Calofulcinia Giglio-Tos

Connors, Matthew G., Yeeles, Peter, Lach, Lori & Rentz, David C. F., 2023, Revision of the genus Calofulcinia Giglio-Tos (Mantodea: Nanomantidae: Fulciniinae) in Australia, Zootaxa 5296 (3), pp. 333-361 : 334-340

Calofulcinia Giglio-Tos

Calofulcinia Giglio-Tos, E. 1915 , Mantidi Esotici. Generi e Specie Nuove. Bollettino della Società Entomologica Italiana, vol. 46, pp. 31–108 [59]. Type species: Calofulcinia elegans Giglio-Tos , by original designation.

Burgersia Werner, F. 1928 , Zur Kenntnis der Mantodeenfauna des Hinterlandes von Kamerun und des Sepikgebietes von Neuguinea. Nebst Beschreibung einiger interessanter Arten aus anderen Landern. Mitteilungen aus dem Zoologischen Museum in Berlin, vol. 14, pp. 12–41 [34]. Type species: Burgersia chloeon Werner , by subsequent designation.

Rawarena Tindale, N.B. 1930 , Mantidae in the Australian Museum. Records of the Australian Museum, vol. 17(8), pp. 343–347 [344]. Type species: Rawarena paraoxypila Tindale , by original designation.

Differential diagnosis. Small, rather slender and delicate, male macropterous, female moderately to strongly brachypterous. Colouration and patterning variable but generally moss- or lichen-like. Eyes not compressed, projecting dorsally in female. Pronotum posteriorly with an elevated tubercle on which sits a pair of dorsally-directed knobs or spines, often with large paired tubercles elsewhere on the pronotum. Abdomen with small to very large dorsomedian and dorsolateral projections, especially in female. Cerci short, thick, at least weakly laterally compressed. Styli short, subconical to ovate. Male genitalia with L4A with or without lateral lobes, afa usually bifurcate or kidney-shaped, with posterior lobe elongate and posterodextrally-directed. Calofulcinia can be distinguished from all other Australian Fulciniinae by the rather slender body form, the elevated knobs or spines on the posterior pronotum, and the expanded dorsomedian projections on the abdominal tergites.

Description. Due to the limited number of non-Australian specimens available for analysis, the following generic description applies only to the Australian members of the genus.

Head. Head triangular, wider than pronotum, approximately 1.5–1.8 times as wide as high, generally slightly broader in female, very finely shagrinate. Clypeus subrectangular, transverse, with posterior half elevated, anterior half depressed at least in corners; anterior margin sinuate to almost straight, usually with a short, longitudinal sulcus of varying prominence anteriorly, this extending slightly onto labrum; posterior margin weakly convex. Lower frons transverse, five- or six-sided; anterior corners with a very small, weak swelling, this stronger in female; posterior apex or corners elevated, broadly blunted. Eyes large, rounded, somewhat bulbous in male, projecting dorsally in female. Ocellar tubercle prominent, weakly raised in male, in female low and indistinct; in male ocelli moderately large, ovate, median ocellus distinctly smaller than lateral ocelli, in female all ocelli very small, almost absent. Vertex slightly elevated posteriorly, somewhat sinuate, with or without a small, angular postocellar process; frontal sulcus feebly indicated laterally but surrounded by a broad depression; juxtaocular bulge weak to strong, projecting at least beyond hind margin of eyes. Antennae slender, setose; when directed posteriorly, exceeding midpoint of tegmina in male, reaching from midpoint of pronotum to posterior end of pronotum in female; scape wide, somewhat kidney-shaped; pedicel narrower; first flagellomere elongate, second short, subsequent flagellomeres gradually becoming more elongate distally.

