Cephaloplopus euchlorus, Frank H. Hennemann, Oskar V. Conle & Daniel E. Perez-Gelabert, 2016

Frank H. Hennemann, Oskar V. Conle & Daniel E. Perez-Gelabert, 2016, Studies on Neotropical Phasmatodea XVI: Revision of Haplopodini Günther, 1953 (rev. stat.), with notes on the subfamily Cladomorphinae Bradley & Galil, 1977 and the descriptions of a new tribe, four new genera and nine new species (Phasmatodea: “ Anareolatae ”: Phasmatidae: Cladomorphinae), Zootaxa 4128 (1), pp. 1-211 : 47-51

Cephaloplopus euchlorus n. gen., n. sp.

( Figs. 66–79, 336, 353, 379)

HT, ♂: Dominican Republic, RD-063 Sierra Prieta, Santo Domingo Prov., 18 ° 38.315 ’N 69 ° 58.302 ’W, 20.XI. 2002, D. Perez, R. Bastardo, B. Hierro [ USNM].

PT, ♀: Dominican Republic, RD-063 Sierra Prieta, Santo Domingo Prov., 18 ° 38.315 ’N 69 ° 58.302 ’W, 20.XI. 2002, D. Perez, R. Bastardo, B. Hierro [ USNM].

PT, egg (ex abdomen): Dominican Republic, RD-063 Sierra Prieta, Santo Domingo Prov., 18 ° 38.315 ’N 69 ° 58.302 ’W, 20.XI. 2002, D. Perez, R. Bastardo, B. Hierro [ USNM].

PT, ♂: Dominican Republic, RD-041, Sierra Prieta, Villa Mella, Santo Domingo Prov., 18 ° 38.939 ’N 69 ° 58.373 ’W, 8.VII. 2002, 500 ft., D. Perez, B. Hierro, R. Bastardo [ USNM].

PT, ♂: Dominican Republic, RD- 219 Sierra Prieta, Villa Mella, Santo Domingo Prov., 142 m, 18 ° 38.925 ’N 69 ° 58.303 ’W, 12.IV. 2004, D. Perez, B. Hierro, R. Bastardo. (n) [ USNM].

PT, ♀ (penultimate instar): Dominican Republic, RD-091, Sierra Prieta, Santo Domingo Prov., 133 m, 18 ° 39.010 ’N 69 ° 58.409 ’W, 18.III. 2003, D. Perez, R. Bastardo, B. Hierro (night) [ USNM].

PT, ♀ (nymph n 3): Dominican Republic, RD-063, Sierra Prieta, Santo Domingo Prov., 18 ° 38.315 ’N 69 ° 58.302 ’W, 20.XI. 2002, D. Perez, R. Bastardo, B. Hierro [ USNM].

PT, ♀ (nymph n 4): Dominican Republic, DR-062 ~ 5 km W Las Américas Airport, Santo Domingo, 18 ° 28.158 ’N 69 ° 43.601 ’W, 19.XI. 2002, D. Perez, R. Bastardo, B. Hierro. (night) [ USNM].

PT, ♀ (nymph n 2): Dominican Republic, DR-060 Monte Rio, ~ 4 km W of beach, 70 m, dry scrub, 18 ° 22.972 ’N 70 ° 43.036 ’W, 17.XI. 2002, D. Perez, R. Bastardo, B. Hierro. (night) [ USNM].

Diagnosis: Females differ from those of the the Cuban C. alope n. sp. by: the longitudinal apical keel of the cephalad horns ( Fig. 62); much longer subgenital plate, which projects over the abdomen by almost 1.5 x the combined length of abdominal tergites IX–X ( Fig. 68); dorsally multi-lobate protibiae and presence of a distinct dorsal sub-apical lobe on the meso- and metatibiae. Males are very similar to those of C. laetus n. sp. but at once differ by the well developed alae ( Fig. 67, hardly longer than the tegmina in laetus ), but also by the more slender and brownish instead of green legs, more distinct sub-apical tooth of the dorsal carinae of the meso- and metafemora and shape of the anal segment ( Fig. 70).

From C. pulchellus n. sp. it differs by the shorter horns of the head ( Figs. 62–63), lacking a posterior pair of tubercles on the pronotum and smaller lateral lobes of abdominal tergum VII of both sexes. ♀♀ also differ by: the longer alae; smaller crest-like lobes of abdominal tergum II ( Fig. 65); lack of the lateral sub-basal lobes of the subgenital plate; lack of sub-basal dorsal lobes on the meso- and metafemora and presence of a rounded, dorsal sub-apical lobe on the meso- and metatibiae. Males furthermore differ by: the less angular anal segment ( Fig. 70); pale green general colouration; pale brown legs and lack of distinct pale spots along the anterior margin of the costal region of the alae. The eggs can be distinguished from those of C. pulchellus n. sp. by: the less distinctly sculptured capsule surface and narrow anterior extension of the micropylar plate ( Figs. 71–72).

