Pulchriphyllium delislei sp. nov.

Cumming, Royce T., Le Tirant, Ste ́ phane, Linde, Jackson B., Solan, Megan E., Foley, Evelyn Marie, Eulin, Norman Enrico C., Lavado, Ramon, Whiting, Michael F., Bradler, Sven & Bank, Sarah, 2023, On seven undescribed leaf insect species revealed within the recent " Tree of Leaves " (Phasmatodea, Phylliidae), ZooKeys 1173, pp. 145-229 : 145

Pulchriphyllium delislei sp. nov.

Figs 34 , 35

Material examined.

Holotype ♀: " Indonesia: South Kalimantan, Mt. Meratus, VIII.2020; DNA sample SLT050" (Fig. 34 ). Deposited in the Montreal Insectarium , Quebec, Canada (IMQC).

Paratype ♀: " Indonesia, Kalimantan, Mt. Besar VII.2018; DNA sample SLT006" (Fig. 35 ). Deposited in the Montreal Insectarium , Quebec, Canada (IMQC) .

Differentiation.

Males, freshly hatched nymphs, and eggs are currently unknown. At present only known from two female specimens, therefore little is known of the intraspecific variation of this species. Additionally, throughout the " Pulchriphyllium bioculatum "-like species ranges other species show a decent amount of variation in their abdominal shapes/femoral lobe spination, so a reliable morphological feature has yet to be identified for differentiation. Also, with two congenerics from Borneo with the " Pulchriphyllium bioculatum "-like morphology only known from males, and this species only known from a female, nothing can be said about morphological differentiation presently for these Bornean species. Only DNA analyses have allowed differentiation at this time (Fig. 2 ).

Description.

Female. Coloration. The coloration description is based upon the dried type specimens which appears to have been well-preserved with minimal discoloration (Fig. 35 ). Both the holotype and paratype specimens are yellow form individuals, but as these are the only specimens currently known, we cannot say whether or not this color form is typical, or like many phylliid species, simply one of multiple color forms possible. The base coloration is straw yellow, with muddled areas of orange, tan, and brown, giving the specimen a decaying leaf resemblance. The thorax (Fig. 35B ), ventral surfaces of the legs, spiracles on the abdominal sternites, and abdominal segments VIII, IX, and X (Fig. 35E ) have white speckling which looks mold-like, further enhancing the decaying leaf appearance. The antennae, margins of the mesonotum, venation of the tegmina, and the terminal abdominal segment are the darkest colored areas, from tan to brown in color. Abdominal segment V is marked with a pair of gray spots (Fig. 35F ).