Thorax. Pronotum moderately elongate to very elongate, slender or robust, elevated, subcruciform, approximately 1.7–3.0 times as long as wide, broadest anterior to centre, in line with or just posterior to supracoxal sulcus, surface very finely shagrinate. Supracoxal sulcus arched, deep on lateral margins of pronotum but only weakly indicated dorsally; median keel almost absent on prozone, weakly indicated on posterior of prozone, weak or well-defined on metazone. Prozone short, elevated anteriorly but with anterior margin sloping downwards, sometimes with elevated tubercles anteriorly; with low, diagonal ridges on lateral prozone and/or posterior prozone. Metazone moderately elongate to very elongate, broadest anteriorly, approximately 1.7–1.9 times length of prozone, elevated posteriorly, anterolaterally with a short vertical sulcus, posterior third to half except extreme posterior region with a pair of well-defined dorsolateral longitudinal carinae such that the pronotum is almost rectangular in cross-section in male especially, posteriorly with an elevated tubercle on which sits a pair of dorsally-directed knobs or blunt spines. Posterolateral expansion present as a narrow margin with low, widely-spaced tubercles laterally. Prosternum finely shagrinate; lateral cervical sclerites and intercervical sclerites raised, projecting, the latter more prominent; postcervical sclerite broad, anterior margin almost straight to broadly incised; T-shaped sclerite narrow medially, anterolaterally with strongly raised ridges; gustifolium organ small, prominent, rounded, with scattered setae; furcasternite with low median keel anteriorly and with low, rounded ridge along posterolateral margins. Posterior hearing organ is of the DK type in male, of the DNK type in female.

Foreleg spination formula: F = 3DS/7–12AvS/4PvS; T = 4–8AvS/4–7PvS.

Legs. Forecoxa elongate, very feebly serrate along dorsal margin, with strong median keel posteriorly; coxal lobes broad, convergent. Forefemur elongate to robust, narrower in male, broadest at or slightly distal to tibial spur groove, with scattered setae, concave to almost straight dorsally; dorsal keel weak, rounded; posterior keel weak, broadly curved, sometimes almost absent; tibial spur groove weakly-defined to moderately-defined distally, almost absent basally; femoral brush large, ovate; middle discoidal spine largest, distal smallest, distal discoidal spine directed distally; anteroventral forefemur spines alternating between small and large; with a row of minute spines along a ridge between the anteroventral and posteroventral spines, this extending from near the base of the forefemur approximately to the femoral brush, interrupted by the discoidal spines, these often reduced to small tubercles basal to discoidal spines; genicular spurs strong, well-developed. Foretibia slender to robust, rather short, with scattered setae; a distinct gap between ultimate and penultimate basalmost posteroventral foretibial spines in most specimens; tibial spur moderately long, gently curved. Foretarsus longer than foretibia, unmodified. Mid and hind legs moderately long, sparsely setose, unmodified; genicular spurs absent; tibial spurs short; tarsi very long.

Wings. Tegmina of male elongate, broadening apically, exceeding end of abdomen; veins reticulate, especially in shaded regions; a short anterior branch of the anterior cubitus fused with the media; media sinuate; posterior radius branched. Tegmina of female short to very short, ovate, reaching from hind margin of first abdominal tergite to just beyond hind margin of second abdominal tergite; veins reticulate ( Figures 1A , 4A , 8A ). Hind wings of male broad, exceeding end of tegmina; remigium distinctly broadening apically; anterior cubitus unbranched. Hind wings of female short to very short, vestigial, not exceeding or slightly exceeding tegmina.

Abdomen. Abdomen finely shagrinate; with scattered setae, these denser posteriorly. Male abdomen moderately elongate; with short, angulate, laterally-projecting dorsolateral projections; posterior margin of tergites keeled, with or without a small dorsomedial projection extending posteriorly, generally strongest in third and fourth tergites, in posterior segments keel extends anteriorly along almost entire length of tergite. Female abdomen broad, rounded; second to eighth tergites with dorsomedian and dorsolateral projections, ninth tergite with at least dorsomedian projection, sometimes also with dorsolateral projections; dorsolateral projections present as short, blunted, keeled spines, these especially well-developed on third and fourth tergite, sometimes also fifth tergite; dorsomedian projections present as blunted, keeled, posteriorly projecting spines on seventh to ninth tergite, dorsally projecting on second to sixth tergites, sometimes greatly expanded into flattened spines or lobes ( Figure 2C , 5C , 9C ). Cerci short, setose, relatively thick, at least weakly laterally compressed. Supra-anal plate of male subtriangular, lateral margins convex, apex rounded, with a low median keel. Supra-anal plate of female subtriangular to ovate, with median keel more pronounced. Subgenital plate of male ovate, rounded or incised at posterior tip; styli short, subconical to ovate, setose. Anterior portion of subgenital plate of female subovate, with deep sulcus and small median incision separating anterior portion from ventroterminal lobes; ventroterminal lobes rounded, strongly laterally compressed, somewhat projecting posterodorsally.

