina dorsad contiguous, almost reaching hind margin of 5th abdominal tergite or middle of hind femur in male, hind margin of 4th abdominal tergite in female, faintly longer than wings ( Figs. 11, 15–17 ). Hind femur laterally compressed; upper carina weakly smooth; lower knee lobes roundly angular. Hind tibia with 11 external and 12 internal spines on dorsal side, external apical spine absent. Hind tarsi with arolium surpassing middle of claw. Tympana opening oval.

Male genitalia ( Figs. 18–23 ). Supra-anal plate triangular with median area raised and lateral areas downward reclinate, median longitudinal sulcus deep and apically subobsolete. Cerci conical, not surpassing beyond apex of supra-anal plate. Subgenital plate short conical, apex obtuse. In dorsal view epiphallus with bridge nearly straight, distinctly obtuse angle between bridge and lateral plate; anchorae apically faintly surpassing bridge; lateral plate with posterior projection pointing outwards.

Female genitalia. Supra-anal plate almost lozenged with lateral areas sloping, median area with a broad and shallow median longitudinal furrow. Cerci short and conical; apex obtuse. Ovipositor valves without teeth along margins; apices hooked. Posterior margin of subgenital plate nearly straight, weakly posteriad protrudent in middle.

Coloration. Body yellowish brown, but back of head, disc of pronotum, tegmen brown, knee of hind femur dark brown, hind tibia light blue-gray in both sexes.

Measurements (mm). Length of body: male 22.6–23.5, female 38.0–40.0; length of pronotum: male 4.0– 4.4, female 5.5–6.3; length of tegmen: male 8.0–11.0, female 10.5–13.0; length of hind femur: male 10.4– 12.9, female 14.0–16.1.

Distribution. China: Yunnan (Xinping).

Biology. The species is narrowly distributed in the hill of Xinping County, which belongs to south subtropical zone. The food plants of this grasshopper have not been determined, but abundant amongst low secondary growth.

Figures

FIGURES 11 – 23. Sinophlaeba brachyptera sp. nov. 11. male body, lateral view; 12. male head and pronotum, dorsal view; 13 – 14. mesosternum and metasternum, male and female; 15 – 16. male left tegmen and wing; 17. female left tegmen; 18. male terminalia, dorsal view; 19 – 21. epiphallus, dorsal, posterior and lateral views; 22 – 23. phallic complex, dorsal and lateral views. Scale bars = 1 mm.