Morphology. Head. Head capsule is as long as wide, with a vertex that is marked throughout by weakly formed granulation (Fig. 35D ). Frontal convexity blunt and fully covered by granulation and short setae (Fig. 35D ). Compound eyes slightly protruding from the head capsule, small, occupying ca 2/7 of the head capsule lateral margins (Fig. 35D ). Ocelli absent. Antennal fields slightly wider than the first antennomere width. Antennae. Antennae consist of nine segments including scapus and pedicellus. Antennomeres IV through VIII are all similar lengths/widths and the terminal antennomere is approximately as long as the previous two antennomeres. Antennomeres I-VIII are sparsely marked with small transparent setae and granulation. The terminal antennomere is covered in short, dense setae, giving it a fuzzy appearance (Fig. 35D ). Thorax. Pronotum boxy, with a similar width to length. Anterior margin slightly convex, lateral margins subparallel until the posterior ¼ then converge slightly, posterior margin straight and ca ⅘ the width of the anterior margin (Fig. 35B ). The pronotum surface is slightly lumpy and wrinkled, with a distinct furrow along the sagittal plane and smaller furrows perpendicular near the center (Fig. 35B ). The pronotum has a distinctly formed anterior rim and moderately formed posterior and lateral rims (Fig. 35B ). Prosternum surface slightly granular (more prominently on the posterior ⅓). Mesosternum anterior ¼ and posterior margin slightly granular, remainder relatively smooth. Metasternum relatively smooth except for a patch on the posterior which is slightly granular. Prescutum anterior margin slightly wider than the prescutum length, lateral margins heavily marked with granulation (Fig. 35B ). Prescutum anterior rim moderately formed but not strongly protruding, central third of the anterior rim moderately marked with granulation, and the lateral third of the anterior rim on each side roughly textured (Fig. 35B ). Prescutum surface central ⅓ raised gently along the sagittal plane and slightly granular, lateral ⅓ on each side rough, ornamented prominently by granulation (Fig. 35B ). The mesopleura diverge consistently throughout their lengths and are marked with slight granulation throughout and a singular, prominently raised spine near the posterior ⅖ (Fig. 35B ). Mesopleuron face relatively smooth except for the anterior margin which has notable granulation (Fig. 35B ). Wings. Tegmina long, reaching ¾ the way onto abdominal segment VII. Tegmen venation; the subcosta (Sc) is the first vein in the tegmen, running parallel with the distal margin for the first ⅔, and then running slightly towards the margin where it terminates. The radius (R) spans approximately the anterior ⅖ of the tegmen with two subparallel veins; the first radius (R1) branches ca 1/7 of the way through the tegmen length and terminates slightly <⅓ of the way through the tegmen length when it meets the margin; the radial sector (Rs) branches slightly <⅓ of the way through the tegmen length, arcs gently, and terminates on the tegmen margin slightly distal to the midlength. There is a weak continuation of the radius following the prominent Rs branching which continues as a short and thin R-M crossvein that fades before solidly connecting the two veins. The media (M) is bifurcate with the media anterior (MA) terminating near to the posterior ¼ of the tegmen and the media posterior (MP) terminating near to the posterior 1/9 of the tegmen. The cubitus (Cu) is also bifurcate, branching near the posterior ⅕ of the tegmen into the cubitus anterior (CuA) and the cubitus posterior (CuP) which both terminate at or very near the tegmen apex. The first anal vein (1A) is simple and fuses with the cubitus early on. The radius, media, and cubitus all run side by side/slightly fused in places, no notable spacing between them. Alae rudimentary, only small nubs. Abdomen. Abdominal segments II through the anterior ½ of IV strongly diverging. Posterior ½ of IV to the anterior ½ of V weakly diverging to the widest point of the abdomen. The remainder of V through VII converge slightly, followed by VIII through X converging more strongly, giving the abdomen an overall spade-shaped appearance. Genitalia. Subgenital plate starts at the anterior margin of tergum VIII, is moderately broad (occupying the central ½ of the posterior margin of tergum VIII), is short (only extending just shy of reaching the anterior margin of tergum X) and has margins which are slightly convex to a blunt apex (Fig. 35E ). Gonapophyses VIII are short, only reaching slightly onto abdominal tergum X; gonapophyses IX are shorter and narrower, hidden below gonapophyses VIII (Fig. 35E ). Cerci flat, with a granular surface and few detectable setae (Fig. 35E ). Legs. Profemoral exterior lobe broad (ca 1¾ x the width of the interior lobe), with the proximal margin slightly undulating away from the profemoral shaft at approximately a 90-degree angle, and the distal margin arcs giving the exterior profemoral lobe a broad rounded appearance (Fig. 35C ). Profemoral exterior lobe proximal margin with distinct, evenly spaced serration (three or four prominent teeth and one or two minor teeth; Fig. 35C ). Profemoral exterior lobe distal margin with slight granulation throughout its length (with the proximal most slightly more prominent). Profemoral interior lobe begins ca ⅓ of the way through the profemoral shaft length, arcs into a rounded lobe that at its widest point is ca 3 × as wide as the greatest width of the profemoral shaft, and the distal margin is marker with two or three dulled, serrate teeth and the distal most end has a rounded projection (Fig. 35C ). Mesofemoral interior and exterior lobes of similar widths. Both mesofemoral lobes are roundly triangular, with the interior lobe slightly weighted to the proximal ⅖ and the exterior lobe slightly more evenly weighted, but with the distal ½ slightly thicker than the proximal ½. The mesofemoral interior lobe has serration throughout the length (six or seven dulled, serrate teeth). The mesofemoral exterior lobe proximal ½ is straight and smooth, the distal ½ is marked with six serrate teeth. Metafemoral interior lobe narrow for most of the length, only broadening slightly on the distal ⅓. Metafemoral interior lobe with distinct serration throughout the length (five to seven teeth). Metafemoral exterior lobe is thin and smooth, hugging the metafemoral shaft and lacks dentition. Protibiae with interior and exterior lobes fully spanning the length. Protibial interior lobe at its widest ca 2 × the width of the protibial shaft. Protibial interior lobe a rounded scalene triangle with the widest point on the distal ⅓. Protibial exterior lobe, gradually increasing in width from the proximal to the distal end, with the greatest width on the distal end, slightly wider than the protibial shaft width. Mesotibiae lacking interior lobes, exterior lobe well-developed into a rounded right triangle weighted to the distal end of the shaft with a maximum width ca 1½× the width of the mesotibial shaft. Metatibiae lacking interior lobes, but there is a well-developed metatibial exterior lobe that is nearly right angled on the distal end with a maximum width of ca 2 × the metatibial shaft width.