Genitalia. Male genitalia with L4A ovate, with or without lateral lobes; afa usually bifurcate, shagrinate, generally weakly to moderately sclerotised, the posterior lobe elongate, directed posterodextrally, the anterior lobe shorter, sometimes absent; paa poorly sclerotised, elongate, strongly curled dorsally, sometimes weakly bent to the left, with rounded tip; loa very small, sometimes virtually absent; fda setose posteriorly; pia a very low, shagrinate, strongly-sclerotised ridge; pva shagrinate, strongly sclerotised, directed ventrally but at least weakly curving posteriorly ( Figure 1C–D , 4C–D , 8C–D ).

Colour. Colour and pattern are extremely variable both between and within species but generally involves cryptic colouration to blend in with mosses and lichens. Individuals may be green or brown with variable amounts of brown, green, cream, or even pale blue mottling, or they may have a strongly contrasting pattern of dark brown and very pale blue-green ( Figure 1A–B , 3 , 4A–B , 7 , 8A–B , 10 ).

Distribution. The six known Calofulcinia species have all been collected from rainforest or rainforest-adjacent habitat in New Guinea and eastern Australia, where they are known as far south as Gosford in New South Wales. In Australia they are known as far north as Mount Lewis in Queensland, and they are apparently absent from Cape York Peninsula; targeted searches in ostensibly suitable habitat have failed to locate any specimens ( Figure 11 , 12 ).

Remarks. Calofulcinia are widespread in rainforest and adjacent habitats along the east coast of New South Wales and Queensland, and although they can be locally abundant, they are generally very infrequently encountered. Males readily fly to lights and may be collected in numbers, but the flightless females and nymphs are not encountered by the majority of collectors, and it can take a great deal of concentrated effort to find even a single individual. Oothecae are even less frequently encountered, and indeed we know of only two reliably associated oothecae from the entire genus ( Figure 6 ).

Consequently, very little is known of the wild behaviour of any species of Calofulcinia . When individuals have been found away from light sheets, they are frequently observed in association with dense mosses and lichens. It is likely that this complex microhabitat provides them with both protection from predators and a supply of suitable prey.

In captivity, both C. oxynota and C. paraoxypila have been observed utilising almost identical hunting strategies, and it is likely that the other species hunt in a similar way. An individual typically stands motionless among mosses or lichens, with its body raised above the substrate. Once suitable prey is spotted, typically from a few centimetres away, the mantis walks or runs towards its prey and catches it with its forearms. Despite their delicate appearance, Calofulcinia have been observed subduing very large prey; an adult female C. oxynota was observed successfully catching a juvenile cockroach that was at least as large as itself.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Calofulcinia australis La Greca. A. Dorsal habitus, adult female. B. Dorsal habitus, adult male. C. Male genitalic complex, dorsal view. D. Male genitalic complex, ventral view. A–B. Scale = 10 mm. C–D. Scale = 0.5 mm.

FIGURE 2. Calofulcinia australis La Greca. A. Lateral pronotum, adult female. B. Lateral pronotum, adult male. C. Lateral abdomen, adult female. D. Head, adult female. E. Head, adult male. Subgenital plate, adult female. F. Subgenital plate, adult male. A–B, D–F. Scale = 1 mm. C. Scale = 5 mm.

FIGURE 3. Calofulcinia australis La Greca, live photographs. A. Adult female, Tamborine Mountain, Queensland, photograph by Nicholas John Fisher. B. Adult male, Mount Glorious, Queensland, photograph by Andrew Maynard. C. Adult male, Maleny, Queensland, photograph by Dianne Clarke. D–E. Adult female, Tamban, New South Wales, photograph by Nick Lambert.