Etymology: The specific name “ euchlorus ” (lat. = beautifully coloured) refers to the pretty colouration of the ♂♂, which consists of bright apple green, pale and dark brown, yellow and white.

Description: ♀ ( Fig. 66): Of moderate size for the genus (body length including subgenital plate 87.5 mm) and rather slender, with a prominent pair of crenulate horns on the head, a moderately dilated abdominal tergum VII and comparatively long subgenital plate. General colouration of body and legs mid brown with a greyish wash and all over furnished with irregular whitish speckles and markings. Head with cheeks mostly white and a small, elongate black spot above eyes, a conspicuous dark brown marking near posterior margin. Eyes dark reddish brown, antennae greyish brown with indistinct blackish annulations. Tegmina and costal region of alae very dark brown with a green wash in central portion; the main longitudinal veins black. Anal region of alae bright red with all longitudinal veins broadly marked with black.

Head: Strongly globose, vertex convex and armed with a pair of prominent, apically compressed and crenulate cephalad horns (the dextral one almost 2 x larger than the sinistral); both lateral surfaces of the horns with several spiniform tubercles ( Fig. 69). Posterior of vertex with a pair of moderate tubercles and a pair of minute granules on the frons. Eyes rather small, circular and contained a little more than 2 x in length of cheeks. Antennae reaching to posterior margin of mesonotum and consisting of about 45 segments. Scapus compressed dorsoventrally, roundly rectangular and about 2 x longer than wide. Pedicellus cylindrical and roughly half the length of scapus.

Thorax: Pronotum about as long but narrower than head, 1.2 x longer than wide and gently constricted medially with the anterior margin widened and posterior margin rounded. Transverse median sulcus distinct and almost straight. In anterior portion with a pair of short spines ( Fig. 69) and the surface otherwise with irregularly disposed small tubercles. Mesothorax about 2.2 x longer than head and pronotum combined. Mesonotum with a fine longitudinal median carina and irregularly tuberculate; a cluster of four short but strong spines is present at anterior margin as well as two pairs of low spines in the median portion of the dorsal surface. The mesopleurae with a longitudinal row of about ten, the metapleurae with five small tubercles. Meso- and metasternum sparsely tuberculose. Tegmina oval, strongly broadened medially, narrowed towards the base and very slightly projecting over posterior margin of metanotum; central protuberance rather distinct, rounded. Alae reaching about 3 / 5 the way along median segment.

Abdomen: Median segment roughly 2 x longer than wide and widened towards the posterior; unarmed. Segments II–V roughly of equal length, VI slightly shorter than previous, III–VI gently narrowing; IV 3.3 x longer than wide. Tergum VII slightly shorter than VI and with the lateral margin in posterior half dilated into a prominent rounded lobe, which laterally extends by about 2 / 3 the width of segment (broken in the unique adult ♀ available but described from a large ♀ nymph). All tergites with a few scattered granules and a longitudinal row of about five granules along lateral margins, II and III a pair of irregular, crenulate carinae posteromedial, which are less distinct on III ( Fig. 72). These merely represented as a pair of tubercles on IV–IX. Sternites II–VI with a pair of short carinae near posterior margin and praeopercular organ represented by an elongate wart-like structure on VII ( Fig. 336). Tergites VIII–X distinctly narrower than previous and roughly of uniform width; VIII ¾ the length of VII, almost 2 x longer than wide and gently constricted medially, IX 2 / 3 the length of VIII. Anal segment shorter than IX, longitudinally carinate dorsally and with a concave lateral emargination; posterior portion strongly tapered towards a narrow and medially notched apex. Epiproct very small and with a posteromedian notch. Cerci short, conical and with a rather acute apex. Subgenital plate elongate, naviculate, keeled longitudinally and projecting over abdomen by more than the combined length of tergites IX–X ( Fig. 75); apex rounded.

Legs: Profemora about ¾ length of mesothorax, mesofemora about as long as metathorax and metafemora slightly projecting over posterior margin of abdominal segment III. Medioventral carina of profemora with three spines, of meso- and metafemora with 4–5 rather strong spines. Posteroventral carina of meso- and metafemora with one, the anteroventral carina with two sub-apical spines; both carinae gently expanded and minutely dentate in basal portion. The dorsal carinae each with a roundly triangular lobe sub-apically. Anterodorsal carina of tibiae with a distinct rounded sub-basal and sub-apical lobe. The anterodorsal carina of profemora strongly raised, slightly undulate and with a small rounded lobe sub-apically; the same carina in protibiae furnished with 3–4 rounded lobes. Probasitarsus with a distinct rounded dorsal lobe and a little longer than following two tarsomeres combined ( Fig. 71). Meso- and metabasitarsi slender and as long as following three tarsomeres combined.