Measurements of holotype female [mm]. Length of body (including cerci and head, excluding antennae) 84.5, length/width of head 7.6/6.0, antennae 3.8, pronotum 5.4, mesonotum 4.7, length of tegmina 50.6, greatest width of abdomen 48.9, profemora 18.5, mesofemora 8.4, metafemora 14.7, protibiae 8.0, mesotibiae 7.5, metatibiae 13.3.

Measurements of paratype female [mm]. Length of body (including cerci and head, excluding antennae) 78.9, length/width of head 7.7/6.2, antennae 4.5, pronotum 5.4, mesonotum 4.8, length of tegmina 44.1, greatest width of abdomen 40.0, profemora 15.6, mesofemora (missing from paratype), metafemora 15.2, protibiae 9.5, mesotibiae (missing from paratype), metatibiae 12.6.

Etymology.

Patronym, named after Gilles Delisle (Canada). Friend of the authors and enthusiastic entomologist. Gilles Delisle is a birdwing butterfly specialist and research associate of the Montreal Insectarium. His passion for birdwing butterflies allowed him to travel many times throughout Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. He donated his butterfly collection after many years of studies to the Montreal Insectarium, Canada.

Distribution.

At present only known from the localities of Mt. Meratus and Mt. Besar, Kalimantan, Indonesia.

Remarks.

When the specimen was preliminarily reviewed, three possible identifications were assumed. First, it was considered that this might represent the unknown female Pulchriphyllium agnesagamaae or Pulchriphyllium fredkugani (both species currently only known from males from northern Borneo). Or secondly, that this specimen might simply be a range expansion for Pulchriphyllium bioculatum , a species which has been confirmed via molecular analyses to occur on southwestern Borneo as well as peninsular Malaysia (Fig. 2 ; sample #16-221). Interestingly, despite being morphologically difficult to differentiate from other " Pulchriphyllium bioculatum "-like species, upon phylogenetic analysis this sample did not cluster with any of the " Pulchriphyllium bioculatum "-like species (Fig. 2 ). Pulchriphyllium delislei sp. nov. instead represents yet another instance where the " Pulchriphyllium bioculatum "-like morphology has been revealed to be non-monophyletic (Fig. 2 ).

Figures

Figure 2. Phylogenetic tree of the Phylliidae based on six nuclear and mitochondrial loci with a focus on Phyllium and Pulchriphyllium (please refer to Suppl. material 4 for the complete tree). Ultrafast bootstrap support values are depicted at each node. Specimens in green font are in addition to the already existing tree inferred by Bank et al. (2021). Highlighted in green boxes are the seven newly described species.

Figure 34. Female holotype Pulchriphyllium delislei sp. nov. (IMQC) A dorsal, habitus B antennae, dorsal C right profemora, dorsal D head and thorax, dorsal E thorax, lateral, anterior to the right F ventral, habitus G genitalia, ventral H terminalia, dorsal.

Figure 35. Female paratype Pulchriphyllium delislei sp. nov. (IMQC) A dorsal, habitus B details of the head through thorax, dorsal C details of the front leg, dorsal D details of head and antennae, dorsal E genitalia, ventral F ventral, habitus.