FIGURE 4. Calofulcinia oxynota La Greca.A. Dorsal habitus, subadult female. B. Dorsal habitus, adult male. C. Male genitalic complex, dorsal view. D. Male genitalic complex, ventral view. A–B. Scale = 10 mm. C–D. Scale = 0.5 mm.

FIGURE 5. Calofulcinia oxynota La Greca. A. Lateral pronotum, adult female. B. Lateral pronotum, adult male. C. Lateral abdomen, adult female. D. Head, adult female. E. Head, adult male. Subgenital plate, adult female. F. Subgenital plate, adult male. A–B, D–F. Scale = 1 mm. C. Scale = 5 mm.

FIGURE 6. Calofulcinia oxynota La Greca, ootheca. A. Dorsal view. B. Lateral view. Scale = 1 mm. Photographs by Ken Walker.

FIGURE 7. Calofulcinia oxynota La Greca, live photographs. A. Adult female, Kuranda, Queensland, photograph by Maurice Allan. B. Adult male, Kuranda, Queensland. C. Adult female, Mount Baldy, Queensland, photograph by Maurice Allan; note blue spots. D. Adult female, Kuranda, Queensland, photograph by Maurice Allan. E. Adult male, Lake Eacham, Queensland, photograph by Maurice Allan. F. Female nymph, Mount Baldy, Queensland.

FIGURE 8. Calofulcinia paraoxypila (Tindale).A. Dorsal habitus, adult female. B. Dorsal habitus, adult male. C. Male genitalic complex, dorsal view. D. Male genitalic complex, ventral view. A–B. Scale = 10mm. C–D. Scale = 1 mm.

FIGURE 9. Calofulcinia paraoxypila (Tindale). A. Lateral pronotum, adult female. B. Lateral pronotum, adult male. C. Lateral abdomen, adult female. D. Head, adult female. E. Head, adult male. Subgenital plate, adult female. F. Subgenital plate, adult male. A–B, D–F. Scale = 1 mm. C. Scale = 5 mm.

FIGURE 10. Calofulciniaparaoxypila (Tindale), livephotographs.A.Adultfemale,mottled morph,Carneys Creek,Queensland, photograph by Greg Neill. B. Adult male, diffuse lichen morph, Mapleton, Queensland, photograph by Dianne Clarke. C. Female nymph, patternless morph, Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, photographs by Nick Lambert. D. Nymph, lichen morph, Witta, Queensland, photograph by Larney Grenfell. E. Adult female, green morph, Repton, New South Wales, photograph by Jeannie Bartram. F. Adult male, diffuse lichen morph, Mapleton, Queensland, photograph by Dianne Clarke.

FIGURE 11. Distribution of Calofulcinia spp. in Australia. A. Distribution in northeastern Queensland. B. Distribution in southeastern Queensland and northern New South Wales. Green = C. australis, Blue = C. oxynota, Purple = C. paraoxypila. Stars = type locality, Circles = specimens, Triangles = photographic records. Base map courtesy of Google Maps ©2023 and TerraMetrics ©2023.

FIGURE 12. Typical habitat of Calofulcinia spp. A. Rainforest at Lake Eacham, Queensland, habitat of C. oxynota and C. paraoxypila, photograph by Matthew Borella. B. Rainforest edge at Wongabel, Queensland, habitat of C. oxynota and C. paraoxypila. C. Transitional rainforest-wet sclerophyll forest at Mount Baldy, Queensland, habitat of C. oxynota. D. Rainforest at Tamborine Mountain, Queensland, habitat of C. australis and C. paraoxypila, photograph by Caitlin Henderson. E. Rainforest at Cunninghams Gap, Queensland, habitat of C. australis, photograph by John-Michiel Koens. F. Rainforest at Guanaba, Queensland, habitat of C. australis and C. paraoxypila, photograph by Nicholas John Fisher. G. Wet sclerophyll forest at Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, habitat of C. paraoxypila, photograph by Nick Lambert. H. Rural garden/restored rainforest edge at Witta, Queensland, habitat of C. paraoxypila, photograph by Larney Grenfell.