♂ ( Figs. 67–68): Of moderate size (body length 63.8 –72.0 mm) and rather slender for the genus with long alae (length 32.3 –34.0 mm) which reach to abdominal segment VI; body surface glabrous. General colour of body pale creamish brown, the ventral body surface and three terminal abdominal segment pale apple green. Head creamish mid brown with the lower portions of cheeks white and the frons pale apple green. Antennae ochre with a greyish wash and with some grey annulations in apical portion. Eyes dark greyish brown with sepia mottling. Pronotum with the lateral margins broadly green. Lower portion of metapleurae and lateral margins of abdominal sternites II–V white. Spines of the mesothorax ochre with dark tips, lateral lobes of abdominal tergum VII dark brown, cerci creamish mid brown. Tegmina dark brown with the median portion of the anterior margin first pale green, then with a fine white stripe, the innermost portion pale apple green ( Fig. 73). Costal region of alae with a similar green and interiorly white marking in basal portion, the anterior margin otherwise dull brown with slight pale mottling, then green; anal region transparent pale pink with a greyish wash along outer margin ( Fig. 74). Legs and tarsi cream to mid brown with the apex of all femora slightly darker.

Head: General shape as in ♀♀ but with the cephalad horns even longer but not crenulate, apex compressed, carinate and with a single pointed spine; dextral horn projecting by> 2 / 3 the height of head capsule ( Figs. 70). Surface otherwise smooth except for a posterior pair of tubercles. Eyes prominent, circular and projecting hemispherically, no more than 1.5 x length of cheeks. Antennae ± reaching posterior margin of abdominal segment II; consisting of about 50 antennomeres.

Thorax: Pronotum about as long but narrower than head, general shape as in ♀♀. Surface smooth except for a pair of short spines in the anterior portion ( Fig. 70). Mesothorax about 2.3 x longer than head and pronotum combined. Armature of mesonotum variable; usually with four distinct, pointed spines near anterior margin ( Fig. 70) and 2–3 pairs of pointed spines in the median portion. Meso- and metapleurae unarmed. Mesosternum with a few irregularly disposed granules, metasternum smooth. Tegmina oval and reaching about 1 / 3 along median segment, central protuberance distinct and roundly conical ( Fig. 73). Alae reaching about 1 / 3 along abdominal segment VI.

Abdomen: Segments II–V of equal length and about 3.2 x longer than wide; VI–VII slightly decreasing in length with VII no more than 2.3 x longer than wide. All tergites and sternites smooth, sternites IV–VI with two low carinae near posterior margin. VII with lateral margins in posterior half expanded into a ± distinct roundly triangular and retrorse lobe ( Figs. 76–77); this either indistinct or extending laterally by as much as 2 / 3 of body width. VIII slightly shorter than VII and gently constricted in basal portion; IX shorter than VIII and constricted medially. Anal segment with a faint longitudinal median carina and narrowed posteriorly, the posterior margin rounded on both sides of the triangular median emargination ( Fig. 77), slightly swollen and on ventral surface armed with several small, black in-curving denticles. Vomer with base broadly semi-circular and the terminal hook rather long, papillate and gently up-curving ( Fig. 353). Cerci elongate, a little longer than anal segment, slightly laterally compressed and gently incurving. Poculum moderately convex, cup-like, longitudinally carinate and with a blunt basal protuberance ( Fig. 76).

Legs: Profemora a little longer and mesofemora slightly shorter than mesothorax, metafemora reaching about half way along abdominal segment IV. Medioventral carina of profemora with 1–2 small sub-apical spines, of mesofemora with four and metafemora with five prominent, pointed spines. Dorsal carinae of meso- and metafemora with a ± distinct triangular sub-apical tooth or lobe (may be very faint). Basitarsi about as long as following three tarsomeres combined.

Nymphs: Even young nymphs show some of the characteristic features of this species, e.g. the crenulate cephalad horns or dorsal lobes of the tibiae. As in other species of the tribe, these have the whole body and leg armature much more prominently developed. The colouration includes various shades of brown furnished with a variable degree of whitish markings and speckles.

Variation: In ♂♂ some variation is seen in the size of the cephalad horns, number and size of the mesonotal spines, size of the lateral lobe of abdominal tergum VII and size of the sub-apical tooth or lobe on the dorsal carinae of the meso- and metafemora.

Egg ( Figs. 78–79): Capsule 2 x longer than wide, surface sparsely covered with irregular tuberculate structures, sub-glabrous. Polar-area with a distinct indentation. Micropylar plate slightly less than half the length of capsule, almost 2 x longer than wide with the anterior 1 / 3 strongly narrowed and the posterior portion rounded. Centre of micropylar plate with arounded, wart-like protuberance. Colour plain reddish mid brown.

Measurements [mm]: Length 3.4, width 1.7, height 1.9, length of micropylar plate 1.6.

Distribution ( Fig. 379): Hispaniola, S-Dominican Republic (Santo Domingo Province: Sierra Prieta & Azua Province: Monte Rio) [ USNM].

Number of specimens examined: 8

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