Pseudonicsara (P.) buergersi, Ingrisch, 2009

Ingrisch, Sigfrid, 2009, Revision of the genus Pseudonicsara Karny, 1912 (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Conocephalinae: Agraeciini) 2185, Zootaxa 2185, pp. 1-122 : 22-23

Pseudonicsara (P.) buergersi sp. n.

Figs. 2, 29, 40, 62, 98, 134, 175, 207, 277, 306, 344, 394, 434, 479, 513, map 3.

Holotype (male): Papua New Guinea, East Sepik Prov.: N. Guinea, Kaiserin Augustafl. Exp. 223, Lordberg [4° 38' S, 142° 37' E], 8.XII.1912, Bürgers, depository: Museum für Naturkunde der Humboldt-Universität, Berlin, Germany ( ZMB).

Paratypes: Papua New Guinea, East Sepik Prov.: 1 male, 1 female, KAE 210, Etappenberg [4° 37' S, 142° 7' E], 850 m, 19.XI.1912, Bürgers ( ZMB) ; 1 female, KAE 218, Lordberg , 29.XI.–2.XII.1912, Bürgers ( ZMB) ; 1 male, 1 female, KAE 219, Lordberg , 2–4.XII.1912, Bürgers ( ZMB) ; 2 males, 1 female, KAE 221, Lordberg , 5–6.XII.1912, Bürgers ( ZMB) ; 2 females, KAE 221, Lordberg , 8.XII.1912, Bürgers ( ZMB) ; 3 males, 3 females, KAE 223, Lordberg , 8.XII.1912, Bürgers ( ZMB) ; 3 males, 1 female, KAE 225, Lordberg , 9.XII.1912, Bürgers ( ZMB) ; 1 female, KAE 227, Aprilfluss , 12.XII.1912, Bürgers ( ZMB) ; 2 males, 3 females, KAE 227, Lordberg , 12.XII.1912, Bürgers ( ZMB) ; 1 female, KAE 228, Lordberg , 21.XII.1912, Bürgers ( ZMB) ; 3 males, 1 female, KAE 228, Standlager am Aprilfluss [4° 29' S, 142° 29' E], 21.XII.1912, Bürgers ( ZMB) .

Diagnosis. The new species shares with P. spinicercus that the dorsal of the baso-internal processes of the male cerci is closer to the base than the ventral process; otherwise the cerci look quite different. In P. buergersi the dorsal process wide at base, little curved, the ventral process stylate ( Fig. 175), while in P. spinicercus the dorsal process is compressed with the apex obtuse, the ventral process forms a small tubercle. The apicointernal process of the male cerci is strongly compressed with a dorsal lamella at base in P. buergersi ( Fig. 207), while in P. spinicercus it consists of a very short dorsal and long ventral lobe. Moreover, in P. buergersi the apical parts of titillators are pyriform instead of triangular with rounded angles ( Fig. 344). The female subgenital plate has in basal area a deep median furrow bordered on both sides by wide carinae; the apical lobes are acute triangular, moved latero-dorsad ( Figs. 434, 479). Differences to other species are outlined in the key.

Description. Fastigium verticis in front of eyes 1.0 mm, from base 1.4 mm; dorsal eye length 1.6 mm; greatest diameter of eye 1.6–1.7 mm; index fastigium verticis from base: eye length 0.9 ( Fig. 29). Face subrugose with large but shallowly impressed dots. Tegmen little surpassing hind knees, costal field in basal two thirds broad, in apical third narrow ( Fig. 2). Femora with the following number of spines on ventral margins: fore femur 6–8 external, 5–7 internal; mid femur 5–7 external, 2–3 internal near base; hind femur 9– 14 external, 1–9 minute internal near base.

Male ( Fig. 2). Stridulatory file sinuate, 2.3–2.4 mm long; teeth at apex very dense and indistinct; with 86– 91 teeth or 37.2–38.3 teeth per mm, in middle of file with 28.6–29.0 teeth per mm ( Fig. 62). Mirror slightly narrowing posteriorly; fore and hind margins straight, angles rounded; 1.5–1.7 mm long, 1.5–1.6 mm wide; index length:width = 1.0–1.1. Tenth abdominal tergite transverse, slightly globular in middle; apical margin roundly excised in middle, obtusely projecting on both sides of excision ( Fig. 98). Epiproct almost flat in basal area and with a faint median sulcus, apical area with lateral margins raised forming a V-shaped carina and deeply furrowed in between ( Fig. 134). Projection of paraproct large and stout, obtuse. Cerci conical, slightly curved; internal surface with a weak lamella which gives rise to three obtuse projections: one before and one in middle of cercus, the third one, which is the longest curved ventrad before apex; apex of cercus narrow transversely truncate, obtuse ( Figs. 175, 207). Styli thin, longer than excised area of subgenital plate ( Fig. 277).

Titillators with apical parts narrow-triangular; interno-apical surface pale brown with clinging hairs; granular margin with projecting lamellae ( Figs. 306, 344, 394).

Female. Ninth abdominal tergite at both ventro-lateral ends (above base of ovipositor and subgenital plate) ovoidly swollen and strongly setose. Tenth abdominal tergite transverse; furrowed in middle. Subgenital plate with a deep membranous furrow in midline over almost whole length; at each side with a rounded groove; apical margin sinuately truncate with lateral angles projecting, long, conical; at each side dorso-lateral of lateral margins and in ventral view often hidden by the main plate with a partly membranous disc-shaped lateral sclerite, which has the ventral surface depressed (often distorted in museum specimens) ( Figs. 434, 479, 513). Ventral ovipositor valves at very base and above the lateral sclerite with an ovoid groove, bordered on ventro-apical side by an obtuse carina.

Coloration. Medium brown, some specimens with remnants of green. Face green; antennal scrobae, fastigium frontis except median ocellus, ventral side of scapus, base of pedicellus, a transverse band at clypeofrontal suture and apex of mandibles dark brown. Pronotum castaneous brown, a yellow spot before first and another one behind second transverse sulcus; ventral margin of paranota green or yellow (always green when alive?). Fore tibia distinctly or faintly infumate except at apex, with two black and one light spots at tympanal area; genicular region of mid and hind legs dark brown. Tegmen yellowish brown with brown spots. – From some well conserved specimens it may be concluded that the alive insects have the head green with dark brown marking as above. Pronotum with ventral area of paranota green, brown markings as above and two yellow spots on disc. Tegmen with veins and veinlets green at least in costal field, cells brown. Hind femur green with hind knees medium brown. Hind tibia green, genicular area brown; spines brown with black tips, sitting on brown spots.

Measurements (15 males, 15 females): body male 25–30, female 24–32; pronotum male 7.5–8, female 7.5–8.2; tegmen male 23.5–26.5, female 25–28; hind femur male 16–17, female 17–19; antenna male 100– 105, female 80–110; ovipositor 17–19 mm.

Etymology. Named after the collector; proposal by C. Willemse in litt. unpublished.