Batodromeus richardi (Griffini, 1908)

Naskrecki, Piotr, 2008, Sylvan katydids (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Pseudophyllinae) of the Guinean Forests of West Africa hotspot: an overview and descriptions of new species, Zootaxa 1712, pp. 1-41 : 13-14

31. Batodromeus richardi (Griffini, 1908)

( Figs. 5 E–H; 7C–D; 13E–F)

This species has been known so far only from the holotype female collected in Côte d’Ivoire (Griffini 1908). A single male was recently collected in Ghana, and its description is presented below.

Description of male

General. — Body of medium size, slender.

Head. — Antennae more than twice as long as body; antennal scapus with sharp apical spine. Eyes globular, strongly protruding. Fastigium of vertex broadly triangular, not reaching apex of antennal sockets; concave dorsally. Frons flat; vertical.

Thorax. — Anterior margin of pronotum distinctly raised; with small apical tooth. Humeral sinus of pronotum absent; lateral lobe about as long as wide; marginal fold of pronotum with distinct, granular protuberances along its entire length; metazona distinctly raised; with 2 small, vertical spines; posterior edge of metazona nearly straight. Pronotum surface weakly granulate. Prosternum with two, widely spaced protuberances (fig.5E).

Legs. — Front femur armed on anterior margin with 2 spines; genicular lobes of front femur armed with long spines on inner and outer side. Front tibia with 2 lobiform spines below tympanum; tympanum bilaterally closed, with narrow slits facing forward. Mid femur armed with 4 spines on anterior ventral margin; genicular lobes of mid femur armed with long spines on inner and outer side. Mid tibia armed dorsallywith large, lobiform spines on both anterior (2) and posterior (3) margins; distinctly thickened in proximal half. Hind femur with 7 long spines on anterior ventral margin; genicular lobes of hind femur armed with long spines on inner and outer side.

Wings. — Tegmen distinctly surpassing apex of abdomen; slightly narrowed towards apex; left stridulatory area coriaceous, without mirror (fig.7C); right stridulatory area with large, fully developed, circular mirror (fig. 7D). Stridulatory file flat, weakly bent along its entire legth, 1.5 mm long, 0.125 mm wide, with 92 teeth (fig. 5F). Veins Sc and R parallel along their entire length; vein Rs branching off in apical fourth of tegmen. Hind wing as long as tegmen.

Abdomen. — Cercus strongly bent inwards in apical third, unarmed, apex tapered (fig. 5G). Styli flattened, spatulate, slightly divergent. Subgenital plate elongate, narrowly trapezoidal, with minute, triangular apical incision (fig. 5H).

Coloration. — Coloration mossy green, highly cryptic, mottled with black; face with dark markings; antennae with dark annulation; pronotum mottled with darker specks and patches; hind legs mottled with dark patches and bands; tegmen mossy green, with dark spots and network of light secondary veinlets (figs. 13E– F); hind wing fumose; abdominal sterna with mottled darker markings; subgenital plate without distinct markings.

Measurements (1 male). — body w/wings: 28; body w/o wings: 22; pronotum: 5; tegmen: 22; hind femur: 17 mm.

Material examined. — Ghana: Eastern Region, Atewa Range, Asiakwa (South), elev. 690 m (6°15'44.3''N, 0°33'18.8''W), 11–16.vi.2006, leg. P. Naskrecki (Camp 2)— 1 male.

Figures

FIGURE 5. Polyglochin peculiaris Karsch, male: A. lateral view; B. stridulatory file; C. cerci; D. subgenital plate; Batodromeus richardi (Griffini), male: E. lateral view; F. stridulatory file; G. cerci; H. subgenital plate.